Photo: Chris Holgersson ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Running beneath the most famous mountain.
Zermatt (1,608 m) is a car-free village beneath the Matterhorn (4,478 m), surrounded by thirty-eight 4,000 m peaks. Trails to the Hörnlihütte, Gornergrat and the Five Lakes start from the streets, and in August the Matterhorn Ultraks race is held here. A top-tier camp: plenty of climbing, glaciers close by and Swiss precision in logistics.
- The climb to the Hörnlihütte (3,260 m) at the foot of the Matterhorn
- The Five Lakes trail and the mountain’s reflection in Stellisee
- Gornergrat (3,089 m) above the Gorner glacier and Monte Rosa
- Sections of the Matterhorn Ultraks course
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 8 km, 350 m of ascent
Car-free Zermatt
Arrive by train and check in. An evening run up the valley to Zmutt (1,936 m) for a first look at the Matterhorn; the week’s plan.
Overnight: Hotel in Zermatt - DAY 2 · 18 km, 1,100 m of climbing
Five Lakes and Sunnegga
We climb on foot to Sunnegga (2,288 m), then run the Five Lakes trail — Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, Leisee. Steady running at 2,300–2,600 m, forest trail down.
Overnight: Hotel in Zermatt - DAY 3 · 16 km, 750 m up and 1,700 m down
The Hörnlihütte
Lift to Schwarzsee (2,583 m), then the trail with ladders and cables to the Hörnlihütte (3,260 m), the climbers’ base beneath the Matterhorn. Down on foot all the way to Zermatt.
Overnight: Hotel in Zermatt - DAY 4 · 8 km, easy
Recover account
An easy 8 km along the Matter Vispa, a strength session and mobility work. Afternoon free: the Matterhorn Museum or a nap.
Overnight: Hotel in Zermatt - DAY 5 · 11 km, 1,500 m of climbing
Gornergrat
Run from Zermatt up to Gornergrat (3,089 m) via Riffelalp and Riffelberg — 1,500 m of climbing in one go. The Gorner glacier and Monte Rosa at the top; train down.
Overnight: Hotel in Zermatt - DAY 6 · 30 km, 2,300 m of climbing
The long run on the Ultraks course
A loop on the Matterhorn Ultraks course: Sunnegga — Gornergrat — Riffelsee — Furi — Schwarzsee — Zermatt. Thirty kilometres, three climbs and the Matterhorn in view throughout.
Overnight: Hotel in Zermatt - DAY 7 · 5 km, easy
Cool-down and departure
A morning run through the village, debrief and coffee on Bahnhofstrasse. Departure by train.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Six nights in a Zermatt hotel, twin rooms
Breakfasts and three dinners
Coaching and video analysis with Ivan
A local mountain guide on the Hörnlihütte day
A four-day Peak Pass for the lifts
Electric taxi transfer from Täsch
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Lunches and three free evenings
Train to Zermatt from Geneva or Zurich
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
You need experience of mountain ultras or camps with 1,500 m days. Ivan asks you to arrive with a base block done: the week means 6,000 m of climbing and running at 2,500–3,200 m.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Trail shoes already tested in training
- A running vest, soft flasks and rain protection
- Layers for changing weather and familiar trail food
- Poles, if suitable for the route and you know how to use them
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.