For trail runners who are not afraid of extreme challenges

The history of the Monte Rosa SkyMarathon, born in 1992, coincides with the history of Skyrunning… indeed, one could rightly say that it is the very birthplace of this discipline that takes athletes to touch the sky with a finger.
Trail Running
June and July
35 km
3,500 meters
Alagna Valsesia (1,191 meters)
Alagna Valsesia (1,191 meters)
The route touches Capanna Regina Margherita (4,554 m), making it the highest race in Europe. Reintroduced in 2018, the 2023 edition saw around 300 athletes from 28 countries retracing the original course to the summit of Monte Rosa, reaching an altitude of 4,554 m and returning to the starting point. Moraines, snowfields, and glaciers for 35 kilometers with an exhausting ascent of about 3,500 meters. Athletes compete in teams of two, tethered together for safety reasons. The record to beat, for men, is 4h29’20”.
From Alagna Valsesia, ascend to the Indren Station at 3,260 m, passing by the Bocchetta delle Pisse at 2,396 m, continue towards the Rifugio Gnifetti at 3,647m, to the Colle del Lys at 4,250 m, up to the Capanna Margherita at 4,554 m, returning along the same route. The trail develops between ascents and descents, on paths, ski slopes, and on glaciers for a total of 35 km round trip and 3,490 m in a single ascent, also overcoming a long stretch of glacier with crevasses. For this reason, the race is held in pairs, roped together, following the flags indicating the route supervised by guides and alpine rescue. The route is mountaineering and is usually divided into a couple of days outside of the competition, using the Mantova or Gnifetti hut as a base.
Safety in the mountains
Living and experiencing the mountains requires caution, preparation, and experience. No activity, even the easiest one, should be taken for granted or improvised.