Switzerland
Country
5 days
Duration
July-September
When
Moderate
Difficulty
Breakfast
Board
Yes
Luggage transfer

A Trail Runner’s Paradise Around the Bernina Massif

Embark on an exhilarating trailrunning adventure that winds through the enchanting landscapes of the Bernina massif. From Diavolezza to the Val da Fain and Roseg valleys, and all the way down to the serene lakes of Silvaplana and Sils, every kilometer of this tour is a true delight. Countless trails crisscross the valley sides and traverse the passes of the Engadine, offering boundless opportunities for exploration.

Key Highlights:

  • A Runner’s Haven: Ambitious trail runners will find their ultimate playground in the Bernina Trailrunning Tour. Between the Bernina and Maloja passes, some of the most spectacular trails in the Alps await your eager footsteps, promising heart-pounding ascents and thrilling descents.
  • Excellent Infrastructure: The tour is designed for experienced trail runners, but excellent infrastructure provides flexibility. You can tailor the adventure to your needs, with options to shorten the journey if necessary.
  • Alpine Challenge: Tackling this tour unaided requires top-tier fitness, extensive experience in mountain running across alpine terrain, and unwavering surefootedness. It’s an adventure that pushes your limits and rewards your determination with breathtaking alpine vistas.

For trail runners seeking an epic challenge in one of the world’s most stunning alpine regions, the Bernina Trailrunning Tour is a journey that promises adventure, exhilaration, and indelible memories.

Arrival & Departure

Arrival by public transport to the Bernina Pass.
Departure by boat and bus from Maloja via Plaun da Lej to Samedan. Connection to the Rhaetian Railway from here. Duration: approx. 1-2 hours

Included Services

  • 4 overnight stays incl. breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Cable car rides accoring to programme
  • Carefully elaborated route.
  • Service hotline
  • Detailed travel documentation (1x per room) incl. Switzerland Mobility Plus subscription
  • Flight + public transport
  • Travel insurance
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!

FAQ

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

If you cancel your tour 60 days or more before the departure date, you will lose your deposit. If you cancel your tour between 60 and 45 days before the departure date, you will lose 50 per cent of the total tour price. If you cancel your tour within 45 days of the departure date, you will lose the full amount. If you fail to turn up on the first day of your tour, Outdoor Italy may not be able to make arrangements for you to join the rest of the tour, and you will lose the full payment. If, for any reason, Outdoor Italy has to cancel your tour, you will be offered an alternative tour or a full refund.

How do I book my tour?

You can book your tour directly on the Outdoor Italy website. Choose the tour from the dropdown menu, select the date you would like to start, and the number of participants in your group. You can either pay a deposit (60 days or more from the start of your tour) or pay the full amount. Click ‘book’ and follow the instructions. Once we have confirmed your payment, you’ll receive your confirmed tour itinerary within 10 days. There may be seasonal variations in the time it takes us to arrange everything. Please note that programmes on the tour pages are only examples — there may be several differences in the final programme you receive.

How do I pay for my tour?

When booking your tour, you can choose to pay by credit/debit card or direct bank transfer. Direct bank transfers will generally take longer to process, while credit and debit card payments are processed instantly. You are, by default, asked to pay a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the tour. If you choose this option, you will be asked to pay the remaining 75% one month before your tour. Please be sure to follow the payment links you receive in your invoice or reminder email, which we will send you when the second payment is due.

Do I get my own room?

This depends on the individual tour and when you book it. When hiking in the Alps, most people stay in dorms or shared rooms as the availability of single, double and family rooms are limited. We can only guarantee your own room on certain tours such as in the Lys and Ayas Valleys — but only if you book in time. If this is your preference, we will do our best to ensure you get your own room, but please expect to spend some nights in shared accommodation if there is limited availability.

Is baggage transfer included with all your Alpine tours?

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service with all our packages. Often, the huts or hotels we work with are in locations that can only be reached by foot or helicopter. Indeed, when choosing a tour that includes baggage transport, there may be one or two exceptions depending on the route. This will appear clearly on the tour page and in the program you receive when your booking has been confirmed.

How many days do your tours last?

All our tours include the day of arrival and the day of departure. This means that a six-day tour will include five nights of accommodation, a seven-day tour will include six nights, and so on. On the first day, guests are usually expected to arrive in the afternoon. And the program does not include any activities except for a briefing by our representative on the first evening. On the day of departure, guests are free to decide if they want to leave directly after breakfast or go on a shorter tour before their journey home.

What meals are included in your Alpine adventure tours?

Most of our tours will include Half Board (HB) services, which means breakfast, a three-course dinner, and a light-packed lunch. Please check the individual tour page for details, however, as variations occur with certain tours.

What is a self-guided tour?

