Trail Running - Chamonix and the Mont Blanc region
40 routes in the Chamonix Valley, Italy and Switzerland
Trail Running - Chamonix and the Mont Blanc region
40 routes in the Chamonix Valley, Italy and Switzerland
Guidebook to exploring the classic trail running regions around the Mont Blanc massif, visiting France, Switzerland and Italy. 40 runs are graded by terrain, from wide trails to technical skyrunning, with information on ascent/descent and distance. Includes the 168km Ultra-Trail of Mont Blanc (UTMB) as well as shorter day runs.A 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 (104 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.
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 the book by logging in to your Cicerone account.
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.
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852848002
Availability
Published
Published
13 Apr 2016
Reprinted
9 Jun 2020
Edition
First
Pages
240
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.40cm
Weight
270g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
Map key
Location of routes
Introduction
The Chamonix Mont Blanc region
Bases for a trail running holiday
Travelling to the Alps
Travelling around the Chamonix valley and region
Weather and forecasts
Maps
Safety and mountain rescue
Insurance
Mountain running in the Alps
What’s different about running in the Alps?
Trail kit
Adapting to the Alps
Mountain skills
Navigation
Using this guide
France
Chamonix start
Route 1 Mer de Glace
Route 2 River track to Argentière
Route 3 Merlet
Route 4 La Flégère
Route 5 Refuge Moëde Anterne
Route 6 La Jonction
Route 7 Chamonix Vertical KM
Route 8 Marathon du Mont Blanc
Route 9km du Mont Blanc
Vallorcine valley start
Route 10 Lac d’Emosson
Route 11 Col de la Terrasse
Route 12 Albert Premier
Route 13 Aiguilles Rouges
Route 14 Mont Buet
Les Houches/Servoz start
Route 15 Le Brévent
Route 16 Le Prarion
Route 17 Col de Tricot
Route 18 Lac Vert
Route 19 Charousse
Outside Chamonix valley
Route 20 Nid d’Aigle
Route 21 Refuge de Doran
Route 22 Mont Truc
Route 23 Mont Joly
Route 24 Refuge de Tré-le-Tête
Route 25 Tête Nord des Fours
Switzerland
Route 26 Mont de l’Arpille
Route 27 Croix de Fer
Route 28 Fenêtre d’Arpette
Route 29 Cabane d’Orny
Route 30 Mont Fourchon
Route 31 Cols Fenêtre and Chevaux
Italy
Route 32 Mont de la Saxe
Route 33 Tête Entre Deux Sauts
Route 34 Italian Val Ferret
Route 35 Col d’Arp
Route 36 Punta della Croce
International race recces
Route 37 Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB)
Route 38 Orsières, Champex, Chamonix (OCC)
Route 39 Courmayeur, Champex, Chamonix (CCC)
Route 40 Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS)
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Useful contacts
Seasons
The key season for the majority of routes in this book is the Alpine summer season between early June and late September.
Centres
Chamonix, Courmayeur, Champex, Martigny, Orsieres, St Gervais, Servoz, Les Houches, Le Buet, Vallorcine, Trient, Bourg St Pierre
Difficulty
Each route has been carefully graded to indicate the style of running terrain, from wide trails, to single track, or technical skyrunning. This ensures you select a route that suits your experience and aspirations. In addition to the technical grade, distance, height gain / loss and timings are provided.
Must See
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.
January 2020
2020 reprint route updates
July 2018
Route Updates
Page 60 -Route 6
I ran this route last week, since when a temporary path closure has been put in place whilst some forestry work is undertaken. However, it's highlighted the fact that the spring avalanches and melt this year have caused significant erosion to the lower Taconnaz trail, and the quality of the ascent path is getting increasingly worse. It is therefore advisable for runners to follow the descent route both to ascend to La Jonction, and come down, as the paths are in better condition.
Route 6: La Jonction - Due to path erosion, and some unstable moraines overlying rock, there are several sections of paths on the ascent to Col Corbeau, which are especially delicate after heavy rains. The lower section of the ascent route near the Taconnaz Glacier is becoming overgrown, so now runners are advised to use the descent route described both for the ascent and descent of the route, as these trails are in the best maintained condition. Also note that the fixed equipment described often varies slightly even seasonally, due to damage caused by winter avalanches, and annual erosion. The yellow paint dots are always updated if there is any minor route tweak.
September 2016
Route 8: Chamonix Marathon - The final two kilometres of this route have been slightly changed, to move the finish slightly up the hillside to the top of the Teleski du Stade. This improvement is much welcomed by runners, as you finish on single track trails, rather than a stony 4x4 track. The route from La Flegere is as before until you reach the 4x4 track beneath the cables of the Telesiege du Col Cornu. Here you run diagonally L across the big track, and turn R onto the Tour du Pays du Mont Blanc path. This climbs in a rising traverse, around the bowl of the Montagne de Parsa, to reach the finish line just above the Teleski du Stade.
Route 37: UTMB - The 2015 and 2016 editions of the UTMB race have added an additional climb to the route that is not mentioned in the guidebook. After the initial c.200m descent from the Col de la Seigne, instead of descending directly to Lac Combal, the route now turns N to cross the higher of the two Col des Pyramides Calcaires at c.2650m. It then descends E to Refugio Elisabetta Soldini before rejoining the standard route to Lac Combal. This section begins with a vague path on grass that shortly turns into extremely rough scree and snowfields (depending on the season). The descent is very technical steep scree, on a path that becomes clearer and broader as the descent continues.
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