Family Running Retreat in the Swiss Alps: Jungfrau Runcation with Childcare

New for Summer 2026

 

Experience the magic of the Swiss Alps on our Family Runcation in the Jungfrau Region — a running vacation designed for moms and parents who love the trails and want to share the adventure with their families. Each morning, enjoy guided runs through some of the most beautiful trails in Switzerland while our dedicated childcare team keeps little ones engaged. We’re proud to be the first running tour company to offer childcare on our trail running tours and to create a family-friendly, inclusive itinerary for running travel. Afternoons are for family adventures: from dining at a 360 degree mountaintop buffet (no hiking necessary), interactive nature trails, via ferratas for older kids, summer outdoor music, exploring waterfalls, and relaxing together at playgrounds attached to cafes with breathtaking views of the Eiger and Jungfrau peaks.

Not every destination is a perfect fit for this type of trip, but we think we’ve found one in the Swiss Alps. Enter: the Jungfrau Region in the Bernese Oberland, home to the famous Eiger, Northface trail, the Trümmelbach Falls, and the charming villages of Wengen, Grindelwald, Murren, and more. If you’ve ever seen photos of Switzerland that look so beautiful it’s hard to believe they’re real, they were probably taken here. Picture a valley of green grass and charming Swiss homes with dramatic cliffs that scale either side—now picture waterfalls pouring off the top into the valley. On top of those cliffs you’ll find our Swiss car-free village base camp, with views looking up to the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau (often called the ‘top of Europe’). It’s a base camp for all our runs and activities, but there are also plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy in this tiny town.

As for the running, this running vacation with childcare has a little of everything. We’ll explore perfectly graded rolling dirt highways of runnable terrain and epic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. We’ll lean heavier into the trail running portion for mountain runs up quiet and less touristed valleys with the chance to stop at alpine lakes and Swiss mountain huts along the way. Road runners will delight in the option for afternoon shakeouts on a flat and scenic bike path with mountain and waterfall views. Outside of the running, we’ll have a variety of opt-in family friendly activities to make this a true real family running retreat in the Swiss Alps. Thanks to the remarkable public transportation in Switzerland, you don’t even need to rent a car for this trip.

Trip Difficulty: Level 1/2 (click to learn more about trip difficulty levels).

For the guided tour, this trip requires a minimum of 8 to run. Please do not purchase flights until confirming with retreat organizer. 

 
 

 
Wanderun am Grauseeli.jpg

Overview

•Guided morning trail runs with childcare included while you tour the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland, often called Switzerland’s most beautiful mountains

• Scenic destination runs up stunning mountain ranges, peaks, lakes, and rivers of the Bernese Oberland, including Schiltorn summit, Trümmelbach Falls, and hidden gems in quieter valleys

• Sunrises and sunsets enjoying alpenglow from Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau from our comfortable family-friendly accommodations from a 4-star Swiss hilltop hotel

• Enjoy fresh and local Swiss alpine cuisine with many cafes and restaurants to choose from

• Family-focused running vacation in the Swiss Alps: Be part of the first running travel tour company that provides childcare on running trips and supports family friendly activities on a Runcation

• Accommodates all running disciplines, from road racers to trail runners with flexible route options: it’s the perfect running trip for moms and parents

• All transportation during the trip itinerary, including lifts, gondolas, funiculars

• Connect with other running parents on the run and opt-in afternoon family adventures: hikes, lake swims, and local culture or enjoy recovery sessions and social time for parents
 

Select photos permission Jungfrau Region Tourismus AG

 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arriving to Our Car Free Village in Style!

This region has been called the most beautiful region of Switzerland, and as soon as you enter the Lauterbrunnen valley you’ll see why. Cliffs dripping with waterfalls and views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau will be a warm welcome to entering our car free village. We'll get situated in a comfortable 4-star hotel hotel before hearing an overview of the week and the many options ahead. We’ve tried to make this week as inclusive as possible for moms and families with many options for each day depending on the age of your child or children that will be attending. We’ll enjoy dinner and refreshments and alpenglow sunset before getting some good sleep for the week ahead!

  • Double accommodation in 4-star hotel included

  • Gondola ride to our starting village included

Enjoying a scenic cable car ride to the car free village of Murren Switzerland

Photo permission Jungfrau Region Tourismus AG

DAY 2

          Welcome to the Swiss Alps!

