TRAIL RUN GRINDLEWALD
NEW DATE: 22 - 25 MAY 2024
SOLD OUT
EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Marvellous Grindlewald is arguably one of the finest valleys in the world, embedded with dramatic mountain scenery, charming Swiss culture, and endless trails to explore. The valley also just happens to be host to one of the most notorious mountains in the world - the mighty Eiger and its infamous North Face.
Grindlewald is our base for the entire trip, staying in a cosy alpine hotel where we have views of the Eiger directly from our bedroom windows.
Each day we’ll trail run a selection of inspiring routes, utilising the free local transportation system, as well as taking cable cars to get us up high and explore the high mountain terrain.
We’ll experience running trails from lush alpine meadows and waterfalls, glacial gorges, rushing rivers, and mighty mountains. What more can you ask for?
NEW DATE: 22 - 25 MAY 2023
TRIP ADVENTURE GRADE: B2
DISTANCE: 10 - 20km per day
MAX. 12 RUNNERS
Would you like to talk to a Pure Trails team member to learn more about this trip?
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience trail running in one of the finest valleys found on earth - Grindlewald
Run along the spectacular Eiger trail traversing high mountain routes and lush alpine meadows
Experience a semi-supported adventure travelling only with light-packs led by two qualified mountain runners
Relax at our alpine hotel with sundowners overlooking the Eiger North Face
ITINERARY
Click to explore in more detail.
+ DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO GRINDLEWALD
Arrival into Grindelwald
Check-in from 16:00 and relax
Meet the group for a breifing with tea/coffee on the veranda
Optional: Light 5km trail run to explore the local area
Group dinner at the hotel
Overnight Hotel with half-board
+ DAY 2: TRAIL RUN PFINGSTEGG
Swiss breakfast at the hotel
Meet the group at 10am on the balcony for a team briefing + prepare our gear
Approx. 10-12km to Pfingstegg run starting at the hotel
Following the trails through the village, woods and the glacier gorge and get a beautiful first impression of the valley we are staying in
Afternoon to relax with further optional activities
Overnight Hotel with half-board
+ DAY 2: THE EIGER TRAIL
Swiss breakfast at the hotel
Walk to the cable car station and take the lift up the mountain to First
Soak up the impresive view of the Eiger mountains on the other side of the valley
17km panorama trail run through mountain meadows, rocky trails, snow fields and along a mountain lake, to the Faulhorn guest house (2680m) where we stop for lunch (extra cost)
Our trail run ends at First and take the lift back down to Grindelwald.
Walk back to our hotel
Afternoon to chill and relax
Group dinner at the Alpenblick
+ DAY 3: THE EIGER TRAIL
Swiss breakfast at the hotel
Trail Run (15km) the Eiger Trail up to Eigergletscher oder Kleine Scheidegg along the foot of the Eiger North Face
After a beer and snack at the mountain restaurant we take the Eiger Express cable car down to Grindelwald
Arrive back at the hotel with time to chill & relax
Group dinner at the Alpenblick
+ DAY 5: RECOVERY TRAILS & HOMEWARD BOUND
Swiss Breakfast at the hotel
Pack-up and check-out
10km Recovery trails along the Lütschine River from Burglauenen back to Grindelwald
Shower at the hotel, with lunch and beer to toast our trip
Farewell and own onward arrangements
Note: All routes and program can be changed do to the weather and conditions as well as shortened if necessary.
OUR ROUTE
Approximate details*:
Total Distance: approx. 55+ km
Total Running Days: 4 Days
Lowest Elevation: 1,034m
Highest Elevation: 2,680m
*The daily distances and itinerary may change according to local weather conditions and the groups condition.
INCLUDES:
4 days guided trail running
4 nights accommodation (twin or double room share)
Half-board throughout with a fixed 3-course menu
Led by two professional trail running guides
Free use of the public bus
Nutriathletic Swiss sports nutrition shakes, drinks, bars, and gels
Trails & Trees: with every booking, we plant a tree
EXCLUDES:
International flights
Arrival / departure transfers
Cost of the cable car
Beverages and snacks
Lunches
Personal equipment
Laundry
Travel Insurance (REQUIRED before the trips departure - for cancellation, accidents, health and emergency evacuation, loss, theft, or damage to baggage or personal effects)
Tips
Single Supplement (available on request)
WHERE WE
STAY
Hotel Alpenblick
Located in a blissful spot just metres away from central Grindlewald our base for the experience will be the Hotel Alpenblick.
From the hotel, we have immense views of the towering Eiger and the entire Grindlewald valley. Its cosy set-up makes it a perfect space to chill after magical days on the trail.
FAQ
FLIGHTS
We specialise in arranging excellent trail running holidays but do not book international flights. As there is a great variety of value flights departing from all over the world to Zurich International Airport (ZRH).
ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE
We begin the running experience from the Alpenblick hotel, Grindlewald and it is, therefore, necessary to make your own travel arrangements to get to the hotel. Getting to Grindlewald is relatively straightforward and we recommend taking an international flight to Zurich airport (ZRH) and then taking a train to Grindlewald (usually 2-changes along the way). The journey by train can take up to 3 hours.
On arrival into Grindlewald, the hotel Alpenblick is an easy 10-min walk from the station.
VISAS
British citizens can enter and remain in Switzerland for a maximum of 90 days in every 6-month period without a visa.
GROUP MANAGEMENT
Being a group of max. 12 runners with a mixture of ages and running abilities we may decide to split into flexible groups, all of which will be supported by our Swiss running guide who will be with us on the trip.
By splitting the group will allow us all to move more fluidly, allowing all team members to run at their own comfortable pace, without feeling pressured.
TRAIL RUNNING
Over the course of the experience, we will trail run a rich variety of routes; ranging from lower alpine meadow to higher mountain skylines. We have purposefully designed this trip to be inclusive of a range of running abilities, but there is an assumption that participants arrive on the trip in good fitness and that you are capable of being on your feet for between 2 - 5 hours on each of the days.
TEMPERATURES
May is a beautiful time to be in Grindlewald as the days begin to get longer, the temperatures slowly rise and the meadows are filled with spring flowers. Daytime temperatures range from 09 - 15 degrees C, but in the sun it can feel a lot hotter. At night, as with travel to the mountains, we expect temperatures to dip down to 5 degrees C. As a result we need to be prepared for all weather with the possibility of rain and foggy conditions, as well as bright sunshine.