Run the Alps logo
Run the Alps Trail Running Guide

Sam Hill

Sam Hill
Hometown
Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland
Certifications

International Mountain Leader

A bit about me

I am a full time, freelance International Mountain Leader, although “full time” is a subjective term. I try to work as much as I can in the Alps, but my work often takes me further afield. Leading expeditions to exotic places is a great part of the job. Ultimately, I am a big believer in doing what you love, and I feel incredibly privileged to be in the position to do just that.

Trail running background

Having grown up in the Lake District, in the Northwest of England, the “fells” are in my blood. Although I have now spent several years running in the Alps, including UTMB’s 330 km-long PTL, I also enjoy returning to the UK for big one-day trail running challenges such as the Bob Graham Round and Paddy Buckley Round.

Why I love guiding

The best part of this job is meeting such an incredible mix of people and characters. I have worked with billionaires to brick layers — and everyone in-between. I could write a book about all of the fascinating stories that I have been told over the years – and what better setting for a good story than in the mountains?

Guide website
Guide website
Region coverage
Chamonix Valley
Berner Oberland
German-speaking Valais
French-speaking Valais
Chablais
Pre-Alps
Independent guide fee
$380
Gallery
Sam Hill with his group walking uphill on a gravel road

Sam Hill Run the Alps Guide with his group

Laughing Sam Hill with red shirt and blue viser, shorts and trail run vest

Sam Hill Run the Alps Guide in Chamonix

Sam Hill and a female trail runner on a rainy day

Sam Hill Run the Alps Guide on rainy day

Blog

A Beautiful Adventure: Tor des Géants

A Beautiful Adventure: Tor des Géants

I knew it was possible for real humans that I knew personally to finish. Close friends had done Tor des Géants but I still couldn’t quite imagine how -more than 85,000ft of uphill over 210 miles encircling the Aosta Valley of Italy.

Guided

Deluxe Tour du Mont-Blanc

Deluxe Tour du Mont-Blanc

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. On our Deluxe TMB, we’ve taken our standard tour, and added

New gear

Janji Collab Tech Long Sleeve

Janji Collab Tech Long Sleeve

We love Janji. We share the same desire to leave the world a better place than we found it - holding ourselves accountable to deliver high quality products that do good for people and the planet. So after Janji President Mike Burnstein came on a Run the Alps trip, the conversation flowed naturally. The result? This collab!