A Collection of the Best Trail Runs in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc may well be the center of the trail running universe. Where else will you cross paths with dozens, maybe even hundreds, of other runners while on your daily mission, and not just on trails, but in town?
Long considered the ultimate alpine climbing playground, Chamonix fills each summer with climbers looking to do everything from hard mixed climbs, long rock routes, classic mountaineering and of course the prize tick for many, Mont Blanc. The highest point in the Alps conveniently soars right from town. But with the massive popularity, and success, of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), now trail running’s biggest party, came a spotlight on the valley and surrounding mountains as a playground not just for climbers, but for trail runners. Times have changed.
Chamonix is loaded with trails and views, hit the right combination and you’ll understand Chamonix’s title of, not just the Alps’, but the World's Trail Running Mecca.
Our Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Trail Running Guide's collection of runs will keep you on some of the best trails, with the most stunning views, and going in the right direction to best compliment the route. If your time is limited, you’ll want to experience what Chamonix is famous for. These are the routes that'll keep you stoked and planning to come back for more.
ROUTES
Get the Chamonix Collection
Heading to Chamonix? This collection includes runs that will keep you plenty busy from town on the classic tours, lesser known gems, a peak run, a hut high on Mont Blanc, and even options in Courmayeur, Italy.
Runs included: Albert Premier, Tête Rousse Hut, Sentier des Gardes, Rocher des Mottets, Mont Buet, Pointe de Lapaz, La Jonction, Gare des Glaciers, Tête de la Tronche, Col de Balme, Chamonix VK, High Traverse, Grand Balcon Sud, Grand Balcon Nord, Aiguille du Belvédère, Pointe Ronde, Pointe des Charmonts, Torino Hut Double VK, Pèclerey, Emosson - Loriaz, Dérochoir. *Does not include the Glacier Haute Route.
Detailed GPX Tracks
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CHAMONIX TRAIL RUNNING: WHAT TO EXPECT
For visiting runners, there is one immediate issue to deal with; vertical, in massive quantities. It’s pretty common for visiting American runners to go through a break in period. Many of the classic runs we present have 1200 meter approaches just to get to the running. Be ready to grind and then still have enough in you for the run, and of course, the descent of it all.
There is some helpful news. The lift system can carry you up or down many of the best trails, eliminating what your legs are in protest of.
In addition, there is good bus service and a valley train line that helps access some of the runs further from town, like Tête Rousse, Mont Buet, Courmayeur and Le Tour.
This guide assumes you do not have a car and will be using public transportation.
SEASONS
The running season is relatively short, mid June until around the end of October. And of course all this is subject to the previous winter’s snowpack, weather, and increasing effects of climate change.
June can be rainy. July through the end of September is peak summer season which includes some hot days, some rainy days and lots of sunny mornings turning to afternoon thunderstorms.
October is stellar if you hit it right and November is probably a good time to be anywhere but Chamonix.
Late August is also UTMB season, which means the town is literally packed full of runners and gawkers. If you’re into it, great. If you aren’t, steer clear.
WHERE TO BASE YOURSELF
While preparing yourself for a stay in the Chamonix-Mont Blanc Valley, you'll need to make a key decision about where to stay. Being in town has the advantage of being able to walk everywhere and use the trams, train and bus lines. But, it is busy and if it's a quiet location you're seeking, you may need to get outside the town itself. The key is to be able to easily get back to town to use the services.
If you do decide to stay in town, remember, Chamonix is great for many things and one of them seems to be partying. The crowd that seeks a Chamonix party holiday isn't readily visible in the mountains but they are easily audible in the night, more so in the pre-dawn hours. Where you stay might well determine how well you sleep and how sane you remain.
Every search of Chamonix flat rentals will likely result in a lot of decent looking photos, at affordable rates, right in the middle of town. While this may be true, it doesn't reveal what you may have to endure. The most notorious area in town for this is Chamonix Sud, specifically the blocks of big, ugly flats west of the Aiguille du Midi Station and immediately north of the Chamonix main bus terminal. Somehow, the flats in these photos all seem much larger, much nicer, and much more desirable than what they turn out to be. While there are some truly good ones, you never know what you're going to unlock the door to discover, or what will be going on outside your window when the sun is long down.
The flats, like so many homes in France, are tiny. Hilariously so. Doors rarely open all the way because they hit something. We once had a bathroom so small the door, which swung inward, wouldn't close while you were on the toilet. Knee space is just a fact of what we have to do. When you needed to exit you had three options; stand on the toilet to get the door open more, widen your stance and carefully back over the toilet, or what we opted to do, step into the tub to get entirely out of the way.
In the parking garage (Pro-Tip: do whatever it takes to NOT have a car in Chamonix), it was impossible to open your doors and leave the car. Instead, you had to crawl through the car and out the hatchback. All of this was made more difficult because we hadn't slept in days.
