Wildstrubel by UTMB ® 2026

How about an immersion like "Into The Wild" in a dream setting in the heart of the Swiss Alps 🇨🇭? Not to survive, nor to ski, but indeed to run in the high mountains of the Valais Canton 🏔. Interested? Well, you're in luck because that's what we're offering with the first edition of the Wildstrubel by UTMB ®, which will also allow you to qualify for the UTMB Mont-Blanc. Embrace the nature, the real one!

The meetup is set for September, in the high Swiss mountains, between the cantons of Valais and Bern, halfway between the Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Natural Park and the Binn Valley; East of Montreux and North of Sion. Couldn't be more precise 🤷‍♀️. At this time of year, you can enjoy the last warmth of summer, while closely observing the sublime massifs covered with eternal snow ❄️. What a backdrop for a trail runner! It's likely that the blue sky will be present, but we can't guarantee that between two rays of sunshine, you won't have to endure a few raindrops 🌧️. It is, after all, the mountain, and it is unpredictable!

Three distances await you to reach the peaks: a short trail of 26 km with 1,200 mD+, 2 long trails of 53 km with 3,300 mD+ and 70 km with 4,600 mD+ as well as an ultra trail of 113 km with 6,600 mD+. Note that each race starts from a different city, but at the finish everyone meets in the same place: Crans-Montana. Hmm... Reminds us of another beautiful race!

The course, devised by the Swiss Jean-Yves Rey (2009 CCC winner for your information), will take you around not one, but two glaciers! You will indeed have the privilege of treading on the Glacier de la Pleine Morte (5 kilometers long) and the Wildstrubel (which extends to 2.5 kilometers). It's time for a little history minute! Know that the first ascent of the Wildstrubel dates back to August 16, 1856 by Edmund von Fellenberg, the pioneer of the Golden Age of the Alps Conquest (a period during which most of the Alps' peaks were climbed). On a plateau located at 1,500 m altitude ⛰️, this time it will be your chance to observe more than forty summits at 4,000 meters altitude... enough to have your feet on the ground and your head in the clouds ☁️.

Trail running is also about variety. Between narrow paths, dizzying slopes, waterfalls, forests, lakes and other pastures, a multitude of treasures will be revealed with each of your strides: a constant spectacle! 🤩 You'll also discover incredible spots very "Instagrammable" as the youngsters say 😅. Let's mention the Varneralp viewpoint, Tällisee lake, the Engstligen Falls or even the Simmenfälle Cascade. Be sure to stay focused and watch the ground, as the routes are technical. During your journey, you will also cross Bern and Valais: 2 different linguistic regions, enough to improve your English or German 😅! You will also go through the roads of 5 cities: Leukerbad, Kandersteg, Adelboden, Lenk and of course the latest addition, Crans-Montana. You will finally pass through the famous Rawil Pass, the Gemmi (like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the story "The Final Problem") and the Via Alpina to move from one canton to another. All while mixing hospitality, kindness, and festive atmosphere 🎊. Yes, these are the hallmarks of the UTMB house!

For your after-trail, what better than to enjoy the charming Swiss setting 🇨🇭. In Crans-Montana, various activities await you. Between hiking, walks, indoor and outdoor activities, cultural activities, mountain biking, or even, relaxation and spa to recover: the resort has plenty of surprises 🎁 to fulfill all your desires! Regarding gastronomy, you can try two Michelin-starred restaurants, but the traditional mountain cuisine 🧀 (cheeses, cured meats, fondues ...) will also be present with many restaurants 😋. And if, in addition to being a fine gourmet, you are a die-hard fan of oenology 🍷, you can enjoy the viticultural activities on site 🍇. But remember, always in moderation!