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel and dropping kids off with our private childcare service, we’ll head out for today’s morning run. We’ll start our trail running vacation in the Bernese Oberland with a runnable route of rolling hills where we’ll have a chance to enjoy views of wildflowers and the Jungfrau while also experiencing more of Swiss alpine culture up close. We’ll pass dairy farmers, mountain huts, and villages that have more cows that human inhabitants. This afternoon’s activities are family friendly and include a short hike/nature walk to visit a kid’s friendly interactive trail to learn about the local flora and fauna before enjoying snacks, a meal, or an aperitif while kids play in the adjacent open air play structure attached to the cafe’s outside deck. With views of the Eiger, you’ll find that this town is a true Swiss playground for adults and kids alike. For families that want to skip the hiking portion, this location is also conveniently accessed by a short lift ride from town.

  • Mileage: ~6.5 miles, +/- 1,100 feet elevation gain/loss*

  • Breakfast and double accommodation in 4-star hotel included

  • Cable car fees included

  • Childcare included

Enjoying views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in the Swiss Alps on a run through our hilltop village

DAY 3

Alpine Lakes and James Bond

This morning we head up to 9,744 feet above sea level for a buffet breakfast with 360 degree views of more than 200 alpine peaks. We’ll have views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau of course, but on clear visibility days you can see as far as the Mont Blanc massif in France, the Bernese and Valais Alps, and the Black Forest in Germany. This gondola station is brand new and has even been featured in a James Bond film. For this morning’s activity bring your children for a kid friendly hike. In the afternoon we’ll have a guided run in the Lauterbrunnen valley to run alongside rivers and underneath waterfalls flowing from glaciers with the option to visit the famous Trümmelbach Falls.

  • Mileage:

    Kid friendly hikeoption: ~2 miles, +/- 600 feet feet elevation gain/loss

    Run mileage: 6-8 miles, +/- 700 feet elevation gain/loss

  • Breakfast and double accommodation in 4-star hotel included

  • Guided run, gondola lift fees (return trip), and mountaintop 360 view buffet breakfast included

  • Childcare included for the afternoon run

Photo permission Jungfrau Region Tourismus AG

DAY 4

Hidden Swiss Valleys

After a spread of a delicious breakfasts of muesli, granola, yogurt, coffee, homemade breads, and eggs, we’ll head out on an adventure trail run for the day. We’ll explore hidden valleys off the beaten path of the more touristed regions in the area. We’ll get to explore views of verdant fields of cows, more waterfalls, and more pristine snowcapped peaks on an epic mountain loop. We’ll get to stop for some much needed snacks and refreshments after the climb at a mountain hut before starting our descent back down the valley.  

  • Mileage: ~10 miles, 4,200 feet elevation gain/loss

  • Breakfast and double accommodation in 4-star hotel included

  • Gondola ticket included

  • Childcare included

We’ll get off the beaten path in quieter valleys with spectacular Swiss running

DAY 5

         Under the Eiger

After breakfast, today we’ll take a short train to a nearby town to explore a loop with views of the Lauterbrunnen valley, the Grindelwald-Fiescherfirn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. We’ll get up close views underneath the Eiger and explore views between the Lauberhorn and the Eiger from Kleine Scheidegg at almost 7,000 feet. We’ll have the chance to stop for a Swiss lunch and snacks before heading back by train to our base camp. This afternoon you’re free to choose between activities before enjoying a final dinner in this Swiss paradise!

  • Mileage: ~9.5 miles, 3,300 feet elevation gain/loss

  • Breakfast and double accommodation in 4-star hotel included

  • Train tickets included

  • Childcare included

Photos permission Jungfrau Region Tourismus AG

DAY 6

Breakfast and Departure

After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes!

  • Breakfast included

*Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change based on weather and trail conditions, but this is a good guideline*

A trail runner enjoying quieter valleys of the Jungfrau region of the Swiss Alps Bernese Oberland
 

What’s included

All transport mentioned on the daily trip itinerary, including cable cars, train, funiculars, lifts, and gondolas.

Childcare during the running portion at a top notch facility with trained and experienced professionals

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

Double accommodation in 4-star hotels throughout and flexible room options to fit your family needs

Breakfasts included daily including a special buffet breakfast on the top of a mountain!

