Trail Running - Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Region

A lovely little guidebook describing 40 trail running routes in the Chamonix Valley and around the Mont Blanc massif, visiting France, Switzerland and Italy. The routes, which range from 3.8km (2½ miles) to 168km (104½ miles), are graded from 1 to 5 and categorised as trail running, fell running or skyrunning. Starting from Chamonix, Les Houches, Servoz, Champex, Courmayeur, Orsières and Vallorcine among others, and covering classic ultra trail routes as well as shorter day runs, there is something for every runner.

 

Renowned as a mecca for trail runners, the Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc region is home to some of the greatest trail running races in the world, including the Tour des Géants and Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. The landscape, with its dramatic mountain scenery and ethereal vistas, offers diverse trail options and true adventure – the perfect playground for this exhilarating sport. 

 

Explore some of the classic trail running regions around the Mont Blanc massif, visiting France, Switzerland and Italy. Run the full ultra-trail circuit of Mont Blanc, or shorter day runs including above the Mer de Glace, the summit of Mont Buet, and above the Col du Grand Saint Bernard.

 

Step-by-step route descriptions are accompanied by 1:100,000 mapping and route profiles, with notes on safety and useful tips for runners. Also included is a comprehensive equipment checklist plus information on running at altitude, adapting to the Alps, navigation, maps and mountain safety. GPX files for all routes are available for download after you have purchased a book by logging in to the Cicerone Website.

 

By Kingsley Jones.

1. France - Chamonix start: Mer de Glace, River track to Argentière, Merlet, La Flégère, Refuge Moëde Anterne, La Jonction, Chamonix Vertical KM, Marathon du Mont Blanc, 80km du Mont Blanc.
2. France - Vallorcine Valley start: Lac d’Emosson, Col de la Terrasse, Albert Premier, Aiguilles Rouges, Mont Buet.
3. France - Les Houches/Servoz start: Le Brévent, Le Prarion, Col de Tricot, Lac Vert, Charousse.
4. France - Outside Chamonix Valley: Nid d’Aigle, Refuge de Doran, Mont Truc, Mont Joly, Refuge de Tré-le-Tête, Tête Nord des Fours.
5. Switzerland: Mont de l’Arpille, Croix de Fer, Fenêtre d’Arpette, Cabane d’Orny, Mont Fourchon, Cols Fenêtre and Chevaux.
6. Italy: Mont de la Saxe, Tête Entre Deux Sauts, Italian Val Ferret, Col d’Arp, Punta della Croce
7. International Race Recces: Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), Orsières, Champex, Chamonix (OCC), Courmayeur, Champex, Chamonix (CCC), Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS).