Welcome to the Freetrail Switzerland Trail Camp.

Seven days of trail running through Graubünden, Switzerland, August 6–12, 2027, hosted by Dylan Bowman and Ryan Thrower of Freetrail and operated by Rogue Expeditions.

The group is limited to 16 runners.

Please see below for everything you need to know in advance of the trip. You can also click "My Trips" at the top of this page to access and edit your personal information and view/pay your remaining balance at any time.

This trip was developed in partnership with graubünden Trailrun, the regional initiative for trail running development in Graubünden, with local expertise from Zenit run.

Hosts: Dylan Bowman and Ryan Thrower, Freetrail.

Guides: Rogue Expeditions guides lead every run and handle all logistics. Your lead Rogue Expeditions guides will be Kiana Ramli and Michael Mazzara; guide contact info will be sent out prior to departure.

Graubünden is Switzerland's largest canton: over 150 valleys, three official languages, and 11,000 km of marked trails in the far east of the Alps. The trip is based in three villages, two nights each — Guarda in the Lower Engadin, Pontresina at the foot of the Bernina range, and Vals.

Five run days. Every run has a shorter or less technical option, with a guide for each group. Full routes total about 48 miles, 8,000 ft of climbing, and 11,000 ft of descent, at 1,500–2,900 m.

Day 1 — Friday, August 6 · Arrive in Guarda 1:00 pm pickup at Zurich Airport. About 3 hours to Guarda. Check in at Hotel Meisser (family-run since 1893). Welcome drinks, trip briefing, dinner.

Day 2 — Saturday, August 7 · Guarda · 11 mi / 3,100 ft gain Up the valley to Chamonna Tuoi, a Swiss Alpine Club hut below Piz Buin on the Austrian border. Coffee and cake at the hut. Shorter option: 10-mile lollipop, 2,300 ft, less technical.

Day 3 — Sunday, August 8 · Transfer to Pontresina · 5 mi / 1,400 ft descent Check out and drive one hour. Mostly downhill shakeout run along the Inn River, packed lunch at the finish, then on to Pontresina. Check in at Hotel Steinbock. Dinner on your own in Pontresina or St. Moritz (shuttle provided). Easier option: flat out-and-back along the river.

Day 4 — Monday, August 9 · Pontresina loop · 10 mi / 2,700 ft gain Loop from the hotel. Lunch on the terrace, then a free afternoon: hotel spa or time in Pontresina. Options: Chamanna Paradis lollipop, 6 mi / 2,200 ft, or loop only, 7 mi / 2,000 ft.

Day 5 — Tuesday, August 10 · Roseg Glacier · Transfer to Vals · 13.2 mi / 3,800 ft descent Corvatsch cable car to altitude, then a long descent past the Roseg glacier with Piz Bernina (4,049 m) in view. Lunch at the Roseg hotel midway. 2.5-hour transfer to Vals. Check in at Hotel Alpina. Shorter option: 8 mi / 3,300 ft descent, or a flat 10-mile out-and-back from Pontresina that rejoins the group for lunch.

Day 6 — Wednesday, August 11 · Zervreila out-and-back · Therme Vals · 9 mi / 1,000 ft gain Easy out-and-back below the Zervreilahorn; turn around at any point. Afternoon at Therme Vals. Farewell dinner.

Day 7 — Thursday, August 12 · Depart Morning transfer to Zurich Airport, about 2h45. Book flights departing after 1:00 pm.

Access the trip brochure HERE

Once you have booked your flight, please submit your flight info in your "Tasks" list on your WeTravel account by the task deadline.

Arrive in Zurich (ZRH) no later than 12:00 pm on August 6, 2027, and depart no earlier than 12:00 pm on August 12, 2027. We will meet you at the airport and return you there at the end of the trip.

We recommend arriving at least one day early to rest and to allow for flight delays. For those who arrive early, we will provide a list of recommended hotels and the meeting point for the first day.

If you arrive after 12:00 pm on arrival day or depart before 12:00 pm on departure day, you will be responsible for your own transport. We will assist where we can, but there will be additional costs.

READ THIS: Packing (light) tips for your next adventure

GENERAL THINGS TO CONSIDER
 

*This is an active trip with lots of time outdoors. You'll be in run gear most of the time and you don't need much in the way of dressy clothes, but we suggest at least one nicer outfit to wear to a couple of our nicer dinners.

