The Best of Mont Blanc Trail Running
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jul 4 - 11, 2026 | 8 days - 7 nights |
You asked, we delivered! This tour features what our staff considers some of the best trails around Mont Blanc – running through France, Italy and Switzerland. We combine iconic trails with beautiful hidden highlights.
This is a trip that only Run the Alps could create! We polled our staff and guides, many of whom live and trail run in the Chamonix region year-’round, for their favorite runs around Mont Blanc. This tour is a true highlights trip, visiting all-time classic trail running routes, as well as some off-the-beaten-path days that we love and run ourselves. If you have just one trip in your near future to the Mount Blanc region, and want to sample a bit of everything, this is the tour we suggest!
The Best of Mont Blanc Trail Running is a Level 2 tour, so compared to one of our Tour du Mont Blanc tours, it has shorter and more flexible days on mountain trails. It’s also a slightly shorter tour overall, with fewer hotel changes, which means less packing and unpacking during your vacation. While the best stretches of the Tour du Mont Blanc are included here, there are also runs in quieter areas, such as the Aiguilles Rouges, where we’ll enjoy a fast-packing adventure and stay in the Refuge Moëde Anterne.
Top photos: Sam Hill
Book this tour
$4600 per person
$800 single supplement
Make it privately guided
Prefer to go guided with your own group? Inquire here.
Go self-guided
Run on your own schedule, without a guide, and let us take care of the logistics! See details here.
Itinerary
An old cobbled street in Courmayeur. (Photo: Rhodes)
Day 1 - Arrive in Courmayeur, Italy
Arrive in Geneva, Switzerland and transfer through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur, Italy. An airport pickup is included, making this an easy and relaxing journey.
Racing to lunch at Rifugio Bonatti. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 2 - Col de Sapin
We’ll run from our hotel up through the forest to the pretty alpage, or summer pastures, of La Suche. From here, we climb to reach the Col de Sapin, then descend into a wild quiet valley leading us to the Bonatti refuge – a great place to admire the stunning view over a cappuccino.
Lunch time at Maison Vieille above Courmayeur, Italy. (Photo: Tim Tollefson.)
Day 3 - Mont Favre and Maison Vieille
We’ll take the bus to start our run at La Visaille, before climbing up to Mont Favre and onto a stunning single track traverse. After stopping at the Rifugio Maison Vieille, we head down and then back to Courmayeur.
Aiguillette des Posettes. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 4 - L’Aiguillette des Posettes
After an early morning taxi from Courmayeur to the top of the Chamonix valley, we head up the Posettes mountain, gaining panoramic views on our way up this airy, beautiful ridgeline.
Loriaz. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 5 - Barrage d’Emosson and Refuge de Loriaz
We’ll get the Mont Blanc Express train to Le Buet, then run through the villages of Vallorcine and Barberine. A climb through a forest brings us to Emosson lake, formed by one of the largest dams in Switzerland. A more technical traverse to Loriaz refuge follows, then gentle trails into the pretty Bérard valley, and back to our hotel in Argentière.
Running near Refuge du Moëde Anterne. (Photo: Daniel Fitzgerald)
Day 6 - Fast-packing in Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve
We head into the wild Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve on a fast-packing adventure, staying overnight in a remote mountain refuge. At the top of the Bérard valley, we’ll prepare for the final climb over steeper and more technical ground to the Col de Salenton, where we may see ibex and bearded vultures. Because of the remote location, there is no baggage delivery tonight.
Running by Lac de Pormenaz. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 7 - Chamonix via Brévent
From the beautiful Lac de Pormenaz, we descend to the Diosaz river. A long, steady climb brings us to the Col de Brévent – we can descend from here into the Chamonix valley, using the cable car part-way, or there’s an option to extend the route.
Young ibex above Chamonix. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 8 - Depart from Chamonix
Today we say “au revoir” to Chamonix, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations.
Regional map
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- 6 nights in 3* and 4* hotels (twin or double room), 1 night in a mountain hut
- Welcome briefing and drinks on first night
- All breakfasts, packed lunches and trail nutrition, plus seven multi-course dinners
- Geneva Airport – Courmayeur, Italy group taxi on arrival
- Chamonix, France – Geneva Airport shared shuttle on departure
- Transfers to and from trailheads as per the itinerary
- Luggage transfers (not available at Refuge Moëde Anterne)
- Run the Alps’ Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains 80+ pages of information about where you’ll be running, what to pack, how to train, and plenty of other insider information from Run the Alps staff and guides
- An in-country welcome pack – includes trail nutrition and a Run the Alps T-shirt (Note: You can choose to opt out of the T-shirt during registration; if you do, we’ll automatically donate the equivalent to one of our 1% for the Planet partners instead.)
- A day of professional photography on the trails
- A copy of Run the Alps’ Trail Running Chamonix Mont Blanc guide book
- Personalized support before and during your tour
- 20% discount in the Run the Alps store
- 20% discount code at The Hub Chamonix for pre- or post- tour accommodation
- Contribution to our Net Positive initiatives
- Flights/Travel to and from Geneva Airport
- Transport to and from trailheads if you shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- Any additional nutrition and drinks while on the trail
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Trip insurance
- Tips for guides
Plan to arrive by 2pm on July 4, 2026. We will arrange a group taxi from Geneva Airport to your hotel in Courmayeur. If you arrive later, we can help you arrange a taxi at your cost. Note that flights from the US usually arrive on the following day, so schedule accordingly.
Plan your departure for the day the tour ends at the earliest. Since the Geneva airport is only ninety minutes away by shuttle, it is possible to leave the day the tour ends. If your flight departs before 9:30am, a private shuttle is required at an added cost of $240. If you would like to extend your stay, your return shared shuttle is still included. Please reach out to discuss.
- Want to extend your trip with more running? We can 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 Run the Alps trips, excluding those with guest runners. 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.
- Tour Grants Program: Run the Alps is committed to making our trips more inclusive. If you’d like to join this trip, but can’t afford it,check out our Tour Grants Program.
- 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.
Guides for this Tour
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