Over 8 days, you’ll run the most inspiring sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc, crossing breathtaking mountain passes and lush valleys as you move through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Each of the 6 running days offers a range of distances, letting you push your pace or take a scenic shortcut when you need it. Evenings are spent recharging in comfortable alpine hotels and mountain lodges, with local dinners waiting in three authentic villages. Luggage transfers mean there’s no heavy pack slowing you down—just pack your day running kit and go. The route is mapped with a travel app and digital packet, making logistics seamless for a truly independent mountain running experience.
Arrive in the picturesque village of Saint Gervais, set beneath Mont Blanc. Settle into your hotel, maybe stretch your legs on a stroll, and get ready for your week of trail running ahead. Check-in is available after 3 pm, so get comfortable and take in the alpine scenery until the adventure starts tomorrow.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Saint Gervais (B&B)
After a morning transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge, you head out over the legendary Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme—two classic Tour du Mont Blanc passes. Run through high alpine landscapes with sweeping views of glaciers all around before descending into the Chapieux valley and your mountain lodge for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Distance: 14.5 km (9 mi)
Elevation: +1,200 m (+3,937 ft) / -900 m (-2,953 ft)
Accommodation: Mountain lodge/hotel in Les Chapieux
Enjoy a shuttle or a short bonus run to Ville des Glaciers, then cross into Italy via the Col de la Seigne. The scenery explodes as you run past the Grandes Jorasses and sweeping views of the Mont Blanc massif. Finish with a descent into Courmayeur, where gelato and a comfy hotel bed await. Shorter distance possible with a bus option.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 25.4 km (15.8 mi)
Elevation: +490 m (+1,610 ft) / -1,450 m (-4,757 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Courmayeur
Transfer by bus to start, then run up to Refuge Elena before taking on the Grand Col Ferret and entering Switzerland. Pass through La Fouly and finish with a climb to lakeside Champex, a classic Swiss village. Transfers available for shorter days or in tough weather.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Distance: 29.8 km (18.5 mi)
Elevation: +1,325 m (+4,347 ft) / -1,630 m (-5,347 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Champex
Start the day running right from your hotel through peaceful alpine hamlets, climbing to the Fenêtre d’Arpette—the highest point on the TMB if weather allows. Soak up big glacier views, then descend to your welcoming lodge in Trient. A shorter, weather-safe route via the Col de Bovine is an option.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Distance: 16.5 km (10.2 mi)
Elevation: +1,190 m (+3,904 ft) / -1,615 m (-5,299 ft)
Accommodation: Mountain lodge in Trient (shared bath)
Climb over the Col de la Balme and cross back into France, enjoying iconic views of Mont Blanc and Aiguille Verte before descending into Argentière. Rest up in your hotel and savor the sense of accomplishment—tomorrow is your celebration finish into Chamonix.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Distance: 11.2 km (7 mi)
Elevation: +1,000 m (+3,281 ft) / -820 m (-2,690 ft)
Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Argentière
On your final running day, enjoy the lofty route along the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges, passing Lake Blanc and soaking in big valley vistas—the classic TMB finish. You can descend toward Chamonix via Le Praz, or hop the cable car if you’re ready to celebrate a little early. Run ends in Chamonix, the iconic heart of the Alps.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 9.6 km (6 mi) to Flégère cable car (option to descend to Le Praz for 14.5 km / 9 mi)
Elevation: +900 m (+2,953 ft) / -1,100 m (-3,609 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix
Enjoy one last breakfast, soak up the energy of Chamonix, and check out of your hotel by 10 am. If you’d like, you can add extra nights to enjoy Chamonix’s restaurants, spas, or the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi—you’ve earned it.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix (B&B)
Your guides offer an optional 2-night package in Chamonix after the trip.
The package includes a 2-night stay at a hotel or B&B, access to QC Terme Chamonix spa, and a Mont Blanc Multipass with a variety of activities and attractions to choose from.
