A Week on Our Swiss Family Runcation with Childcare
In August 2026 we ran our first-ever Family Runcation with Childcare in the Swiss Alps. Families from four countries. Parents who love trail running and wanted to bring their whole family along. Kids in the childcare program during the morning runs. Afternoons together as families in one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world. This is what a week looked like.
The week in highlights
Arriving in a car-free alpine village
The trip starts with a cable car ride up out of the valley — no cars to our home base for the week. Just green cliffs, waterfalls pouring off the tops, and views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau that don't feel real until you're standing under them.
Morning trail runs
Every running day starts the same way: drop the kids at the childcare program, lace up, meet the group, and head out on trail. Rolling ridges, wildflower meadows, cows with bells, and views of the Bernese Oberland with every step. Runs were around 6-11 miles most days with varying levels of elevation gain and terrain matched to the group.
Post-run treats and afternoon reunions
After the runs, parents met up at a local café for coffee, smoothies, and the kind of post-trail treats that make you want to run again tomorrow. Then back to reunite with the kids for the afternoon.
Family hikes
Some afternoons were built around family hikes — short walks accessible to kids of all ages, leading to lakes, waterfalls, or scenic viewpoints. We enjoyed the slow pace and stops to play at the lake, and finished with Norweigan chocolate (thanks to our Norweigan crew for sharing!)
Mountaintop playgrounds while adults enjoy lunch
A highlight of the Swiss Alps are the gems of mountaintop playgrounds with adjacent alpine cafés. Adults could sit dow down for lunch and a refreshment while kids climb, swing, and run around on wooden play structures with the Eiger as backdrop.
Kids having fun with other kids
By day two, the kids were already asking when they got to go hang out with their new friends again. It was wonderful to see families able to spend time together, but also the new friendships formed between kids and parents alike.
Evenings back together as families
Evenings were spent meeting up with the other families for outdoor concerts, or on other nights spending dinner as a family. We’re already missing the alpenglow on the Eiger sunsets from our balconies, and can’t wait to return.
From one of the families
"We had an incredible time and loved each day of the trip. We were so grateful to be able to do a trip that included our kids and was designed for both them as kids and us as trail running parents. The family activities were super fun and well planned out. The trail running was superb — the trails were gorgeous, varied, fun, challenging, and quite runnable. The scenery and location were magnificent, and the fun stops along the way for food and drinks made it extra enjoyable. 12/10 — incredible trip."
— Christi B., Swiss Family Runcation with Childcare, August 2026
What made this trip different
We designed the Family Runcation with Childcare category because we wanted a trip we couldn't find anywhere else — where trail running parents didn't have to choose between doing the thing they love and being with their families. The August 2026 group made it real.
Adults ran. Kids played. Families reunited for afternoon adventures. Everyone got what they came for.
The 2027 Swiss Family Runcation with Childcare
The trip is returning in 2027 with everything we learned from the inaugural summer. Dates coming soon.