*Any type of luggage is fine, but remember: no one ever wishes they’d brought more stuff! Stick to the essentials and pack only what you need. If your luggage is too big or too heavy for you to lift it all yourself, it’s too much stuff. This is Europe... expect to carry it up and down stairs!

*Have some sort of ‘day bag,’ whether it’s a small backpack, messenger bag, etc. It should be big enough to carry money, a camera, a water bottle, and a jacket – something you can keep with you in the vehicle.

*You don’t need a different running outfit for every day. You can easily re-wear a few items throughout the trip, and a rinse-out in the shower or sink keeps things clean enough. But, please do not plan or rely on the chance to do proper laundry.

CLOTHES

*3-4 pairs running shorts + 1 pair running tights or pants

*3-4 short sleeve running shirts/tank tops + jog bras and 1-2 long sleeve running shirts

*3-4 non running shirts/tops

*2 pairs pants or jeans or skirts

*1 warm jacket (down or fleece)

*1 rain jacket (can double as a running jacket - we recommend full waterproof in case of bad weather in the mountains)

*1 lightweight jacket or pullover

*Underwear

*1 set of sleepwear

ACCESSORIES + SHOES

*1 pair trail running shoes + 1 pair flip flops +  1 pair non-running shoes

*6-7 pairs socks 

*Running hat
*Warm hat/beanie

*Watch / charger

*Sunglasses

*Day bag

*Swimsuit 

*Shower towels are provided by the hotels, but please bring a small pack towel for sweat/rain/post-run river/lake plunges

*Gloves 

*Hydration running pack (we recommend having at least 1L water carrying capacity but 1.5-2L is best)

TOILETRIES 

*Shampoo/soap/conditioner 

*Toothbrush/toothpaste

*Brush/comb

*Few travel packages of tissues (emergency/backup TP)

*Feminine products

*Razor

*Contacts/solution if needed

*Sunblock

*Moleskin or bandaids – we’ll have some of this for the group, but blisters are a common problem and it’s good to have some of your own on hand

*Any other medication you may need (we carry a full first aid kit for emergency situations, but recommend that you pack anything that you anticipate needing).

DOCUMENTS

*Passport (US citizens must have 6 months validity when you enter Europe)

*1-2 credit/debit cards (make sure to call your bank the week before departure and tell them the dates that you will be overseas, and make sure to tell the that you will be in Switzerland with any other stops that you have planned. This way they won’t put a security hold on your card).
*Starting some time in 2027, travelers from the US, UK and Canada will also require an ETIAS authorization to enter the Schengen Area. The launch date has yet to be confirmed; you can check for the latest here. We will keep you updated as soon as the ETIAS comes into effect. Participants from other countries should check with their consulate for entry requirements.

OTHER STUFF
 

*Phone/camera + charger

*Reading/writing material

*a few large ziplocs (useful both for waterproofing your phone in the rain, and to carry out any toilet paper you may use on the trail)

*Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper/your roommate snores
*Electrical adapter: you'll need the European style with two round prongs, like this

Most everything is already paid for and credit cards are widely accepted, so you shouldn’t need much in the way of cash. ATMs are easily found at the airport, all cities and most small towns too.

Swiss Franc (CHF) is the form of currency here not Euros. It's worth noting that Switzerland is one of the more expensive countries in Europe — the exchange rate on CHF tends to run close to (or above) the US dollar, and everyday costs like a coffee, a beer, or a small souvenir can run higher than what you're used to elsewhere on the continent. A little extra budget for incidentals goes a long way here. Things you’ll want to plan for:

> Alcohol, coffee and other drinks/snacks that you might find along the way. You will be able to hit an ATM in the middle of our trip while we are in Pontresina if needed. Coffee will always be included with breakfast but there are many opportunities for an espresso throughout the day.

> Tips. Your entire trip will be spent with guides & drivers who go above and beyond to create an amazing experience for you. While there are no strict tipping customs and tips are never expected, it’s always appreciated if you enjoyed your experience; any gratuities will be split evenly amongst the team.

> Personal Purchases. Souvenirs, extra spa time beyond what's included, or any activities outside the planned itinerary are on you — and worth budgeting a bit more for than you might in other destinations, given Switzerland's higher price point.