Matterhorn Ultraks

Trail running on Zermatt's high ground

Where the Zermatt Marathon is one long climb on the open mountainside, Matterhorn Ultraks is a true trail event: a set of races run on the high, marked paths that fan out from the village and the lift stations, threading the ridges, lakes and traverses below the Matterhorn. It is run on real mountain terrain — single-track, rock and root, big climbs and big descents, all of it at altitude — and it draws trail and mountain runners from across the Alps to test themselves on some of the most photogenic ground in the sport. For anyone who has hiked the Five Lakes loop or the Gornergrat ridge and wondered what it would be like to run them at speed, this is the event that answers the question.

The character of Ultraks is the character of Zermatt running in general, concentrated into a race weekend: lift-served height, thin air, fast-changing weather and scenery that makes the suffering worthwhile. The longer distances are a serious mountain undertaking with thousands of metres of cumulative ascent; the shorter ones bring the same trails within reach of less experienced trail runners. Whichever you target, the planning is the same — respect the altitude, prepare for the mountain, and let the Matterhorn be the reward for getting it right.

This guide reads the weekend practically: the distances and the course style, the altitude and weather reality, where to stay, how to spectate, and the safety sense that any high-alpine race demands — followed by quick answers to the questions runners ask most.

At a glance: planning the weekend

A quick orientation before you enter or book. The terrain, the altitude and the safety principles are evergreen; the exact date, the line-up of distances, course routing and entry windows change year to year, so confirm the dynamic details on the official site first.

• When: late summer, typically August — verify the exact date before booking.
• Format: a trail-running event with several distances, from shorter races to a long mountain ultra on the high paths.
• Terrain: marked mountain trails on the ridges, lakes and traverses around Zermatt — single-track, rock and big vertical at altitude.
• Base: stay in car-free Zermatt (or Täsch with the shuttle) and arrive early to acclimatise.
• Weather: August can bring warmth, crowds and fast-building afternoon storms — start early, be off the tops by mid-afternoon.
• Kit: mandatory gear lists are common in mountain races — check and carry exactly what the organiser requires.
• Book early: entries, August hotels and acclimatisation time all fill — plan well ahead.

The distances and the course

Ultraks is built as a multi-distance event, so it suits a spread of ambitions on the same weekend — a long, serious mountain ultra with very substantial cumulative ascent for experienced trail and ultra runners, plus shorter distances that bring the high Zermatt trails within reach of capable hikers and newer trail runners. The exact distances, ascent figures and course routing are set each year and can change, so treat the official site as the source of truth and read the elevation profiles carefully: in the mountains the climbing matters far more than the kilometre count, and a 'short' Zermatt race still involves real vertical at real altitude.

The courses use the genuine high-trail network — the same lift-served ridges and lake paths that make Zermatt a hiking magnet — which means runners are moving over rock, roots and uneven ground, often exposed, often above 2,500 m. This is white-red-white mountain-trail running rather than smooth path running: it rewards sure feet, strong legs and good acclimatisation, and it punishes a flat-land pacing strategy. Recce what you can in the days before, ideally at an easy effort to learn the footing and feel the altitude, and let that recce — not your home pace — set your race-day plan.

Altitude, weather and mountain safety

Altitude is the factor that decides most Ultraks days. The village floor is already at 1,608 m and the courses climb well above 2,500 m, into air thin enough that easy efforts feel hard, heart rates sit high and recovery slows. The remedy is the same as for any high race: arrive a couple of days early, run easy at first to adapt, drink and eat well, and pace by feel rather than by the splits you expect at home. The runners who struggle most are almost always the ones who refuse to slow down on the climbs — the mountain does not grade on ego.

Weather is the other decider. August in Zermatt can be warm and crowded, but afternoon thunderstorms build fast over the high peaks, and at altitude conditions can turn cold, wet and violent quickly even in midsummer. Mountain races respond to this with mandatory kit — typically layers, a windproof or waterproof shell, and emergency items — and you should carry exactly what the organiser requires, plus the sense to use it. Beyond the race, the standing rules of high-alpine running apply: start early, be off the exposed tops by mid-afternoon, check the morning's weather and trail status, and keep a margin. Treat the safety brief and the kit list as the point of the exercise, not the small print.

Where to stay and how to spectate

Runners want a calm, walkable base in car-free Zermatt — somewhere to sleep well, eat properly and reach the start without fuss. Anywhere central works; the station area suits early starts and lift access, while a quieter corner trades a short walk for a better night's rest. Täsch down the valley is the budget-and-car alternative, linked by the shuttle. Book early either way: August is peak summer and the race adds pressure on rooms, so the longer you leave it the harder it gets and the further from the village you may end up.

For spectators, the lift network turns the course into a series of grandstands. Supporters can ride the funicular or a cable car to a high station, cheer runners through a mid-mountain point, and still get back to meet them at the finish in the village. Dress warmly for the altitude, agree a clear finish-line meeting point in advance, and build in time for the lift queues that August brings. Watching a field of runners thread a high traverse with the Matterhorn behind them is, for the non-racing half of a couple or a group, reason enough to come.

Common questions about Matterhorn Ultraks

A few of the questions runners ask most, answered in general terms — always confirm the specifics for the current edition on the official site, because dates, distances and rules are set fresh each year.

• When is it? Late summer, typically August. Confirm the exact date before booking travel or hotels.
• Do I need trail-running experience? For the longer distances, yes — they are serious mountain races on rough, exposed, high terrain. The shorter distances suit capable, fit trail runners and strong hikers.
• How fit and acclimatised do I need to be? Fit enough for sustained climbing at altitude, and acclimatised — arrive a couple of days early and run easy first.
• Is there mandatory kit? Mountain races commonly require layers, a shell and emergency items. Check the organiser's kit list and carry exactly what is required.
• Can spectators follow the race? Yes — use the lifts to reach mid-mountain viewpoints, then meet runners at the village finish. Dress warmly for altitude.
• Where should I stay? Car-free Zermatt is ideal; Täsch with the shuttle is the budget-and-car fallback. Book early for August.
• How do I get there? By train via Visp, or drive to Täsch and shuttle in — no combustion cars enter the village.