TOUR DU MONT BLANC
JUNE 30th - JULY 7th, 2024 *Sold Out
JULY 7th - 14th, 2024 *4 Spots Left
JULY 20th - 27th, 2024 *2 Spots Left
AUGUST 3rd - 10th, 2024 *Sold Out
AUGUST 17th - 24th, 2024 *Sold Out
SEPTEMBER 1st - 8th, 2024 *Sold Out
*PRIVATE TRIPS AVAILABLE. CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS
**IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VAGABOND TRAILS
WHAT? Trail Run Adventures and Vagabond Trails, will take you on an 8 day and 165 Km journey through the mountains, with lots of ups and downs...to be specific, almost 10,000 meters of elevation gain. Remember, this is the Alps, rocky and steep terrain, high alpine meadows, glaciers, peaks, streams, lakes and amazing scenery. The route takes us from Chamonix - France through Italy, Switzerland, and back to Chamonix.
Tour du Mont Blanc trail running does not necessarily need to be in a race. All you need is your running shoes, previous training and your passion for exploring new trails.
This journey is fully supported with luggage transfers so you will only need to carry a day running pack, shuttles to and from Geneva airport, all accommodations and meals. The accommodation varies from mountain huts to hotels. Some of the huts only offer dormitories, and in the hotel it will be twin rooms. Single occupancy is available for an additional cost.
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the most famous trail running and hiking routes and a dream for many trail runners around the world. The path encircles Western Europe’s highest peak, and it combines inspiring mountain scenery with cultural vibrancy in the alpine regions of France, Switzerland and Italy.
The tour is challenging, rewarding and enjoyable, there will be long and steep runs but still time to relax, to recover and to have a beer or two in the afternoon. The alps and the TMB is a challenging route, but you’ll run and hike with a light vest and in the company of an experienced International Mountain Leader (UIMLA) that will be with you all the time.
WHO? You need to have experience in trail running and hilly terrain. Pace is unimportant on our adventures, but for several days we will be out for 5 to 8 hours. Do not underestimate the Alps, they are steep, and some parts are at altitude, so it will be challenging - the more prepared you are, the more fun you’ll have.
If for any reason you do not feel like running, there will be the alternative to meet the group in the next point, either using our support vehicle or by local transportation. You can still enjoy your day, with an easy hike, read a book or just enjoy the silence of the mountains. Extra charges may occur for some shuttles.
GUIDES FOR THIS ADVENTURE: Vagabond Trails and local certified guides
PRICE:
Price 2850 Euros
25% non refundable deposit required to secure place, deposit can be transferred to another adventure.
Remaining balance due 60 days before the start of the trip. Registrations after that date must be paid in full.
EXCLUDES:
Flights (Please do NOT make travel arrangements until we notify you that the group size has met the minimum)
Helicopter Rescue Insurance is also required for this trip. We recommend: Global Rescue
Alcohol and other drinks
Additional snack foods, race food (gels, bars, electrolytes etc)
Personal spending - souvenirs etc.
Tips for International Mountain Guide
INCLUDES:
Airport transfers and all transportation while on the trip
Accommodation at hotels and mountain huts (based on twin/double shared rooms. If you want a single room there will be an additional cost and only offered at the hotels)
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. All dietary requirements can be met
Local certified guides
ADVENTURE ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Chamonix
Transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix. Depending on your time of arrival you will have time to walk around the vibrant village of Chamonix, make last minute gear shopping or just relax at the pool and outdoor patio of our chosen hotel in Chamonix. In the evening we will have a group safety briefing, followed by dinner.
Day 2 - Chamonix – Les Contamines
Today is the official start of our epic journey. We leave Chamonix and take an undulated first trail from Les Gaillands towards Les
Houches. Once in Les Houches we climb up through the forest heading to Le Delevret and Col du Voze, where we start the downhill through the woods passing charming chalets and rustic farms as we head towards Saint Gervais les Bains. After a gentle uphill through forests and alpine meadows we will arrive to our overnight destination close to the village of Les Contamines.
The route: 31 Km - 1580+ 1460-
Highest point at 1850 meters
Approximate time 4 - 6 hours
Day 3 - Les Contamines– Refuge de Mottets/Les Chapieux
Easy riverside trails take us to the church of Notre Dame de la Gorge. After the church we have a long and a steep ascent leading to Col du Bonhomme. Depending on weather conditions the pass might show snow patches. A little bit higher we reach the second col of the day the Croix de Bonhomme at 2440 meters of altitude, where we will enjoy amazing views of the valleys on both sides. A nice and runnable trail takes us downhill to Les Chapieux, from here we will have a mix of a flat trail to a steady easy uphill towards Refuge Les Mottets at 1864 meters, which will be our hut for the night.
The route: 24 Km - 1650+ 940-
Highest point at 2440 meters
Approximate time 6 - 8 hours
Day 4 - Refuge de Mottets – Courmayeur
The day starts with a steep trail, but the views will be our boost to continue and finally cross the border into Italy at Col de la Seigne. Once on the col (or shoulder) you will admire the views of the French and the Italian valleys. On the Italian side we will have a long descent into Val Veny. If we are lucky, the valley will be cover in yellow flowers with sparking glaciers descending off Mont Blanc. A long flat path will take us to the start of the stee trail towards the ridge on Mont Favre, and then on to the Col Checrouit and then a final steep descent to Courmayeur. Tonight, we will enjoy of the famous Italian pizza in one of our favourite pizzerias in town.
The route: 25 Km - 1270+ 1900-
Highest point at 2500 meters
Approximate time 6 - 7 hours
Day 5 - Courmayeur – La Fouly
We start the day with a vertical climb towards Rifugio Bertone. After admiring the views, we follow an almost flat, beautiful, easy but high trail towards Rifugio Bonatti. We will pass the beautiful Rifugio Elena, where we can enjoy a coffee or a drink and then continue our way towards the high Gran Col Ferret. We will contemplate the spectacular views of the Swiss and the Italian valleys from the col. A beautiful descent on a single trail will take us to our accommodation for the night at the end of Val Ferret.
The route: 29 Km - 1960+ 1748-
Highest point at 2525 meters
Approximate time 7 hours
Day 6 - La Fouly – Col de Forclaz or Trient
We begin with an easy descent to the ancient village of Praz de Fort. We will get some water from the local fountains and continue our path to the start of the ascent towards Champex Lac. Leaving Champex Lac behind we head up through the forests on an easy open path until Plan de l’Au where we start a steep ascent traversing around the mountain to la Giete. Once in the highest point we run downhill towards Col de la Forclaz and continue our descent to the last Swiss village and its iconic pink church in Trient.
The route: 31 Km - 1480+ 1700-
Highest point at 1470 meters
Approximate time 5-6 hours
Day 7 - Trient - Chamonix
We have a couple of uphills and downhills more until our final destination. On the way we will have fantastic views of the Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges mountains. We traverse the mountain before we start our last descent towards La Flegere and Chamonix. We have come to the end of an epic journey of almost 170 Km and 10.000 meters of elevation gain!! We will close our journey with a celebration dinner and drink, and share stories of our amazing week while we finally rest our legs.
The route: 28 Km - 1750+ 1960-
Highest point at 2065 meters
Approximate time 5 - 6 hours
Day 8 - Chamonix
We enjoy a last breakfast together and then time to pack all the memories back home.
