Self-Guided Tours
Prefer to travel in a smaller group, with a partner or friends? Our self-guided tours are a great way to experience trail running in the Alps at your own pace. Dates are flexible, based on your needs. Run in one region, or several – this is your unique adventure. Trail running season in the Alps ranges from mid-May through September.
How a Run the Alps Self-Guided Tour Works
As opposed to our group tours, with our self-guided tours we’ll work with you to develop an itinerary tailored to the experience you want. We’ll make all the hotel and mountain hut bookings, coordinate the transportation logistics for both you and your baggage, and provide thorough travel instructions with detailed turn-by-turn run descriptions. Dinners are often provided at our partner hotels, but we leave some nights free so you can explore and dine at other great restaurants.
Whether you’re looking for a Swiss Alps tour through rolling alps pastures, or want to take on the Tour du Mont-Blanc loop through three countries, a Run the Alps self-guided tour offers flexibility and autonomy.
On our self-guided tours, you won’t have a licensed trail running guide for your trip. Private, guided trips are available on a limited basis. Contact us for details.
Still not sure if a self-guided tour is right for you? Check out this article about why past guests have selected our self-guided trail running tours.
Reviews from Previous Self-Guided Tour Guests
“This was the most stress-free vacation I’ve ever had. Everything was planned meticulously for us. Pretty much all we had to do was show up and start running. The choices for the hotels and inns were perfect. We enjoyed each of them and the amazing rooms you chose for us. Really can’t say enough good things about that. The detailed routes were also fantastic and easy to follow.” – Andy, Los Angeles, California, Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Tour
“This trip was incredible. I loved coming somewhere I’d never been with a step-by-step how-to guide navigate the way, both in town and on the trails. I loved it all!” – Marit, Spokane, WA, Bernese Oberland Self-Guided Tour
“Why can’t I give 6 stars? We booked our Tour du Mont-Blanc TMB self-guided trip through Run the Alps. The owner Doug and several staff members (Steph & Stephanie) were extremely helpful and kind people. We had a great experience. Run the Alps supplied route maps, route descriptions and handled all the logistical bookings for us. They also handled any questions we had.
“Nothing but good things to say, will be back for future trips.” – Randall (Trip Advisor), Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Tour
Run the Alps offers self-guided trail running trips in the following areas:
Bernese Oberland
Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland is home to high pastures, picturesque villages like Mürren and Stechelberg, and the towering peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Run village-to-village, with your bags transported for you.
Italian Dolomites
With stunning scenery and flowing trails, this region of northern Italy is a very special trail running destination. A combination of Italian, Austrian and Ladin cultures, plus huge valleys and rocky towers, make this a fascinating area.
Tour du Mont-Blanc
Run the route of the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc, around the Mont Blanc massif, passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Stay in high mountain huts and beautiful hotels in quaint Alp villages.
Express Tour du Mont-Blanc
Run the Tour du Mont-Blanc in just four days. This trip is for the experienced trail runner who is comfortable with long days in rugged mountain environments. Because you’ll gain familiarity with the “TMB,” this trip is ideal for anyone dreaming of running the UTMB® some day.
Via Valais
Pioneered by our friends at ALPSinsight, the Via Valais is one of the great multi-day trail runs in the Alps, winding its way through the high peaks of Switzerland’s Valais region. This challenging trip mixes nights at alpine huts with quiet Alp villages, finishing at the base of the Matterhorn in Zermatt.
Chamonix Trail Racing
Trail run around Chamonix, France, the world’s trail running capital, and take part in one of the six races of the Mont Blanc Marathon series. It’s one of the most exciting times of the year to be here in the home of Run the Alps!
Courmayeur, Italy
The wilder Italian side of Mont Blanc provides beautiful single track, including iconic trails featured in famous ultras such as the UTMB and the Tor des Géants. It’s also very easy to find quiet remote-feeling routes where you’re unlikely to see anyone else.
Chamonix Pilgrimage
“La Vallée du Trail” is the hottest spot in the world for trail running right now. Chamonix is home to some of the world’s most famous trail runners. This region has hundreds of kilometers of dramatic singletrack at the base of Mont Blanc.
Zermatt and Matterhorn
Car-free Zermatt, at the base of the Matterhorn, is ringed by a variety of huts and lifts, making for a wide variety of trail running options – and nearly always with one of the world’s most famous peaks within view.
Switzerland's Wild Engadine
The Engadine is one of the Alps’ great trail running secrets. A beautiful half-day’s train ride away from the better-known Swiss mountain resorts, the Engadine’s remote feel is exactly what makes it so valued by those who know it.
Verbier St Bernard
With gentle meadow trails, high technical passes and glacier-side singletrack, Switzerland’s Verbier – Saint Bernard region is becoming known for its great trail running. A number of exciting, yet quiet routes are easily accessible from the high mountain resort town of Verbier.
Zinal and Val d’Anniviers
Located in Switzerland’s Valais Alps, this valley is home to the world-famous Sierre-Zinal trail race. It has some of the Alps’ best single-track, connecting the villages of St-Luc, Grimentz, Chandolin and Zinal.
The Greatest Trail Running Vacation, Ever
This is the ultimate trip for a trail runner: three or more weeks exploring the best trails all over the Alps. From Chamonix, France to St Moritz, Switzerland, we can arrange an itinerary with your choice of destinations, runs and accommodation to create your dream vacation.