Ultra-Trails in the Canton of Solothurn

Straddling the Plateau and the Jura Mountains, the canton of Solothurn forms a mosaic of valleys, gorges and long ridges. The Thal, around Balsthal, cuts deep between two limestone folds, while the Grenchenberg and the Weissenstein stand guard above the Aare 🌲.

For ultra-trail running in the canton of Solothurn, it all comes down to the sequence. The ridges follow one another relentlessly, with short but punishing climbs that end up weighing on your legs. The Jura ridge trail, marked from Dielsdorf to Nyon, crosses the canton and inspires outings of several hours between alpine farms and fir forests. In summer, the mild nights are perfect for headlamp runs, while autumn brings a low, raking light over the sea of fog 🌙.

The Solothurn ultra-trail calendar does not yet list any race on Finishers, but there is no shortage of big formats nearby. In the neighboring Jura, Les Courses du Mont-Terrible offer a long-distance course in April starting from Porrentruy. In the Bernese Oberland, the Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB® brings together runners from all over the world in Grindelwald every summer ⛰️. The Swiss Trail Tour criss-crosses the Simmental in September. For more ideas, check out the ultra-trails in the canton of Bern, those in the canton of Jura or the Ultra-Trails in Switzerland page.

Long runs heading north pass near the Goetheanum in Dornach, an astonishing concrete building designed by Rudolf Steiner 🏛️. A little farther on, Mariastein Abbey clings to a cliff, very close to the French border. This little-known corner of the canton, called Schwarzbubenland, has to be earned after long climbs. Whether you're aiming for your first 80 km or a full crossing, Solothurn's terrain helps you build endurance 🎯.