The Best of Mont-Blanc Trail Running Self-Guided
Anytime from June 15 - Sept 20
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 the result! 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 you’ll enjoy a fast-packing adventure and stay in the Refuge Moëde Anterne.
This tour ends in Chamonix, France, where it’s easy to add on extra days with more great run descriptions included. In this video Run the Alps staff and friends show you around our home of Chamonix, France.
Top photo: Kim Strom, Toni Spasenoski, Sam Hill
Looking for a customized itinerary?
Please get in touch. We’d love to discuss your options with you.
Prefer to go with a guide?
Explore our group guided trips or inquire about our privately guided trips.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Courmayeur
Arrive in Geneva, and transfer through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur, Italy. An airport pickup is included, making this an easy and relaxing journey.
Day 2 - Courmayeur
Run straight from the steps of your hotel up through the forest to the pretty summer pastures of La Suche, then into the wild Val Sapin. A ridgetop traverse back to Courmayeur offers amazing views opposite Mont Blanc, and a chance to stop at Rifugio Bertone to refuel.
Day 3 - Courmayeur
Today you’ll take the bus to start your run at La Visaille, a hamlet in the shadow of Mont Blanc, before climbing up to Mont Favre. From here, the traverse is one of the best running sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc. After a stop at the famously welcoming Rifugio Maison Vieille, you head back down to Courmayeur.
Day 4 - Chamonix
After an early morning taxi from Courmayeur to Chamonix, you’ll get the train to Montroc at the top of the valley, then head up the Posettes mountain, gaining panoramic views on the way up this airy, beautiful ridgeline. From the top, continue to the Col de Balme refuge for café au lait – right on the border between France and Switzerland. From there, it’s a 10min run to the mountain lift, or you can run down on the meadow trails instead and hop on the train or bus back to Chamonix.
Day 5 - Refuge du Moëde Anterne
Today’s route takes you over the back of the Aiguilles Rouges to the hidden Diosaz valley, which feels wild and untouched. You’ll be fast-packing, as luggage delivery isn’t possible to your overnight stop, the Refuge du Moëde Anterne, which has bunkroom accommodation and showers. Taking advantage of the Chamonix valley’s Planpraz lift, this route starts high, then heads though a beautiful nature reserve, where you are likely to see marmots, Ibex and even bearded vultures.
Day 6 - Chamonix
Leave the refuge and run cruisy trails into the quiet Diosaz valley. A climb brings you to the Col de Salenton; then, if you want to climb a 10,000 ft mountain, there’s an optional out and back summit — Mont Buet. Finish with a river-side cruise down to the historic Hotel de Buet, from where you catch the train back to Chamonix.
Day 7 - Depart from Chamonix
It’s time to say goodbye to the Chamonix valley – or extend your stay to enjoy more of the great trail runs here.
What's Included
- Six nights of accommodation – five nights in 3* or 4* star hotels and one night in a mountain hut
- All breakfasts and one dinner at Refuge Moëde Anterne
- Detailed daily run descriptions, GPX files and all the resources you need along the way are provided via our app (see a sample here). We’ll also send you a printed copy of the route and other key information, in case you’d like to take these with you as a back-up
- Transport from Geneva Airport to Courmayeur at the start of the tour, and from Chamonix to Geneva Airport at the end of the tour
- Luggage transfers (luggage available every night except at the Refuge)
- Run the Alps’ Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains 80+ pages 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.)
- Personalized support before your tour
- In-tour support through our WhatsApp Helpline
- 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
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Transport to and from trailheads if you shorten a run
- Dinners in Courmayeur and Chamonix; recommendations provided
- Lunches and additional trail nutrition
- Drinks at dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Trip insurance
Arrival
The closest airport is Geneva, Switzerland. Run the Alps will arrange for a shuttle from Geneva Airport to Courmayeur, Italy. If you arrive a day or more before the tour starts, the shuttle is still included.
Departure
You’ll return from Chamonix to Geneva Airport by shared shuttle. Since Geneva Airport is only 90 minutes away by shuttle, it is possible to leave the day the tour ends. If your flight departure time is before 9:30am, a private shuttle is required at an added cost of $240.
Good To Know
- Group Discounts: When we create tours for a group of five or more self-guided guests, there is an opportunity for some savings. We’re pleased to pass them on to you – please get in touch to explore your options.
- Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard guided and self-guided trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.
- Want to shorten or extend your trip or add an Alps Trail Race? Just let us know and we’d be happy to help.
- 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!
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. You can check out our Training Resources or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- Tour Grants Program: Run the Alps is committed to making our trips more inclusive. If you’d like to join this trip, but don’t think you can afford it, please 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.
Regional map
Interactive map with 7 point(s): Tour start point: Courmayeur; ; ; ; ; ; Tour end point: Chamonix.
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