The Highlander 60k offers a route starting and finishing in Gstaad, which begins with a taster towards the small village of Turbach at the foot of the impressive Giferspitz and its 2,542-metre summit. The 1,500 metres of elevation gain over the first 11 kilometres should effectively wake up any sleepy joints. A descent of about 5 kilometres then takes you to the pretty, traditional village of Lauenen.

 

After this rather challenging start, the route leads to the magnificent alpine lake of Lauenen before reaching the Geltenhütte and its valley dotted with waterfalls at the foot of the impressive Wildhorn and the Gälten Glacier (or what remains of it).

​

The descent, which is technical in places, offers breathtaking views of the Lauensee and leads to the Chüetungel valley and then the Tungel Pass. The 6 km of ridges separating the Saanenland and the Simmental then lead to the Trütlisberg and Türli passes, passing by the surprising Gryden craters.

​

Participants then reach the Rüwlispass and its picture-postcard pond overlooking the Gummfluh, the region's iconic mountain. After refuelling at Zwitzeregg, the Hornberg plateau offers a chance to let loose before the final descent to Gstaad and the finish line in the magnificent main street.