10.09.25
Meet Better Running Club
We’re a group of friends and runners based in Stockholm, sharing a love for both community and adventure. This summer, our journey took us to Engelberg – not by plane, but by train. The idea was simple: make the journey part of the adventure, reduce our footprint, and arrive in the mountains ready for a week of trail running together.
Booking & Planning
Traveling to Engelberg by train might sound complicated at first, but with a little planning it’s smooth. We used Interrail passes, which gave us flexibility to hop on and off at different cities along the way. Splitting up the long trip into stages also made it more fun as we could explore new places, get some runs in, and break up the travel days.
The Journey South
Some of us started the trip with a stop in Copenhagen, where we mixed runs with good food and even stumbling into Fashion Week, only to realize we had barely packed anything but running gear. Luckily, running shoes double as sneakers these days, so we blended right in. Others boarded the night train straight to Hamburg, passing the time with yatzy, card games, and too much train coffee before rolling into Germany.
From Hamburg, the group reunited for the long stretch south through Germany and Switzerland. With each change – Basel, then Luzern – the scenery grew more dramatic. The last hour up into Engelberg was the most magical: tunnels giving way to views of snow-capped peaks and villages tucked into the valley. Stepping off the train, it felt like the adventure had already begun.
Engelberg & Ski Lodge
Engelberg itself was everything we hoped for – a small mountain village surrounded by dramatic peaks and endless trail options. Our daily runs often started with a steady climb straight from the village, winding through forests and meadows before opening up to panoramic views. We always ran up (that was non-negotiable) but sometimes, after hours on the trails, we happily took the lift down to save our legs for the next day.
Evenings at Ski Lodge Engelberg became a highlight of the trip. Our routine was to head straight to the sauna after running, letting tired legs recover before gathering for dinner. The meals changed every night, from local Swiss dishes to international favorites. The mix of good food, relaxed atmosphere, and laughter made the lodge feel like home.
Big thanks to Ski Lodge Engelberg for hosting us – we’ll be back, and next time, we’ll definitely take the train again.
So, what have we learned from the crew at Better Running Club?
That the journey can be just as fun as the destination, that train snacks are essential, and that running shoes do work fine at Fashion Week. But most of all: that coming to Engelberg by train is easier (and more fun) than you might think.
Here are a few tips & trix we’re stealing straight from the Stockholm runners:
- Break up the long ride with city stops – run, eat, explore, repeat
- Travel light – running gear goes a long way
- Games > Scrolling – Don’t underestimate the power of a pack of cards
- Interrail = flexibility if you’re hopping across Europe
- The last hour from Luzern to Engelberg is worth grabbing a window seat for
And if you’re planning your own trip, here are a few useful links to get started:
Interrail Passes: https://www.interrail.eu/en
Train Connections localy around Engelberg: https://www.sbb.ch/en
Stay with us at Ski Lodge Engelberg: https://skilodgeengelberg.com/booking-packages/
