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France

Tour du Mont-Blanc

Dates (6 available)
Jun 16 - 25, 2024
10 days - 9 nights
Jul 7 - 17, 2024
11 days - 10 nights
Jul 30 - Aug 8, 2024
10 days - 9 nights
Aug 13 - 22, 2024
10 days - 9 nights
Aug 26 - Sep 4, 2024
10 days - 9 nights
Sep 11 - 20, 2024
10 days - 9 nights
Difficulty
Challenging
Type
Guided
CO2
204kg / person
Our most popular trip-- and for good reason! Run the spectacular Tour du Mont-Blanc footpath on this inn-to-inn classic. Start and finish in Chamonix, France, passing through Italy and Switzerland as we run around the famed range.

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.

Group run above the Chamonix valley. (Photo: Kim Strom)

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.

Early season snow patches the trail. (Photo: Sam Hill)

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.) As an added bonus, the August 27 tour will overnight in Courmayeur on the evening that ultra runners pass through the village, so there will be a unique opportunity to cheer on the world’s best mountain runners.

Starting in Chamonix, our tour runs counter-clockwise around Mont Blanc. (Photo: Sam Hill)

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.

Don’t forget to send a postcard home about these beautiful places in the Alps. (Photo: Kim Strom)

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 plenty of 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

Cost
$4,470 per person
$700 single supplement

**$4,580 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.
Dates
Guide(s) have not yet been scheduled.
Make it private guided
Your companions, your dates, your tour– we do the rest. Inquire here.

Itinerary

Local treats. (Photo: Sam Hill)

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.

Accommodations: Refuge des Aiglons or Oustalet

Enjoying the view above the valley. (Photo: Kim Strom)

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.

Accommodations: Refuge des Aiglons or Oustalet

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.

Accommodations: Hotel Gai Soleil

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.

Accommodations: Refuge des Mottets or Auberge de la Nova

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.

Accommodations: Hotel Bouton d’Or

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!

Accommodations: Hotel Bouton d’Or

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.

Accommodations: Hotel Edelweiss
Femail trail runner above Champex Lac Switzerland

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.

Accommodations: Hotel Grands Montets
3 running toward Col de Balme on TMB

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.

Accommodations: Refuge des Aiglons or Oustalet

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Regional map

What's included

Eight nights at village hotels, one night at a remote inn, all breakfasts, trail snacks, 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.

Tour category

Inn-to-inn tour

Good to know

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Tour stories

Tour du Mont-Blanc: A Culinary Tour as Much as a Running Tour
Food as always plays such an important part of any Run the Alps Tour du Mont-Blanc trip. The fruit tarts, cakes, cookies, crepes, and meals make this a culinary tour as much as a running tour. ...
Read more

Guides for this Tour

Tour dates: Jun 16 - 25, 2024
Guide(s) have not yet been scheduled.
Tour dates: Jul 7 - 17, 2024
Guide(s) have not yet been scheduled.
Tour dates: Jul 30 - Aug 8, 2024
Guide(s) have not yet been scheduled.
Tour dates: Aug 13 - 22, 2024
Guide(s) have not yet been scheduled.
Tour dates: Aug 26 - Sep 4, 2024
Guide(s) have not yet been scheduled.
Tour dates: Sep 11 - 20, 2024
Guide(s) have not yet been scheduled.

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Need a hand preparing?

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We offer pre-trip coaching as a benefit to our guests for a reasonable fee. Spaces are limited.