Tour du Mont-Blanc
Dates (14 available) | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jun 16 - 25, 2024 | 10 days - 9 nights |
| Jul 7 - 17, 2024 | 11 days - 10 nights (sold out) |
| Jul 30 - Aug 8, 2024 | 10 days - 9 nights (sold out) |
The Tour du Mont-Blanc 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 “TMB” footpath includes some of the most iconic mountain terrain anywhere.
We’ll kick off the trip with a day of running one of Chamonix’s famed, high “balconies,” in one of the world’s great trail running locations. Then, we’ll take our time and run highlights of the TMB in seven running days, covering 10 – 20 miles and one mountain pass each day. Our overnights will include a mix of remote mountain inns and comfortable hotels in and around the Mont Blanc Massif, including Chamonix, France; Courmayeur, Italy; and La Fouly, Switzerland.
Our route differs slightly from the standard Tour du Mont-Blanc and the famous ultra trail race of the same name. Where the race course takes less scenic routes, we diverge for better views and more enjoyable running. An option exists to follow the race route, for those who want it.
Two opportunities of note: the longer July trip allows participants to run one of the several trail races that are part of the Gran Trail Courmayeur race series. (If you want to race, note so on your registration form and we will follow up with you. Here’s additional information.) Second, the tour at the end of August will overnight in Courmayeur on the evening that runners pass through the village on their way around Mont Blanc, so there will be a unique opportunity to cheer on the world’s best mountain runners.
Our typical day on the Tour du Mont Blanc Run starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn, and soon we’ll be out on the trail. With many passes to cross, the hiking and running is challenging, but there will also be opportunities for easier days. Our tour will go counter-clockwise around Mont Blanc, starting in Chamonix, then through Italy and into Switzerland, before coming back to Chamonix. Several optional transfers allow for shorter days days that get us right to the best trail running.
Most of these stages can be hiked in a full day or run in a bit more than half a day, and we should finish each day with some time to relax. Your bags will be transferred separately, each night. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner together at our inn or a nearby restaurant. These are multi-course feasts featuring local French, Italian and Swiss specialties, and will be hearty, filling, well-earned, and very delicious. We will leave one dinner in Courmayeur free, where you will have a chance to explore on your own.
Book this tour
$1,250 single supplement
**$4,750 per person on the July 7-17, 2024 tour
Please note that due to limited availability, the single supplement is for a single room in Chamonix and Courmayeur only – five of the nine nights. Rooms will be shared on other nights.
Itinerary
Chamonix train station. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1
Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France. Enjoy your first impressive views of Mont Blanc, with time to relax at the pool and outdoor patio of our Chamonix hotel before joining the group for our trip meeting, followed by dinner.
Enjoying the view. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 2
We’ll enjoy some of the many excellent trails in the Chamonix valley, as we get oriented and take in the views. We’ll run one of Chamonix’s dramatic “balconies,” with big views of the glaciers of Mont Blanc.
Poles are handy for the Tricot pass. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3
An undulating trail leads through alpine pastures and pine forests, over the Tricot pass and through the quiet and quaint Miage valley.
Mapping out the day’s route. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 4
Following an old Roman trail, we continue the tour with a long, steady ascent across two lofty passes, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and Col du Bonhomme.
Looking back up to Col de la Seigne. (Photo: Tonya Gray)
Day 5
Leaving France, a gradual ascent through quiet alp pastures leads to the Col de la Seigne and into Italy. Here we’re greeted by an amazing view into the Veny valley and the Mont Blanc range.
Ready to eat in Italy! (Courtesy photo)
Day 6
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. For those who want to run, the area around Courmayeur is filled with beautiful, quiet single track and huts serving delicious treats, cappuccino, and wine!
The view from Bonatti hut, on the route of the Tour du Mont-Blanc. (Courtesy photo)
Day 7
We’ll head up to Rifugio Bertone and run some of the best single track on the tour, stopping at the stunning Rifugio Bonatti for lunch. Then it’s time to tackle the ascent of Grand Col Ferret, and cross the border to descend to the quiet Swiss village of La Fouly.
Running above Champex Lac, Switzerland. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 8
Today’s run leads us along the Ferret river then climbs to the pretty lakeside village of Champex-Lac. Next, it’s through woods and meadows to Trient, with views of Switzerland’s Rhône valley and the historic city of Martigny along the way.
Crossing back into France to finish the loop. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 9
We climb to the Col de Balme on the border with France to enjoy gorgeous views of Mont Blanc and the entire Chamonix valley as we cross the pass and descend to la Tour. Finish with a run through the Chamonix valley, or hop on a train for the ride back to Chamonix, where we enjoy a delicious celebratory dinner.
(Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 10
Today we say “au revoir” to the Tour du Mont-Blanc and the Vallée du Trail, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations.
Regional map
What's included
Eight nights at village hotels, one night at a remote inn, all breakfasts, trail nutrition, light lunches, eight dinners, guided runs daily, round-trip Geneva-Chamonix transfers, all transfers to and from trailheads, certified International Mountain Leader, and luggage transfers between stops.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, Switzerland. This tour includes a shared shuttle pickup at the Geneva Airport. If you’d like to arrive a day or more before the tour starts, the shuttle is still included.
For those wanting to spend a few extra days in Chamonix, the “Vallée du Trail” with over 500 kilometers of trail running, we can assist in extending your time and providing self-guided trail running materials, either before or after the tour. The option to run a trail race exists, too– please check our race schedule for more information.
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 10am, a private shuttle is required at an added cost of $240.
More options for this tour:
Self-guided: Everything but the guide… custom tour design, trail runs, and all the details.
Private: Make it private! Your companions, your dates, your tour– we do the rest.
Contact us for details.
All Run the Alps guests receive a copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps to assist in preparing for their trip.
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions and travel insurance.
Concerned about being ready? We can help! We’ve teamed up with the wonderfully supportive team at Vert.run to offer customized training plans tailored to each Run the Alps trip. Once you’ve signed up for a trip, we’ll email you all the details and your unique code for your FREE first month of training! In the meantime, you can start exploring the plans here.
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 stories
Guides for this Tour
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Book this tour
$1,250 single supplement
**$4,750 per person on the July 7-17, 2024 tour
Please note that due to limited availability, the single supplement is for a single room in Chamonix and Courmayeur only – five of the nine nights. Rooms will be shared on other nights.
