Switzerland · Valais
Distance
73 km
Date
Entry fee
CHF 149
€ / km
€2.24
SwissPeaks Trail 72.6km: The Pre-Dawn Challenge From Val d'Illiez to Bouveret With 4,387m D+ Through the Valais Chablais Alps
SwissPeaks Trail 72.6km — the SwissPeaks Challenge — is the fourth-shortest of six flagship distances at the SwissPeaks Trail event in Valais, Switzerland. The point-to-point course starts in Val d'Illiez in the Chablais Alps at 05h00 and traverses 72.6km to finish at Bouveret on Lake Geneva, with 4,387m D+ and 4,970m D- — a net descent of 583m. D+/km of 60.4m ranks among the most vertically dense ultras in the European database.
With 25.4% flat terrain, the SwissPeaks Challenge ranks 66th of 390 European ultras for mountainousness — top 17% most mountain-dominated. The race awards 3 ITRA points with no prior qualification required. Entry is 149 CHF, including finisher medal, aid stations, timing, and a 10 CHF post-race meal voucher at Bouveret; train to the start is bookable for an additional 5 CHF. Not sold out. Nearest airports: Geneva (GVA), 2.5 to 3.5 hours; Zürich (ZRH), 3 to 4.5 hours. First held in 2023. Race date: September 5, 2026.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
4,970m
D+/KM
68.5m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
15.5%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-15.9%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 4.7 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 7.0 km | |
| 10–15% | 5.3 km | |
| 15–20% | 4.3 km | |
| 20%+ | 8.3 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 41.5% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 13.0% | Flat |
| 45.5% | Downhill |
Terrain
SwissPeaks Trail – 72.6 km 73km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 7.1 km · 911 m gain starts km 0 · avg 12.9% · max 66.8% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 6.2 km · 699 m gain starts km 49 · avg 11.2% · max 61.3% |
| 3 | 3.2 km · 603 m gain starts km 11 · avg 19.1% · max 80.5% |
Top descents
| 1 | 8.7 km · 742 m drop starts km 18 · avg -8.5% · max -75.9% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 6.2 km · 738 m drop starts km 56 · avg -11.8% · max -54.6% |
| 3 | 6.5 km · 697 m drop starts km 63 · avg -11.0% · max -43.6% |
What to Expect on the SwissPeaks 72.6km Mountain Course Profile
How far is the SwissPeaks Trail 72.6km and what is the elevation gain?
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The SwissPeaks Challenge covers 72.6km officially with 4,387m elevation gain. The course has a net descent of approximately 583m, reflecting the point-to-point format from Val d'Illiez (~900m) to Bouveret on Lake Geneva. This places the course among the more vertically demanding European ultras. With 25.35% flat terrain, the Challenge ranks 66th of 390 European ultras for mountainous terrain.
Course Route from Val d'Illiez to Bouveret
What is the course route of the SwissPeaks Trail 72.6km?
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The SwissPeaks Challenge starts in Val d'Illiez in the Chablais Alps of western Valais at 05h00 (5am), traverses the alpine terrain of the Dents du Midi region and surrounding Valais ridgelines, and finishes at Bouveret on Lake Geneva. It is fully point-to-point. Train transport to the start in Val d'Illiez is available for 5 CHF, bookable during race registration. The SwissPeaks festival also stages Marathon (46km), Ultra (101km), 100 Miles (168km), Legend (397km), and Odyssey (643km) on the same September 5, 2026 weekend. For the 2026 course map, roadbook, and GPX, visit swisspeaks.ch/lescourses/challenge/.
Weather Forecast and Course Climate Guide
How do weather and temperature conditions affect runners during the SwissPeaks Trail 72.6km?
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Early September weather in Val-d'Illiez and Valais features crisp, single-digit morning temperatures that climb to 15–20°C at lower elevations by midday. High ridgelines remain significantly colder and more volatile, while the 05:00 race start requires runners to navigate the opening hours entirely in the dark.
Entry Fee, ITRA Points, and What 149 CHF Includes for the SwissPeaks Challenge
What is the entry fee for the SwissPeaks Trail 72.6km and what is included?
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The SwissPeaks Challenge 2026 entry is 149 CHF from November 9, 2025. This includes: a welcome gift, finisher medal and prize, 7 aid stations, race timing, and a 10 CHF voucher for a post-race meal at a restaurant in Bouveret. A SPTiming platform fee may also apply. Registration is at in.sptiming.com/spt26. The race awards 3 ITRA points with no prior qualification or ITRA points required to enter. Total festival capacity is 1,569 across all distances.
Getting to SwissPeaks Challenge: Geneva Airport, Val d'Illiez Train Access, and Accommodation
How do I get to the SwissPeaks Trail 46km?
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The SwissPeaks village and race finish is at Bouveret on Lake Geneva in western Valais. The nearest major airports are Geneva (GVA), approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours from Bouveret, and Zürich (ZRH), approximately 3 to 4.5 hours — both classified as FAR. Public transport (train) to Monthey or St-Maurice is possible but race logistics are complex; a car is recommended. Accommodation in the Valais/Bouveret area fills early during the race weekend (late August / early September). The official site recommends the hotel at the Grande Dixence dam for runners wanting to acclimatise at altitude the night before the race.
SwissPeaks Trail – 72.6 km 73km GPX
Getting to SwissPeaks Trail – 72.6 km
Nearest airport
Geneva (GVA) / Zürich (ZRH)
Notes
Start: ~3–4.5 hrs (ZRH) or ~2.5–3.5 hrs (GVA) to Valais start towns (route-dependent) / Public transport: possible (train to Valais) but long; race logistics complex / Accommodation: stage/loop formats; book early in Valais. The 2026 edition was cancelled, and may affect the 2027 version.
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
