Montreux Trail Festival: Running Between Lake and Summits, in Freddie's Footsteps

There are races at the foot of Mont-Blanc, others facing the ocean… and then there's the Montreux Trail Festival. On the shores of Lake Geneva, where palm trees stand alongside snowy peaks and where Freddie Mercury made his home, this trail festival is one of the most distinctive in the Alpine arc.

From July 24 to 26, 2026, the Vaud Riviera lives to the rhythm of an XXL trail week: eight races, from the family run to the epic 400 km, all finishing on the Clarens beach on the lakeshore.

1. A History Born in 2009

The Montreux Trail Festival adventure begins in 2009, on the initiative of the Dénivelé Positif association, based in Savigny. The idea: make the most of the exceptional playground of the Vaud Alps, between Lake Geneva, the Rochers-de-Naye, the Prealps, and the Diablerets massif, to create a human-scale trail festival rooted in local culture.

Over the editions, the event has grown: from the early mountain marathon, it has become a true multi-format festival where the elevation-hungry ultra-trailer rubs shoulders with the family out for a Sunday in the great outdoors.

After a sabbatical year in 2025 to rethink the format and preserve the organizing team, the festival returns in 2026 for its 9th edition, from July 24 to 26.

2. The Setting: Montreux, Lake, Palm Trees and Summits

It's hard to find a more photogenic backdrop. Montreux is that legendary town on the Vaud Riviera, nestled between Lake Geneva and the first foothills of the Vaud Pre-Alps. Here, the palm trees on the quay grow 10 minutes from ski slopes. It's also the town of the Montreux Jazz Festival, Château de Chillon, and Freddie Mercury, whose statue still watches over the quay.

The festival fully embraces this dual lakeside and mountain identity:

• The start and finish take place on Clarens beach, almost with your feet in the waters of Lake Geneva.
• The trails immediately climb up to the Rochers-de-Naye (2,042 m), Jaman, the Dent de Lys, or the ridges of the Vanil Noir.
• The panoramas combine sweeping views of the lake, the Valais Alps, Dents du Midi, and, on clear days, Mont-Blanc in the distance.

3. The 8 Races of the Festival

Not one but eight events: the Montreux Trail Festival is a program where everyone finds their format, from beginner to seasoned ultra-trailer.

Crossing Switzerland 400 — The Cross-Country Odyssey ⭐

• Distance: ~400 km
• Elevation: ~25,000 m D+
• Format: multi-day ultra-endurance (July 19-26)
• The flagship event for adventurers: a foot crossing of Switzerland, from Grisons to Lake Geneva, finishing on Clarens beach. Reserved for an elite of ultra-distance runners.

Crossing Switzerland Ekiden — The Relay Version

• Format: team relay along the Crossing Switzerland route
• To experience the 400 km adventure without solitary suffering: sections are split as a team, ekiden-style.

MXTREME 100 — The Queen Ultra of the Weekend

• Distance: ~110 km
• Elevation: ~7,300 m D+
• Start: Friday July 24, evening (Montreux)
• The festival's major ultra. A demanding loop through the Vaud Alps, with high-altitude passages, a night in the mountains, and a spectacular return to Lake Geneva. This is the race worth 5 UTMB points, qualifying for the major events.

MXALPS 66 — The Benchmark Alpine Trail

• Distance: ~66 to 70 km
• Elevation: ~5,000 m D+
• Start: Friday July 24 evening or Saturday July 25 at dawn
• The format of choice for the experienced trailer wanting a taste of high mountain without committing to 100 km. Very technical, very alpine.

MXSKY 30 — The Express Trail Marathon

• Distance: ~30 km
• Elevation: ~2,100 m D+
• Start: Place du Marché in Montreux, Saturday July 25 (afternoon) or Sunday July 26 (morning)
• The fast, photogenic race: express climb to the Rochers-de-Naye, breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, lightning descent to Clarens. Ideal for a first mountain trail format.

MXFAMILY — The Family Trail

• Distance: 1 km (kids) + 31 km
• Elevation: ~1,900 m D+
• A format designed to share the trail experience as a family, with a parallel kids' race.

Freddie's Night 15 — The Rock Night Trail 🌙

• Distance: ~15 km
• Elevation: ~950 m D+
• Format: night race, headlamp mandatory
• THE signature race of the festival, in tribute to Freddie Mercury, who so loved Montreux. A nighttime loop, Queen playing full blast on the speakers, headlamps dancing along the trails. "We Will Rock You" takes on its full meaning here.

Funky Claude Run — The Fun Format

• A friendly race named after "Funky Claude", the hero immortalized by Deep Purple in Smoke on the Water (1971), who evacuated spectators during the fire at the Casino de Montreux. A rock nod to the town's history.

