HISTORY
The SWISS CANYON TRAIL , founded in 1994 under the name Trail de l'Absinthe, quickly established itself as one of the most emblematic trail races in Europe. Over the years, the event has evolved to welcome more than 3,000 runners spread over five emblematic distances: the ultra 111K, the 81K, the 51K , the 31K and the 16 K , also open to Nordic Walking enthusiasts.
T he SWISS CANYON TRAIL pays particular attention to the needs of participants. The organizers listen to runners' feedback to continually improve the experience, while offering facilities optimized for their comfort and well-being. It's much more than just a race, it's an immersive adventure in the heart of the breathtaking landscapes of Val de Travers.
Participating in the SWISS CANYON TRAIL guarantees an unforgettable experience, rich in emotions and discovery. Each turn of the route could offer you a meeting with the mythical green fairy, ready to give you a helping hand when the climbs are needed. And of course, a big thank you to our 6,000 dedicated volunteers, who help make this event an exceptional success every year.
Be ready to surpass yourself in a unique natural setting and experience an unforgettable adventure and join the SWISS CANYON TRAIL FAMILY .
Learn more:
Wikipedia
Hotel du Moulin
Quarter.
du Bas-du-Village 3 2123 Val-de-Travers
+41 32 861 26 98
Hotel
La Grand’Borne
1454 Holy Cross
+41 24 454 13 51
Trout Hotel
Champ-du-Moulin-Dessus
2149 Brot-Dessous
+41 32 855 11 34
Grand Hôtel des Rasses***
1452 Les Rasses
+41 24 454 19 61
Hotel
des Cernets**
Les Petits Cernets 201
2126 Les Verrières
+41 32 866 12 65
Hotel – Grill du Crêt de l’Anneau*
Crêt de l’Anneau 1
2105 Val-de-Travers
+41 32 863 11 11
Napoleon's hat
2123 Val-de-Travers
+41 32 861 16 62
Hotel
la Grange***
Grand-Rue 47
1454 Sainte-Croix
+41 24 454 43 77
Restaurant-Hotel de la Poste
2126 Les Verrières
+41 32 866 12 65
Hotel de l'Ours**
Route de Sainte-Croix 7
1445 Vuiteboeuf
+41 24 459 22 59
Big villa in Sainte-Croix
1450 Holy Cross
+41 24 459 22 59
Gite de la Robella
Ruelle Pierre-Boulanger 5
2115 Val-de-Travers
+41 32 861 30 26
TRANSPORT
BY CAR
1 hour 15 minutes from Geneva and Geneva Airport
2 hours from Zurich
2 hours 15 minutes from Basel
2 hours 20 minutes from Zurich Airport
5 hours 15 minutes from Paris
From Yverdon-Les-Bains
Follow Sainte-Croix – Val-de-Travers. Then Fleurier direction Neuchâtel – Cross the village of Couvet and turn right immediately after the Ford garage towards the Val-de-Travers sports center.
From Neuchâtel
Follow Val-de-Travers (Pontarlier) – Cross the village of Travers. At the entrance to the village of Couvet, turn left just before the Ford garage towards the Val-de-Travers Sports Center.
BY TRAIN
Connections from Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne then connection in Neuchâtel to Couvet station. The train from Neuchâtel to Couvet takes around 30 minutes. Please visit the CFF/SBB website for more information: www.cff.ch
SWISS CANYON TRAIL – member of the Trail by Train Tour
The Trail by Train Tour (TTT) brings together events concerned with preserving the environment. Their particularity? Their departure locations are all close to a train station. No need for a car! Trail runners are nature lovers, almost by definition. Unfortunately, they sometimes contribute to harm when traveling long distances by car.
PARTNER RACES
TWO RACES, COMMON POINTS
The two races are characterized by their natural environment. Reunion Island and the green valleys of western Switzerland are ideal terrain for trail running.
LA DIAGONAL DES FOUS AND SWISS CANYON TRAIL
They have built an exceptional partnership for several years. Building on the obvious similarities between the two races and providing exciting opportunities for interested runners, the collaboration enabled the exchange of elite runners and fostered rapprochement.
The two races are characterized by their natural environment. Reunion Island and the green valleys of western Switzerland are ideal terrain for trail running.
