Tour du Mont Blanc 1st Half

Description:

Run the first half of the ultimate iconic multi-day trail running route in the Alps, the Tour du Mont Blanc! It follows one of the world’s toughest 100 milers, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, circumnavigating the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc at 4,810m and passing by its 71 glaciers and 400 summits. On this trip we split the usual 6 day Tour du Mont Blanc in half, which is ideal for those who want to experience the thrill of this incredible trail but without having to complete it all in one go!

This is a great running adventure to sign up for if you want to explore the Alps more or to recce the route for the UTMB. As always you will have a Lead Runner with you, logistic support as well as food and accommodation provided. The scenery is absolutely stunning and you’ll experience some of the most breath taking views of Mt Blanc the area has to offer. It’s broken down into 3 stages with a day to relax in Chamonix at the beginning and end of the trip.

We start in Chamonix and head down the valley to Les Houches before making our way up over to Les Contamines via one the high passes at around 2100m. You’ll run past glaciers and through alpine meadows and get a feel for how stunning this area is. Our first night is spent in Les Contamines before we carry on to the steep climb over the Croix du Bonhomme. 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 a great place to unplug from the world for one night.

The next morning as the sun rises from behind the Aiguilles des Glaciers you will climb up to the Col de La Seigne, which marks the border with Italy. 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. 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. Here you will spend your last night and celebrate your incredible achievement of running 50 miles of the epic Tour du Mont Blanc.