Attention trail running fans: Today Mammut athlete Nicolas Hojac and Scott trail runner Maria Christen will reveal their favorite trails.
This post is presented by Mammut, Scott and Hydrapak
The great thing about trail running is that you can do it anywhere - especially in an Alpine country like Switzerland. At the same time, the variety of options doesn't make it any easier to make a decision. That's why we're providing you with concrete recommendations in the fifth and final part of our trail running series: Mary Christians and Nicolas Hojac tell you their three most beautiful trail running tours.
The tour tips from the two professionals range from easy to quite difficult. With this in mind, we recommend that everyone approach it slowly and carefully consider whether they are up to a tour or not. Stay safe!
Table of Contents – The favorite trails of Maria Christen and Nicolas Hojac
- Urschner High Trail
- Zermatt
- Strada Alta from Biasca to Airolo
- Brienzergrat
- Via Alta della Verzsaca
- Barrhorn
Tip 1: The Urschner Höhenweg
The Urschner Höhenweg is practically in Maria Christen's extended front yard. Accordingly, when asked about the most beautiful tours, the Scott trail runner doesn't hesitate for long and first mentions the panoramic hiking trail between Tiefenbach and Andermatt.
She considers the Urschner Höhenweg to be highly recommended for various reasons: on the one hand, the landscape is incredibly beautiful, and on the other hand, the difficulty is not too demanding and is therefore very suitable for those getting started in trail running.
The trail is well developed, flowing and therefore really fun.
Mary Christians
Facts & Figures Urschner High Trail
- Map and elevation profile
- Length: 16,5 kilometers
- Ascent: 501 meters
- Descent: 1168 meters
- Difficulty: T2
- Best Season: June to October
Well-developed trails make the Urschner Höhenweg the ideal trail for beginners.
Tip 2: Zermatt
Maria Christen also counts Zermatt as one of her favorite areas. She has already made it onto the podium twice at the infamous Ultraks Zermatt. But her love for the region is not just based on that: "There are so many trails here, from easy to difficult. There is something for everyone," enthuses Christen.
Zermatt is very well connected by cable car, which can be an advantage if you suddenly run out of energy along the way.
Mary Christians
Ambitious trail runners can, for example, take part in Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon try or Matterhorn Ultraks Trail Vertical measure their thigh power. If you prefer something more leisurely, the 9,2-kilometer trail to Täschalp is a very scenic route.
Scott Supertrac Speed RC
Performance trail running shoe for any terrain
Scott has a shoe for every terrain. The Supertrac Speed RC is the ideal shoe for everything from mountain running to obstacle courses. Thanks to the new firm and robust outsole you will never lose grip. Muddy or rocky, rain or snow, it accompanies you in any weather. One thing is certain: With this robust shoe you can move quickly.
Tip 3: Strada Alta from Biasca to Airolo
If the weather in central Switzerland isn't playing along for once, Maria Christen also has a trail recommendation for Switzerland's sunny side. On the sunny side of the Leventina, the classic hiking trail Strada Alta runs for around 45 kilometers from Airolo to Biasca.
Of course, you can do the entire route in one day, like Maria Christen. But there are also places to stay overnight along the trail, so you can easily do the high-altitude trail in two or three stages, depending on your mood, time and fitness level.
You walk high up and through beautiful villages every now and then. And if you don't feel like it any more, you can always take a shortcut and just go down into the valley.
Mary Christians
Facts & Figures Strada Alta from Biasca to Airolo
- Map and elevation profile
- Length: 43 kilometers
- Ascent: 1500 meters
- Descent: 2345 meters
- Difficulty: T2
- Best time of year: May to October
Mammut Aenergy TR Hybrid Vest:
Reliable protection with minimal weight
This quick-drying hybrid vest reliably protects the upper body. It is windproof, durable and a real flyweight. The stretch panel on the back allows for maximum freedom of movement, while the double-weave material wicks away sweat in an instant. All parts of the Mammut trail running collection are 100% decarbonized.
Tip 4: Brienzergrat
The Brienzergrat is the ridge tour par excellence and, in the eyes of Mammut athlete Nicolas Hojac, one of the most beautiful trail running tours: "On one side the green Mittelland, on the other the white 4000m peaks of the Bernese Oberland and you run on a knife edge."
Below, the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz beckon and if you are lucky, you will see a herd of ibexes.
