Mountain Adventure Holidays
Mont Blanc is one of the most famous mountains in the world. The crown of the Western Alps its summit sits at 4810m (15,776ft). Over three days you will run the section which links Courmayeur in Italy, with Champex in Switzerland, and Chamonix in France.
We take the route at a steady pace mixing running with fast hiking depending on the terrain. We will pass through spectacular mountain scenery, following a route steeped in history, culture and folklore. Many of the trails date back centuries and you will feel the history under your feet as you follow in the footsteps of hunters, herdsmen, smugglers and armies. Smooth, runnable trails are interspersed with technical, rocky sections over the high mountain passes. Breathtaking alpine landscapes await, flanked by colourful meadows tumbling down into picturesque hamlets and villages. It is both a nature lover's and a trail runner’s paradise.
This is one of the world's most famous long distant hiking trails, and in recent years has become even more famous, as part of the route of the mythical Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc® (UTMB®). The 'CCC' race which is part of the UTMB® week covers 101km (63 miles) and climbs 6100m (20,008ft). The record for the fastest time is 10h30!
We would like to reassure you this is a holiday, and therefore we spend three days running the route and taking time to enjoy the mountains. Each day we will run/hike about 30 kilometres (18 miles), with at least one high mountain pass. We’re likely to be on our feet for 6-8 hours per day with lots of ascent and descent on a variety of mountain trails. This trip is suitable for experienced mountain trail runners.
Your running guide will meet you this evening at your hotel in Courmayeur, in Italy to answer any last minute questions and to brief you on the days ahead. This trip is run in conjunction with our Mont Blanc Ultra Trail holiday and you may find that you are joining a group that will have left Chamonix, in France three days earlier.
Setting off through the streets of the ancient Roman town of Courmayeur, we run up a gentle hill through hamlets of ancient wooden buildings with traditional architecture. We soon leave the tarmac behind to climb steeply through the shady larch forest to the idyllically situated Rifugio Bertone. We then traverse a beautiful trail around the mountain which in our mind offers the most incredible views of the Mont Blanc mountain range, a truly amazing trail run. Eventually, we reach the famous Rifugio Bonatti, a gorgeous refuge dedicated to the mountaineer and photographer, Walter Bonatti. The trail continues through the alpine flower meadows before descending to Arnuva, and then there is a long, but steady climb to the Swiss frontier at the Grand Col Ferret. The wide, runnable trail descends and then traverses along the hillside before dropping down to the lovely Swiss village of La Fouly at 1600m where we will spend the night.
Ascent: 2050m (6724ft) Descent: 1670m (5477ft) Distance: 31.6km (19.7 miles) Duration: Run/Walk 8h00-8h30
Leaving La Fouly we have a gentle start to our day as we take a valley trail that runs alongside the river. Everything is very 'Swiss' today, immaculate ancient chalets, perfectly manicured lawns, and orderly geraniums in window-boxes. We make our way down the valley on great trails until we reach the village of Praz de Fort which has wonderful examples of traditional, and very old, wooden chalets and farms. There is a convenient little cafe by the roadside which is sometimes hard to run past! It may be time for a drink? At this point we begin our ascent for the day as we climb steadily uphill to the lakeside Swiss village of Champex with its jade green waters. As we leave the village behind, we once again enter the larch forests, gorges and the pastures, home in the summer months to the famous Swiss fighting cows. After taking in stunning views of the Rhone Valley, we run a steady descent to the Col de la Forclaz and then onto Trient at 1300m (4265ft) for our overnight stop.
Ascent: 1310m (4296ft) Descent: 1585m (4542ft) Distance: 30.9km (19.3 miles) Duration: Run/Walk 6h30-7h30
A grand finale today as we complete our CCC and cross back into France. We make the first of two bigs climb out of the Trient valley through thick forest until we reach the alpage of les Tseppes and a clearing to gain views of the Trient glacier. Soon the trail and crosses back into France and after the alpage of Catogne descends down towards the Vallorcine valley and village. Famous as the 'valley of the bears', where in the Middle Ages the locals used to pay their taxes in bear meat! Sadly, and perhaps not unsurprisingly there are no bears left today. After Vallorcine, we have a short uphill to the Col des Montets before facing the steep zig-zags to the Tetes aux Vents at 2127m (6976ft). The views en route of the Mont Blanc massif reward our efforts as we reach the last high point of the tour. We now make our last descent into Chamonix! The trail is quite breathtaking as it gradually traverses and descends you see the panoramic trail of the Mont Blanc massif unfold. A final stop at the Flegere cable car station then we drop into the woods heading for Chalet la Floria and then the mountain town of Chamonix, in France. Time to celebrate, rest the body and recover with an optional massage.
Ascent: 1750m (5740ft) Descent: 2215m (7265ft) Distance: 30.5km (19 miles) Duration: Run/Walk 7h30-8h30
Today is departure day and your trip ends after breakfast.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On all our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. We are painstaking in our research to give you the best option possible and one that is good value. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
Our trip fees are based on two people sharing a room. If you are travelling on your own your booking will be based on a twin bedroom sharing with someone of the same gender. On some occasions when accommodation is limited at the time of booking mixed shared 'dormitory' style accommodation will be booked.
However, on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure a single room as these are always limited in number. Please contact us for details.
The Folie Douce Hotel offers everything that any runner would need on a trip to the Chamonix Valley. Perfectly located within easy reach of the town centre shops and street cafes, the trail head for many iconic run as well as the starting point of the famous UTMB race! Enjoy fabulous views of Mont Blanc, excellent dining and bar area, outdoor pool, yoga classes and spa area all in the heart of Chamonix.
