Tour du Mont Blanc

Key info

• Distance

  168km

• Difficulty

  9000m ascent in alpine terrain

• Pace

  You usually run 10km in 40-60 minutes on road

• Group size

  12

Accommodation

The first and last nights are in the central 4* spa hotel Le Refuge des Aiglons (or similar alternative) including breakfast each morning, based on sharing a twin room. You can request a single room (supplement applicable). Amenities include the spa with heated outdoor pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna.

The hotel also has an outdoor space to relax in, with views of Mont Blanc. The evening meal on the first evening is included in your booking and is a great chance to meet the team and your guide. For the 6 stages there will be a mixture of village hotels and auberges with twin and triple/small dormitory rooms. The best available accommodation on the route is selected and include breakfast and evening meals (except for Courmayeur) as well as packed lunch each day you are running.

Ability

The recommendation is for you to have run a marathon distance in 4.5 hours or less and have some experience on alpine trails. 

This tour averages around 18 miles / 29km, plus 1,500m height change for each of the 6 days. You’ll need to be prepared to be out on the trails for most of the day. The uphills will be walked so there is time to soak up the scenery and be well-paced for the duration of the trip. If it’s your first time to the Alps, you might be surprised by how much hiking can be involved, almost 50% of the route, but it is inevitable in such steep environments.

It’s important to train before you arrive, particularly with multi-day hikes and runs. Runners are grouped by ability to maximise enjoyment. A free training plan is provided for you to follow in the lead up to the trip. 

Kit

Clothes

• Lightweight waterproof jacket (preferably Goretex / Pertex – must have taped seams, a hood and sleeves)
• Lightweight waterproof trousers or leggings
• Wicking top and shorts/leggings
• Sun hat/cap
• Warm hat and gloves
• Additional warm layer / thermal top
• Socks (eg: Bridgedale)
• Trail running shoes (sufficient tread)

Accessories

• Fully charged mobile phone including the number of your Run Leader and Event Director (charge before use and make sure it’s in a waterproof case or bag)
• Lightweight, comfortable running pack (11-15 litres)
• Water bottles/bladder with minimum of 1 litre capacity in total
• Sunglasses (the sun is very strong in the Alps)
• Snacks to sustain you for the planned route
• Salt tablets (e.g. Nuuns, especially in hot weather)
• Emergency cash
• Waterproof bags/dry bags
• Headtorch
• Whistle (attach to your bag)
• Personal first aid kit (eg: blister packs, sunscreen, asthma inhaler etc)

Poles

Although not mandatory, trail running poles are highly recommended for this European adventure. They have been proven to help! Leki’s lightweight trail running poles are recommended due to their comfort, durability and design. You will receive a demonstration on how to use poles correctly before you set off.

Running watch

This item is optional but extremely helpful for training and also great for motivation for completing your trip, particularly in the Alps. Watches by COROS are recommended due to their incredible battery life and accuracy.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Hôtel Le Refuge des Aiglons Chamonix
270 Av. de Courmayeur
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
74400
France

Transport to/from Chamonix via Geneva can be booked with one of the many minibus operators, such as Chamexpress, Mountain Drop-Offs, Alpybus or Swiss Tours. The journey takes around 1.25hrs and needs to be booked before travelling.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival

  Check in is from 4pm but you can use the hotel facilities at any point during the arrival day. The group welcome is at 6pm at the hotel, followed by a group dinner in Chamonix at 7pm.

• Day 2 | Chamonix to Les Contamines

  Start the epic trail run in Chamonix and head down the valley to Les Houches before heading over to Les Contamines. The first night is spent here before carrying on to the steep climb over the Croix du Bonhomme.

• Day 3 | Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

  The views from the Croix back down the valley and towards Geneva are incredible. From there the group heads down to spend a second night at Les Chapieux, a remote hamlet and the last stop before heading over into Italy.

• Day 4 | Les Chapieux to Courmayeur (Italy)

  The next morning as the sun rises from behind the Aiguilles des Glaciers you will climb up to the Col de La Seigne. From here the route stretches into the horizon along the valley leading to the mountain pass 25 miles away which marks the border with Switzerland, a point where you will be standing the next day. Sweep down into Italy, with staggering views of couloirs and rock buttresses towering on the left, leading up to Monte Bianco. The path undulates on nice smooth trails before a last climb, and then a steep descent into Courmayeur. At around halfway of the total route the group will stay here for pizza and a warm bed!

• Day 5 | Courmayeur to La Fouly (Switzerland)

  Leaving Courmayeur early the next day following a steep ascent out of the valley you may see the sun rise over clouds carpeting the valleys far below. After a couple of hours running, there will be time to stop for a refreshment at the Rifugio Bonatti hut, dedicated to the legendary Italian climber. Indeed, you will be passing some of his groundbreaking first ascents as you run the route. From there approach the fearsome Grand Col Ferret marking the Swiss border at 2537m. The trails down from the col are perfect. You will hear the cowbells from the lush green valley below, as you descend through the stunning scented mountain meadows into the little village of Le Fouly, the next stop, the first of two in Switzerland.

• Day 6 | La Fouly to Trient

  The trail passes through forests running alongside the river and through tiny Swiss villages and fields of hay and wildflowers before heading up to Champex-Lac. Champex is a paradise in the mountains and sits at the juncture to another famous hiking route and potential running adventure – the Walker’s Haute Route. Three more high points stand between us and Chamonix, and around another 25 miles. The view from the next climb is hard to take in, since you can see all the way down to Martigny, 1500m below. Its broad flat valley leads to Zermatt and beyond. The path descends from here through some rocky and tree root-covered trails to the Col de la Forclaz and then steeply down to Trient and its beautiful pink church and backdrop of dramatic glaciers, where the group spends the last night on the trail.

• Day 7 | Trient to Chamonix (France)

  The last day, today the group will complete the awesome journey and return to Chamonix. A steep climb up from Trient provides one of the most impressive views on the whole route of the Mont Blanc Massif which dominates the horizon, its glacier pouring over into the Chamonix valley below and the end of our adventure. Trot down through the mountain trails into Chamonix to celebrate. It’s an amazing achievement totaling 104 miles (168km) with 9,000m ascent crossing 3 countries!

• Day 8 | Departure day

  Time to relax and explore Chamonix, maybe take a trip up the Aiguille du Midi, or just chill by the pool. If you wish to stay longer please ask for the hotel rate.

Included

• Overnight accommodation for the first and last nights in a 4* spa hotel, including breakfast (based on sharing a twin room)
• Half board accommodation (based on sharing a twin room or small dormitory)
• Group evening meal on the first night in Chamonix
• Packed lunch every day running
• Refreshment point on the last day
• Bag transport to each day's destination
• Qualified trail running guide with you every step of the way
• Technical instruction
• Training plan
• T-shirt
• 104 miles of some of the best scenery in Europe

Not Included

• Travel
• Drinks
• Evening meal in Courmayeur and last night in Chamonix
• Snacks to sustain you on route
• Personal insurance (required)

Every booking will receive a response within one business day. The email will include your joining instructions and any other relevant details. For this trip there is a minimum group size in order for it to go ahead, so travel arrangements should only be made once this has been confirmed with you in writing. 

Costs