Securing my race entry to run the E35 North Face Trail in the Eiger UTMB Ultra Trail event was harder than getting Coldplay tickets (and …
The E35 Eiger UTMB experience – my biggest challenge to date!

Securing my race entry to run the E35 North Face Trail in the Eiger UTMB Ultra Trail event was harder than getting Coldplay tickets (and …
Few places are as magical as the Jungfrau Region at any time of year. But to see the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau rising above frozen forests and ancient chalets hibernating below pillows of snow feels like you’ve stepped into a snow globe. Read on to discover where to stay and what’s on offer in the winter for skiers and non-skiers alike.
The breathtaking ridge hike to the Gemmenalphorn is surprisingly rugged and rocky. It combines the very best of Switzerland – a mountain ridge hike with a lake view, ibex, cows and alpine flowers.
In July 2023, I became the proud owner of an actual piece of limestone rock from the Eiger. It was placed around my neck shortly after I trotted over the finish line, having run what is known as the Trail Surprise. Part of the Eiger Ultra Trail Event by UTMB, the Trail Surprise is the UTMB equivalent of a fun run. The surprise is that the route and altitude profile are only unveiled three days before the race.
On 31st July 2004, I packed a rucksack full of snacks, layers and a brand-new head torch, locked the door of my repping accommodation and set off to take a special late-night train to Schynige Platte. I was about to embark on one of the most memorable hikes of my life – Schynige Platte to First under the light of the full moon.
If you’re a first-time hiker with dreams of making your walking debut in Switzerland, you can’t go wrong by choosing to holiday in the Jungfrau region. The vast choice of easy walks ranges from lakeside pathways to high-altitude trails, bringing you up close and personal to the mighty Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.
There was something about Interlaken that grabbed me on that very first visit. Perhaps the carefree, happy holiday feeling combined with the promise of adventure in the mountains ahead. Three seasons and many return holidays later, this is the region that continues to draw me back again and again.