Nicolas Hojac
The great thing about this tour is that you can do it in different ways, so everyone gets their money's worth.
Nicolas Hojac
"You can either take the train to the Brienzer Rothorn and run to the Harder or Interlaken. You can also start on the Brünig and do the trail run to Interlaken. Or you can start in Interlaken and do it to the Brünig. Smaller sections such as over the Augstmatthorn from the Lombachalp are also very worthwhile, but this part is certainly the most visited."
Facts and Figures: Brienzergrat
- Length: Depending on the selected variant
- Ascent: Depending on the chosen variant
- Descent: Depending on the chosen variant
- Difficulty: Depending on the variant up to T5
- Starting point: Brienzer Rothorn, Brünig, Interlaken
Tip 5: Via Alta della Verzasca
Like Maria Christen, Nicolas Hojac also included a multi-day hike in Ticino in his top 3: the Via Alta della Verzasaca. With difficulties up to T6, this tour is a little more difficult than the Via Alta Maggia and significantly more difficult than the Strada Alta Leventina described above.
For the alpinist and mountain guide, the attraction of the tour lies in the difficulty and also the isolation of this route: "There are many self-catering huts along the way where you can stay overnight and usually there is no big hustle and bustle."
warning
The Via Alta della Verzasca is a demanding mountain hike with difficulties up to T6. Anyone who wants to tackle this challenge as a trail run should have a lot of experience from running in rough and exposed terrain and also have plenty of mountain experience, a high level of surefootedness and the necessary equipment (e.g. for a possible change in the weather).
Facts and Figures: Via Alta della Verzasca
- Map
- Length: 52.8 kilometers
- Ascent: 5765 meters
- Descent: 3811 meters
- Difficulty: T6
- Starting point: Tenero, Gordola or Cugnasco
Hydrapak Velocity 1.5L
Ultralight hydration bladder for trail running
Velocity is the lightest hydration bladder from Hydrapak and is deliberately kept minimalist. With its slim profile, it fits more comfortably into vests and backpacks. The drinking tube can be easily removed and the automatic shut-off valve prevents leakage. Thanks to its extra wide opening, the Velocity can be quickly refilled on the go.
Tip 6: Barrhorn
The Barrhorn in Upper Valais is the highest hiking peak in Europe at 3610 metres. Ever since the Barrhorn Skyrace, the almost 24-kilometre-long route has also become a household name among trail runners.
You start in the lovely Turtmanntal and end at 3610 meters in a barren stone desert. A very varied tour.
Nicolas Hojac
Facts and Figures: Barrhorn
- Map
- Length: 23.9 kilometers
- Ascent: 3063 meters
- Descent: 93 meters
We've got you covered with what you need to get started with trail running safely and what you should pay attention to when it comes to equipment first part of this trail running series described. Part two of the trail running series explores the question of whether trail running is the perfect training for mountaineers. Part three of the trail running series we provide you with training tips. In part four is about common injuries and their prevention.
Content partners
This five-part series on trail running is presented by Mammut, Scott and Hydrapak
Mammut is a Swiss outdoor company founded in 1862 that offers high-quality products and unique brand experiences to mountain sports fans around the world. The world's leading premium brand has stood for safety and groundbreaking innovation for 160 years. Mammut products combine functionality and performance with contemporary design. With the combination of hardware, shoes and clothing, Mammut is one of the most complete suppliers in the outdoor market. Mammut Sports Group AG operates in around 40 countries and employs around 800 people.
Scott Sports is a leader in the development, manufacture, distribution and marketing of high-end performance products for biking, winter sports, motorsports and running. Innovation, technology and design are the essence of Scott products and the vision of the engineers and designers.
The brand portfolio includes Syncros, Bergamont, Bold Cycles, Unparallel, Dolomite, Powderhorn, Bach and Lizard. R&D, marketing and sales are managed from the headquarters in Givisiez, Switzerland. Scott employs more than 1500 people worldwide and operates in more than 100 countries.
Since 2001, Hydrapak has stood for flexible, high-performance hydration systems that reliably accompany athletes on their adventures. Hydrapak's performance-focused design and equipment are distilled down to the essence of functional performance. Hydrapak has earned its reputation on dusty desert trails and icy mountain peaks. Partnerships with Salomon and Osprey are the ultimate seal of quality. Hydrapak not only supplies its brand partners, but also works closely with them during the design and development phase.