Crossing Switzerland by Montreux Trail

souvenir gift and finisher prize

An exceptional ultra-trail with exceptional landscapes: after a departure in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, the route will bring you soon into Switzerland. After an relatively easy start you will soon discover the Alps crossing Switzerland from the east to the west. Visiting 7 cantons, known for their beautiful scenery you will be welcomed by our great team of volunteers at one of our many refreshment posts. And finally, the finish line awaits you in Montreux where you can relax, share your adventures and enjoy a dive into the Lac Léman, while legendary Freddie Mercury is watching over you.
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THE SWISS ADVENTURE CONTINUES

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

DEPARTURE
Vaduz, Liechtenstein, Saturday July 20, 2024 at 22h00.*
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ARRIVAL
​Montreux, Switzerland until Sunday July 28, 2024, 14h00*
* To be confirmed

RACE BIB DISTRIBUTION
Only in Vaduz on Friday 19 July 2024 from 17h00 - 20h00 or Saturday 20 July 2024 from 10h00 a.m. to 06h00 p.m.​

REFRESHMENT POSTS
There will be approximate 5 base camps and 15 refreshment posts. Based upon our experience at our first edition in 2022 we might make some changes to the number of base camps and refreshment posts. We will update this information as soon as we have more details.

MAXIMUM TIME
Montreux finish line: 184 hours total time.

The other barriers will be communicated asap.

MANDATORY EQUIPEMENT
Water reserve (1 litre minimum), waterproof jacket with a hood (10’000 mm/h), headlamp with spare batteries, spare headlamp, personal beaker, survival blanket, whistle, food reserve, long running trousers (leggings or a combination of leggings and long socks allowed), warm long-sleeved shirt (arm sleeves allowed), mobile phone working in Switzerland turned on.
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The organization reserves the right to add equipment depending on weather conditions
If you choose to be accompagnied by a person/team please note that all mandatory items need to be with you at all times during your race. Additional items like spare shoes, clothes, towels, etc. can be given to you only at the designated locations. In case you run completely solo, the organisation will transport your additional items to the next base-camp.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
Spare T-shirt, gloves and shoes, cap or bandana, sunglasses, sun cream
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DROP BAGS
1 bag of 80L will be provided by the organization that will follow the runner to the base camps. We advise each runner to bring a sleeping bag. The maximum weight of the drop-bag cannot exceed 25 kilos.
A bag with personal belongings can also be dropped off at the start in Vaduz and will be transported directly to the finish in Montreux. From Wednesday onwards the personal bags can be collected at the finish area.

The organizer declines all responsibility in case of loss or theft of any valuable item or cash.

ACCOMMODATION
We will publish soon a list of accommadations available in both Vaduz and Montreux. During the Crossing Switzeland Ultra Trail the participants are only allowed to sleep at the indicated locations (base camps).
Our local partners will provide information about hotels, restaurants for the followers of the participants. Please check the Roadbook (available early 2024) to find information per city, region.
NOTE that followers are not allowed to sleep at the base-camps. This is reserved for participants only and members of the organisation.

CAR PARK & TRANSPORTATION
We organise 2 shuttle busses leaving from Montreux to Vaduz on Friday 19th of July, 12:00 and on Saturday 20rd of July at 09:00.

More information will be in the roadbook.

In Montreux we have a parking zone nearby (free of charge) for the runners that want to leave their car the whole week of the event (from Friday 19th onwards. More information in the roadbook.

DIFFICULTY
★ ★ ★ ★ ★: Extreme, it is the challenge of a season or even of a lifetime! Challenge yourself!

PACER
Runners are allowed to have one or more pacers to accompany them, starting from Gstaad base camp (approx. 60 km) to the finish line in Montreux.

THE MAGIC OF THE EKIDEN

The term 'ekiden' originates from two Japanese characters, 'eki' (駅), meaning station, and 'den' (伝), signifying conveyance. Essentially, it symbolizes the relay of information or movement from one station to another. This concept draws from historical modes of transportation, with the inaugural ekiden road relay taking place in Japan back in 1917.

The original ekiden involved a marathon distance of 42.195km, divided among six team members who each cover varying distances ranging from 5km to 10km. However, there exists a multitude of formats. In 2024 we invite teams (3 to 5 athletes per team) of trail runners to do the Crossing Switzerland 390 km as a team, where each member must do at least one of the stages. There will be at least one, but possibly 2 stages where the whole team runs together. More details in the Race section of the Ekiden.

