Mirnavator in the Alps
2026 Date Coming Soon!
What do you see when you close your eyes and think of a typical trail runner? Although trail running seems to be the domain of thin, fast people, it is also a sport that has welcomed people like Mirna Valerio, who in her own words is a plus-sized, slow-AF runner who lives and breathes the trail. This African-American adventurer, hailing (presently) from Winooski, Vermont, defies trail running stereotypes.
Who doesn’t want to share what we love with others, no matter what we look like, or how slow we think we may be?
Here’s the best part, though: Mirna has already won us over with her easy-going, down-to-earth style, smart insights on life, and kind demeanor. (Can you tell we are psyched to welcome her back to the Alps?)
So, where are we going? We’ll start in Chamonix, France. With its hundreds of kilometers of dramatic trails to run, and lively trail running culture, Chamonix is considered the world’s home for trail running. From there, we’ll travel across to the “sunny side” of the Mont Blanc range, in Courmayeur, Italy… then it’s off to Saint Bernard pass for a night– and yes, there will be dogs to visit. Our trip ends in Zermatt, Switzerland, where we’ll get to run and sample gourmet Alps cuisine, all while having a jaw-dropping view of the Matterhorn.
Licensed trail running guides will be along every step of the way to steer us along the trails and provide useful trail running tips. Joining will be Run the Alps Photography Manager Sam Hill, a licensed guide and professional photographer. (So, yea, Sam’s got your Instagram covered for you!)
Join us for The Mirnavator. This trip will feature great food, top-notch hotels, a wine tasting, no shortage of laughs and– oh yes– plenty of trail running, too!
Learn more about our Level 1 tours from Mirna:
(Top photos: Sam Hill, Kim Strom)
Book this tour
$6490 per person
$600 single supplement
*Friends who register together and share a room, will receive the discounted trip price of $6190/person. This is a $600 savings per pair or $300/person.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Chamonix
You’ll arrive at the Geneva, Switzerland airport and take a 1.5 hour shared shuttle to Chamonix, France where you can settle into your spa hotel.
You’ll arrive at the Geneva, Switzerland airport and take a 1.5 hour shared shuttle to Chamonix, France where you can settle into your spa hotel.
Before dinner, we’ll meet up to get to know each other, and go through an overview of the tour.
Day 2 - Chamonix
Today starts with a hearty buffet breakfast where we can enjoy French favorites like fresh croissants and local cheeses before heading out onto the “Grand Balcon Sud”, a balcony traverse above treeline in the Aiguilles Rouges mountains.
Today starts with a hearty buffet breakfast where we can enjoy French favorites like fresh croissants and local cheeses before heading out into the mountains.
The valley of Chamonix is known as the world capital of trail running, and we have a great choice of trails to explore. We’ll start with the “Grand Balcon Sud”, a balcony traverse above treeline in the Aiguilles Rouges mountains, with incredible views of the Mont-Blanc mountain range. Thanks to the Chamonix valley lift system, there are options to take a tram up and/or downhill, if you want to take it easy!
Day 3 - Chamonix
Today we’ll take the train up to the village of Montroc, and set off on a tour at the head of the Chamonix valley, running through quaint old chalets and along the Arve river. We return to Chamonix, where a wine and cheese tasting experience awaits us.
Today we’ll take the train up to the village of Montroc, and set off on a tour at the head of the Chamonix valley. We’ll run through quaint old chalets and along the Arve river. We have the chance to take the gondola up the first part of the climb to the Chalets de Balme for a coffee – while overlooking the whole Chamonix valley! After the break, we’ll run a loop to the summit of the Aiguillette des Posettes mountain, which has an incredible panorama, before heading down to the village of Vallorcine via the gondola. From here we return to Chamonix by train, where a wine and cheese tasting experience awaits us.
Day 4 - Chamonix
Our third day of running in the Chamonix valley will take us up to the Mer de Glace glacier, and on a traverse below the mountains of the Mont-Blanc range, known as ‘aiguilles’ or needles.
Our third day of running in the Chamonix valley will take us up to the Mer de Glace glacier, and on a traverse below the mountains of the Mont-Blanc range, known as ‘aiguilles’ or needles. After a well-earned coffee and pie at the stunning Refuge du Plan de l’Aiguille, we can use the Chamonix lift system to descend back down to the valley floor at the end of the day. After a bit of time to enjoy the hotel spa, this evening you’re free to enjoy dinner at your own choice of Chamonix’s restaurants.
Day 5 - Courmayeur
Today we head to Italy via the Mont Blanc tunnel and then up to Punta Helbronner at 3464m. The change in language and culture will be clear as we enjoy a delicious Italian lunch high on the mountain-side, and then descend to the town of Courmayeur, our home for the next two nights.
Today we head to Italy via the 12.7km long Mont Blanc tunnel and then travel up to Punta Helbronner at 3464m via the Skyway Mont Blanc cable car. The change in language and culture will be clear as we enjoy a delicious Italian lunch high on the mountain-side. After spending some time here beside the glaciers, taking in the views and exploring the exhibitions, we descend to the quaint town of Courmayeur, our home for the next two nights.
Day 6 - Courmayeur
We’ll run in Italian Val Ferret, on the best and most flowy single track of the entire UTMB course! Rifugio Bonatti with its huge views onto the Mont-Blanc range is a great place to stop for lunch before circling back to town – to hang out in our hotel spa.
