Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB® 2026

Hey you, are you looking to push your limits in the middle of a breathtaking alpine setting? Stay right here—we’ve pretty much found exactly what you need 🤓.

It’s time for you to get your thighs ready for an extraordinary journey in Switzerland (and it even rhymes 🤣). The meeting point is at the foot of the mythical peaks of the Bernese Oberland 🇨🇭! We’re obviously talking about the Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB®. Launched in 2013, this legendary event has established itself as an unmissable monument for all trail 👟 enthusiasts. Here, you run in the footsteps of the pioneers of mountaineering who wrote the history of the Eiger’s north face, rising to 3,970 meters in altitude, once nicknamed “ the last problem of the Alps ” ⛰️. 

The famous limestone wall was climbed for the first time in 1858 by the guides Christian Almer and Peter Bohren, accompanied by Charles Barrington 🧗. As for that formidable north face, it was conquered in 1938 by Anderl Heckmair, Fritz Kasparek, Ludwig Vörg and Heinrich Harrer after four days of intense struggle 🌲. Today, climbers tackle it solo in under two and a half hours. And you—it’s in your running shoes that you’re going to challenge this colossus on your next outing!🏃 The Grindelwald region is a famous resort nestled in the valley, offering a natural heritage of exceptional value, and home to one of the largest glaciated areas in Switzerland! ❄️ What’s more, by coming to these trails, you’re racing an event on the UTMB® World Series circuit—also the perfect opportunity to earn precious Running Stones to try to qualify for the circuit’s world finals at UTMB® 💎.

This ultra-trail is scheduled in July, and features a lineup of six races! 🗺️ For the ultra-earthlings (yes, yes), in search of a crazy adventure, the “E250” takes you as a team of two or three on a 250 km course with elevation gain of 18,000 mD+ 📈! Now you see why it has to be done as a team? 🧐 This partially self-supported journey lets you explore timeless sections, like the Blüemlisalp hut, the Lötschpass pass or the majestic Aletsch Glacier 🌊. If you prefer the adventure solo, the flagship race “E101” offers you a challenge of 101 km with 6,700 mD+ of alpine scenery 🏔️. The route will take you past memorable viewpoints such as Grosse Scheidegg, Lake Bachalpsee and the Faulhorn summit at 2,680 meters 👁️. It’s on this legendary course that the local speed-climbing star Ueli Steck, who tragically passed away in 2017, liked to train to smash speed records in the mountains 🦅

If you want to taste the magic of the place in an intermediate format that’s just as demanding, the “Panorama Trail E51” has 51 km with 3,100 mD+ of steep climbs and wide-open panoramas stretching to the horizon 🌅. Fans of surges and pace changes will instead turn to the “North Face Trail E35” offering 35 km and 2,500 mD+ starting from Burglauenen. You’ll be able to measure yourself against the many chamois by following their trails via the Gemsenweg, emerging onto the Männlichen ridge, which offers a breathtaking plunge of a view over the Lauterbrunnen valley 🌲. For specialists of short distances or athletes wanting to run at their own pace, the “Pleasure Trail E16” packs 16 km and 950 mD+ of pure enjoyment (as its name suggests) 🌿. The event doesn’t forget the little champions with the “Kids Race”, a 300 m loop with 100 mD+, just to start learning from the earliest age! 👶

Saving the best for last: if you have a taste for risk and love the unexpected, let yourself be tempted by the “Trail Surprise” 😮. A truly surprise race, around 15 km with 800 mD+, whose profile, exact route and the location of the aid stations remain secret until three days before the start! 🤐 What’s certain is that you should get ready to experience a great moment of sharing and friendliness by coming to the Canton of Bern 🏔️. Before we part ways, to round out your knowledge between training sessions, know that the local gastronomy will comfort you with a good fondue or some nicely golden rösti after the effort! 😋 On the cinematic side, remember these landscapes served as a backdrop for the filming of cult movies, like The Eiger Sanction with Clint Eastwood 🎬.

So, ready to take on the challenge and live an incredible adventure right in the heart of the Swiss Alps? We’ll be waiting for you in Grindelwald 🏃‍♂️!