Eiger Ultra Trail E101

Overall score 3.0Good
Thin evidence2 sources#43 of 61 ultras

Grindelwald, Switzerland · 101 km (62.8 mi) · 6,700 m (21,980 ft) gain

Race day Sat 17 Jul 2027

Website (opens in a new tab)

Is it right for you?

Footing
Technical2.0
Climbing
Mountainous1.0
Overall cutoff
Normal2.8
Intermediate cutoffs
Reasonable2.7
Crew access
Good3.8
First timer friendly
Demanding1.7

Footing and climbing are course traits: 5 is the smoother, flatter end, not a better race.

Watch out: Substantial climbing and exposed mountain sections All 4

Held back by race (1.6) and cutoffs (2.7).

Best for

Provisional: based on 2 sources. Why

Ran it? Your rating helps.

Score breakdown

Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.

Each bar is a range of 0.25 points; the light bar holds this race. The average race scores 3.4.

What does this score mean?

Why runners love it

  • Alpine scenery praised by independent finishers
  • Start and finish in Grindelwald

Watch out for

  • Substantial climbing and exposed mountain sections
  • Multiple checkpoint departure deadlines
  • Accommodation can be expensive
  • Entry requires a lottery place and a valid UTMB Index

Latest or next race

Sat 17 Jul 2027

Official race site(eiger.utmb.world, opens in a new tab)
Climbing
6,700 m (21,980 ft)
Cutoff
25 hours
Pace needed
23:54 per mi (14:51 per km)

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What runners say

Overall score 3.0 out of 5

2 reviews and race reports

2 reviews

  • Mat

    Raced 2024 · Going Down the Trail Feeling Bad

    Tone: Mixed

    The author describes impressive Alpine scenery but also early congestion and a difficult heat episode on the climb toward Wengen. Cold water helped him recover before continuing. High lodging prices affected his travel choices, and the account emphasizes long exposed climbs rather than uniformly runnable trail.

    Covers Course, Conditions, Stay and travel

    Read on goingdownthetrailfeelingbad.com (Going Down the Trail Feeling Bad, opens in a new tab)

  • profiene; Doggo1882

    Reddit: Eiger E101

    Tone: Mixed

    The commenter profiene describes a prior E101 completion, praising the scenery while recalling cramps, exposed sun and difficult parking near bib pickup. Another E101 participant, Doggo1882, discusses crowding, hikers and expensive lodging. Exact editions are not established from the displayed relative timestamps; shorter-distance comments are excluded.

    Covers Course, Conditions, Stay and travel

    Read on reddit.com (Reddit: Eiger E101, opens in a new tab)
Ran Eiger Ultra Trail E101? Rate it

Pick a score, then tell the next runner about the footing, cutoffs and aid stations.

Scores

Open a category for its ratings and the evidence behind them.

Below par. How runners feel about it, how well it is run, and the community around it. Counts for 25% of the overall score.

Toughness for its distance: Extreme

  • Runner satisfactionLoved4.1

    Finishers value the Alpine setting while describing heat, cramps and practical frustrations. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationAdequate3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

  • Community and vibeFriendly3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

Good. Aid stations, crew access, drop bags and pacer rules. Counts for 25% of the overall score.

  • Aid stationsStandard3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

  • Crew accessGood3.8

    Multiple support zones can be reached by cable car, bus or train, subject to operating timetables. · Medium confidence

  • Drop bagsSome stations3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

  • PacersLate race3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

Good. Course marking, scenery, and how runners rate the trail itself. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Course markingMostly clear3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

  • ScenerySpectacular4.7

    Independent finishers strongly praise the Alpine views. · Medium confidence

  • Trail experienceGreat4.0

    The alpine route rewards prepared runners, but exposure and crowding affect enjoyment. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • FootingTechnical2.0

    Mountain trails and steep descents require more care than smooth forest routes. · Medium confidence

  • RunnabilityLots of hiking2.1

    Substantial alpine climbing and steep descents interrupt sustained running. · Medium confidence

  • ClimbingMountainous1.0

    Climbs 350 ft per mi (66 m per km), from the recorded elevation gain. · High confidence

Good. Race-day temperature and how predictable the weather is. Counts for 14% of the overall score.

  • Race-day temperatureWarm or cold2.5

    Several runners describe uncomfortable sun or heat on exposed climbs. · Low confidence

  • Weather reliabilityVariable3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • AltitudeElevated2.3

    The route reaches alpine terrain above 2,500 m (8,202 ft). · Medium confidence

Good. How generous the overall and intermediate cutoffs are for the terrain. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Overall cutoffNormal2.8

    Twenty-five hours leaves less margin on this heavily climbing course than on flatter ultras. · Low confidence

  • Intermediate cutoffsReasonable2.7

    Numerous departure deadlines demand a station-by-station plan. · Low confidence

Not part of the score

  • First timer friendlyDemanding1.7

    The entry requirement and demanding mountain profile favor experienced runners. · Medium confidence

  • Getting inHard1.9

    A lottery and a valid UTMB Index both restrict entry. · High confidence

Good. Getting there, places to stay, race-day logistics and value. Counts for 8% of the overall score.

  • Travel easeFair3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

  • Places to stayLimited2.4

    Two sources identify accommodation cost as a concern. · Medium confidence

  • LogisticsSome complexity3.4

    A single town hosts the start and finish, but difficult parking near bib pickup adds friction. · Low confidence

  • ValueFair3.0

    Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence

Course

Route, 101 km (62.8 mi)

One big loop

Surface
Trail
Climbing
6,700 m (21,980 ft)
Climb rate
Mountain, 66 m per km (350 ft per mi)
Night
Some
Start
04:00

Cutoffs and aid

Overall cutoff
25 hours
Pace needed
23:54 per mi (14:51 per km)
Crew access
Many points

Getting in

Entry
Lottery + qualifier
Qualifier
A valid UTMB Index is required for participation in the E101 lottery.
Qualifies for
  • UTMB Running Stones

Checkpoint cutoffs

These are departure deadlines, followed by the Sunday 05:00 finish limit. The shorter withdrawal route does not count as an E101 finish.

CheckpointCutoff
Grosse ScheideggSaturday 06:30 local departure deadline
BortSaturday 08:00 local departure deadline
First, second passageSaturday 09:30 local departure deadline
FeldSaturday 11:00 local departure deadline
FaulhornSaturday 12:30 local departure deadline
SchwandSaturday 15:30 local departure deadline
BurglauenenSaturday 17:00 local departure deadline
WengenSaturday 19:30 local departure deadline
MannlichenSaturday 21:30 local departure deadline
Kleine ScheideggSaturday 23:45 local departure deadline
EigergletscherSunday 00:45 local departure deadline
BrandeggSunday 02:30 local departure deadline
PfingsteggSunday 04:15 local departure deadline

Footing, aid and entry notes in full

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Key facts

Checked against the 2027 edition on the official race site. Rules change, so confirm before you enter.

Location
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Region
Outside the US
Typical month
July
Footing
Steep alpine climbing and descending with exposed high sections. The organizer describes terrain above 2,500 m (8,202 ft); an exact course high point was not verified.
Aid and crew
Support zones are listed at Grosse Scheidegg, Bort, First, Burglauenen, Wengen, Mannlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, Brandegg and Pfingstegg, accessible by public transport. Drop-bag wording mixes delivery and collection information, so exact current arrangements remain unverified.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate ultras.

Training for Eiger Ultra Trail E101? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.