TOUR DU MONT BLANC

Date: 9 September 2023 -16 September 2023

Duration: 8 days, 7 nights

Price: €2900 per person

You will pay a deposit of 10% to secure your spot. Once confirmed, your tour operator will charge the remaining amount.

Terrain: Trail run

Average running distance:  29 km

Group size: up to 7 participants

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What level of running is this trip suitable for?

Accommodation

Itinerary

What’s included in the price?

What’s NOT included in the price?

See Additional Information for more details on Payment Procedure and Cancellation Policy.

What Level of Running is this Trip suitable for?

This trip is 8 days of running with an average of around 18 miles / 29km per day. It’s not always that easy to run these routes particularly quickly, trail running is often a leveller! So be prepared to be out on the trails for most of the day, we walk the uphills so there is time to soak up the scenery. Clients are always surprised by how much hiking can be involved in the Alps but this is inevitable in such steep environments. We endeavour to run a couple of trips each year of the TMB adventure in order to cater for different running speeds, so we ensure everyone is of a similar ability before they sign up. The trails on the TMB cannot be underestimated, and therefore it’s important to do some training before you arrive, particularly multi-day hikes, have run marathon distance in 4 hours or less and have some experience on trails. We also do a kit check on the evening before we set off and highly recommend bringing poles. The Lead Runner will route find and as with all our running adventures you will be running as part of a team. If you want to run the route quicker – please get in touch we can do this as a bespoke trip. It’s possible to do it in 3 days self-guided and we can provide all the logistics.

Accommodation

On the first and last nights in Chamonix will be in the 4* spa hotel, including breakfast on both mornings. Accommodation is based on a twin room sharing basis unless you request single occupancy, which if available will be at extra cost. The evening meal on the first evening is at one of the best restaurant’s in Chamonix, this is included in your booking and is a great chance to meet the team and your guide. For the 6 stages there will be a mixture of village hotels and possibly mountain refuges, we pick the best available on the route, these will include breakfast and evening meals (except for Courmayeur) as well as packed lunch each day you are running and refreshment point on the last day. Transport to and from Geneva to Chamonix can be booked via one of the many minibus operators that provide a regular shuttle service.

ITINERARY

Arrival Day
Check in from 4pm but you can use the hotel facilities from any point during the arrival day. Group welcome at 6:00pm at the hotel, followed by dinner in Chamonix at 7:00pm.

Day 1: Chamonix to Les Contamines
We start in Chamonix and head down the valley to Les Houches before making our way up over to Les Contamines. Our first night is spent here before we carry on to the steep climb over the Croix du Bonhomme.

Day 2: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux
The views from the Croix back down the valley and towards Geneva are incredible. From there we head down to spend our second night at Les Chapieux, a remote hamlet and our last stop before heading over into Italy.

Day 3: Les Chapieux to Courmayeur (Italy)
The next morning as the sun rises from behind the Aiguilles des Glaciers you will climb up to the Col de La Seigne. From here the route stretches into the horizon along the valley leading to the mountain pass 25 miles away which marks the border with Switzerland, a point where you will be standing the next day. We sweep down into Italy, staggering views of couloirs and rock buttresses towering on the left, leading up to Monte Bianco. The path undulates on nice smooth trails before a last climb, and then a steep descent into Courmayeur. At around halfway of the total route we will be staying here for pizza and a warm bed!

Day 4: Courmayeur to La Fouly (Switzerland)
Leaving Courmayeur early the next day following a steep ascent out of the valley you may see the sun rise over clouds carpeting the valleys far below. After a couple of hours running there will be time to stop for a refreshment at the Rifugio Bonatti hut, dedicated to the legendary Italian climber. Indeed, you will be passing some of his ground breaking first ascents as you run the route. From there we approach the fearsome Grand Col Ferret marking the Swiss border at 2537m. The trails down from the col are perfect. You will hear the cowbells from the lush green valley below, as you descend through the stunning scented mountain meadows into the little village of Le Fouly, our next stop, the first of two in Switzerland.

Day 5: La Fouly to Trient
The trail passes through forests running alongside the river and through tiny Swiss villages and fields of hay and wild flowers before heading up to Champex-Lac. Champex is a paradise in the mountains and sits at the juncture to another famous hiking route and potential running adventure – the Walker’s Haute Route. Three more high points stand between us and Chamonix, and around another 25 miles. The view from the next climb is hard to take in, since you can see all the way down to Martigny, 1500m below. Its broad flat valley leads to Zermatt and beyond. The path descends from here through some rocky and tree root covered trails to the Col de la Forclaz and then steeply down to Trient and its beautiful pink church and backdrop of dramatic glaciers, where we spend our last night on the trail.

Day 6: Trient to Chamonix (France)
Our last day, today we will complete our journey and return to Chamonix. A steep climb up from Trient provides one of the most impressive views on the whole route of the Mt Blanc Massif which dominates the horizon, its glacier pouring over into the Chamonix valley below and the end of our adventure. We trot down through the mountain trails into Chamonix to celebrate. It’s an amazing achievement, 104 miles / 168km and 9,000m ascent crossing over 3 countries.

Departure Day
Time to relax and explore Chamonix, maybe take a trip up the Aiguille du Midi, or just chill by the pool. If you wish to stay longer ask us for the hotel rate.

What’s Included in the Price?

• Overnight accommodation for the first and last nights in a 4* spa hotel, including breakfast (based on sharing a twin room)
• Evening meal on the first night in Chamonix
• Half board accommodation, except for the evening meal in Courmayeur and last night in Chamonix (based on sharing a twin room or small dormitory)
• Packed lunch everyday running and refreshment point on the last day
• Bag transport to each day’s destination
• Qualified trail running guide, with you every step of the way
• Technical instruction
• Pre-trip training plan
• Run the Wild tech t-shirt
• Medal
• Champagne at the finish
• 104 miles / 168km of some of the best scenery in Europe

What’s NOT Included in the Price?

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