Here’s the suggested plan, but you can tailor it to your preferances:
More information in the “Things to know” section.
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
Should you need to make any changes to your booking after confirmation, please be aware that a €50 administrative fee applies to each modification.
Please note that occasionally, the itinerary needs adjusting—usually due to logistics like fully booked accommodations, trail closures, or bad weather. Any changes are always made with your safety and comfort in mind.
Accommodation can shift too, though rarely, depending on availability. If an alternate accommodation is used for a given night, it’ll always be in the same star range as advertised.
In order to join this self-guided trail running tour, great fitness is required, along with intermediate trail running experience.
The most you’ll run within a day is up to 15 km (9.3 mi), with up to 1,200 m (3,937 ft) of elevation gain, and most days take 3 to 4 hours, occasionally up to 5. Two of the days also offer a longer, full-stage option (up to 29.8 km/18.5 mi) for runners who want the complete classic route, with a shorter alternative always available if you’d rather save your legs. Since your luggage is transported between hotels each day, you’ll only ever carry a light daypack while running.
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Your guides offer an optional 2-night package in Chamonix after the trip.
The package includes a 2-night stay at a hotel or B&B, access to QC Terme Chamonix spa, and a Mont Blanc Multipass with a variety of activities and attractions to choose from.
Here’s the suggested plan, but you can tailor it to your preferances:
Included:
Not included:
The following items are required for this self-guided tour unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.
Avoid cotton or cycling-specific clothing. Synthetic fabrics dry quickly and perform well in active conditions. Merino wool is also an excellent option—it dries fast, is comfortable to wear, and naturally resists odors even after extended use.
Luggage transport is included. You carry only a light daypack while running—your main bag (one per person, 15 kg/33 lbs max) travels ahead by vehicle to each night’s stop. Extra bags can be stored for €10 per bag per day if requested at booking.
Clothing:
Gear:
First aid kit suggestions:
Carrying a basic personal first aid kit is strongly advised, as unforeseen situations may arise during travel. Access to medications and first aid supplies can be limited in certain destinations, making it essential to bring necessary prescription and over-the-counter items. Travel plans, vaccinations, and medication use should be reviewed with a healthcare provider in advance to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
Here’s a basic list of what’s generally a good personal travel first aid kit:
Optional items:
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Daily luggage transport is included in your trip price. You’ll only need to carry a light daypack during your runs—whatever you need for that day, like water, snacks, or extra layers—while your main bag travels ahead by vehicle to each night’s accommodation.
Each person is allowed one transported bag, capped at 15 kg (33 lbs); bags over that limit won’t be transported, so it’s worth weighing yours before you leave. If you need to store extra luggage you won’t use during the trip, that’s available separately for €10 per bag per day, but only if you request it when you book. A day pack for your on-trail essentials isn’t provided, so bring your own.
Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. By joining this self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc trail running tour, we take care of:
Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!
Digital travel package includes documents available in English, French, and German, sent by email, and provides access to a smartphone travel application for navigating hikes and accessing local maps (available in English only). It also contains the list of booked accommodations, and all the detailed information needed for a successful trip. If desired, a printed version of the travel package can be provided for an additional fee; it will be ready and available at the first accommodation of the itinerary, including maps, a topo guide, and a travel folder—you can add this at checkout.
As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.
Yes, a few things shift depending on when you travel:
Group sizes and pricing:
Self-guided trail running tours along the Tour du Mont Blanc 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 tour is based on double occupancy, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at most accommodations (apart from les Chapieux) at an additional cost. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
The starting point of your trail running adventure is Saint Gervais, France. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA). From there, you can take a shuttle service, train, public bus, or rent a car to reach Saint Gervais. At the end, the tour finishes in Chamonix, France, from which you can return to Geneva by similar means. You will check in at your first hotel in Saint Gervais after 3 pm. There is no formal welcome meeting—your travel package will be sent by email before arrival.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. 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.