Classic Tour du Mont-Blanc Self-Guided
Anytime from June 15 - Sept 20
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
Anytime from June 15 - Sept 20 | 10 days - 9 nights |
Run the full Tour du Mont-Blanc, staying at 3* and 4* hotels, with your luggage waiting for you every night.
The Tour du Mont-Blanc – or “TMB” – follows the route of the world-famous trail race of the same name, as it winds its way from France, through Italy, then Switzerland, and finally returning to its starting point on the steps of the old church in Chamonix, France.
Our classic tour itinerary is typically ten days including your travel days. You’ll start with a warm-up day in Chamonix, and then spend seven days completing the TMB, which gives plenty of time for photos, leisurely rests at mountain huts, and a rest day in Courmayeur, Italy. As a level 3 tour, you can expect daily distances of 15 – 20 miles (24- 32km) and one mountain pass each day, with 3500 – 6000ft (1000 – 2000m) of climbing.
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.
Highlights
- Complete the full 170 km circuit in 7 running days
- Enjoy 1 warm-up day in Chamonix and 1 rest day in Courmayeur
- Stay in a mixture of 3* and 4* hotels, and well-appointed mountain huts or inns
- Hearty breakfasts and four multi-course dinners
- Luggage available every day
- Run the Alps’ guidebook and welcome pack
Alternatives
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly tour, check out our Essentials Tour du Mont-Blanc tour – or if you’re an experienced trail runner and would like to complete the TMB in just four running days, check out our Express Tour du Mont-Blanc tour.
Top photo: Sam Hill, Majell Backhausen, Kim Strom
Book this tour
$3490 per person
$890 single supplement
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.
On a budget?
Explore our Essentials Tour.
Looking for luxury?
Try our Deluxe Tour.
Itinerary
The streets of Chamonix.(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1 - Chamonix
Arrive in Geneva and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and trail-running epicenter. An airport pickup is included, making this an easy and relaxing hour and a half journey. Relax at the hotel pool and patio, enjoying your first impressive views of Mont Blanc. We’ll provide recommendations for our favorite dinner spots.
Grand Balcon Nord. (Photo: Dan Fitzgerald)
Day 2 - Chamonix
Before starting the Tour du Mont-Blanc, you’ll enjoy a warm-up day on the trails around Chamonix. A dramatic “balcony” run will take you along the valley, with big views of the surrounding glaciers, and the Aiguilles Rouges natural preserve.
Running up to the Col de Tricot. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3 - Les Contamines
You begin the “TMB” by following an undulating trail over the Tricot pass, and into the Miage valley. This is one of the prettiest corners of the tour! You’ll pass a tiny hamlet of stone houses, which is surrounded by hanging glaciers and grazing animals, before arriving at Les Contamines village.
Steep climb to Col du Bonhomme. (Photo: Jo Sims)
Day 4 - Vallée de Glaciers or Bourg St Maurice
Following an old Roman road, you’ll climb steadily over two lofty passes – Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and Col du Bonhomme. You’ll then descend into the Vallée de Glaciers, where you’ll either sleep in a shared dormitory at a popular mountain hut, or take a taxi to a hotel in nearby Bourg St Maurice, depending on availability.
Smooth running above Courmayeur. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 5 - Courmayeur
A gradual climb will take you from France to Italy via the Col de la Seigne. Amazing views greet you here! You’ll see Mont Blanc and the Veny valley below. Continue down to Courmayeur, a medieval town with narrow, cobblestoned alleyways and a lively center. We’ll provide recommendations of our favorite dinner spots.
Checking out Courmayeur, Italy. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 6 - Courmayeur
After one of our favorite breakfasts on the tour, a second day in Courmayeur gives you a chance to rest and soak in the hot spring spa at nearby Pré Saint Didier, enjoy the town itself, or take the nearby Helbronner Skyway cable car for close-up views of the highest peaks in the Alps. If you’d like to run, we’ll provide details for our favorite singletrack routes via huts serving delicious treats, cappuccino, and wine!
Val Ferret. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 7 - La Fouly
You’ll head up to Rifugio Bertone, overlooking the beautiful Val Ferret. From there, you’ll run some of the best singletrack on the tour. A steep climb takes you to Grand Col Ferret, on the Italian-Swiss border, and then it’s a beautiful, rolling trail down to La Fouly village.
Running above Champex Lac. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 8 - Trient or Argentière
Start by following the Ferret river, then climb to the pretty lakeside village of Champex-Lac. From there, follow a wooded trail to an alpine pasture. You’ll pass a mountain café, before descending to the nearby hamlet of Trient.
(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 9 - Chamonix
This last day is a classic! Start by climbing to Col de Balme, which is on the border with France, then drop down to the village of Le Tour, with gorgeous views of Mont Blanc and the entire Chamonix valley. Finish with a riverside run back to Chamonix. Alternatively, hop on a bus or train from Le Tour.
Chamonix train station.(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 10 - Depart from Chamonix
Today you’ll say “au revoir” to the Tour du Mont-Blanc and the “Vallée du Trail.” You’ll take a transfer back to Geneva, and depart for your post-Mont Blanc destination.
Regional map
- 9 nights accommodation – you’ll spend most nights in 3* or 4* hotels (twin or double room), with the potential for 1 to 3 nights in a mountain hut or inn – pending availability.
- All breakfasts and 4 multi-course dinners
- Detailed daily run descriptions, GPX files and other resources 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.
- Geneva Airport-Chamonix shared shuttle transfers at the start and end of the tour
- Luggage transfers (luggage available every night)
- 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
- Flights
- Transport to and from trailheads if you shorten a run
- Dinners in Chamonix and Courmayeur; recommendations provided
- Lunches and any additional trail nutrition
- Drinks at dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Trip insurance
Plan to arrive the day your tour starts, at the latest. The closest airport is Geneva, Switzerland. This tour includes roundtrip shared shuttle transport between Geneva Airport and Chamonix. Please note that flights from the US usually depart the day before arrival in Europe. If you’d like to arrive a day or more before the tour starts, the shuttle is still included.
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. If your flight departure time is before 9:30am, a private shuttle is required at an added cost of $240.
- 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.
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