Deluxe Tour du Mont-Blanc
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Aug 1 - 10, 2025 | 10 days - 9 nights |
Our most popular trip- with extra comfort and convenience! Run the spectacular Tour du Mont-Blanc, starting and finishing in Chamonix, France, passing through Italy and Switzerland and staying in some of the region’s highest quality hotels.
The Tour du Mont-Blanc is the most famous trail running route in the world, and for good reason. Wandering over mountain trails from France, to Italy, to Switzerland and back into France, the “TMB” footpath includes some of the most iconic mountain terrain anywhere.
On our Deluxe TMB, we’ve taken our standard tour, and added a variety of special touches to make the journey extra special. You’ll get private airport transfers, and nearly every tour cost is included, such as mountain lifts, food and non-alcoholic drinks, and overnights in the finest accommodations along the trail.
We’ll kick off the trip with a day of running one of Chamonix’s famed high “balconies.” Then, we’ll take our time and run the TMB over the course of seven days. Our overnights will be in a selection of the highest grade, most comfortable hotels in and around the Mont Blanc massif, including Chamonix, France; Courmayeur, Italy; and La Fouly, Switzerland.
Our route differs slightly from the standard Tour du Mont-Blanc and the famous ultra trail race of the same name. Where the race course takes less scenic routes, we diverge for better views and more enjoyable running.
Our typical day trail running the Tour du Mont Blanc starts with a deluxe, fresh continental buffet breakfast at our hotel, and soon we’ll be out on the trail. With passes to cross, the hiking and running is challenging.
This is a level 3 tour. Please review our tour level ratings to make sure this tour is right for you. We’ll cover around 10-20 miles with 5000 feet of climbing each day, always aiming to finish the day with time to relax. Optional transfers allow for shorter days that get us right to the best trail running.
Our tour goes counter-clockwise around Mont Blanc, starting in Chamonix, then through Italy and into Switzerland, before coming back to Chamonix. Your bags will be transferred separately each day, so you can run with a light trail running vest. In the evening, we’ll dine together at our hotel, enjoying fresh, local cuisine, or we’ll eat nearby at one of the top restaurants in town. These are multi-course meals featuring local French, Italian and Swiss specialties, and will be hearty, filling, well-earned, and delicious. We will leave one evening in Courmayeur free, where you will have a chance to explore and dine at the restaurant of your choice.
At the base of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is the starting and finishing point of our tour. In this video Run the Alps staff and friends show you around our home of Chamonix, France.
If you’re a cost-conscious trail runner, consider our standard TMB– and if you like the idea of big days out, trail running the TMB in just four days, check out our Express Tour du Mont-Blanc. For maximum cost savings, consider a self-guided Tour du Mont-Blanc.
Header photos: Sam Hill, Majell Backhausen, R. Sena
Book this tour
$6550 per person
$1550 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
Welcome to Chamonix! (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1
Arrive in Geneva, and enjoy a private shuttle ride to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France. Enjoy your first impressive views of Mont Blanc, with time to relax at the spa of our Chamonix hotel before joining the group for our trip meeting, followed by dinner.
Running along the Balcon Nord. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 2
We’ll enjoy some of the many excellent trails in the Chamonix valley, as we get oriented and take in the views. We’ll run one of Chamonix’s dramatic “balconies,” with big views of the glaciers of Mont Blanc.
Running up to the Col de Tricot. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3
An undulating trail leads through alpine pastures and pine forests, over the Tricot pass and through the quiet and quaint Miage valley.
Steep climb up to the Col du Bonhomme. (Photo: Jo Sims)
Day 4
Following an old Roman trail, we continue the tour with a steady ascent across two lofty passes, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and Col du Bonhomme.
Dining is always a highlight of the day. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 5
After a private taxi to the trailhead, we’ll leave France, tackling a gradual ascent through quiet alp pastures to the Col de la Seigne and into Italy. Here, we’re greeted by a vast vista of the Veny valley and the Mont Blanc range.
A rest day in Courmayeur. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 6
After a comfortable, five-star night, we’ll enjoy a second day in Courmayeur, giving you a chance to rest and soak in the hot spring spa in nearby Pré Saint Didier. For those who want to run, the area around Courmayeur is filled with beautiful, quiet single track and huts serving delicious local cuisine, cappuccino, and wine!
Racing to lunch at Rifugio Bonatti. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 7
We’ll head up to Rifugio Bertone and run some of the best single track trails on the tour, stopping at the famous Rifugio Bonatti for lunch. Then it’s time to tackle the ascent of Grand Col Ferret, and cross the border to descend to the tranquil Swiss village of La Fouly.
Running above Champex Lac. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 8
Today’s run leads us along the Ferret river, then climbs to the pretty lakeside village of Champex-Lac. Next, it’s through woods and meadows to Trient, with views of Switzerland’s Rhône valley and the historic city of Martigny along the way.
Headed to Col de Balme. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 9
Today, we climb to the Col de Balme pass on the border with France to enjoy gorgeous views of Mont Blanc and the entire Chamonix valley as we cross the pass and descend to the village of Le Tour. We’ll finish with a run through the Chamonix valley, with the option to hop a train for the ride back to town, where we enjoy a delicious celebratory dinner at one of Chamonix’s highly-rated restaurants.
Au revoir. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 10
Today we say au revoir to the Tour du Mont-Blanc and the Vallée du Trail, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations.
Regional map
- Private round-trip Geneva-Chamonix transfers
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Accommodation for eight nights at 4- and 5-star hotels, one night in a 3 star hotel
- Buffet breakfasts, food and premium nutrition on the trail, eight multi-course dinners, all non-alcoholic drinks
- All transfers to and from trailheads and mountain lifts that are included on our planned itinerary
- Luggage transfers
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains plenty of information and tips from the staff and guide team at Run the Alps
- Run the Alps-branded Patagonia duffel
- Flights
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- Alcoholic drinks
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Tips for guides
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, Switzerland. This tour includes a private shuttle pickup at the Geneva Airport. If you’d like to arrive a day or more before the tour starts, the shuttle is still included.
For those wanting to spend a few extra days in Chamonix, the “Vallée du Trail” with over 500 kilometers of trail running, we can assist in extending your time and providing self-guided trail running materials, either before or after the tour. The option to run a trail race exists, too– please check our race schedule for more information.
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. A private shuttle is included in this tour.
- Why Run the Alps? Learn how Run the Alps compares to other trail running companies and about 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.
- 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.
Guides for this Tour
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