The problem is, Cham(onix) Sud is a great location and probably right where anyone wanting to stay in town will want to be. Read reviews of where you intend to stay, especially in Cham Sud. Some are similar to my stories, some so much worse. All funny, later.
You may also consider moving just outside Chamonix and taking advantage of the bus and train lines. Consider Les Praz, Les Tines, and even as far as Argentière.
ORIENTATION: CHAMONIX GEOGRAPHY
The town of Chamonix sits at 1050 meters in a narrow valley. Immediately south, and rising directly above town is the highest point in the Alps, Mont Blanc (4810 meters). The relief is extraordinary and part of what makes first time visitor's knees buckle. For Americans, unfamiliar with the far superior metric system, that equates to 12,336 feet of steep granite and ice relief.
But, that’s not all. To the east, and truly rising above town is the sharply pointed skyline of the Aiguille de Chamonix including the cable car accessible Aiguille de Midi at 3842 meters. That’s 9160 feet of vertical relief, still plenty to keep the knees wobbly.
Finally, to the north and west stretches a wholly different view, Brevent and Aiguille Rouges which barely quake the knees topping out at just 2965 meters.
These big mountain views include glaciers, seracs, crevasse zones, needley spires, lush green hillsides, ice domes, razor edged ridgelines, and all the activities going on, above and through them: paragliding, alpinism, rock climbing, ice climbing, speed flying, base jumping, mountain biking, hiking, and yes, what you landed here for, trail running.
THE BALCONS
On both sides of the Chamonix Valley are two trail traverses known as the Grand Balcons, the Nord and the Sud. Understanding which is which is not exactly intuitive, kind of like French websites. The more southerly of the two is the Nord while the northerly situated one is the Sud. Apparently they are named after which direction they face, which is actually more east and west. Don't worry, you'll figure it out when you're there. All you really need to know is that the one on the Aiguille de Chamonix / Mont Blanc side is the Nord and the Aiguille Rouge side is the Sud.
These two Balcon Trails, and the network of trails getting to them, is your primary playground from town.
GRAND BALCON SUD
While there are many trails at different elevations on the Balcon Sud hillside, the official Grand Balcon Sud Trail stretches from Col des Montets, passes by the scenic Lacs des Chéserys and Lac Blanc, and wanders through a whole lot of ski infrastructure until it hits the Planpraz lift station directly above Chamonix.
There is also a Petit Balcon Sud, which is much closer to the valley floor and only runs for a few kilometers directly above town. It is nearly 100% perfect running and serves as a commuter trail to access many connecting trails that go up.
On the Balcon Sud side of town, hitting the right trails is critical. It can be obnoxiously rocky, loose, overrun with herds of tourists poking along to the lakes, or among ski infrastructure.
That said, if it’s your first time to Chamonix, the Grand Balcon Sud is one of the most scenic runs with a whole lot of rock hopping and dodging.
Set across the valley from the Mont-Blanc massif, the Balcon Sud is home to many of the iconic Chamonix views and photos. It’s all spread out in front of you.
GRAND BALCON NORD
The Balcon Nord is much more manageable to navigate. Stretching between Montenvers and Refuge du Plan de L’Aiguille, the trail traverses beneath the Aiguille de Chamonix on a relatively flat terrace. Only four independent trails go from town up to the Balcon Nord, all of which require 1000+ meters of forest gain to reach the Balcon Nord. Overall, the Nord side trails are still mostly singletrack and there is zero ski infrastructure.
Once you’ve put the abundant vertical work in, you’re rewarded with a traverse of the Balcon Nord which passes directly beneath the towering granite spires of the Aiguille de Chamonix. If you’re seeking more vert, pay close attention along the route for climber trails wandering off and above the Balcon trail. While mostly out and backs, these are well worth exploring as they get you very close to the true alpine terrain. If you do venture up, be cautious of getting too close to the walls as rockfall is a major concern.
Our Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Trail Running Guide includes a couple of loop options on the Balcon Nord side with important directions to keep you on the rockier ups and the smoother downs.
Leave town early and time your arrival for the opening at either Montenvers, the Midi mid-station, or the Refuge du Plan de L’Aiguille. Order a coffee and a croissant and take it all in, you’ll likely be alone.
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EXPERIENCE CHAMONIX
Visiting Chamonix and spending long days on trails is fantastic, but Chamonix has so much more to experience. If you’re also a climber, FOMO is going to hit hard, plan accordingly. At the minimum, ride the Midi to the top and do the Arete des Cosmique. Get yourself up Mont Blanc, take a walk on the Mer de Glace, spend the night in a high mountain hut, and for sure try to determine which bakery is your favorite, by trying them all. Chamonix is incredibly fun, dive in.
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