161KM AND 10’700M+

 

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, the most unreasonable course in the history of the Montreux Trail Festival is making its comeback. After two editions in 2017 and 2018 that helped forge the event’s reputation, it was time to bring out this little alpine jewel of cruelty once again.

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Everything begins on Montreux’s Market Square. Facing Lake Geneva. Facing the mountains. Facing the life choices that led you to sign up for a 100‑mile race.

The tone is set immediately with the ascent to Rochers de Naye: nearly 1,700 metres of vertical gain right from the start. No warm‑up. No gentle introduction. We assume you’re grown‑up enough to handle it.

From the summit, the Hongrin valley and its reservoir appear almost welcoming. You’ll cross one of the most runnable sections of the entire course. Enjoy it. Take photos. Call your family. This kind of comfort won’t come often.

From La Lécherette onward, the Vaud Alps reveal their true nature.

The programme: Lac Lioson, Pic Chaussy, Lac Retaud, Col de la Croix and Solalex.

Written like this, it sounds like a beautiful tourist brochure. In reality, it’s a relentless succession of climbs and descents designed to test the resilience of your quadriceps—and your mind.

Entering the Muverans sector marks the beginning of a true alpine immersion. Between Solalex and Euzanne, the scenery shifts constantly. At times, the vast open spaces evoke Tibetan high plateaus; at others, the abrupt cliffs remind you that the mountains always have the final say.

And while you admire these exceptional landscapes, don’t forget: you’re still running an ultra.

A first life base awaits you in Plans‑sur‑Bex after roughly 80 kilometres. Or, as we like to call it, “half the problem.”

This is usually when conversations become deeply philosophical.

Why am I here? At what point did I think this distance was a good idea? What does happiness actually mean?

The answers may come later. Or not.

The journey continues through Gryon, Villars‑sur‑Ollon, the lakes of Bretaye and Chavonnes, before reconnecting with familiar MXTREME trails. A small nostalgic moment before reaching Le Sépey, home of the second life base at kilometre 117.

After Luan, one final chapter remains. Because an ultra worthy of its name could never end simply.

The Malatraix ridges offer one of the most spectacular panoramas of the entire course, with Lake Geneva shimmering below. The kind of view that makes you forget the pain—momentarily.

And since at the Montreux Trail Festival we believe that one visit to Rochers de Naye is good, but two is even better, you’ll climb it once more before the long descent to Montreux.

At that point, the finish will be close.

Well… relatively close.​