Ultra Tour Monte Rosa 2023

Grächen, Switzerland

Ultra Tour Monte Rosa 2023: Switzerland’s Most Scenic Racing Competition

The sheer beauty of your environment. The goosebumps that come with a cool breeze. A raspy breath at high altitudes. The adrenaline rush that keeps you going. The surge of endorphins. These are just some of the reasons why trail running, despite it being a challenging sport, isn’t just so enjoyable but addictive even. Now imagine putting yourself through the hardest trail run routes in Europe, where you get to trek with views of the majestic Italian and Swiss Alps, for several days with the most friendly yet competitive people you’ll ever meet. That’s the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa.

‘The Ultra Tour Monte Rosa is not a race for the weak – this will test your physical and mental strengths to its full capacity, but ultimately it will give you that fulfilment no other race can.’

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Your experience at Ultra Tour Monte Rosa

The long-distance hiking trail takes you around the spectacular Monte Rossa massif, the 2nd highest mountain in the Alps at 4,634 meters above sea level. Even if the trails are still young compared to many others around the world, it puts you straight into the heart of colorful history, dating back to the Mesozoic era.

For this reason, you’ll be coming across metamorphic rocks made out of mica-slate, granite, limestone, gneiss, and greenstone.

You’ll also come across a dizzying array of the most beautiful plants this side of the planet: vines suitable for wine production in the lower altitudes, and alpines in higher area, to name a few. If you get lucky, you may even get to spot a lynx, wolf, or bear – or even the elusive eagle, recognized as the King of the Alps.

You will be greeted by breathtaking valleys, traditional hamlets and villages, abundant flower fields, and so much more. These, and the iconic Matterhorn, are just some of the many things you can look forward to at the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa.

You can trust an experienced trail runner like Lizzy Hawker to take care of birthing this epic sporting event. The very routes served as her own training grounds and gave her the challenge she was looking for, all while being incredibly scenic.

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Ultra Tour Monte Rosa 2023 Schedule

There are for different races on offer as part of the event. 

The main attraction is the 170km Stage Race which starts at 6.30am on September 6, 2023. The second longest is the 106km Mishabel 100 on September 8, 2023.  

There is also a shorter Mischabel 60 with a distance of 63km and a 23km run both on September 9, 2023. 

Where to view Ultra Tour Monte Rosa

The Ultra Tour Monte Rosa starts in a tiny, charming village atop the alps called Grächen. From here, runners are taken to Zermatt, Theodul, Colle Superiore, Resy, Passo di Rothorn, Gressoney la Trinite, Col d’Olen, Alagna, Colle del Turlo, Macugnaga, Monte Moro Pass, and Saas-Fee before finishing up again in Grächen.

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How to get around Switzerland

Switzerland’s state-of-the-art public transportation systems are incredibly efficient. Depending on the distance of your destination, you can choose to hire a car or take the bus and train.

Where to stay in Grächen

Participants will be given the names of their hotels with the race pack. Accommodations will be based in Zermatt, Gressoney-la-Trinite, or Macugnaga. Family, friends, and spectators can also book accommodation in these areas. 

Prior to the race, participants should book their own lodging in either Gressoney or Grächen and then back to Grächen after the race.

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Things to do 

If the best things about Switzerland could be summed up in a few words, it’s these: the Alps, chocolates, and cheese. Well, you already get the best out of the Alps with the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa, so the rest of your time in this mind-blowingly beautiful country should be all about the chocolates and the cheese.

Kick back and relax at the many bars and pubs all over – wine is cheap and a dime a dozen, so it’ll be a good idea to get your fill of the best Europe has to offer for the palate after the race!

Ultra Tour Monte Rosa 2023 Dates

Ultra Tour Monte Rosa takes place from September 6-9, 2023.

Photo Credit: Ultra Tour Monte Rosa