Altitude training

Trail running in
the Aletsch Arena

Running alongside the Great Aletsch Glacier

Trail running in the Aletsch Arena means running on alpine trails, training at over 2,000 metres and always having the Great Aletsch Glacier in view. Set off directly from the car-free mountain villages of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp onto a variety of trails, or take on a vertical route from the valley up to the sunny plateau.
Whether you’re looking for short introductory runs or long mountain runs with plenty of elevation gain, you’ll find everything a trail runner could wish for. This Alpine destination in Valais offers ambitious trail runners ideal conditions: thanks to the mountain lifts, you can reach the trails on the sunny plateau quickly and efficiently. Varied routes and spectacular views await you. Perfect for race preparation, altitude training in ideal conditions or unforgettable trail running experiences.

car-free mountain villages – direct access to the trails without traffic

of alpine trails – varied routes for every level

vertical challenge – from 746 to 2,926 m above sea level, from the valley to the summit

trailrunning-mit-klaus-minnig-moosfluh-aletsch-arena-raphi-wernli-06.jpg

Find your trail running route in the Aletsch Arena

Short, long, steep, technical or panoramic? In the selection below, you’re sure to find the route that matches your goal. Filter by difficulty, distance, elevation gain, starting point, season and current conditions – and plan your run exactly the way you want it, starting from Riederalp, Bettmeralp, Fiescheralp or down in the valley.

Tip

23.23 km

914 m

4:40 h

914 m

Trail running · difficult

3992 Bettmeralp

16.80 km

665 m

3:20 h

665 m

Trail running · medium

3992 Bettmeralp

16.54 km

628 m

3:20 h

628 m

Trail running · medium

3992 Bettmeralp

12.51 km

882 m

2:50 h

882 m

Trail running · medium

3992 Bettmeralp

9.93 km

21 m

3:25 h

1,827 m

Trail running · difficult

3984 Fiesch

Tip

3.19 km

106 m

0:35 h

106 m

Trail running · easy

3992 Bettmeralp

Tip

9.81 km

194 m

1:35 h

194 m

Trail running · medium

3992 Bettmeralp

5.42 km

58 m

1:00 h

50 m

Trail running · medium

3984 Fiesch

20.95 km

316 m

4:13 h

1,040 m

Trail running · medium

3992 Bettmeralp

Signature Trails

The Aletsch Arena’s Signature Trails are among the most beautiful trail running routes in the region. Whether you’re looking for a short loop, a vertical route, a full-day tour or a multi-day adventure, you’ll find your next trail running highlight here. With a detailed route description or a practical starter package, you’ll be well prepared for alpine terrain, plenty of elevation gain and spectacular glacier scenery.

Aletsch
Half Marathon
Route

21.1 km through the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1,148 metres of elevation gain up to 2,650 m above sea level.
Running alongside the largest glacier in the Alps.
A classic on the Swiss mountain running calendar since 1986.
A panoramic route through spectacular Alpine scenery with views of the Great Aletsch Glacier.

Conquer the AHM route without racing

Swiss Alps Vertical Eggishorn

10 km of pure uphill challenge.
1,830 metres of elevation gain with virtually no flat sections.
Finish at 2,926 m above sea level on the Eggishorn, with views of the Great Aletsch Glacier and a mountain landscape featuring more than 40 peaks over 4,000 metres.
Start in Fiesch – from the valley straight to the summit.
Part of the international Swiss Alps 100 – one of Switzerland’s most scenic trail races.

GPX Book the ride down

Stoneman Glaciara Trail

65 km trail adventure around the Great Aletsch Glacier.
3,150 metres of elevation gain – the most demanding Stoneman in the series.
2 suspension bridges with spectacular views into the depths.
1 ridge run with a unique panorama of the Aletsch Glacier and 40 peaks over 4,000 metres.

Book a starter package

Stoneman Glaciara Hike — © Aletsch Arena AG

Sharing the same passion

Experience & Running Community
Aletsch Arena

Trail running in the Aletsch Arena is more than just training. Here you’ll find routes, events and people who share your passion for running in the mountains. Whether you want to work on your technique, prepare for a race or discover new trails with local experts, the Aletsch Arena offers the ideal setting.

When I train in the Aletsch Arena, I combine challenging trails with incredible natural scenery. The combination of elevation gain, alpine trails and views of the Aletsch Glacier motivates me time and time again.

Victoria Kreuzer, Swiss ski mountaineer and mountain runner, two-time winner of the Vertical Race World Cup

Would you like to know which Aletsch Glacier route best fits your training week or how to plan the perfect trail running weekend with friends in the Aletsch Arena?

Benefit from the collective knowledge of the Aletsch Arena team. Our trail running and mountain sports enthusiasts know the trails and routes of the Aletsch Arena down to the last detail. Whether elite ultratrail runner, Gen Z neo-runner or experienced mountain runner – we answer your questions and support you with first-hand tips.

Join the “Aletsch Trail Runners” Strava Club

Get down

The right ticket

The choice of trail running routes in the Aletsch Arena is huge. You can reach the starting point of your trail – or make your way back – either on foot or with the Aletsch Bahnen mountain lifts. You can conveniently buy the right ticket in the webshop, before you’ve even broken a sweat.

Summary: Trail running in the Aletsch Arena

Region: Aletsch Arena, Valais, Switzerland.
Elevation: trails from 746 to 2,926 m above sea level.
Trail network: around 300 km of hiking trails in summer.
Winter trails: around 72 km of trail running and winter trails.
Landscape: in the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site with views of the Great Aletsch Glacier.
Starting points: Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp, or from the valley.
Trail running events: Aletsch Half Marathon, Swiss Alps 100 and SwissPeaks.

Questions and answers about trail running in the Aletsch Arena

Yes. The Aletsch Arena hosts several running and trail running events – from beginner-friendly races to internationally renowned ultratrails. Event highlights include:
- Aletsch Women’s Run in Fiesch – a popular running event for women featuring an attractive course through Fiesch and the Fiesch Valley.
- Aletsch Half Marathon – one of Europe’s best-known mountain races. The 21.1 km course leads through the UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers spectacular views of the Great Aletsch Glacier.
- Swiss Alps 100 – an international ultratrail event with various distances, taking runners through the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the region’s impressive mountain scenery.
- SwissPeaks Trail – one of Switzerland’s most spectacular ultratrail races. The longest distances pass through the Aletsch Arena, making the region one of the highlights of this extraordinary event.
You can find all current dates and further information in the Aletsch Arena event calendar.

Trail running in the Aletsch Arena

Running alongside the Great Aletsch Glacier

Find your trail running route in the Aletsch Arena

Signature Trails

Aletsch Half Marathon Route

Swiss Alps Vertical Eggishorn

Stoneman Glaciara Trail

Experience & Running Community Aletsch Arena

We run because we love it

The right ticket

Summary: Trail running in the Aletsch Arena

Questions and answers about trail running in the Aletsch Arena

Trail running in
the Aletsch Arena

Aletsch
Half Marathon
Route

Experience & Running Community
Aletsch Arena