Tour du Mont Blanc: Courmayeur to Chamonix
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jun 21 - 29, 2026 | 9 days - 8 nights |
We’ll run from Courmayeur, Italy, through Switzerland to Chamonix, France. Participants will have the option of running in one of the races of the Mont Blanc Marathon series.
Our trip takes in half of the stunning Tour du Mont Blanc, starting in the rustic Italian village of Courmayeur, on the south side of Mont Blanc. The first day of trail running passes through the high pastures of Val Ferret, within full view of Mont Blanc’s glaciers. Our route then takes us over the inspiring Grand Col Ferret, and into Switzerland.
Next, it’s on to the Swiss villages of La Fouly, Champex-Lac, and Trient. From Trient, we’ll run over Col de Balme on the French-Swiss border, and descend to Chamonix, having completed the northern half of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Chamonix is the world’s epicenter of trail running, and no place has more trail running history, or is more alive with mountain runners. We’ll be there for all the excitement of the legendary Mont Blanc Marathon series of trail races, which range from 10 km to 90 km. Many of the world’s best trail runners will be on hand. A limited number of race entries are available through Run the Alps.
Chamonix is also known as “La Vallée du Trail,” and we’ll take full advantage on this level 3 tour, sampling some of the best runs, through the Aiguilles Rouges nature preserve, onto the high balcony routes on either side of the valley, and even the thrilling “Kilomètre Vertical.”
In this video Run the Alps staff and friends show you around our home of Chamonix, France.
Top photos: Kim Strom, Sam Hill, Majell Backhausen
Book this tour
$5,690 per person
$900 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
Checking out Courmayeur, Italy. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 1 - Courmayeur
Enjoy a shared shuttle from Geneva airport to Courmayeur, Italy. In the evening, we’ll relax at our hotel for our trip kick-off gathering and walk into town for dinner.
Buon appetito! (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 2 - Courmayeur
Today we’ll trail run a stunning, high pasture balcony of the Tour du Mont Blanc above Val Veny, finishing by running right into Courmayeur.
Trail running on the Tour du Mont Blanc above Courmayeur, Italy. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 3 - La Fouly
We’ll trail run another breathtaking section of the Tour du Mont Blanc with sustained ascents, and smooth single track, all with big views, on our way to La Fouly.
Cruising along Champex Lac. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 4 - Trient
Today we’ll continue running through this beautiful, high corner of Switzerland, with easy cruising down the Swiss Ferret valley. We’ll pass through centuries-old farming villages on our way to the lakeside village of Champex-Lac, and then over the high pastures of Bovine, before descending to the village of Trient.
Heading toward Chamonix. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 5 - Chamonix
Our last day running around Mont Blanc is a classic, with gorgeous views of Mont Blanc and soon the entire Chamonix valley unfolding below, as we cross the border into France and descend to the village of Le Tour. We’ll finish with a run down the Chamonix valley, or hop on a local bus or train to finish in Chamonix.
The Grand Balcon Nord is one option for the day. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 6 - Chamonix
Pick your activity! If you’re racing, it’s time for some rest. If you’d like to run with your guide, one option would be the Grand Balcon Nord, above treeline, between the dramatic Montenvers mountain hotel and the alpine hut at Plan de l’Aiguille. At night, you can pick one of Chamonix’s many wonderful open-air restaurants for a dinner on your own.
Smiling through long TMB miles. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 7 - Chamonix
Today is race day for the classic 23-km Cross du Mont-Blanc, and the Mont Blanc Marathon’s 10-km trail race. Run the Alps has a limited number of entries available for trip participants. There are great trail-side locations to which we can run and cheer runners if you’d rather watch– your guide will design a varied and fun trail running route.
Mont-Blanc Marathon finish line. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 8 - Chamonix
Today it’s time for the Mont Blanc Marathon! A limited number of entries are available for trip participants, If you’re not racing, your guide will design a varied and fun trail running route for the day. The day ends with a celebratory dinner in Chamonix.
Ciao ciao! (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 9 - Depart from Chamonix
It’s time to take leave of the Mont Blanc region. Your shuttle will take you directly to Geneva for your flight.
Regional map
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Accommodation for eight nights at 3 or 4 star hotels
- Buffet breakfasts, food and premium nutrition on the trail, and seven multi-course dinners
- Geneva Airport-Courmayeur group taxi transfer at the start of the tour and Chamonix-Geneva Airport transfer via a shared shuttle service at end of the tour
- All transfers to and from trailheads that are included on our planned itinerary
- 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
- Flights
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- One dinner in Chamonix; recommendations provided
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Tips for guides
Plan to arrive at the Geneva Airport no later than 1:30pm on the day your tour starts. Note that flights from the US are usually overnight and arrive the next morning. You will be taking a private group shuttle to Courmayeur, Italy, about two hours away.
We will book 1 shuttle for the group. Anyone who arrives on an alternate time or date is responsible for their own transportation to Courmayeur. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s flights so please keep us updated with your flight information. If you have questions, please ask!
We’d suggest departing from Geneva Airport after breakfast on the day your tour ends. Geneva Airport is one and a half hours from Chamonix by shuttle, so it’s possible to leave the day the tour ends as long as your flight departure time is not before 10am. If you need to depart earlier, a private shuttle can typically be arranged at a cost of $240.
- 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.
- 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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