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Check out Le Petit Refuge — Run the Alps’ cozy Chamonix cabin for trail runners!

Two runners Stop on Rocky Trail to look at the glacier at the mountains
Grand Balcon Nord. (Photo: Dan Fitzgerald)
to runners, stopped to have a snack with pointy Rocky Mountains behind
Photo - Dan Fitzgerald
to runners run uphill on Rocky Trail with pointy Rocky Mountain behind
Photo - Dan Fitzgerald
to runners run downhill on Rocky Trail, surrounded by boulders with Rocky mountain behind
(Running near Le Signal. Photo: Dan Fitzgerald)
to runners run, downhill with mountains above and valley beneath
Photo - Dan Fitzgerald
Two runners run around corner on high mountain traversing Trail with green mountains in the background
Photo - Dan Fitzgerald

Grand Balcon Nord

Region: Chamonix

Difficulty
2/3
Technicality
2/3
Popularity
2/3

This is a classic circuit with a beautiful high traverse. The route climbs up to the Refuge Plan de l’Aiguille before crossing under the towering Chamonix “aiguilles,” or needles. At Montenvers, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the Mer de Glace glacier, before finishing with a fast descent back to Chamonix.

Bonus KMs and Bailouts

The bonus kilometers offer big rewards, so try to include them if you have time!

Note that not every run has a bailout. But if a run does, we've included the download below.

Bonus KM GPX

Additional Information