We specialize in self-guided tours. These tours are designed for travelers who love the independence of hiking, skiing, or running on their own but want to know that everything else is taken care of. In some cases, we are able to offer luggage transport to lighten your load as you enjoy the Great Outdoors.

Do you offer group tours?

Whether you’re already a group of friends, business colleagues or a sports club looking for an active mountain adventure, we can design and organize your Alpine tour for you. However, Outdoor Italy does not offer group tours for individual participants.

Can you create a tour just for me and my friends?

Yes, absolutely! Outdoor Italy can design the perfect mountain adventure for you and your friends or colleagues. Whether you want to hike, ski, run, cycle or climb, we have the expertise and experience needed to create a bespoke package for any level of experience or physicality. Please contact us if you would like us to create a customized package for your group.

Are your outdoor adventure tours family-friendly?

There are few better ways to spend time with your children than with an active holiday in the mountains. Sharing a mountain adventure with your child is a memory that will last a lifetime. We try to design child-friendly variations (marked ‘family’) of all our Alpine tours. Children can hike, ski or bike a lot longer than you might expect, as long as you make it entertaining for them. However, they will respond instantly to the way you behave, so please consider whether you are able to create a safe environment for your children when faced with the many different challenges of an alpine environment.

Do you offer discounts for children?

Yes, we are able to offer a discount for children on most of our tours, provided they are not yet 13 years of age on the first day of the tour. Please see the individual tour page for our child discounts.

Can I travel on my own?

Many single travellers chose Outdoor Italy due to our high level of service and our expertise in self-guided mountain tours. And the safety of one of our representatives will only ever be just a phone call away. However, please expect additional costs, as our prices are based on two persons — the industry standard for outdoor tours of this nature. Private rooms and other services are often more expensive for individual travellers. You can find information about any additional costs for individual travellers on the tour page.

Will I manage?

We are all different. Some of our clients are 70+ and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others may be twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental ability of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for level of physicality, which you can learn more about here. You are of course welcome to call us and we will do our best to advice you. Find your level of physicality here (link to Find your level page).

What if I get lost?

Our local partners know every square inch of this beautiful Alpine region. During the introductory briefing, you will receive an app, physical maps and a phone number to call if you need advice. In some cases, you’ll be able to forward your location to a local guide with the press of a button. This may prove helpful if you become lost.

Do I need travel insurance?

We recommend that you speak to your insurance provider to ensure your existing policy covers mountain-based activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Please note that any costs relating to emergency situations and the potential need for evacuation are the sole responsibility of the client.

Will I be able to cope with the physical challenge?

We are all different. Some of our clients are more than 70 years old and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others are twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental capabilities of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for the level of physicality involved, which you can learn more about on our Find Your Level page. You are, of course, welcome to call us, and we will do our best to advise you.

Can I bring my dog?

Enjoying the mountains with your best friend can be a joyful experience, which is why we try to make our tours dog friendly wherever possible. Unfortunately, it is not always possible due to local rules. Selected tours are marked ‘Dog Friendly’ on the tour page. This means that your dog can stay with you in your private room or, in a few cases, the hut will have a separate or external room for dogs. Please refer to the individual tour page for more information.

*This tour is based on a minimum of two participants. Only the services mentioned above are included in the price.

The Bernina Trailrunning Tour offers experienced runners an exhilarating journey around the Bernina massif, featuring breathtaking landscapes, challenging ascents, and thrilling descents. With excellent infrastructure for flexibility and a need for top-tier fitness and alpine terrain expertise, it’s an adventure that tests limits and rewards with stunning alpine vistas.

Data:

Total distance: 53 km
H+: 3290 m
H-: 2845 m
Level: Medium to advanced

1

Arrival to Bernina Pass

Arrival to Bernina Pass

2

Bernina Pass – Pontresina

An idyllic climb and then one of the most beautiful trail running sections in Switzerland begins. First up to the lakes of Diavolezza and Las Collinas and then by cable car down into the picturesque Val da Fein. Countless serpentines take you up to almost 3,000 metres to Fuorcla Pischa, before you finish the tour with a descent past Alp Languard. In Pontresina you can proudly put your feet up after the tough first stage.

  • 22.5 km
  • 1790 m
  •  1350 m
  • 4-6 hours
3

Pontresina – Surlej

The easy ascent into Val Roseg is a real pleasure. From the mountain restaurant onwards it becomes a little more sporty, but it is above all the wonderful views of the nearby glaciers that will take your breath away.

  • 14 km
  • 1075 m
  •  180 m
  •  3-4 hours
4

Surlej – Maloja

Take the cable car up to Murtel and run along a scenic path down to Sils. Now change the side of the valley and up to Crevasalvas. The first Heidi film was shot here and you run through pure mountain idyll down to Maloja.

  • 16.5 km
  • 425 m
  •  1315 m
  • 3-4 hours
5

Departure or extension

Departure or extension by own choice

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