Sierre-Zinal / Golden Trail World Series
Sierre-Zinal, the Race of the Five 4000s
Sierre → Zinal
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
Sierre-Zinal is one of the most iconic point-to-point mountain races in the world, covering 31 km from the valley town of Sierre (566 m) up to the high alpine village of Zinal (1673 m) in the Swiss Valais. With 2091 m of climbing and a high point of 2415 m, the race earns its nickname — the Race of the Five 4000s — from the jaw-dropping ridge traverse that puts the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Dent Blanche and Matterhorn into full view on the horizon. As a Golden Trail World Series race, it attracts elite runners from across the globe, but the course is demanding enough to test every level of mountain runner who lines up in Sierre. The profile is deceptively straightforward on paper: a long, sustained climb for the first 20 km to the high point near Nava (2362 m), followed by a rolling high traverse and a punishing descent to the finish in Zinal. In reality the gradient is relentless from the gun, the terrain switches between forest track, open alp and rocky singletrack, and the final descent strips away whatever is left in your legs. Treat this as a true mountain race, not a fast trail run.
Course & Terrain Overview
The race leaves Sierre at 566 m and climbs immediately — there is no flat warm-up. The first 6 km to Ponchette (1745 m) gain nearly 1200 m of elevation through forest trails and switchbacks, and the gradient rarely lets up. From Ponchette the course continues to Chandolin (2045 m, 9 km) and across to Tignousa (2050 m, 13 km), where the terrain opens onto wide alpine pastures and the views to the surrounding 4000 m peaks become unobstructed. Hotel Weisshorn at 17 km (2141 m) marks the mid-race landmark before the route pushes higher still to Nava at 20 km, the highest major checkpoint at 2362 m. From Nava the course traverses to Barneuza (2350 m, 24 km) — a rolling, rocky section that sits largely above 2300 m — before tipping into the long descent back down to Zinal at 1673 m. The underfoot surface ranges from packed dirt and grassy alp to loose rock and technical trail, so versatile footwear with reliable grip is essential.
The Decisive Climbs and Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The race is essentially decided in two places. The first is the brutal opening climb to Ponchette: 1179 m of gain in just 6 km. Running this too hard — easy to do in the excitement of a mass start — will shatter your quads and blow your aerobic reserves before you reach the halfway point. Elite runners push this section hard, but for the majority the discipline to power-hike the steepest ramps and keep your heart rate controlled is what separates a strong finish from a death march. The second decisive stretch is the high traverse from Nava to Barneuza and the subsequent descent into Zinal. After 20 km above 2000 m your legs are already accumulated with fatigue, and the rocky traverse demands continued technical focus. The descent from Barneuza to Zinal (roughly 7 km dropping around 677 m) is fast but punishing on tired legs — runners who have preserved their quads through disciplined climbing will make up significant time here, while those who overcook the ascent will watch the field stream past them on the way down.
Pacing & Fuelling Strategy
The cut-off times give a useful skeleton for pacing. Chandolin (9 km, 2045 m) closes at 14:30 on race day, Hotel Weisshorn (17 km, 2141 m) at 16:30, Barneuza (24 km, 2350 m) at 18:00, and Zinal at 19:30. Work backwards from your target finish and build in a buffer — the high traverse section from Hotel Weisshorn to Barneuza (7 km over technical terrain near 2300 m) takes longer than its distance implies, particularly in poor visibility or wind. For fuelling, the climb from Sierre is long enough that you should be eating from early on — within the first 30–40 minutes — rather than waiting until you feel hungry at altitude. Carry enough food and fluid to cover at least the gaps between checkpoints, especially the Tignousa-to-Hotel Weisshorn and Nava-to-Barneuza sections. Gels and easily digestible carbohydrates work well given the sustained aerobic effort; solid food at checkpoints helps maintain energy on the traverse. Don't neglect sodium on a warm race day — exposed alpine terrain in August can be hotter than runners expect.
Conditions to Expect
Sierre-Zinal is held in August in the Swiss Alps, and the weather can vary dramatically within a single race day. The valley start in Sierre can be warm and humid — temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius are possible — while the ridge traverse above 2300 m can be cold, windy and exposed to afternoon thunderstorms. Alpine weather builds quickly, and the section from Nava to Barneuza offers almost no shelter. A lightweight wind or waterproof layer is strongly advised even on a clear forecast day. Start early sections in minimal kit and have your shell accessible by the time you reach Hotel Weisshorn. Snow on the high traverse is unusual in August but not unknown in a cold year — check race-day conditions before the start. Sun exposure on the open alp sections between Tignousa and the high point is significant, so sunscreen and eyewear are worth carrying.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 566 m · —
4 km · 1240 m ·
7.5 km · 1919 m · —
12 km · 1999 m · Sat 14:10
16 km · 2144 m · Sat 14:40
20 km · 2362 m · Sat 15:20
24 km · 2350 m · —
27 km · 2194 m · —
31 km · 1673 m · Sat 17:30
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