MAP EKIDEN
The EKIDEN stages
Stage 1 : Vaduz - Linthal Glanerland
78 km
4'575 m
4'397 m
solo
Departing from the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, the first runner sets off into the Rhine Valley for a long section of around 78 km, which first takes him through the land of Heidi, the popular icon of Swissness. After the Castle of Sargans, the first passes take him into the little-known but oh-so-magnificent Glarus region, with its 49 peaks over 3000 meters. The site of Sardonia is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the village of Elm, where the 4th refreshment post is located, is world-renowned for its authenticity.
Stage 2 : Linthal Glanerland - Altdorf (Uri)
45 km
2'376 m
2'552 m
solo
After the base camp at Linthal, the Ekiden continues with a crossing between the cantons of Glarus and Uri over the splendid Klausen Pass and the largest mountain pasture in the Swiss Alps at Urnerboden. The descent takes riders into the land of William Tell, another icon of Swiss culture. An intermediate refreshment point at the Col awaits the riders.
Stage 3 : Altdorf (Uri) - Engelberg Titlis
31 km
2'006 m
1'466 m
patrol
For this 3rd section, the whole team set off from Altdorf in patrol mode towards the famous Titlis, which overlooks the monastery village of Engelberg in the half-canton of Obwalden, also famous for its Olympic ski champions. Before that, the route takes the patrollers over the Surenen Pass and the Blackenalp, surrounded by the rocky bastions of the Brunnistock. Look out for the view over the splendid Lac des 4 Cantons, the historic heart of the Swiss Confederation!
Stage 4 : Engelberg Titlis - Melchsee Frutt-Meiringen
36 km
2'244 m
2'443 m
solo
Another solo stage from the foot of the Titlis in the direction of the half-canton of Nidwalden, where the Trüebsee and then the difficult Jochpass with its rhododendrons lead to the Melchsee-Frutt station and a refreshment stop just before the Balmeregghorn ridge. The descent to Meiringen does not mean the end of the journey, as the next stop is Reichenbach Falls, where, according to literary legend, a certain Sherlock Holmes died in the company of his most famous adversary, Professor Moriarty.
Stage 5 : Meiringen - Lauterbrunnen
44 km
3'181 m
3'190 m
solo
A fifth section, probably one of the most iconic, with the famous North Face of the Ogre: The Eiger and its 1600m. of imposing vertical. At its foot, the Grosse and Kleine Scheidegg must be linked before plunging down to the car-free village of Wengen, which precedes the 3rd base camp of Lauterbrunnen and its famous Staubbach waterfalls. Just over 40km of breathtaking panoramic views!
Stage 6 : Lauterbrunnen - Kandersteg
44 km
3'181 m
3'190 m
solo
A fifth section, probably one of the most iconic, with the famous North Face of the Ogre: The Eiger and its 1600m. of imposing vertical. At its foot, the Grosse and Kleine Scheidegg must be linked before plunging down to the car-free village of Wengen, which precedes the 3rd base camp of Lauterbrunnen and its famous Staubbach waterfalls. Just over 40km of breathtaking panoramic views!
Stage 7 : Kandersteg - Adelboden
17 km
1'341 m
1'177 m
patrol
A joint 2nd stage in patrol mode follows from Kandersteg towards the world-famous Chuenisbärgli ski resort. Don't worry, we won't force you to name the place to get refreshments. The two Bernese Oberland resorts are separated by the rugged Col de Bunderchrinde at 2,382m. There's nothing like an invigorating stroll to strengthen the bonds between Ekiden team-mates.
Stage 8 : Adelboden - Pays-d'Enhaut
70 km
2'487 m
3'001 m
solo
The main course! Especially at this stage of the race: 70km between German-speaking Switzerland via the resorts of Lenk and Gstaad and the French-speaking part, which starts in the Etivaz valley and its delicious cheese of the same name. As well as the very posh resort of Gstaad, you pass through the Pays-d'Enhaut, world-famous for its annual hot-air balloon festival. On this long stretch, the mountains become slightly gentler, and it's not unusual to come across the famous Simmental cows for which Lenk is famous.
Stage 9 : Pays-d'Enhaut - Haut de Caux
27 km
1'998 m
1'754 m
solo
This final solo section takes you right through the Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park. Many of the alpine pastures we cross are production sites for the famous cheese or its Vaud "cousin", L'Etivaz. After the Chaude mountain pasture and the pass of the same name, a final refreshment stop allows you to build up your strength before the ascent to the emblematic Rochers-de-Naye and its breathtaking panorama over Lake Geneva. We're almost there!
Stage 10 : Haut de Caux - Clarens (Montreux)
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9 km
88 m
874 m
patrol
This last section is symbolic, as it allows the Ekiden team to finish together on the shores of Lac Léman. After a gentle descent through the fir trees of the Hauts de Montreux, the runners enter the Gorges du Chauderon, only to emerge a few kilometres later and embark on an urban section that precedes the finish on Clarens beach. You're there!
KM
78 km
45 km
31 km
36 km
44 km
39 km
17 km
70 km
28 km
8 km
D+
4'575 m D+
2'376 m D+
2'006 m D+
2'244 m D+
3'181 m D+
3'504 m D+
1'341 m D+
3'725 m D+
1'998 m D+
88 m D+
D-
4'397 m D-
2'552 m D-
1'466 m D-
2'443 m D-
3'190 m D-
3'134 m D-
1'177 m D-
4'129 m D-
1'752 m D-
874 m D-
STAGE
Stage 1 : Vaduz - Linthal
Stage 2 : Linthal - Altdorf
Stage 3* : Altdorf - Engelberg
Stage 4 : Engelberg - Meiringen-Schwendi
Stage 5 : Meiringen-Schwendi - Lauterbrunnen
Stage 6 : Lauterbrunnen - Kandersteg
Stage 7 : Kandersteg - Adelboden
Stage 8 : Adelboden - Rossinière
Stage 9 : Rossinière - Caux
Stage 10 : Caux - Clarens (Montreux)
* Team stage (Patrol)
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