Wildstrubel by UTMB ®

How about an immersion into the “ Into The Wild ” in a dream setting in the heart of the Swiss Alps 🇨🇭? Not to survive, nor to ski, but truly to run through the high mountains of the Valais Canton 🏔. Are you in? Well, you’re in luck because that’s exactly what the first edition of the Wildstrubel by UTMB ® has to offer, which will also give you a shot at qualifying for the UTMB Mont-Blanc. Get ready to reconnect with nature, the real thing!

The meetup is planned for September, in the high Swiss mountains, between the cantons of Valais and Berne, halfway between the Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Natural Park and the Binn Valley; to the east of Montreux, and to the north of Sion. Not getting any more precise 🤷‍♀️. At that time of year, you’ll be able to enjoy the last summer warmth in Crans-Montana, while keeping a close eye on, the sublime peaks capped with the eternal snows ❄️. What a backdrop for a trailer! There’s a good chance the blue sky will be in the forecast, but we can’t guarantee that between two sun rays, you won’t have to wipe away a few drops 🌧️. It’s still the mountains, and they’re unpredictable!

Three distances await you to rub shoulders with the summits: a trail short of 26 km with 1 200 mD+, 2 trail long of 53 km with 3 300 mD+ and 70 km with 4 600 mD+ as well as an ultra trail of 113 km with 6 600 mD+. Note that each race starts from a different city, but everyone finishes at the same place: Crans-Montana. Hm, reminds us of another beautiful race indeed!

The route, imagined by the Swiss Jean-Yves Rey (winner of the CCC 2009 for your information), will take you for a loop not of one, but of two glaciers! You’ll indeed have the privilege to tread the Glacier de la Pleine Morte (5 kilometers long) and that of the Wildstrubel (which spans 2.5 kilometers). Here comes a quick history lesson! The first ascent of the Wildstrubel rises on 16 August 1856 by Edmund von Fellenberg, the pioneer of the Golden Age of Alpine Conquest (a period during which the most Alpine summits were climbed). On a plateau at 1 500 m of elevation ⛰️, this time it’s your turn to spot more than a dozen peaks at 4 000 meters above sea level... enough to keep your feet on the ground, and your head in the clouds ☁️.

Trail running is also about variety. Between narrow trails, exposed slopes, waterfalls, forests, lakes, and other alpages, a myriad of hidden treasures awaits with every stride: a constant spectacle ! 🤩 You’ll also discover some incredibly “instagrammable” places as the youngsters say 😅. For instance, the Varneralp viewpoint, the Lake Tällisee, the Engstligen Falls or the Cascade Simmenfälle. However, stay focused and look where you’re stepping, because the sections are technical. During your journey, you’ll also cross Bern and Valais : two different language regions, a great way to sharpen your English or German 😅 ! You’ll also cross the roads of 5 towns : Leukerbad, Kandersteg, Adelboden, Lenk and of course the latest addition, Crans-Montana. You’ll finally pass through the famous Rawil passes, the Gemmi (as in Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson) in the new "The Final Problem") and the via Alpina to cross from one canton to another. All this with a blend of hospitality, kindness and festive ambiance 🎊. And yes, those are the hallmarks of UTMB!

For your after-trail, what could be better than enjoying the charming Swiss setting 🇨🇭. In Crans-Montana, a range of activities awaits. Between hikes, strolls, indoor activities and outdoor, cultural experiences, mountain biking or even some relaxation, and spa to recover: the resort has plenty of surprises 🎁 to satisfy every whim! Foodie side, you’ll be able to try two Michelin-starred restaurants, but the traditional mountain cuisine 🧀 (cheeses, charcuterie, fondue ...) will also be present with many restaurants 😋. And if, besides being a gourmet at heart, you are a wine enthusiast🍷, you’ll enjoy the wine activities on site 🍇. But as always, moderation is key!