4. The Playground: The Vaud Alps

The Montreux Trail Festival runs through an area often little known outside Switzerland: the Vaud Alps and the Fribourg Prealps. A varied and demanding playground that's well worth the trip.

The Rochers-de-Naye (2,042 m)

The iconic summit above Montreux, accessible by rack railway but above all by trails. 360° panoramic view of Lake Geneva, Valais, and even Mont-Blanc. Most races pass through here.

The Vanil Noir (2,389 m)

The highest point of the Fribourg Prealps, a technical and committing alpine terrain, crossed by the MXTREME and the MXALPS.

The Lake Geneva Trails

For the lower sections, the races take to the Lavaux vineyard paths (UNESCO) and the lakeshore, in a picture-postcard setting.

The Climate

In July, the Vaud Alps can hold surprises: heat on the lake (sometimes 35°C on the Lake Geneva shores), cool at altitude, afternoon storms. Thermal management is key.

5. The Freddie Mercury Atmosphere

This is probably what makes the Montreux Trail Festival unique: its rock identity. Hard to ignore when running in Montreux.

• Freddie Mercury lived in Montreux from 1979 and is buried there. His statue, on the Quai des Fleurs, is one of the town's symbols.
• Queen recorded several albums at the Mountain Studios in Montreux, including legendary tracks.
• Deep Purple wrote Smoke on the Water in 1971 after watching the Casino de Montreux burn during a Frank Zappa concert, from the other side of the lake.
• The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place in early July, just before the Trail Festival: the town is still infused with music when runners arrive.

The organization fully plays this card: Freddie's Night set to Bohemian Rhapsody, Funky Claude Run in tribute to Smoke on the Water, musical entertainment at the aid stations. A real cultural signature.

6. Tips for Preparing for the Montreux Trail Festival

Specific Training

• Work on D+: with 7,300 m on the MXTREME, the ability to string together climbs is central. Prioritize outings with long elevation gain (1,500 m+).
• Work on descents: the Vaud trails drop sharply to the lake. Quadriceps must be ready.
• Acclimate to altitude: you'll regularly pass above 2,000 m. If you live at low elevation, plan a few outings in medium mountains.
• Prepare for heat: in July, Lake Geneva heatwaves can strike. Train in hot conditions.

Gear

• Trail shoes with good grip: technical trails on wet limestone can catch you out.
• Poles: very useful on the long climbs of the MXTREME and MXALPS.
• Waterproof jacket: Prealps summer storms are brutal and sudden.
• Powerful headlamp for Freddie's Night and the night sections of the MXTREME.
• Hydration system: 1.5 L minimum, water can be scarce on the ridges.

Race Strategy

• Manage the start: on the MXTREME, going out too fast Friday evening = blowing up Saturday morning.
• Eat at altitude: digestion becomes complicated above 2,000 m, anticipate beforehand.
• Prepare for the night: on the MXTREME, you'll necessarily run at night. Work on this in training.
• Enjoy the panoramas: that's also why you came.

7. Practical Information (2026 Edition)

Registration

• Registration on the official portal: in.njuko.com/montreux-trail-festival
• Progressive pricing: the earlier you register, the less you pay.
• Some events (Crossing Switzerland 400, MXTREME) have ITRA prerequisites or an application file.

2026 Calendar

Access

• Train: Montreux is on the Simplon line, accessible directly from Paris (TGV Lyria, 3h40), Geneva (1h), Lausanne (20 min).
• Plane: Geneva airport, 1h away by train.
• Accommodation: Montreux and Clarens are overflowing in July (Jazz Festival + Trail Festival). Book very early.

8. Why Run the Montreux Trail Festival?

5 good reasons to mark the event on your 2026 calendar:

1. A setting unique in the world: running above Lake Geneva, palm trees below, glaciers above.
2. The Queen / Deep Purple atmosphere: it's the only trail in the world where you run to Bohemian Rhapsody.
3. A true variety of formats: from the 1 km kids to the epic 400 km, there's something for every level.
4. A technical trail: the Vaud Pre-Alps offer committing alpine terrain, perfect preparation for a UTMB or a Tor des Géants.
5. A human-scale organization: after the 2025 sabbatical year, the team returns with the desire to preserve the festival's soul, far from the bib-number machines.

The Montreux Trail Festival takes place every year in July in Montreux (canton of Vaud, Switzerland). More info at montreux-trail.ch.

Further Reading

• UTMB: World Summit of Trail Running
• Ultra Marin: Gulf of Morbihan
• Trail Running: Complete Guide
• Are Some Races Reserved for Elites?