Mirnavator in the Alps
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jul 15 - 24, 2025 | 10 days - 9 nights |
Smart, funny, endearing, our special guest Mirna Valerio is also busy shattering trail running stereotypes. We’re so looking forward to welcoming “the Mirnavator” to the Alps! As Mirna says, we’re going “Slow as F*ck.”
What do you see when you close your eyes and think of a typical trail runner? Although trail running seems to be the domain of thin, fast people, it is also a sport that has welcomed people like Mirna Valerio, who in her own words is a plus-sized, slow-AF runner who lives and breathes the trail. This African-American adventurer, hailing (presently) from Winooski, Vermont, defies trail running stereotypes.
Who doesn’t want to share what we love with others, no matter what we look like, or how slow we think we may be?
Here’s the best part, though: Mirna has already won us over with her easy-going, down-to-earth style, smart insights on life, and kind demeanor. (Can you tell we are psyched to welcome her back to the Alps?)
So, where are we going? We’ll start in Chamonix, France. With its hundreds of kilometers of dramatic trails to run, and lively trail running culture, Chamonix is considered the world’s home for trail running. From there, we’ll travel across to the “sunny side” of the Mont Blanc range, in Courmayeur, Italy… then it’s off to Saint Bernard pass for a night– and yes, there will be dogs to visit. Our trip ends in Zermatt, Switzerland, where we’ll get to run and sample gourmet Alps cuisine, all while having a jaw-dropping view of the Matterhorn.
Licensed trail running guides will be along every step of the way to steer us along the trails and provide useful trail running tips. Joining will be Run the Alps Photography Manager Sam Hill, a licensed guide and professional photographer. (So, yea, Sam’s got your Instagram covered for you!)
Join us for The Mirnavator. This trip will feature great food, top-notch hotels, a wine tasting, no shortage of laughs and– oh yes– plenty of trail running, too!
Learn more about our Level 1 tours from Mirna:
(Top photos: Sam Hill, Kim Strom)
Book this tour
$6490 per person
$600 single supplement
*Friends who register together and share a room, will receive the discounted trip price of $6190/person. This is a $600 savings per pair or $300/person.
Itinerary
The streets of Chamonix.(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1 - Chamonix
You’ll arrive at the Geneva, Switzerland airport and take a 1.5 hour shared shuttle to Chamonix, France where you can settle into your spa hotel.
High above Chamonix with Mont Blanc behind. (Photo: Emily Geldard)
Day 2 - Chamonix
Today starts with a hearty buffet breakfast where we can enjoy French favorites like fresh croissants and local cheeses before heading out onto the “Grand Balcon Sud”, a balcony traverse above treeline in the Aiguilles Rouges mountains.
Climbing all the climbs. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3 - Chamonix
Today we’ll take the train up to the village of Montroc, and set off on a tour at the head of the Chamonix valley, running through quaint old chalets and along the Arve river. We return to Chamonix, where a wine and cheese tasting experience awaits us.
Trail running the Grand Balcon Nord Trail. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 4 - Chamonix
Our third day of running in the Chamonix valley will take us up to the Mer de Glace glacier, and on a traverse below the mountains of the Mont-Blanc range, known as ‘aiguilles’ or needles.
Strong legs…and matching socks. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 5 - Courmayeur
Today we head to Italy via the Mont Blanc tunnel and then up to Punta Helbronner at 3464m. The change in language and culture will be clear as we enjoy a delicious Italian lunch high on the mountain-side, and then descend to the town of Courmayeur, our home for the next two nights.
Headed above Courmayeur, Italy. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 6 - Courmayeur
We’ll run in Italian Val Ferret, on the best and most flowy single track of the entire UTMB course! Rifugio Bonatti with its huge views onto the Mont-Blanc range is a great place to stop for lunch before circling back to town – to hang out in our hotel spa.
A St Bernard at the Grand St Bernard Pass. (Photo: Foundation Barry)
Day 7 - Grand Saint Bernard
It’s time to head to Switzerland! Our accommodation is right on the Italian-Swiss border, at the 2469m (8100 ft) high Grand Saint Bernard Pass. We’ll travel on the historic Via Francigena to reach the Hospice, which has assisted travelers since it was founded in 1050. It is home to the Saint Bernard dogs, and to this day is run by monks.
Making friends around Zermatt! (Photo: Steph Lefferts)
Day 8 - Zermatt
We’ll run down into the Val d’Entremont, in the Swiss Canton of Valais, then jump into taxis for the rest of our journey along the Rhone valley to Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn.
Swiss rösti – a popular dish. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 9 - Zermatt
We’ll have a leisurely start and take the cog train to Gornergrat to get great views of the glaciers and the Matterhorn. We’ll run down via Riffelsee lakes to Riffelalp where we’ll stop for a delicious lunch.
The Matterhorn. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 10 - Depart from Zermatt
Today we say Au Revoir to Zermatt, Mirna, and the other guests, and catch the train to our post-tour destinations.
Regional map
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Accommodation for six nights a 4 star hotel, two nights at a 5 star hotel, one night at a mountain hotel
- Buffet breakfasts, food and premium nutrition on the trail, and multi-course dinners every evening
- Wine and cheese tasting, a bottle of François d’Haene wine upon arrival
- Geneva Airport-Chamonix shared shuttle transfer at the start of the tour
- All transfers to and from trailheads, 3-day lift pass in Chamonix
- Luggage transfers
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains 80+ pages of information and tips from Run the Alps staff and guides
- Special guest Mirna Valerio
- Flights
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Departure train from Zermatt
- 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, about one and a half hours away. This tour includes a shared shuttle pickup in Geneva. If you want to arrive a day or more before the shuttle is still included. Contact us for details.
Plan your departure flight for late afternoon on the day your tour ends, at the earliest. The closest airports to Zermatt are Geneva and Zurich, both of which are a little over three and a half hours away by train. If a morning flight is preferable, plan on a night at a hotel in your departure city. Please discuss options with us if you’re unsure about your departure plans.
SPECIAL OFFER: *Friends who register together and share a room, will receive the discounted trip price of $6190/person. This is a $600 savings per pair or $300/person.
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- Friends must register together on the same registration form.
- If friends need to register separately in order to each pay their own deposits, they must note in the registration form their friend’s name with whom they’ll be sharing a room. Friends must register within 24 hours of each other to receive this discounted price.
- Why Run the Alps? Learn how Run the Alps compares to other trail running companies and 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.
- 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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