September in the Alps
Guided By
Tour dates September 11-17, 2023
Summary
A unique trip that includes Chamonix, the world's trail running hotspot, the quiet Swiss Alps village of Champéry, and a chance to take part in the oldest trail race in the Alps, DDM Trail.
Date
September 11 - 17, 2023
September 9 - 15, 2024
Length
7 days, 6 nights
Tour Category
Village-based
Fees
$3,980 per person, $400 single supplement
Whats included
Six nights at village hotels in Chamonix, France, and Champéry, Switzerland, all breakfasts, trail snacks, five dinners, guided runs daily, Geneva airport-Chamonix transfer, all transfers to and from trailheads. DDM Trail race is an additional fee.
Description
Here’s a secret: September is our favorite month in the Alps. Temperatures are cooler, trails are quieter, and there’s a relaxed vibe that settles throughout the region. Just a month earlier, with schools on vacation, these areas were bustling. But September is a rejuvenating, calming time in the Alps.
Our annual fall trail running trip features Chamonix, the Alps hotspot for trail running and proclaimed “Vallée du Trail,” then a visit to a quaint village high in the Swiss Alps and a special opportunity to take part in, or cheer on, the Alps’ oldest trail race, DDM Trail, with its beautiful course around the wild Dents-du-Midi range.
Our trip starts in Chamonix, France, the world’s epicenter of trail running. We’ll run the high-elevation Balcon Sud, in full view of the impressive Mont Blanc massif and the towering Aiguilles, or needles, that dot the range. After, we’ll wander through town, taking in the sights in this village where modern-day alpinism began. Climbers still fill the streets, testing themselves against demanding rock and ice climbs in the region.
Our second day will feature a ridge run to the Aiguilles des Houches, and we’ll descend past mountain huts, through pastures and forests back to Chamonix.
Next, we’ll take a journey over the high border and into the Swiss wine-growing Rhône valley. From there, it’s up a side valley to tranquil Champéry, a small village nestled under the seven craggy peaks of the Dents-du-Midi range. The next morning, we’ll head off for a trail run in this relaxed corner of the Alps.
For those who wish to take part in an Alps trail race, we’ll have entries available to DDM Trail, a challenging 57-km race with 12,000 feet of climbing. Other race distances include more accessible two-person relay of 25 km and 32 km, and a 32 km race over the second half of the full course. DDM Trail is an authentic Alps trail race, with a history dating back to 1963!
For those who prefer not to race, we’ll provide trail run options for the day, and there’s always the chance to cheer on runners and watch the race unfold from a number of beautiful mountain huts and cafes.
September is our favorite time of year in the Alps. The trails are quieter, and cooler temperatures prevail. It’s a great time to be in this dramatic setting!
Day-by-day
Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, France, the world’s home for Alpinism and trail running. An airport pickup is included, making this an easy and relaxing hour and a half journey. Enjoy your first impressive views of Mont Blanc, with time to relax at the pool and outdoor patio of our charming Chamonix hotel before joining the group for our trip meeting, followed by dinner.
- Refuge des Aiglons
- Dinner
Trail running along the Bossons Glacier in Chamonix, France.
Today we’ll enjoy a few of the hundreds of kilometers of trails in the Chamonix valley, as we get oriented to the Alps. We’ll run one of Chamonix’s dramatic “balconies,” with views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges natural preserve.
- Refuge des Aiglons
- Breakfast, trail snacks, and dinner
- 16-19km (10-12mi), 915m (3000ft) ascent and descent; Shorter option available.
We’ll run up into the Aiguilles Rouges preserve high above Chamonix, then run the dramatic Aiguillette des Houches ridge, followed by pastures and wooded trails back to town. Throughout the run, the Mont Blanc massif will loom across the valley. Dinner is on your own tonight, giving you a chance to roam the streets of Chamonix and select from one of the many great restaurants that line Chamonix’s Rue Paccard.
- Refuge des Aiglons
- Breakfast and trail snacks
- 16km (10mi), 1370m (4500ft) ascent and descent; Shorter option available.
Today is a rest day, as we travel by taxi high through the Alps, descending to the Swiss wine-making Rhône valley, then up to the mountain village of Champéry. An optional short run along the popular Gallerie allows us to stretch our legs before settling into the charming Art.Boutique.Hotel Beau-Séjour.
The téléphérique heads up to the heights at Croix-de-Culet. Rue du Village, Champéry.
- Art.Boutique.Hotel Beau-Séjour
- Breakfast, trail snacks, and dinner
- 6.4km (4mi), 150m (500ft) ascent and descent
Today we’ll pick a run around the Champéry region, at the end of the bucolic farming valley of Val d’Illiez. We’ll run under the snow-covered peaks of the Dents-du-Midi, perhaps stopping for lunch or café au lait at a local mountain cafe. An optional lift out of Champéry is possible this day if the climbing legs are tired!
Running into Val d’Illiez from the Col de Coux, the Dents du Midi visible in the distance.
- Art.Boutique.Hotel Beau-Séjour
- Breakfast, trail snacks, and dinner
- 16.4km (10mi), 445m (1460ft) ascent
Rustic Cabane de Susanfe, above Champéry, Switzerland.
Today is race day! You’ll have the choice of running the full DDM Trail, take part in the relay, or enjoy cheering on the runners from Champéry or at a mountain hut or cafe. You can read more about the DDM experience via the Run the Alps blog.
- Art.Boutique.Hotel Beau-Séjour
- Breakfast, trail snacks, and dinner
- 0-58km (0-36mi), 3700m (12,140ft) ascent, 1800m (5900ft) descent
Today we’ll say “Au Revoir” to the other Run the Alps guests.
- Breakfast
Trip stories
Arrival
Plan to arrive the day your tour starts at the latest. Flights from the US usually depart the day before. Geneva is the closest airport to Chamonix. Zurich will work as well, but requires an additional half-day of train travel.
Departure
Plan your departure for the day after your tour ends, at the earliest, from either Geneva or Zurich, Geneva being preferable. Consider one night at a hotel in your departure city if you prefer not to rush.
An option exists to arrive earlier or stay on longer, to extend your trail running time. We can help with these arrangements.
Questions
Additional Information
More options for this tour:
Self-guided: Everything but the guide… custom tour design, daily trail run route descriptions, village guides, and all the supporting 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.
Want a helping hand to get ready? Run the Alps offers pre-trip coaching at our cost as a benefit to our guests. To read about our Personalized Prep Program, start here. Spaces are limited and this program routinely sells out. Contact us if you’re interested!
For those wishing to trail race, please see the additional details in our race partner page.
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions, Covid-19 policy, and travel insurance.