Stage 4 – Macugnaga to Grächen

Route summary

For runner Ruth Croft, this was her favourite stage. “It did start off with tired legs and a relentless, steep climb in the dark, but things quickly turned around with the epic sunrise on Monte Moro Pass,” she says. See the stage profile below, the climb is indeed relentless!

In the rifugio below the pass is an awesome aid-station where you most need it. Recharged, there is a technical descent into Switzerland with “views of the turquoise Mattmarksee, sitting between the massifs of Rimpfischhorn and Stellihorn,” remembers Croft.

After a long runnable section to Saas Fee, the day is only half over. The Höhenweg comes next – 20 km of unrelenting twisting and undulating trail. It’s the final challenge of this Bold, Brutal & Beautiful course.

Stage 4 highlights

• Sunrise on the southern face of Monte Rosa from Passo Monte Moro. A glorious sight in clear weather.
• Generous attention at the Monte Moro aid station, run by the On team.
• The satisfying technical descent into Switzerland with views of the turquoise Mattmarksee.
• Completing the challenge of the airy Höhenweg.
• The smooth descent into Grächen where a warm welcome will await you.