To discover the birthplace of mountain sports, look no further than Chamonix, situated at the base of the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc, which stands at 15,774 ft. This hut-to-hut Runcation takes you on a run circumnavigating Mont Blanc on the famous Tour du Mont Blanc trail, one of the most iconic long distance walking routes in Europe. It's also the route for the world famous ultramarathon Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) run each August. 

Our "Runcation" will kick off in one of the top trail running destinations in the world, the Chamonix Valley, before setting off on our trail. The route wraps 170 km around the massive Mont Blanc massif, climbing and descending a total of 10,000 feet through 3 countries and more breathtaking views than you can count. As we traverse the mountain we'll spend the night in the charming and comfortable mountain refuges, which will offer a comfortable place to spend the evening with breathtaking locations and a delicious sampling of Italian, Swiss, and French cuisine, wine, and coffee throughout the trip. Our hut-to-hut adventure ensures that we'll be waking up and falling asleep to spectacular mountain sunrises and sunsets in the different refuges and chalets.

This retreat adventure is open to ages 15 and up of any pace. Must be able to complete 10-20 miles/day of hiking/running, including dramatic elevation gain and loss. This trip is a step up in mileage and intensity than our Dolomites Runcation. Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime! 

Roundtrip transportation from Chamonix hotel to the start of the route

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants
Breakfast and dinners at the mountain huts, or refuges

Baggage transport from hut-to-hut (with the exception of two huts)

Knowledgable guide and running coach along the entire route

Special bonus adventures including a guided trail run tours, wellness options, or cultural cuisine lessons

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day

Accommodations in Chamonix

Travel Insurance

Baggage Transport at 2 huts

Passport:

Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.

Travel Insurance:

Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip. 

Room info at the Refuges:

Rooms are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. If you are inclined to participate, book or contact the organizer ASAP as rooms will book up in advance by other vacationers.

Fitness/Pacing:

While there are guides to accommodate every pace of attending runner, this trip requires participants to be able to run/hike for 10-20 miles on trails at a time in mountainous/high altitude climates. Training for this trip is highly recommended, and you can participate in the 12-week group training program designed specifically for this trip as a package add-on to ensure you're able to tackle the trails and get maximum enjoyment of this running retreat!

Weather:

Although the weather in the summer is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change. Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.

July 18: Our trip will start after dinner the evening of July 18 with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! We recommend that you arrive in Chamonix early to adjust to the time change and explore the fabulous markets, trails, and atmosphere of Chamonix.

July 19: After breakfast, we'll get an early start on the road to our Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) adventure. We'll hit the trail early for one of our longest days on the trail to Les Contamines, covering almost 20 miles. On the way we'll pass farms selling goat cheese, old chapels, and amazing views contrasting green hills contrasted against the Bionnassay Glacier. Our refuge for the evening has a charming shady terrance and amazing charcuterie. It was converted from a family farm to a chalet in 1870 and has been in the family ever since, allowing you the chance to learn about the history and culture of the region. 

July 20: Our second day on the trail is our shortest in distance at 10 miles, but guarantees to be a lengthly experience as we climb over 4,000 feet. On the way we'll run through the Reserve Naturelle des Contamines-Montjoie, crossing streams and meadows before starting our climb up to the Col du Bonhomme and the higher Col de la Coix du Bonhomme. On clear days views are visible to Val Montjoie to the north and Vallon de la Gittaz to the southwest. Our destination is one of the highest refuges on the TMB at 8,000 feet with a bird's eye view of the soft light of magic hour in the mountains. 

July 21: Today we'll cross the border from France to Italy at the spectacular crossing of the Col de la Seigne. We'll enjoy more views of the snowcapped peaks of the Col de la Seigne before stopping for coffee and lunch at a rifugio which sits on a spur overlooking the Vallon de la Lée Blanche. To cap off another 20-mile day on the trails, we'll spend the evening sleeping at a rifugio known for their carbonara and spectacular views of the rocky ridges of the Augiulle Noire. 

July 22: We'll cross through the famous Italian mountain town of Courmayeur before making our entrance into Switzerland, first by passing through the famous Val Ferret before crossing the Italian-Swiss border at the Grand Col Ferret. Another 20 mile day on the trails awaits us with mountain passes and descents. Our scenic Swiss hillside retreat is part-dairy farm, part-hotel, with comfortable rooms and outdoor yurts. It's one of the more remote retreats, so the views of the dawn skies and starry evenings can't be beat.

July 23: With 12 miles and 1,500 feet of elevation gain, today will be a more mellow day on the trail as we make our way to the Swiss town of Champex. As we descend from high mountains into forested valleys, we'll experience the pastoral nature of the region as we start to enter the flower-laden chalets and barns of Les Arches before descending into Champex.

July 24: For our final 20-mile day on the trails, we'll climb out of the Swiss ski town of Champex towards the Col de la Forclaz by way of the Val d'Arpette, a remote valley with alpine meadows and wildflowers. The writer Frison-Roche wrote of the valley, "This is scenery straight from a geograhy atlas, showing in one picture the habitat, the fauna, the flora and the mountain-formation...The Val d'Arpettaz is so satisfying; there you can still breathe the gentle air of solitude." After a long day's journey we'll reach the town of Tré-le-Champ to an 18th century alpine chalet serving traditional Savoyard cuisine and sitting at 4,600 feet at the gateway to the upper Chamonix Valley.

July 25: For our final full day on the trails, we'll enjoy an early breakfast and coffee at our refuge before setting off for the final 12 miles of the route. On this day we'll use the impressive path of the Grand Balcon Sud, which provides one of the most spectacular views of the Mont Blanc range along the way. We'll continue with some of the most impressive views of the tour finishing our epic circumnavigation of the TMB with a steep and winding descent to our original starting point. We'll reach Chamonix by evening where we say our goodbyes with new friends and tons of memories.