LA DIAGONAL DES FOUS AND SWISS CANYON TRAIL
They have built an exceptional partnership for several years. Building on the obvious similarities between the two races and providing exciting opportunities for interested runners, the collaboration enabled the exchange of elite runners and fostered rapprochement.
This year only 10 draft spots will be available to finishers of the 111K of the Swiss Canyon Trail.
The latter will have the unique opportunity to be drafted by the Grand Raid committee and to participate in the legendary Reunion race.
In order to participate in this repechage the following conditions must be respected:
The form will be made available here at the end of our 2025 edition.
The latter will have the unique opportunity to be drafted by the Grand Raid committee and to participate in the legendary Reunion race.
In order to participate in this repechage the following conditions must be respected:
- Register for the diagonal des fous on time and meet the requirements of the Grand Raid organizing committee.
- Not already being drawn by the Diagonal
- Have registered for the 111KM Swiss Canyon Trail
- Be a Finisher of the 111 KM of the Swiss Canyon Trail
- Be among the first 10 to complete and return the form at the end of participation in the Swiss Canyon Trail.
The form will be made available here at the end of our 2025 edition.
MIUT® – Madeira Island Ultra Trail will offer an exciting challenge, across the island, from sea to sea, in the North-West-South-East direction, starting from Porto Moniz, at sea level, with passages through the highest points of the island, then back to sea level, at Machico.
QUEBEC MEGA TRAIL AND SWISS CANYON TRAIL
Finishers of the Swiss Canyon Trail 81K and 111K obtain 30% off registration for the Quebec Méga Trail QMT 80 or QMT 110. Finishers of the QMT 80 and QMT 110 obtain 30% off registration registration for the Swiss Canyon Trail 81K or 111K. For the winners (1st man and 1st woman) of the Swiss Canyon Trail 81K, registration for the QMT 80 K is free, a plane ticket and accommodation for 4 nights are offered in order to participate in the QMT of the same year. The winners (1st man and 1st woman) of the QMT 80 receive free registration for the SWISS CANYON TRAIL 81K, a round-trip plane ticket to Geneva and 4 nights' accommodation near the Swiss Canyon Trail race site for the edition of the following year.
Finishers of the Swiss Canyon Trail 81K and 111K obtain 30% off registration for the Quebec Méga Trail QMT 80 or QMT 110. Finishers of the QMT 80 and QMT 110 obtain 30% off registration registration for the Swiss Canyon Trail 81K or 111K. For the winners (1st man and 1st woman) of the Swiss Canyon Trail 81K, registration for the QMT 80 K is free, a plane ticket and accommodation for 4 nights are offered in order to participate in the QMT of the same year. The winners (1st man and 1st woman) of the QMT 80 receive free registration for the SWISS CANYON TRAIL 81K, a round-trip plane ticket to Geneva and 4 nights' accommodation near the Swiss Canyon Trail race site for the edition of the following year.
The winners (1st man and 1st woman) of the Tour des Lacs (80K) are invited to Switzerland on a course of the Swiss Canyon Trail. The winners of the Swiss Canyon Trail 81K are invited to the Grand Raid des Pyrénées on a trail organized by the Association.
SWISS CANYON TRAIL IS A QUALIFYING RACE FOR THE WESTERN STATES 2026
Finishers of the Swiss Canyon Trail 111K in less than 24 hours will be qualified to participate in the Western States draw which will take place from June 27 to 28, 2026. The draw will have takes place on December 6, 2025.
Finishers of the Swiss Canyon Trail 111K in less than 24 hours will be qualified to participate in the Western States draw which will take place from June 27 to 28, 2026. The draw will have takes place on December 6, 2025.
- For the finishers of 166K: a draw among the athletes who finished the race will allow you to win the flight, the hotel and the bib to participate in the prestigious UTCT.
- For UTCT finishers: an identical advantage to the Swiss Canyon Trail is also reserved for you.
SWISS CANYON TRAIL – member of the Trail by Train Tour
The Trail by Train Tour (TTT) brings together events concerned with preserving the environment. Their particularity? Their departure locations are all close to a train station. No need for a car! Trail runners are nature lovers, almost by definition. Unfortunately, they sometimes contribute to harm when traveling long distances by car.
