Born in the Val-de-Travers, the legendary birthplace of absinthe, the Swiss Canyon Trail plunges runners into narrow limestone gorges before sending them skyward onto open Jura ridgelines. With distances from 16 to 166 km and the iconic Creux du Van amphitheatre as its crown jewel, this race blends raw Swiss wilderness with a fiercely welcoming community spirit.
The Swiss Canyon Trail is rooted in the Val-de-Travers, a hidden valley in the Jura mountains of western Switzerland where absinthe was first distilled and where nature has carved some of the most dramatic rock formations in the country. Since its creation over three decades ago, the event has grown into a reference point for European trail running, drawing athletes to a landscape of deep gorges, dense forests and sweeping alpine pastures.
The courses, ranging from an accessible 16 km to a massive 166 km ultra, thread through the region's finest terrain. Runners descend into narrow limestone canyons, climb to the summit of Le Soliat and stand at the edge of the Creux du Van, a colossal natural amphitheatre whose sheer cliffs drop over 150 metres. The longer distances venture into the Nord Vaudois, linking ridge after ridge with relentless variety underfoot.
What sets the Swiss Canyon Trail apart is the harmony between sporting challenge and cultural identity. The race village in Couvet pulses with local energy, the trails carry centuries of pastoral history, and the finish line sits in a valley that feels both wild and welcoming. For those seeking a technically rich, scenically stunning trail race in the heart of French-speaking Switzerland, this is it.
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Val-de-Travers , CHE |
29 May - May 31, 2026