Trail Run with Yassine Diboun in the Bernese Oberland

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Trail running from inn to inn, with our bags transported for us, is one of our favorite ways to see the Alps! 

On this trip, we’ll do it with a special guest, Portland, Oregon’s Yassine Diboun. Yassine is both an elite, sponsored trail runner, and one of our community’s most wonderful and supportive people. His own story is one of overcoming personal challenges to create a life that inspires others– both in person and through Wy’East Wolfpack, a fitness and trail running community he created in the Pacific Northwest with partner Wille McBride. Simply put, Yassine is one of the greatest guys we know– his energy and enthusiasm is infectious, and we’re psyched to have him join Run the Alps!

Yassine Diboun
Yassine Diboun is the special guest runner on this trip, and we can’t wait to experience Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland while running with him. (Photo: Sage Brown)

Our trail running tour of the Bernese Oberland will traverse some of the most famous mountain terrain anywhere in the Alps, if not the world. We’ll run about 8-10 miles each day, taking plenty of time on the uphills, pausing frequently to take photographs, enjoy the scenery, and sample great food and drink en route. We’ll trail run over historic Grosse Scheidegg pass, then cruise along high alp pastures with sweeping views of the Eiger. In the mountain villages of Wengen and Mürren, we’ll finish with several days of trail running past high alp farms (including stops for some great lunches!), within sight of the Jungfrau, one of the most photographed mountains anywhere.

Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn – delicious fresh baked bread, local cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice – which gives us the energy needed for a day in the mountains. Soon we’ll be out on the trail, and each day we’ll offer options for an ambitious route, or an easier route that takes advantage of mountain trams and railways. Each morning, we’ll bring out a variety of trail nutrition from which you can choose. Almost all of our runs will include stops at mountain huts or alp farms, where we can enjoy a leisurely lunch of local cheeses, röstis or a fruit torte.

Not a bad backdrop. (Photo: Kim Strom)

Our stages are designed to be trail run in a day with ample time for breaks, and we plan the itinerary to finish each day with time to relax. Lodging in the Alps generally consists of shared rooms for two guests, though the option exists to have your own room at some locations for an additional fee. You’ll have your baggage every night, except for the night at Obersteinberg, one of Switzerland’s classic “Candlelight Hotels.” In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner together at our inn. These are often multi-course events, featuring local Swiss specialties, and will definitely be hearty, filling, well-earned and very delicious.

For unique trail running clothing, visit Run the Alps partners, Insane Inside.