Classic Tour du Mont-Blanc Guided
Dates (5 available) | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jun 15 - 24, 2026 | 10 days - 9 nights |
| Jul 5 - 14, 2026 | 10 days - 9 nights |
| Aug 6 - 15, 2026 | 10 days - 9 nights |
Our most popular Tour du Mont-Blanc trip – the perfect balance of comfort and adventure! Run the full loop around Mont Blanc, staying in 3* and 4* hotels, with nearly all meals included.
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.
Our Classic Tour blends challenge and comfort. After a warm-up day running one of Chamonix’s famed, high “balconies,” we’ll spend seven days completing the TMB. As a level 3 tour, you can expect daily distances of 15 – 20 miles (24- 32km) and one mountain pass each day, with 3500 – 6000ft (1000 – 2000m) of climbing. Our overnights will include a mix of charming mountain inns and comfortable hotels in and around the Mont Blanc Massif, including Chamonix, France; Courmayeur, Italy; and La Fouly, Switzerland.
Inspired? Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll get to experience:
A typical day on our Classic Tour du Mont Blanc Run starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our hotel, before heading out on the trail. With many passes to cross, the hiking and running is challenging, but there will be a rest day to enjoy in Courmayeur and opportunities to shorten days later in the tour. Your bags will be transferred separately and available each day.
In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner together at our hotel or a nearby restaurant. These are multi-course feasts featuring local French, Italian and Swiss specialties, and will be hearty, well-earned, and very delicious. We will leave one dinner in Courmayeur free, where you will have a chance to explore on your own.
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.
One opportunity of note: the tour at the end of August will overnight in Courmayeur on the evening that racers pass through the village on their way around Mont Blanc, so there will be a unique opportunity to cheer on the world’s best mountain runners.
At the base of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is the starting and finishing point of our tour.
In this video Run the Alps staff and friends show you around our home of Chamonix, France.
Highlights
- Run the Alps’ guidebook and welcome pack
- Complete the full 170 km circuit in 7 running days
- Enjoy 1 warm-up day in Chamonix and 1 rest day in Courmayeur
- Stay in 3* and 4* hotels
- Hearty breakfasts, packed lunches, trail nutrition and multi-course dinners
- Daily support from a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Luggage available every day
Lead images: PatitucciPhoto, Sam Hill, Kim Strom
Book this tour
$4890 per person
$1250 single supplement
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.
Make it privately guided
Prefer to go guided with your own group? Inquire here.
Go self-guided
Run on your own schedule, without a guide, and let us take care of the logistics! See details here.
Itinerary
Chamonix train station.(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1 - Chamonix
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.
Enjoying the view. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 2 - Chamonix
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.
Poles are handy in the Alps. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3 - Les Contamines-Montjoie
An undulating trail leads through alpine pastures and pine forests, over the Tricot pass and through the quiet and quaint Miage valley.
Mapping out the day’s route. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 4 - Bourg St Maurice
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.
Looking back up to Col de la Seigne. (Photo: Tonya Gray)
Day 5 - Courmayeur
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.
Ready to eat in Italy! (Courtesy photo)
Day 6 - Courmayeur
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!
The view from Bonatti hut, on the route of the Tour du Mont-Blanc. (Courtesy photo)
Day 7 - La Fouly
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.
Running above Champex Lac. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 8 - Argentière
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.
Crossing back into France to finish the loop. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 9 - Chamonix
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.
(Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 10 - Depart from Chamonix
Today we say “au revoir” to the Tour du Mont-Blanc and the Vallée du Trail, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations.
Regional map
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- 9 nights accomodation – all in 3* and 4* hotels, or well-appointed mountain inns (twin or double room). Single supplement available in Chamonix and Courmayeur.
- Welcome briefing and drinks on first night
- All breakfasts, packed lunches and trail nutrition, plus eight multi-course dinners
- Geneva Airport-Chamonix transfers at the start and end of the tour
- Transfers to and from trailheads as per the itinerary
- Luggage transfers (luggage available every night)
- Run the Alps’ Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains 80+ pages of information about where you’ll be running, what to pack, how to train, and plenty of other insider information from Run the Alps staff and guides
- A day of professional photography on the trails, with images provided to you license-free
- An in-country welcome pack – includes trail nutrition and a Run the Alps T-shirt (Note: You can choose to opt out of the T-shirt during registration; if you do, we’ll automatically donate the equivalent to one of our 1% for the Plant partners instead.)
- Personalized support before and during your tour
- 20% discount code for the Run the Alps store
- 20% discount code at The Hub Chamonix for pre- or post-tour accommodation
- Contribution to our Net Positive initiatives
- Flights / Travel to and from Geneva Airport
- Transport to and from trailheads if you shorten a run
- One dinner in Courmayeur; recommendations provided
- Drinks with dinners
- Any additional nutrition and drinks while on the trail
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Tips for guides
- Trip insurance
Plan to arrive the day your tour starts, at the latest. The closest airport is Geneva, Switzerland. Note that flights from the US usually arrive on the following day, so schedule accordingly. This tour includes a shared shuttle pickup from Geneva Airport. If you’d like to arrive a day or more before the tour starts, the shuttle is still included.
Plan your departure for the day the tour ends at the earliest. Since Geneva Airport is only ninety minutes away by shuttle, it is possible to leave the day the tour ends. If your flight departure time is before 9:30am, a private shuttle is required at an added cost of $240.
- Want to extend your trip with more running? We can help provide self-guided run descriptions for nearby regions of the Alps, and/or trail race options.
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. Check out our Alps Training Resources or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- Can a non-running partner join me on this tour? Yes– read how hiking and sightseeing companions can come too.
- Celebrating a special occasion? Each year we get a number of guests who are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or retirement with a Run the Alps trip. If this is you, let us know!
- 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.
- 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.
- Tour Grants Program: Run the Alps is committed to making our trips more inclusive. If you’d like to join this trip, but don’t think you can afford it, please check out our Tour Grants Program.
- Trip Insurance: Life can sometimes throw us a curveball and wreak havoc upon the best laid plans, which is why Run the Alps requires trip insurance. Learn more here.
- Terms and Conditions: You can read up on them here.
Guides for this Tour
Loading...
Want to know more?
A Trail Runner’s Tour of Chamonix
On this short tour, we take you around the heart of Chamonix, visiting some of the town’s many trail running landmarks.
Read more →
The Trail Runner’s Underground Guide to Chamonix
Coming to Chamonix to trail run? Here’s the inside scoop, with input from more than a dozen local trail runners.
Read more →
Tour du Mont-Blanc Inside Look 2024
Want an inside look at running the Tour du Mont-Blanc? Our guides share a few favorite moments from our 2024 TMB tours.