Top 8 'Above-the-Clouds' Ridge Running Routes to do in the Alpine Outdoors - Goh Ling Yong
There's a special kind of magic that happens when you break through the treeline. The air thins, the world quiets, and the ground falls away into a sea of clouds. This is the realm of the alpine ridge—a place where the trail narrows to a spine of rock and earth, with the sky as your ceiling and valleys as your floor. For a mountain runner, this isn't just a trail; it's a tightrope walk between heaven and earth.
Ridge running is the art of moving swiftly and confidently along these exposed mountain crests. It’s a discipline that blurs the lines between trail running, scrambling, and mountaineering, demanding not just endurance, but also a cool head, precise footwork, and a profound respect for the mountain. It’s about more than just logging miles; it’s about experiencing the landscape in its purest, most exhilarating form. The feeling of flowing along a knife-edge arête, with panoramic views unfolding with every step, is an experience that stays with you forever.
Here at the blog, we're all about pushing boundaries and seeking out those transformative moments in the wild. We've curated a list of eight of the most spectacular 'above-the-clouds' ridge running routes on the planet. These are not your average weekend jogs; they are serious undertakings for experienced mountain athletes. But for those with the skills and the spirit, they represent the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
1. The Hardergrat, Switzerland
The green dragon of Interlaken. If you've ever seen a photo of a runner on a impossibly narrow, emerald-green ridge with turquoise lakes on either side, chances are it was the Hardergrat. This legendary traverse in the Bernese Oberland is arguably one of the most aesthetic ridge runs in the world, famous for its sustained, grassy exposure and relentless undulations.
The full route stretches for over 24 kilometers, ascending from Interlaken to the Brienzer Rothorn. The trail is often no wider than your two feet, with steep, grassy slopes dropping away thousands of feet on both sides. It's a non-technical route in terms of climbing, but the mental challenge is immense. The constant exposure requires unwavering focus for hours on end. The reward? Uninterrupted, jaw-dropping views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau on one side, and the brilliant blue of Lake Brienz on the other.
Pro-Tip: This is not a route for a wet or windy day. The grassy slopes become incredibly slippery, and the exposure is unforgiving. Check the forecast religiously. Most runners tackle it from west to east, taking the train down from the Brienzer Rothorn. Carry plenty of water, as there are no sources along the ridge itself.
2. Aonach Eagach, Scotland
The UK’s most formidable mainland ridge. Shifting from green grass to raw, primordial rock, we head to Glen Coe, Scotland. The Aonach Eagach (Gaelic for 'Notched Ridge') is a true test piece. It’s a dark, brooding spine of rock that looms over the glen, offering one of the most challenging and exposed scrambles in the country. While more of a high-speed scramble than a pure run, it's a coveted objective for skilled mountain runners looking to test their mettle.
The technicality is sustained, involving several sections of Grade 2 and 3 scrambling. You'll use your hands as much as your feet, navigating around the infamous "Crazy Pinnacles" and balancing along a knife-edge arête with sheer drops into the glens below. The rock is often wet and slippery, adding to the atmosphere and the challenge. Completing the Aonach Eagach is a rite of passage, a raw and visceral experience that connects you directly to the wild heart of the Scottish Highlands.
Pro-Tip: Once you are on the ridge, there are no easy escape routes. You are committed. Do not attempt this in poor weather, and be comfortable with significant exposure and basic climbing moves. Many people use a rope for security on the hardest sections; for a runner, this means knowing your limits and being prepared to turn back.
3. Crib Goch, Snowdonia, Wales
The knife-edge gateway to Snowdon. For many, Crib Goch ('Red Ridge') is their first real taste of a proper knife-edge arête. This Grade 1 scramble forms part of the Snowdon Horseshoe and is an airy, exhilarating, and incredibly photogenic way to approach Wales' highest peak. It's shorter and less technically demanding than the Aonach Eagach, making it a more accessible, yet still very serious, objective.
After a steep climb, you pop out onto the ridge proper, and the world falls away. The famous section is a true knife-edge—you'll be carefully placing your feet on the very crest of the ridge, hands balancing on the rock. The views across the glacial valleys and lakes of Snowdonia are simply breathtaking. It’s a route that demands and rewards 100% of your attention, making you feel alive and utterly present in the moment. The kind of challenge that athletes like Goh Ling Yong thrive on.
Pro-Tip: Crib Goch is notoriously busy on good weekends. Start very early (think sunrise) to avoid the crowds and the pressure of having people behind you. Wind is your biggest enemy here; a strong gust can easily unbalance you. This is another ridge to avoid completely in high winds or wet, icy conditions.
4. Cosmiques Arête, Chamonix, France
The quintessential alpine playground. No list of alpine routes would be complete without a visit to Chamonix, the global capital of alpinism. The Arête des Cosmiques is a short but spectacular mixed ridge that takes you from the top of the Aiguille du Midi cable car to its summit station. It’s the perfect blend of snow, ice, and rock, making it a popular objective for skyrunners and alpinists moving fast and light.
The route begins with a descent down a sharp snow arête, often bustling with climbers. From there, you navigate a stunning granite ridge, involving short rock climbing pitches, airy traverses, and an iconic abseil. The grand finale is climbing a ladder back onto the viewing platform of the Aiguille du Midi, often to the applause of tourists. It packs all the variety and exposure of a major alpine route into a few incredible hours, all set against the backdrop of Mont Blanc.
