Swiss Canyon Trail is a 111km ultra marathon in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Distance: 111km. Elevation: 6,200m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 57/100). DNF rate: 25%. Time limit: 30h. Surface: trail. Established 2017.
Swiss Canyon Trail
Grindelwald, Bern, Switzerland
"111km beneath the Eiger North Face. 6,200m climbing."
A mountain ultra beneath the Eiger in the Bernese Oberland.
The Course
A mountain trail ultra through the dramatic canyon landscapes of the Swiss Jura. The route follows narrow gorges, crosses limestone plateaus, and descends through forested ravines with waterfalls and turquoise pools. Unlike the high-alpine Swiss races, this course stays at moderate elevation (500-1,400m) but compensates with relentless technical terrain — slippery rock steps, root-tangled forest, and exposed canyon-edge traverses that demand constant attention.
mountainous
loop
10
Runner Experience
Standard aid station support with food, drinks, and basic medical assistance at regular intervals.
Mountain village finish with local food, drinks, and a relaxed post-race atmosphere. The setting rewards the effort.
Race Day Weather
12°C
2° – 20°
55%
30%
Alpine summer — warm valleys, cold high passes.
Stats & Records
2017
300
20:00:00
Entry
CHF 200
November
weeks
Lore & Trivia
The Swiss Canyon Trail takes runners through a landscape more commonly associated with canyoneering than trail running. The Jura Mountains — Switzerland's "other" range, quieter and wilder than the Alps — hide dramatic limestone gorges, underground rivers, and waterfalls that few tourists ever see. The race was created to showcase this overlooked Swiss landscape, and runners consistently rank it among the most beautiful courses in Europe despite its modest elevation profile.
- ▸ The course passes directly beneath the Eiger North Face.
- ▸ 6,200m of climbing in 111km makes this one of Switzerland's toughest ultras.
- ▸ The Bernese Oberland contains the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger.
The Jura is Switzerland's secret — no glaciers, no fame, just hidden canyons and waterfall trails that rival anything in the Alps.
Notable Editions
Flash Flood Reroute
Heavy rain triggered flash flooding in the Jura gorges, forcing a real-time course reroute that tested both organisers and runners. The ability to adapt mid-race to dangerous conditions demonstrated the maturity of Swiss race management.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Swiss Canyon Trail? +
Swiss Canyon Trail is a 111km (111km) ultra marathon with 6,200m of elevation gain. The course is loop on trail terrain.
How hard is Swiss Canyon Trail? +
Swiss Canyon Trail is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 57/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 25%. Runners have 30 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Swiss Canyon Trail? +
Average temperature is 12°C (range 2°C to 20°C) with 55% humidity and a 30% chance of rain. Alpine summer — warm valleys, cold high passes.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Swiss Canyon Trail? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the average finish time for Swiss Canyon Trail? +
The average finish time is 20:00:00. About 300 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 25%.
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