Emosson – LoriazDam good views on the traverse between Emosson and Loriaz → 14km↑ ~1000mΔ 2110M ♦ EasyΘ CCWThere are a few options to reach Refuge de Loriaz and it’s line-up of stone buildings, but we like to take the most scenic way to get to our favorite homemade blueberry lemonade. Starting from Vallorcine, a short jog out of town puts you …
Dérochoir
DérochoirExtra crunchy technical running with a creamy bonus, plus panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif→ 21km↑ ~2000mΔ 2354M ♦ DifficultΘ CCWAs far as a trail run goes, this one has a high ratio of hiking, or at least some very careful bouncing along. The trail is either steep or rocky, frequently both, with brief interludes of smooth trail. But, it …
Rocher des Mottets
Rocher des MottetsA great option to combine an easy run with a very easy climb→ 6km↑ ~530mΔ 1640M♦ MediumΘ CWAnd now for something completely different! The Rocher des Mottets is an entry level rock climb hidden away in the forest beneath the Montenvers station. Used for teaching, the route is graded 3b/5.4 and is primarily slab climbing on perfect rock. …
2
Pointe de Lapaz
Pointe de LapazLots of up, a ridge traverse and a huge, mostly runnable downhill with views of everything→ 18km↑ ~1400mΔ 2313M ♦ MediumΘ CCWJust south of Chamonix is Les Gaillands, a small lake and what may be the world’s busiest climbing crag. We start at the parking lot, which is reachable by bus, train or in 15 minutes on foot from …
Torino Hut Double VK ⇑
Courmayeur Torino Hut Double VK ⇑Let’s be honest, there’s pretty much no running involved→ 8km↑ 2100mΔ 3375M♦ Medium ⇑ EasyΘ Point to PointIf you like hiking uphill directly under a perfectly useful lift, then this is the run for you. The appeal: it’s somewhat rare to find a trail that goes up 2000 uninterrupted meters. This one’s all about the …
Courmayeur Pointe des Charmonts
Courmayeur Pointe des CharmontsPossibly our favorite run anywhere in the Alps. It’s that good.→ 22km↑ 1500mΔ 2962M♦ MediumΘ CCWAfter 110 runs added to this site, this may be the very best, certainly in the top 5. That’s saying a lot in the company it keeps; The Mettelhorn, Hardergrat, and Val Müstair to name a few of the other contenders. In …
3
Courmayeur Tête de la Tronche
Courmayeur Tête de la TroncheOne of the most beautiful trails in the Alps happens to be perfect running→ 22km↑ 1400mΔ 2584M♦ MediumΘ CCWWe’ll share a little secret… the Tour du Mont Blanc is not that great of a trail. There, we said it. It has the name, the race, the whole circle-the-highest-mountain in the Alps thing, but really, overall, you …
2
Aiguille du Belvédère ⇑
Chamonix Aiguille du Belvédère ⇑Combining a run with a climb of the Aiguille du Belvédère’s south ridge→ 16.5km↑ 1800mΔ 2965M♦ DifficultΘ Point to pointChamonix’s Aiguille du Belvédère run has it all, and it gets you to the high point of the Aiguilles Rouges at 2965 meters. It combines a steep trail ascent from Argentière with a short wander through the …
Chamonix High Traverse
Chamonix High TraverseAKA “The Conga Line,” this route includes some of the most iconic Chamonix views. It also includes the masses.→ ~17km↑ ~2000mΔ 2500M ♦ DifficultΘ Point to pointThe Chamonix High Traverse trail running route follows the highest trails along the Aiguilles Rouges side of the Chamonix Valley, from the Col des Montets to the Brevent top station directly above Chamonix. …
1
Chamonix Grand Balcon Sud
The Grand Balcon SudA must do running traverse linking the two primary lift stations→ 18km↑ ~1200mΔ 2070M ♦ MediumΘ CWA slightly higher, harder version of the Sentier des Gardes loop, the Grand Balcon Sud goes a bit higher before a long descent full of running. Beginning at the Chamonix church, the loop first climbs the descent for our Chamonix VK loop …