Essentials Tour du Mont-Blanc Self-Guided
Anytime from June 15 - Sept 20
The Tour du Mont-Blanc – or “TMB” – 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 footpath includes some of the most iconic mountain terrain anywhere.
Our Essentials Tour is our most affordable way to run this legendary route. Over eight days, you’ll complete the full 170 km (105 miles) circuit of Mont Blanc, crossing one mountain pass each day. You’ll experience the same awe-inspiring landscapes as on our Classic trips — glaciers, alpine meadows, quiet valleys, and world-famous views.
What makes this trip “Essentials” is the style of travel: simple and authentic. Most nights are spent in shared mountain huts or modest village inns, where hearty meals and rustic charm set the tone. Luggage is available in Chamonix and Courmayeur, but you’ll need to pack light for hut stays. This pared-back style makes the adventure both budget-friendly and close to the heart of what trail running in the Alps is all about.
On this level 3 tour, you’ll cover around 15 – 20 miles (24 – 32km) and 3500 – 6000ft (1000 – 2000m) of climbing each day. With our detailed route notes, GPX tracks, and digital guidebook, you’ll have everything you need to run at your own pace, with a WhatsApp helpline available if needed.
Highlights
- Complete the full 170 km circuit in 6 running days
- Stay in a mix of rustic huts and 2* hotels
- Hearty breakfasts and dinners included most nights
- Run at your own pace with detailed maps, notes, and GPX tracks
- Luggage available in Chamonix & Courmayeur
- Digital guidebook & trail nutrition welcome pack
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.
Alternatives
If you’d prefer more comfort and added extras, check out our Classic or Deluxe self-guided tours – or if you’d like even bigger days out, check out our Express Tour du Mont Blanc tour, which completes the TMB in just four days.
Top photo: Kim Strom, Majell Backhausen, Sam Lhermillier
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.
Looking for more comfort and extras along the way?
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Chamonix
Arrive in Chamonix, France, easily accessible by train, bus, or transfer from Geneva airport.
Arrive in Chamonix, the world-famous resort and trail-running epicenter in France, easily accessible by train, bus or shuttle transfer from Geneva airport. Check into your 2* hotel, before finding a place in town for dinner — we’ll share our favorite local recommendations.
Day 2 - Les Contamines
Follow an undulating trail to Les Houches, climb over the Tricot Pass, and into the beautiful Miage Valley, before continuing to Les Contamines.
After leaving Chamonix, follow an undulating trail to Les Houches, then climb over the Tricot pass to the quiet and quaint Miage Valley – on one of the prettiest corners of the TMB. Passing through a tiny hamlet of stone houses where cows and horses graze peacefully surrounded by hanging glaciers, you’ll run to the small village of Les Contamines where you’ll stay overnight.
Day 3 - Les Chapieux
Following an old Roman trail, you’ll cross two lofty passes, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and Col du Bonhomme, before descending to the hamlet of Les Chapieux.
Following an old Roman trail, you’ll continue the tour with a long, steady ascent across two lofty passes, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and Col du Bonhomme, before descending to the hamlet of Les Chapieux in the historic Vallée de Glaciers.
Day 4 - Courmayeur
Over the Col de la Seigne and into Italy, with an amazing view of the Mont Blanc range. Down valley, the medieval village of Courmayeur is your stop for the night.
Leaving France, a gradual ascent through quiet alp pastures leads to the Col de la Seigne and into Italy. Here you’re greeted by an amazing view into the Veny valley and the Mont Blanc range. The Aiguille Noire de Peuterey is particularly impressive from this vantage point, and Mont Blanc itself dominates the view ahead of you. You’ll then continue down valley and into the medieval village of Courmayeur, with narrow, cobblestoned alleyways and a lively, pedestrian-only core. Tonight, you’ll have access to your baggage and we’ll provide recommendations for the best restaurants in town.
Day 5 - La Fouly
Run up to Rifugio Bertone, along some of the best singletrack on the tour, past Rifugio Bonatti and over the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland, with a quiet night in La Fouly.
Today, you’ll leave Courmayeur and head up to Rifugio Bertone, overlooking the beautiful Val Ferret. From there, run some of the best singletrack on the tour, stopping at the stunning Rifugio Bonatti for a break. Next, it’s time to tackle the ascent of Grand Col Ferret, the highest point of the trip, on the Italian-Swiss border. From here, you’ll run a beautiful, rolling green single track filled with some very contented cows, before descending to the small village of La Fouly, where you’ll settle in for a quiet night at the end of the Swiss Val Ferret.
Day 6 - Trient
Along the Ferret river and up to the lakeside village of Champex-Lac, before climbing to the Bovine high mountain café, and descending to the small village of Trient.
Today’s run leads you along the Ferret river and through quiet Alp hamlets, before climbing to the pretty lakeside village of Champex-Lac. Next, it’s through woods and meadows and past farms, as you climb high with views of Switzerland’s Rhône valley and the historic city of Martigny, far below. You’ll pass the Bovine high mountain café before descending to the small village of Trient.
An optional Swiss PostBus to Champex-Lac can shorten the day if you prefer.
Day 7 - Chamonix
Climb to the Col de Balme on the border with France, descend to Le Tour, and finish with a run through the Chamonix valley.
Your last day running around Mont Blanc is a classic! You’ll climb to the Col de Balme on the border with France, enjoy gorgeous views of Mont Blanc and the entire Chamonix valley, before descending to la Tour. Finish with a run through the Chamonix valley, or hop on a bus or train for the ride back to Chamonix.
Day 8 - Depart from Chamonix
Enjoy a relaxed morning before continuing with your journey home, or the rest of your trip.
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation – 3 nights in 2* hotel (twin or double room); 4 nights in mountain refuges or simple inns (shared dorms)
- All breakfasts, 4 multi-course dinners
- Detailed daily run descriptions, GPX tracks, and other resources are provided via our app (see a sample here)
- Luggage transfers (luggage available in Chamonix and Courmayeur) (If you want luggage every night, there is an added cost of $275/person)
- Run the Alps’ Digital 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
- Welcome pack of trail nutrition from our partners
- Personalized support before and during 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
- Transportation to and from the tour
- Two dinners in Chamonix and one in Courmayeur
- Lunches and any additional trail nutrition
- Drinks at dinners
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Trip insurance
Arrival
Plan to arrive in Chamonix the day your tour starts, at the latest. Chamonix is easily accessible by bus, train and airport shuttle. Geneva, Switzerland is the closest airport. We’ll provide you with a handy travel guide, with links to the companies and tools we recommended. Note that flights from the US typically arrive the following day, so schedule accordingly.
Departure
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. We’ll provide you with a handy travel guide. Please note: if your flight departs before 9:30am, you’ll likely need a private shuttle (~275 euros).
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 8 point(s): Tour Start and Finish: Chamonix; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
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