Knowledgable expert mountain guide and running coach along the entire route

A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants

Flexible family-friendly afternoon activities to join, or receive suggestions for alternate activities in the region!

Trip packet with detailed info including packing and weather resources

Access to a personal trip WhatsApp group and community

Not included

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages and meals 

Travel Insurance

Dinners and lunches

Extra optional side activities such as massages or activities outside of itinerary

Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)

Small local tourist tax to be paid in person in cash upon checkout at the hotel


Who should attend? What pace do you run?

This is a LEVEL 1/2 trip. While there are guides to accommodate a variety of paces, the guided trail running portion of this trip requires running participants to cover the mileage and elevation gain as described in the itinerary. While uphills are hiked, the flats and downhills must be jogged or run (no pace requirement). This trip still takes place in a mountainous environment where you may be exposed to sections of technical trails (think rocky, rooted, or steep with loose rock) or unfavorable weather conditions on certain days. We can accommodate different paces, photo and snack stops, and taking time to soak up and enjoy the route and your vacation. We cannot, however, accommodate people purely hiking on this running trip.

Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime! This option is available as an add-on when booking.

My partner wants to attend and is not a runner. Can they join?

Yes! There are plenty of great and accessible hiking options from town if a partner is joining that it not a runner! We are happy to provide maps and suggestions for parents that want to take advantage of the childcare portion of the day, but aren’t interested joining for all the trail runs. These alternate hikes will be unguided.

Is there an age requirement for childcare?

Yes, childcare is included for children 3 and up from an experienced childcare provider fluent in English and German, amongst other languages. The program is tailored to your children that will be in attendance and includes activities like painting and drawing, reading lessons, children’s yoga, play/fun outdoors, making crafts, various group games, and even a cinema and game room. You are welcome to travel with children under the age of 3, but they will not be old enough for the supervised childcare. If you’re traveling with a partner, you can always switch off for the guided runs. There are plenty of amazing runs and trails easy to access out the door of our hotel if your partner joins the guided run and you’d like to get your own run in during the afternoon.

How do I choose a room that’s the right fit for my family?

Whether you’re attending as a solo parent or with a partner with one or multiple children, we have different booking packages and room arrangements to suit your needs. Don’t see one on the booking page that matches your needs? Write to info@runcation.org and we’re happy to put one together for you.

Our Guides

Our guides include local, professional trail running mountain guides with certified regional guiding credentials. These include Guías de Alta Montaña, Argentina (AAGM), International Mountain Leaders (IML), Certified Trekking Guides, Search and Rescue Members, and more. They combine their professional training with their love with the mountains and a passion for the ecology and geology of the region. They are runners that know the ins and outs of this route and are prepared with a safety or alternate plan for any sort of unexpected weather or injury. Plus, they’re a ton of fun and we think they’re the best. Join one of our guided tours to find out!

How to Arrive

There are many ways to arrive to the Jungfrau region by plane, bus, train, car, or private transfer. We highly recommend looking into a Swiss Travel Pass, especially if you’ll be adding on travel in the region after the trip.

The closest airport for domestic flights is the Basel Airport. For those arriving by international flights, the Zurich Airport is the closest airport (~2 hours of travel time). There are direct trains from Zurich Airport to Interlaken Ost every two hours. There are also various other connections with changes in Bern to choose from. From the Geneva Airport (~3 hours of travel time), there are various connections with changes in Bern to choose from. If you’d like to travel without luggage and are flying to/from Zurich or Geneva, Swiss Federal Railways can transport your bag for you from the airport directly to your hotel or holiday apartment – and back again, of course. Read more about that option here!

For more info about arriving by train, car, or private transfer options, please email info@runcation.org

Before You Go

You must have a valid passport and travel insurance to cover the activities of the Switzerland running tour. You can learn more about new requirements for U.S. citizens to visit Europe here.

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Book August 3-8, 2026
Participant Testimonials
This Runcation has been a dream to create! All of our trips have been inspired by trips I’d like to take myself, and this Runcation for families is no different. I think there’s real value in being able to connect with other moms and parents in a group setting, especially those with a shared passion for running. Hope to see you in 2026!
— Liz, Founder + Owner of Runcation Travel

🕓 Originally published: August 30, 2025
🔄 Last updated: October 17, 2025