floating along the trails
300 kilometres of prepared hiking trails in summer, 72 kilometres of trails in winter: the Aletsch Arena is the perfect year-round destination for your trail-running adventure in Switzerland. Fill your water bottle, lace up your running shoes and explore the Valais mountain world around the Great Aletsch Glacier as you run.
The Aletsch Arena is the ideal place to get into good or better shape with trail running. A good number of trails at over 2000m above sea level take you through a varied terrain that is even car-free from Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp, providing for an unparalleled release of endorphins in winter, as well as in summer. What’s more, sporting activities at altitude are said to boost endurance thanks to the lower oxygen concentration in the air. In other words, the perfect place to train for the Aletsch Half-Marathon, for example.
In summer in the Aletsch Arena, the full breath of trail running challenges awaits you. You’ll find yourself negotiating stony paths and tree roots, but also crossing snowfields. Of course, you can go trail running in the Aletsch Arena in spring and autumn, too. Although, whenever you choose to run, these different circumstances demand your full concentration and balance.
The mightiest glacier in the Alps, centuries-old mountain villages and suspension bridges: following the unequivocal success of the Stoneman Glaciara for mountain bikers, there is now a Stoneman Glaciara Hike, an exciting mix of physical challenge and immersion in nature. The route can be completed as a trail run in one day or as a hiking adventure in one or three day stages. As a Stoneman finisher, you are immortalised on the Stoneman finisher list as a gold, silver or bronze finisher in typical Stoneman fashion.
Before you set off on your trail-running adventure in the Aletsch Arena, be sure to prepare well. Study your chosen route to be aware of potential pitfalls, and only set off if the weather’s good. Also important: you’re not the only person using the hiking trails. Mutual respect should be shown at all times. So here’s a brief guide to trail-running etiquette:
Greet people you meet along the way.
Make way for faster runners or mountain bikers.
Overtake on the left and step to the right if there is oncoming traffic – space and safety permitting.
Stay on the marked trails – for your own safety, too.
Don’t answer the ‘call of nature’ right at the edge of the path.
Run with joy and a smile on your face.
The Aletsch Half-Marathon and the Swiss Alps 100 Endurance Run, which starts at the Sport Resort in Fiesch are prestigious competitions and permanent fixtures in the annual calendar of enthusiastic runners and trail runners. Are you up for the challenge?
There’s a huge choice of trail-running routes in the Aletsch Arena. You can get to the starting point of your trail or back either on foot or as a passenger of Aletsch Bahnen. The easiest way to buy the right ticket, before beads of sweat form on your brow, is in our webshop.
Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned runner, there’s always new things to learn and more experience to be gained by attending a trail-running course. In the Aletsch Arena, a number of different courses take place on Bettmeralp, led by hiking guide and trail-running enthusiast Klaus Minnig.
For routes at over 2000m above sea level, you should start off with shorter routes involving less elevation gain and less-steep climbs. Tip: Familiarise yourself with the different surfaces at a slower pace.
In the Aletsch Arena you are surrounded by breath-taking nature and are rewarded for your efforts with a magnificent panorama, fresh Valais mountain air and a view of the Great Aletsch Glacier.
Yes, you can have your trail running adventure in the Aletsch Arena in winter, too. Blanketed entirely in white, the region already possesses a very special charm in winter, which makes winter trail running in the Aletsch Arena all the more special. 72 kilometres of perfectly groomed winter hiking trails await you. Another advantage: running at over 2000m above sea level is said to have a more intense training effect than jogging in the valley.
Don’t leave the marked hiking trails during your trail-running adventure in the Aletsch Arena. This is for your safety, but also for the safety of other visitors and the animals. In addition, large swathes of the Aletsch Arena are under nature protection, where special regulations apply.
Altitude training refers to training at 1800m or more above sea level. At least a week of training is usually necessary to make a noticeable difference. This is how exercise sessions at altitude affect your body: if you do the Aletsch Half-Marathon, for example, you achieve a substantial elevation gain from the start at 1950m up to Bettmerhorn at 2650m. As the air pressure decreases, the blood absorbs less oxygen from the lungs. The body compensates for this by increasing your breathing and heart rate, which leads to enhanced stamina. During training at high altitudes, the red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen, also increase in number. The result: more oxygen delivered to the muscles, enlarged oxygen store in the muscles, more effective breathing and increased fat metabolism.
For your trail running adventure in the Aletsch Arena, you will need running shoes or, even better, trail-running shoes, sunglasses and a hat, as well as a compact running backpack. This you fill with drinks, snacks, a rescue blanket and warm clothes.
Trail running is suitable for anyone who actively practises sport, enjoys exercise in nature and is familiar with the varied trail surfaces. Tip: Take a break from time to time and enjoy the breath-taking panorama of the Aletsch Arena.
Trail running is suitable for beginners, too. You’re best advised to book a trail running course for newcomers to the sport with hiking guide Klaus Minnig.
Yes, in the Aletsch Arena there are courses for experienced trail runners with hiking guide Klaus Minnig.
In the Aletsch Arena, you can use any and all of the hiking trails for your trail-running adventure. Two special highlights are the route of the Aletsch Half-Marathon for experienced trail runners and the Nordic-walking route for beginners.
Travelling to the Aletsch Arena holiday paradise is easy and straightforward, whether by car or public transport. If your trail running route is on the car-free plateau, the cable car takes you up the mountain.
Book your stay in the Aletsch Arena now.
Yes, the easiest way is to download the map onto your smartphone. The routes can be viewed at maps.aletscharena.ch and tracked via the Outdooractive-app.
Yes, you can take your dog with you on your trail-running tour in the Aletsch Arena. Please note that dog leashes are compulsory in most places.
Trail running works perfectly without the use of poles. However, on long climbs in particular, the energy-saving helpers are very welcome.
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