This 8-day trail running adventure takes you through the very best of the Mont Blanc Massif, covering France, Italy, and Switzerland from a single base in Chamonix. Over six consecutive running days, we tackle hand-picked routes: some iconic, some wildly off the radar, combining big mountain passes, glacial scenery, and cross-border variety. This is a great adventure for runners who want the Alps at their most unfiltered. All trail transfers by local bus and train are included, and we’ll come home with a very full memory card and legs to match.
Upon arrival, check into the hotel in the afternoon and take some time to settle in and explore Chamonix, one of the world’s great mountain towns, sitting right beneath the highest peak in the Alps. In the evening, we’ll meet our guide for a welcome drink and briefing to go over the week ahead.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix
We kick off the week running from Les Bossons, climbing steadily toward the spectacular Aiguillette des Houches. At the top, a 360° panorama opens wide over the Mont Blanc range, its glaciers, and the surrounding valleys, worth every metre of ascent. We keep our eyes open for ibex on the ridges as we head toward Le Brévent, then descend from the Col du Brévent back into Chamonix. A perfect opener: alpine scenery, wildlife, and iconic views all in one go.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Running: 19 km (11.8 mi)
Elevation: +1,575 m (+5,170 ft) / -1,575 m (-5,170 ft)
We start directly from the valley floor and climb to Montenvers, from where the Mer de Glace, one of the largest glaciers in the Alps, comes into full view, a striking reminder of how dramatically these mountains are changing. From there, the route follows the iconic Grand Balcon Nord, a high balcony trail with continuous views of the Mont Blanc massif. We run all the way to the Plan de l’Aiguille before a flowing descent back down to Chamonix.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Running: 18 km (11 mi)
Elevation: +1,300 m (+4,265 ft) / -1,300 m (-4,265 ft)
We take the local bus from Chamonix across the border into Italy, arriving in Courmayeur, a charming alpine town often called the Italian capital of the Alps. From there, we climb steadily toward the remote Col Sapin and continue across the wild Col Entre Deux Sauts, two high mountain passages with a strong off-the-beaten-path character. The route descends to the iconic Refuge Bonatti, set against a spectacular panorama facing the Mont Blanc massif, before finishing in Mayenzet.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Running: 19 km (11.8 mi)
Elevation: +1,500 m (+4,920 ft) / -1,100 m (-3,608 ft)
Back on the local bus to Courmayeur for another Italian adventure. Today is a demanding loop starting from the valley, rising toward the Col d’Arp with wide-open views over the Mont Blanc range, then traversing to the Col de Youla, a lesser-known passage that feels genuinely remote and sees very little traffic. We drop down to the Refuge de Maison Vieille for a well-earned break before completing the loop back into the valley and bussing back to Chamonix.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Running: 18 km (11 mi)
Elevation: +1,500 m (+4,920 ft) / -1,500 m (-4,920 ft)
We board the scenic local train from Chamonix. The views through panoramic windows are already a preview of what’s ahead. Today’s route quickly gains altitude toward the Salanfe dam, with dramatic views over the surrounding peaks, before continuing over the Col d’Emaney, a remote and rarely frequented pass. We drop into the wild Vallon d’Emaney and finish with a scenic descent through mixed alpine and forest terrain to the traditional village of Le Trétien. Not a classic, not crowded, exactly the point.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Our final run of the week starts with a short train ride from Chamonix to Vallorcine. From there, we climb toward the Col des Montets and on to Lac Blanc, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Alps, where the Mont Blanc massif reflects in a perfectly still glacial lake. Along the way, the route passes through a protected nature reserve shared by ibex, marmots, and alpine choughs. The descent via La Flégère brings us all the way back to Chamonix to close out the week.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Running: 18 km (11 mi)
Elevation: +1,100 m (+3,608 ft) / -1,100 m (-3,608 ft)
After breakfast, it’s time for departure, marking the end of our trail running adventure across the Mont Blanc massif.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
This trail running tour is designed for runners with solid experience in mountain terrain and good fitness. Expect to cover 18–19 km (11–12 mi) per day with up to 1,575 m (5,170 ft) of elevation gain across six consecutive running days.
Technical sections, high altitude, and unpredictable alpine weather are all part of the deal. If you can run comfortably in the mountains for 4–6 hours and are used to sustained climbs and technical descents, you’re in the right place.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and pricing
A Mont Blanc trail running tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this Mont Blanc trail running tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
The starting point of your Mont Blanc trail running tour is Chamonix. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Chamonix.
You will meet your guide at the hotel in Chamonix on Day 1.
Once you land, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make airport transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!
Insurance is mandatory for this adventure. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.