Via Valais
This challenging high-mountain route was designed by our friends at ALPSinsight, specifically with trail runners in mind. You’ll traverse valleys and run over high passes and through meadows on your journey across the Switzerland’s Valais Alps, from Arolla to Zermatt.
Accommodations are hotels in rustic Alp villages or high mountain huts, where you’ll enjoy hearty local cuisine.
Our version of the Via Valais starts in the beautiful Swiss village of Arolla, famous as a base for mountaineering. After a day of travel, we suggest kicking your adventure off with a day of trail running in this wonderful, remote valley, before heading off on the journey towards Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn.
You’ll leave Arolla to head up to the Becs des Bossons mountain refuge at 3149m – your first “fast-packing” night, carrying a few extra items for a comfy evening at this high cabin. The next day you have a more undulating run, passing beautiful Moiry Lake, to your hotel in Zinal. As on some other days, there are options to make this route longer or shorter.
From Zinal, you say goodbye to French-speaking Switzerland and travel into the German-speaking region. Today’s route follows the last section of the famous Sierre-Zinal race course, before you head over the Col de la Forcletta to end your day at the Turtmann mountain hut.
The next day you’ll reach the final valley on your journey to Zermatt – the Mattertal. After staying the night in St Niklaus or Täsch, you will run part of the Europaweg trail to the Fluhalp mountain hut where you’ll stay high above Zermatt. The final day of running takes you along cruisey trails around the head of the Mattertal – with plenty of café options along the way!
As part of this tour, one bag per guest will travel separately, and will be waiting for you when you arrive in each village hotel. During your nights at mountain huts, you’ll need to be self-sufficient, bringing a few extra items to spend the night. Run the Alps will provide all information on what to bring for your hut nights, including recommended trail running pack sizes for those fast-packing days.
It’s possible to shorten this 10 day, 9 night itinerary by one or two nights by giving up your exploration days at the start or end of your tour. You can also follow the original Vial Valais route, designed by ALPSinsight, which requires 9 days moving point to point. Contact us for more info.
Top Photo: PatitucciPhoto
