Switzerland · Vaud / multi-canton
Distance
400 km
Date
Entry fee
€745
€ / km
€2.03
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
Crossing Switzerland 400km: The Race That Opens With Europe's 2nd Biggest Climb
Crossing Switzerland (Montreux Trail Festival 400km) is a point-to-point trail race held in July, traversing the full breadth of Switzerland from Bad Ragaz in Heidiland to the Montreux lakeside across 7 alpine cantons. The course covers 400 kilometres with 25,000 metres of elevation gain — 62.5 metres per kilometre — within a 176-hour cutoff spread across 7 days. Entry is 745 CHF (€2.03 per kilometre). The 2026 solo edition is sold out.
The race opens immediately with its most demanding challenge: a 15.5km, 2,072m climb — the 2nd largest single ascent out of 385 European trail distances in our database. Just 12% of the course is flat; 48 kilometres of uphill terrain exceed 20% gradient — nearly a full marathon of hands-on-knees climbing embedded across the route. The course passes through the Titlis and Eiger zones, over Klausenpass and Iffigenalp, before finishing under the Freddie Mercury statue on the Montreux waterfront.
Geneva airport (GVA) is 106 minutes from Montreux by train. First held in 2022, the race is now in its 3rd edition and is described by one finisher as demanding a level of multitasking and problem-solving completely different to 100K and 100-mile races. It suits multi-day specialists capable of managing sleep, logistics, and alpine terrain simultaneously.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
25,000m
D+/KM
62.5m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
15.2%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-14.4%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 26.8 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 33.7 km | |
| 10–15% | 31.7 km | |
| 15–20% | 24.5 km | |
| 20%+ | 48.0 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 42.5% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 12.0% | Flat |
| 45.5% | Downhill |
Terrain
Montreux Trail Festival – 400 km 400km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 15.5 km · 2,072 m gain starts km 0 · avg 13.3% · max 51.9% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 9.0 km · 1,595 m gain starts km 111 · avg 17.7% · max 49.0% |
| 3 | 11.7 km · 1,264 m gain starts km 216 · avg 10.8% · max 44.5% |
Top descents
| 1 | 10.5 km · 1,645 m drop starts km 57 · avg -15.7% · max -49.1% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 12.8 km · 1,626 m drop starts km 160 · avg -12.7% · max -33.1% |
| 3 | 11.4 km · 1,607 m drop starts km 243 · avg -14.0% · max -46.8% |
How much does Crossing Switzerland cost? (Entry fee and CHF/km breakdown)
How much does Crossing Switzerland 400km cost?
▼
Entry for the 2026 solo is 745 CHF (early bird, until 30 June 2026) — approximately €2.03 per kilometre. The 2026 solo edition is sold out; check crossingswitzerland.com for future edition registration.
How hard is the Crossing Switzerland 400km course?
How hard is the Crossing Switzerland 400km course?▼
Extremely difficult. The race covers 400km with 25,000m of gain (62.5m per km) over a 176-hour window. The opening climb gains 2,072m over 15.5km — the 2nd largest single ascent of 385 European trail distances tracked. 48km of uphill terrain exceeds 20% gradient. One finisher described the logistical and problem-solving demands as completely different to 100K and 100-mile races.
Geneva to the Start Line for Montreux Trail Festival 40km: Getting to Crossing Switzerland from GVA
How do you get to Crossing Switzerland from Geneva?
▼
The race finishes in Montreux, approximately 106 minutes by train from Geneva airport (GVA). The start is in Bad Ragaz (Heidiland), near the Liechtenstein border. Organisers run shuttle buses from Montreux to the start on July 17 and 18; check crossingswitzerland.com for current details.
Three Editions Since 2022: Montreux Trail Festival 400km Challenge
How many editions of Crossing Switzerland have there been?
▼
Crossing Switzerland 400km launched in 2022. There was no 2025 edition — the organisers took a deliberate sabbatical. The 2026 edition is the 3rd running of the 400km distance, though the broader Montreux Trail Festival is in its 9th edition overall.
Is Crossing Switzerland right for you? (Who this race suits)
What gear do you need for Crossing Switzerland 400km?
▼
Mandatory kit includes a waterproof jacket (10,000 mm/h), two headlamps with spare batteries, survival blanket, whistle, 1L minimum water, food reserve, warm long-sleeved layer, and long running trousers. One finisher recommends waterproof bags for all vest contents, wide-fit shoes for multi-day foot swelling, and carrying more of your own food rather than relying on aid stations alone.
Montreux Trail Festival – 400 km 400km GPX
Getting to Montreux Trail Festival – 400 km
Nearest airport
Geneva (GVA)
Notes
Start: ~1–1.5 hrs by train to Montreux / Public transport: excellent / Accommodation: strong in Montreux/Vevey/Lausanne; book early (summer peak)
