Tour du Mont Blanc: Courmayeur to Chamonix
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025 | 9 days - 8 nights |
Our trip takes in half of the stunning Tour du Mont Blanc, starting in the rustic Italian village of Courmayeur, on the south side of Mont Blanc. The first day of trail running passes through the high pastures of Val Ferret, within full view of Mont Blanc’s glaciers. Our route then takes us over the inspiring Grand Col Ferret, and into Switzerland.
Next, it’s on to the Swiss villages of La Fouly, Champex-Lac, and Trient. From Trient, we’ll run over Col de Balme on the French-Swiss border, and descend to Chamonix, having completed the northern half of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Chamonix is the world’s epicenter of trail running, and no place has more trail running history, or is more alive with mountain runners. We’ll be there for all the excitement of the legendary Mont Blanc Marathon series of trail races, which range from 10 km to 90 km. Many of the world’s best trail runners will be on hand. A limited number of race entries are available through Run the Alps.
Chamonix is also known as “La Vallée du Trail,” and we’ll take full advantage on this level 3 tour, sampling some of the best runs, through the Aiguilles Rouges nature preserve, onto the high balcony routes on either side of the valley, and even the thrilling “Kilomètre Vertical.”
Book this tour
$900 single supplement
Itinerary
Checking out Courmayeur, Italy. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 1
Enjoy a shared shuttle from Geneva airport to Courmayeur, Italy. In the evening, we’ll relax at our hotel for our trip kick-off gathering and walk into town for dinner.
Buon appetito! (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 2
Today we’ll trail run a stunning, high pasture balcony of the Tour du Mont Blanc above Val Veny, finishing by running right into Courmayeur.
Trail running on the Tour du Mont Blanc above Courmayeur, Italy. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 3
We’ll trail run another breathtaking section of the Tour du Mont Blanc with sustained ascents, and smooth single track, all with big views, on our way to La Fouly.
Cruising along Champex Lac. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 4
Today we’ll continue running through this beautiful, high corner of Switzerland, with easy cruising down the Swiss Ferret valley. We’ll pass through centuries-old farming villages on our way to the lakeside village of Champex-Lac, and then over the high pastures of Bovine, before descending to the village of Trient.
Heading toward Chamonix. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 5
Our last day running around Mont Blanc is a classic, with gorgeous views of Mont Blanc and soon the entire Chamonix valley unfolding below, as we cross the border into France and descend to the village of Le Tour. We’ll finish with a run down the Chamonix valley, or hop on a local bus or train to finish in Chamonix.
The Grand Balcon Nord is one option for the day. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 6
Pick your activity! If you’re racing, it’s time for some rest. If you’d like to run with your guide, one option would be the Grand Balcon Nord, above treeline, between the dramatic Montenvers mountain hotel and the alpine hut at Plan de l’Aiguille. At night, you can pick one of Chamonix’s many wonderful open-air restaurants for a dinner on your own.
Smiling through long TMB miles. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 7
Today is race day for the classic 23-km Cross du Mont-Blanc, and the Mont Blanc Marathon’s 10-km trail race. Run the Alps has a limited number of entries available for trip participants. There are great trail-side locations to which we can run and cheer runners if you’d rather watch– your guide will design a varied and fun trail running route.
Mont-Blanc Marathon finish line. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 8
Today it’s time for the Mont Blanc Marathon! A limited number of entries are available for trip participants, If you’re not racing, your guide will design a varied and fun trail running route for the day. The day ends with a celebratory dinner in Chamonix.
Ciao ciao! (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 9
It’s time to take leave of the Mont Blanc region. Your shuttle will take you directly to Geneva for your flight.
Regional map
What's included
Round-trip Geneva airport transfers via shared shuttle; 8 nights at 3- and 4-star village hotels; Breakfast each morning; food on the trail each day; Trail nutrition from Run the Alps partners each day; 7 dinners; Guided runs daily with certified guide; All transfers to and from trailheads; Luggage transfers; Run the Alps Guide to Trail Running in the Alps; License-free photography.Plan to arrive at the Geneva Airport no later than 1:30pm on the day your tour starts. Note that flights from the US are usually overnight and arrive the next morning. You will be taking a private group shuttle to Courmayeur, Italy, about two hours away.
We will book 1 shuttle for the group. Anyone who arrives on an alternate time or date is responsible for their own transportation to Courmayeur. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s flights so please keep us updated with your flight information. If you have questions, please ask!
We’d suggest departing from Geneva Airport after breakfast on the day your tour ends. Geneva Airport is one and a half hours from Chamonix by shuttle, so it’s possible to leave the day the tour ends as long as your flight departure time is not before 10am. If you need to depart earlier, a private shuttle can typically be arranged at a 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.
Additional nights before or after your trip can be booked at Run the Alps’ unique deluxe chalet for trail runners visiting Chamonix, The Hub. Please contact us if you would like to stay with us at The Hub.
All Run the Alps guests receive a copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps to assist in preparing for their trip.
Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard Run the Alps trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions and travel insurance.
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.
Guides for this Tour
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Book this tour
$900 single supplement