Today we’ll run in Italian Val Ferret – on the best and most flowy single track of the entire UTMB course! Refuge Bonatti with its huge views onto the Mont-Blanc range is a great place to stop for lunch before circling back to town. In the afternoon we’ll chill out at our hotel spa, or wander around the town of Courmayeur. In the evening we’ll enjoy another delicious Italian meal, just a short walk from our hotel.
Day 7 - Grand Saint Bernard
It’s time to head to Switzerland! Our accommodation is right on the Italian-Swiss border, at the 2469m (8100 ft) high Grand Saint Bernard Pass. We’ll travel on the historic Via Francigena to reach the Hospice, which has assisted travelers since it was founded in 1050. It is home to the Saint Bernard dogs, and to this day is run by monks.
It’s time to head to Switzerland! Our accommodation is right on the Italian-Swiss border, at the 2469m (8100 ft) high Grand Saint Bernard Pass. In keeping with the tradition of this historic mountain pass, we’ll be arriving on foot – via the historic Via Francigena. Thankfully our luggage can be transported up via road though! On arrival at the pass, we’ll have tea in the Hospice, which has assisted travelers since it was founded in 1050, is home to the Saint Bernard dogs, and to this day is run by monks. Our comfortable accommodation is right next door, and will provide us with a hearty dinner.
Day 8 - Zermatt
We’ll run down into the Val d’Entremont, in the Swiss Canton of Valais, then jump into taxis for the rest of our journey along the Rhone valley to Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn.
Today we’ll run down into the Val d’Entremont, in the Swiss Canton, or region, of Valais. We’ll jump into taxis for the rest of our journey along the Rhone valley to Zermatt, the famous Swiss town at the foot of the Matterhorn.
Day 9 - Zermatt
We’ll have a leisurely start and take the cog train to Gornergrat to get great views of the glaciers and the Matterhorn. We’ll run down via Riffelsee lakes to Riffelalp where we’ll stop for a delicious lunch.
We’ll have a leisurely start and take the cog train to Gornergrat where we’ll get great views of the glaciers and the Matterhorn. We’ll run down via Riffelsee lakes to Riffelalp where we’ll stop for a delicious lunch, such as Swiss Rösti, before hopping back on the train for the final bit of descent to Zermatt. We’ll have a celebratory meal out in Zermatt to mark the end of our tour.
Day 10 - Depart from Zermatt
Today we say Au Revoir to Zermatt, Mirna, and the other guests, and catch the train to our post-tour destinations.
Today we say Au Revoir to Zermatt, Mirna, and the other guests, and catch the train to our post-tour destinations.
What's Included
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Accommodation for six nights a 4 star hotel, two nights at a 5 star hotel, one night at a mountain hotel
- Buffet breakfasts, food and premium nutrition on the trail, and multi-course dinners every evening
- Wine and cheese tasting, a bottle of François d’Haene wine upon arrival
- Geneva Airport-Chamonix shared shuttle transfer at the start of the tour
- All transfers to and from trailheads, 3-day lift pass in Chamonix
- Luggage transfers
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains 80+ pages of information and tips from Run the Alps staff and guides
- Special guest Mirna Valerio
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Departure train from Zermatt
- Tips for guides
Arrival
Plan to arrive the day your tour starts, at the latest. Note that flights from the US usually arrive on the following day, so schedule accordingly. The closest airport is Geneva, about one and a half hours away. This tour includes a shared shuttle pickup in Geneva. If you want to arrive a day or more before the shuttle is still included. Contact us for details.
Departure
Plan your departure flight for late afternoon on the day your tour ends, at the earliest. The closest airports to Zermatt are Geneva and Zurich, both of which are a little over three and a half hours away by train. If a morning flight is preferable, plan on a night at a hotel in your departure city. Please discuss options with us if you’re unsure about your departure plans.
Good To Know
SPECIAL OFFER: *Friends who register together and share a room, will receive the discounted trip price of $6190/person. This is a $600 savings per pair or $300/person.
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- Friends must register together on the same registration form.
- If friends need to register separately in order to each pay their own deposits, they must note in the registration form their friend’s name with whom they’ll be sharing a room. Friends must register within 24 hours of each other to receive this discounted price.
- Why Run the Alps? Learn how Run the Alps compares to other trail running companies and what sets us apart.
- Want to extend your trip with more running? We can help provide self-guided run descriptions for nearby regions of the Alps, and/or trail race options.
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. Check out our Alps Training Resources or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- Can a non-running partner join me on this tour? Yes–read how hiking and sightseeing companions can come too.
- Celebrating a special occasion? Each year we get a number of guests who are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or retirement with a Run the Alps trip. If this is you, let us know!
- Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard Run the Alps trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.
- Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.
- Trip Insurance: Life can sometimes throw us a curveball and wreak havoc upon the best laid plans, which is why Run the Alps requires trip insurance. Learn more here.
- Terms and Conditions: You can read up on them here.
Regional map
Interactive map with 10 point(s): Tour start point: Chamonix Mont-Blanc; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Zermatt: Tour End Point.
Guides for this Tour
What our guests had to say
I just loved it
Best Trip Ever
Trip of a Lifetime
Trip of a Lifetime
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