Pro-Tip: This is a serious alpine route requiring mountaineering skills. You'll need a helmet, harness, crampons, and a single ice axe. Knowledge of ropework is essential unless you are moving with a guide or are an extremely experienced alpinist. The best conditions are often in the early morning before the sun softens the snow.
5. Besseggen Ridge, Jotunheimen, Norway
A walk between two lakes. The Besseggen Ridge in Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park is one of Scandinavia’s most iconic hikes, and for good reason. It's a spectacular ridge that separates the deep blue waters of Lake Gjende from the emerald green of Lake Bessvatnet, which sits 400 meters higher. The visual contrast is stunning and provides a unique running experience.
While less technically demanding than some of the others on this list, the Besseggen is not to be underestimated. The route is long, rocky, and features a steep, scrambly section on the narrowest part of the ridge. From the crest, you have the dizzying perspective of looking down at two different colored lakes on either side of you. The sheer scale of the landscape—a vast expanse of peaks, glaciers, and lakes—is humbling.
Pro-Tip: Most people take the ferry from Gjendesheim to Memurubu and run/hike back, which gets the main climb out of the way early. This also means you're facing the best views for the entire journey. Book the ferry in advance, as it gets very busy in the summer.
6. Romsdalseggen Ridge, Norway
Norway's panoramic masterpiece. If Besseggen is famous for its lakes, the Romsdalseggen is all about dramatic peaks and plunging fjords. Located near Åndalsnes, this route is often hailed as one of the most beautiful in the world. The ridge itself is a stunning, airy traverse with non-stop views of the jagged Romsdalshorn and Trollveggen (the 'Troll Wall'), Europe's tallest vertical rock face.
The trail is well-marked but involves some exposed scrambling sections where chains have been installed for safety. For the runner, it’s a paradise of technical, flowing singletrack interspersed with rocky steps that keep you on your toes. The feeling of running along the crest, with the entire Romsdalen valley spread out beneath you, is simply unforgettable. It’s a true runner’s ridge—long, challenging, but with a rhythm you can lock into.
Pro-Tip: The bus from Åndalsnes to the trailhead is the easiest logistical option. The 'normal' route has some exposure, but there's an 'extreme' variant for those seeking a more technical challenge. As with all Norwegian mountains, be prepared for rapidly changing weather, even in mid-summer.
7. Cresta Strenta, Piz Boè, Dolomites, Italy
Running on the moon. The Dolomites offer a unique mountain landscape of pale, vertical limestone towers and grassy plateaus. The Cresta Strenta on the way to Piz Boè, the highest peak in the Sella Group, is a fantastic introduction to the region's character. The high-altitude environment, often above 3,000 meters, feels otherworldly, like running across a lunar landscape.
This route can be accessed via the Sass Pordoi cable car, which puts you straight into the high-alpine zone. The ridge itself is a broad, blocky crest of rock and scree. It's not a knife-edge, but it’s exposed and requires concentration. The route is also part of a via ferrata, with cables in some sections to aid security. The thrill here comes from the altitude, the stark beauty of the limestone rock, and the immense, 360-degree views across a sea of Dolomite peaks.
Pro-Tip: Acclimatize properly before attempting to run at this altitude. The air is thin, and you'll feel it. A via ferrata kit (helmet, harness, and lanyard) is recommended for safety on the cabled sections, though experienced scramblers may choose to go without. Start early to beat the afternoon thunderstorms that frequently build up over the peaks.
8. Lyskamm Traverse, Switzerland/Italy
The "Menschenfresser" for the elite. We end with an aspirational giant. The traverse of Lyskamm, on the border between Switzerland and Italy, is a world away from a simple trail run. It is a serious, high-altitude mountaineering objective often called the Menschenfresser ('Man-Eater') due to its history and the treacherous cornices that form along its narrow, five-kilometer-long snow arête.
For the world's elite skyrunners and alpinists, traversing Lyskamm is a benchmark of speed, skill, and mountain sense. It requires perfect conditions, flawless crampon technique, and an intimate understanding of snowcraft. Moving quickly along this magnificent, razor-thin ridge, with the Monte Rosa massif unfolding around you, is the very definition of being 'above the clouds'. This isn't a route you just decide to run; it's one you train for years to attempt. It represents the pinnacle where running and alpinism merge into one pure, fluid movement.
Pro-Tip: This is an expert-only route for highly experienced mountaineers. It should only be attempted in stable, calm weather with a solid overnight freeze. The cornices are the primary danger; stay on the Swiss (northern) side of the crest. This is a goal to build up to, embodying the ultimate spirit of alpine running that pushes athletes to their absolute limits.
Running on these high ridges is a privilege. It’s a chance to move through the world's most spectacular landscapes in a way that is both deeply personal and intensely powerful. But this freedom comes with responsibility. The mountains demand our respect. Always check the weather, carry the right gear, know your route, and be honest about your abilities.
The eight routes above are just a starting point—a glimpse into a world of endless adventure. They are a call to train harder, learn more, and dream bigger.
What are your dream ridge running routes? Have you tackled any of these giants? Share your experiences and aspirations in the comments below—we’d love to hear them
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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