Chasing Peaks: My Eiger Ultra Trail Adventure

Waking up to those jagged peaks glowing in the early light was something special. But, I’ll admit, sharing a room with seven strangers was a bit out of my social comfort zone. As it turns out, the eclectic mix of fellow travellers made the experience very rewarding.

We were there for the Eiger Ultra 35 (E35) — one of the shorter Eiger Ultra Trail routes, but by no means an ‘easy’ one. The E35 covers roughly 35 kilometres with over 2,500 meters of elevation gain, tracing a loop around the Grindelwald valley and brushing up against some of Switzerland’s most famous alpine terrain. For Mike and I 35km wasn’t quite enough. We added a few extra kilometres to get to the official start, clocking in closer to 44km by the end of the day.

The day of the run dawned. Blue skies, crisp air, and a dusting of fresh snow on the mountains made the landscape look like it had been painted overnight. We started with a steep climb straight out of Grindelwald, heading up and over the valley towards Wengen.

The trails wound through quiet forests and open meadows, every turn revealing new views of the white-tipped Alps.

Then came the Gemsenweg, a famously steep and relentless trail that climbs to Männlichen. It’s a real lung-buster, but the reward is immense: a panoramic view over the Lauterbrunnen Valley, framed by the snow-covered peaks. The hardest part wasn’t the climb; it was resisting the urge to stop every hundred meters just to take another photo.

From Männlichen, we descended to Kleine Scheidegg, passing cheerful hikers and the occasional train from the Jungfrau Railway chugging its way up toward the glacier. Then the real magic began: the climb toward the Eiger Glacier and the section I had been most excited about — the North Face Trail.

Running just 20 meters below the base of the Eiger’s North Face — one of the most iconic and intimidating walls in mountaineering — was surreal. The sense of history there is tangible. You could feel the weight of all the legendary ascents, the stories of triumph and tragedy that have unfolded on that wall. For trail runners, it’s a humbling moment to be so close to something that has tested some of the world’s best climbers for generations.

By the time we reached that point, we’d already logged about 25 kilometres and climbed roughly 2,100 meters. The legs were starting to feel it, but the views, and the sheer energy of the place, carried us forward.

The final stretch was a 19-kilometer descent straight back to Grindelwald, dropping another 2,100 meters. It was every bit as brutal as it sounds — calf-burning, thigh-shaking, and wildly fun. Each switchback offered another perspective of the Eiger’s imposing face, the valley floor creeping closer with every stride. By the time we stumbled back into Grindelwald it felt like we’d completed something far bigger than ‘just’ 44 kilometres.

The Eiger Ultra Trail series includes longer distances — 16k, 51k, 101k, and even a 250k event — all starting and finishing in Grindelwald. The E35 is often described as the ‘introductory’ distance, but that label feels deceptive. It’s a full-scale mountain adventure, demanding fitness, resilience, and a healthy respect for alpine weather.

What makes the Eiger Ultra Trail special isn’t just the course — it’s the space you’re in and it’s very hard not to fall in love with the trails around Grindelwald.

Looking back, that day encapsulated everything I love about trail running, pushing limits, soaking in natural beauty, and sharing it all with great company. There’s something deeply grounding about moving through such landscapes under your own power — feeling small, but also deeply connected to the world around you.

As we packed up and said goodbye to the hostel I couldn’t help but glance back at the Eiger one more time. Maybe, one day, I’ll be back for the E51… or beyond.

Ian’s story is a powerful reminder of the link between health, wellbeing, and performance. Time spent outdoors, pushing physical boundaries, can boost focus, creativity, and resilience — qualities essential in any professional environment. Whether through trail running, hiking, or simply spending time in nature, investing in wellbeing is as important for the mind as it is for the body. A mantra here at The Foundry we very much live by.