Jungfrau Marathon 2026 - from Interlaken through Wengen to the Eiger
On Saturday 5 September 2026, the 33rd Jungfrau Marathon runs the length of the valley and straight through Wengen, from a mass start in Interlaken to the finish at Eigergletscher below the north face. The route passes the door of Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn at roughly the marathon's steepest turn, which makes the village one of the best places on the course to watch.
The event
The Jungfrau Marathon covers the classic 42.195 kilometres but gains about 1,829 metres of altitude on the way, a mountain marathon that ends high above the tree line. Runners set off from Interlaken at 08:30, follow the flat valley floor to Lauterbrunnen, then climb through Wengen, past Wengernalp and up to the Eigergletscher finish at 2,320 metres. Around 4,000 runners take part each year, drawn by one of the most scenic finishes in distance running.
The leaders reach Wengen in the late morning; the wider field runs through the village into the early afternoon. Friday 4 September is the race expo and bib collection in Interlaken, so the marathon weekend brings a steady build of visitors to the region.
Where to watch from Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn
The course runs through the centre of Wengen, a short walk from the hotel, so you can step out, cheer the field on the climb, and be back for coffee without leaving the village. For the finish, the Wengernalpbahn runs up to Wengernalp and Kleine Scheidegg, both close to the upper part of the route, where you can watch runners push through the final ascent with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau ahead of them.
Practical information
Race day: Saturday 5 September 2026, mass start 08:30 in Interlaken.
Expo and bib collection: Friday 4 September 2026, Interlaken.
Route through Wengen: Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Wengernalp, Kleine Scheidegg, Eigergletscher finish.
Watching in the village: free, from the roadside through Wengen. Spectator day-tickets for the mountain sections are sold through jungfrau.ch.
Getting up the mountain: Wengernalpbahn from Wengen station, next to the hotel.
Plan your stay
Wengen sits on the course itself, so staying at Victoria Lauberhorn, a Faern Collection Hotel, puts you a few steps from the action on race morning and on the railway to the finish afterwards. The marathon weekend books up early across the valley, so reserve your September stay in good time. See our Panorama Trail excursion to walk part of the high route in daylight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jungfrau Marathon?
The Jungfrau Marathon is a mountain marathon over the classic 42.195 kilometres that gains about 1,829 metres of altitude on the way to a finish at Eigergletscher, 2,320 metres up below the Eiger north face. The route runs from Interlaken through Lauterbrunnen and straight through Wengen, passing the door of Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn at roughly the marathon's steepest turn. Around 4,000 runners take part each year.
When is the race, and what time does it come through Wengen?
The 33rd edition runs on Saturday 5 September 2026, with a mass start in Interlaken at 08:30. The leaders reach Wengen in the late morning, and the wider field runs through the village into the early afternoon. The race expo and bib collection take place in Interlaken on Friday 4 September.
Does it cost anything to watch the marathon?
Watching in the village is free, from the roadside as the course runs through the centre of Wengen. Spectator day-tickets for the mountain sections are sold through jungfrau.ch. For the upper route, the Wengernalpbahn runs from Wengen station, next to the hotel.
Where are the best places to watch on the course?
The course runs through the centre of Wengen, a short walk from the hotel, so you can step out, cheer the field on the climb, and be back for coffee without leaving the village. For the finish, the Wengernalpbahn runs up to Wengernalp and Kleine Scheidegg, both close to the upper part of the route. From there you watch runners push through the final ascent with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau ahead of them.
Why stay at Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn for marathon weekend?
Wengen sits on the course itself, so the hotel puts you a few steps from the action on race morning and next to the railway up to the finish afterwards. The marathon weekend books up early across the valley, so reserve a September stay in good time. Back at the hotel there is Wengen's largest wellness area, plus dinner in the hotel restaurant or at Pasta & More.