The Hotel Walser is situated in the Italian town of Courmayeur and run by Maurizio and his family. It has a wonderful views of Mont Blanc or 'Monte Bianco', is right on the path of the Tour of Mont Blanc and only a few minutes from the pedestrian shopping area and numerous bars and gelaterias. Enjoy friendly Italian hospitality, an excellent 3 course meal and time relaxing in the small hotel spa.
The Hotel Edelweiss is right in the heart of Courmayeur with easy access to the town centre, while being tucked away in a quiet street where you will not be disturbed by the crowds. The hotel has a lovely sunny garden area at the front, and a spacious lounge bar to enjoy a drink. All the rooms are en suite and dinner is very Italian with local dishes and plenty of pasta. Other hotels which we use in Courmayeur include the Hotel Bouton d'Or, and the Hotel Walser.
In the heart of the Swiss Valais, Maurice & Mauricette, have been welcoming guests to the friendly Auberge des Glaciers for over 10 years. Upon arrival enjoy an ice cream or cold beer on the veranda with fabulous views of the le Fouly valley and this quiet corner of the Mont Blanc massif.
In La Fouly we spend our overnight at the Hotel Edelweiss, like all our other hotels it is family run, cosy and comfortable. There is a bar with a terrace where you can enjoy a drink in the afternoon sun. All the bedrooms are traditional in style with lots of 'wood', and they have en suite facilities. There is a dining room with lovely views, and breakfast is served buffet style.
This historic coaching inn has been in the same family for generations. Today it is run by Sophie who is the 6th generation! It was in around 1830 that her ancestor Joseph Gay-des Combes opened the first inn at the summit of the Col de la Forclaz with his wife. The hotel has a range of bedrooms, but due to the traditional nature of the building not all of them are en suite.
In years gone by the Grande Ourse was a hotel, then it was home to the Swiss Youth Movement camps. It has been entirely renovated and has returned to offering accommodation for hikers. The new owner is Jasiqi Azem and his family who have put a lot of love into the renovation project which was completed 10 years ago. Our accommodation here is in bedrooms when available, and on some occasions it will be necessary to use dormitories.
The showers, and toilets are on each floor with separate facilities for males, and females. There is a cosy cafe/bar in the old pavilion building which is immediately next to the main building.
If you are planning to run the 'CCC' you will find that this week offers runners invaluable endurance training and race route knowledge. Our local running guides have in-depth knowledge about the course, the terrain, and how to prepare. It’s also a perfect chance to test out your clothing, equipment and nutrition plans.
Arrival
To reach Courmayeur, in Italy we recommend taking a bus directly from Geneva Airport to Courmayeur. There are various services available including transfer companies that will drop you at your hotel. You could also fly to Milan or Turin and then take public transport to Courmayeur.
Departure
You will finish in Chamonix, in France which is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1 hour 15 by road which makes shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
A range of travel options to reach the Chamonix valley can be found on the Chamonix Tourist Office website.
If arriving via Geneva we recommend that you book a seat on a shared transfer which is a door-to-door service to reach your accommodation in Chamonix. We recommend Mountain Drop Offs, Chamexpress and Haute Pursuit for this service. Easybus also runs a service from Geneva airport to Chamonix Bus Station. This service runs throughout the day, but does not drop you at your hotel.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate insurance for your chosen activity, including emergency helicopter rescue, repatriation, medical costs, as well as trip cancellation/curtailment insurance in the event of you being unable to join/complete the trip.
Please read the relevant clauses which are numbered 10, 11, 11a, 12, and 22 and are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
We also recommend your insurance covers you for baggage loss/damage. Tracks and Trails Ltd are unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any client equipment or luggage.
If you are booking on behalf of other people it is important that you ensure that insurance has been arranged by all others included in your Booking Form.
You should bring all insurance documentation with you at the time of the activity. If you fail to provide proof of insurance we reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
After we have processed your booking we will send you a comprehensive clothing and equipment list that is appropriate to your trip and activity. There will be some items on this list that we strongly recommend and others which are suggested. Our list is based on our experience of what is needed for any particular trip, but it is not the definitive article! If you have items you like to use then do bring them, but be aware of over-loading your 'day' rucksack with items that are heavy and therefore making the trip more challenging.
Please contact us if in any doubt about what to bring.
It is important to understand that a trip of this length in such mountainous terrain means that the long ascents will mainly be taken at a fast uphill 'power walking' pace and that the 'running' will be on the rolling terrain and descents. We therefore highly recommend the use of light weight running poles to aid with the ascents. If you unsure of which poles are suitable for trail running then you can read our article here on the Top 4 Running Poles of 2014 published in the UK's Trail Running magazine.
Upon booking we will send you a list of suggested equipment and clothing for your trail running week. If you are considering taking part in the official 'CCC' race it would be useful to read the UTMB Obligatory Equipment List.
For each of our trips there is a minimum number of guests required to book before we can 'guarantee' your trip will run. It depends on the particular trip in question, but it is normally 4. The maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £280.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
For our walking, family, and snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. For our running trips your guide will be an International Mountain Leader, and an experienced mountain 'trail runner'.
If you have booked on a cross country ski trip you will be with a fully qualified professional BASI Nordic Ski Instructor or equivalent. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required.
As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is a good idea.
If your trip begins and ends at the same hotel it is normally possible to leave any unwanted luggage at the hotel for your return.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you choose and buy what you require. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout your day of activity. If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this.
Each evening you can choose to order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance. Also note that if/when the UK leaves the European Union that the EHIC card may no longer be valid. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Trail Running |
| Duration | 5 Days |
| Group Size | 10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2537m (8323ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy, France, Switzerland |
| Meet In | Courmayeur, Italy |
