Trail Running in Valais, Switzerland – High Routes & Race Legends

Trail running in Valais is defined by big landscapes, vertical gain, and incredible variety. The region is home to several of Switzerland’s most famous trail races, including the Trail Verbier St-Bernard, the Sierre-Zinal, and the Matterhorn Ultraks—events that have shaped the sport in the Alps. Beyond racing, Valais boasts hundreds of kilometers of marked trails ideal for training, exploring, or multi-day stage running. Near Zermatt, you’ll find breathtaking high-altitude routes like the Hörnli Trail or the Gornergrat Ridge, offering views of the Matterhorn with plenty of technical sections. In Verbier, you can link forest trails, ski slopes, and panoramic balconies into vertical circuits with thousands of meters of elevation change. For those seeking softer terrain, the Bisse trails in the lower Rhone Valley offer flatter, runnable surfaces and early-season access. Valais also caters well to ultra runners and adventure seekers with long-distance loops such as the Tour du Mont Fort and Tour des Combins, which can be run in sections or as hut-to-hut challenges. With lift systems, well-marked paths, and excellent mountain infrastructure, it’s easy to plan customized trail runs across the region. The trail running season runs from late May to October, depending on snow levels. Valais is not only a runner’s playground—it’s a place where each stride reveals a new view, a higher summit, and deeper connection to the mountains.

Top Ways to Find Certified Guides in Valais for Trail Running: – Book trail running coaches and guides through Crion.org – Contact trail schools in Verbier, Zinal, and Crans-Montana – Ask tourism offices or local running clubs – Join Valais-based trail running meetups for group runs – Look for certified mountain leaders with trail experience

Best Places to Rent & Buy Trail Running Equipment in Valais: – Running and outdoor shops in Sion, Verbier, and Zermatt – Retail stores near race bases like Crans-Montana or Martigny – Mountain shops with trail shoes, poles, hydration vests – Online rental platforms with gear delivery to accommodations – Race expos and local trail events often sell discounted gear