The true essence of ekidens lies in the collaborative team dynamic. Participants collectively conquer the iconic Crossing Switzerland distance (or an equivalent stretch) alongside their teammates. The relay includes brisk, relatively short legs as well as segments tailored for ultra trail runners. What unites all participants is the 'tasuki' or sash, passed from one runner to the next, spanning the entire distance through the combined efforts of every team member

Since 2017, you may be familiar with the MXSKY, a sort of Sierre-Zinal à la Vaudoise? This new Crossing Riviera is the younger sister, full of character and exceptional panoramas while retaining similar characteristics over around 30km.

After the ascent through the old town of Montreux, which precedes the 1,055 steps of the never ending Telegraph Trail, it's on to Nirvana at over 2,000 metres at the Rochers de Naye. And it doesn't stop there? The return journey will take you through the Grottes de Naye and further around the magnificent Dent de Jaman. All that's left is to dive towards Lac Léman figurly and almost literally. After the breath-taking and exotic Gorges du Chauderon, a new route will take you to the beach of Clarens a lake, musical and fulfilling finale. And now you can take your well-deserved plunge into the water of Lac Léman.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
DEPARTURE
Clarens (Montreux) Omni-sport centre Pierrier, Sunday July 28, 2024 at 08h30
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ARRIVAL
Clarens beach (Montreux), Omni-sport centre Pierrier

RACE BIB DISTRIBUTION
Saturday 28 July from 17h00 to 19h30 (Place du Marché, Montreux)
Sunday 28 July from 06h00 to 08h00 (Clarens, Omnisport Centre Pierrier)

REFRESHMENT POSTS
Liboson d’en Haut, Rochers de Naye, Haut de Caux

MAXIMUM TIME
Montagne d’Amont, after 4hrs of racing
Finish : 9hrs of racing

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
Water reserve (0.5 litre minimum), waterproof jacket with hood (10,000 mm/h), personal drinking cup, survival blanket, whistle, food reserve, mobile phone working in Switzerland switched on.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
Gloves, spare T-shirt, cap or bandana, sunglasses, sun cream

PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Participants can leave their personal belongings at the start in Clarens on Sunday morning and collect them on arrival.

The organiser accepts no responsibility for the loss, damage or theft of any valuables.

CAR PARK & TRANSPORTATION
Un plan de transport sera disponible quelques jours avant la course

DIFFICULTY
★★★ With similar characteristics to the classic Sierre-Zinal, CROSSING RIVIERA is not only perfect training for it, but also a real objective, and even a first foray into longer distances on terrain that can be described as playful.

15 KM WITH 700 M D+ or 8 KM WITH 300 M D+

Smoke on the Water and Trails
The spirit of the Giants of Music has floated over Montreux for decades, so join this event where sporting effort will be combined with good sound and rhythm throughout the course.

Start in front of the Freddie Mercury statue for the most rock'n'roll trail in Switzerland and the rest of the world. A unique experience, at dusk, to discover the 'mountain side' of the Pearl of the Riviera.

Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in the world of trail running, blow your brains out, or just have fun with friends in an extraordinary musical atmosphere along the route, this is the place to be.

Bring your disguises and moustaches, and Freddie will be waiting for you for a night of madness that will continue on Clarens beach, finishing in front of a concert by one of Queen's best cover bands.

WE WILL ROCK YOU!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

DEPARTURE
​Montreux, place du marché, Saturday July 27, 2024 at 20h00

ARRIVAL​
Clarens beach (Montreux), Omni-sport centre Pierrier

RACE BIB DISTRIBUTION
Saturday 27 July from 17h00 to 19h30 (Place du Marché, Montreux)

REFRESHMENT POSTS
Caux (only for the Rocks 15)

MAXIMUM TIME
Finish : 3.5 hrs of racing

MANDATORY EQUIPEMENT
Water reserve (0.5 litre minimum), personal drinking cup, survival blanket, mobile phone working in Switzerland switched on.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPEMENT
Headlamp with spare batteries (if running for more than 2 hours), Waterproof jacket with hood (10,000 mm/h) depending on the weather.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Participants can leave their personal belongings at the start in Montreux on Saturday morning and collect them on arrival.

The organiser accepts no responsibility for the loss, damage or theft of any valuables.

CAR PARK & TRANSPORTATION
Most of Montreux's underground car parks (www.cartoriviera.ch/parkings/) offer a reduced rate from 7pm. There are also free overnight parking spaces a few hundred metres from the Place du Marché.
For those who can, think about carpooling or using public transport. That's the spirit of the Trail!

DIFFICULTY
★(★) the 15km course already has the characteristics of a real trail, with some changes in altitude, some technical sections but not too many and even some steps - in short, the perfect combination for beginners. The 7km version will give you an even more reasonable taste of it.