Travel by foot from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland while trail running the legendary Haute Route and combine some of the most epic mountain running (aka lots of power hiking!) that you can experience in the Alps. Starting with views of Mount Blanc and ending with views of the Matterhorn in Zermatt, this trail covers almost 130 miles with just over 40,000 feet of elevation gain in 9 days (7 days on the trail with 6 days of running and one rest day). You'll enjoy a good meal, hot shower and comfortable bed each night staying in a mixture of towns with comfortable hotels, and the occasional incredibly scenic mountain-top hut before starting out for long and challenging days on the trail. Your professional and experienced local mountain trail running guide will show you the highlights of this region on this guided trail running vacation. If you're looking for a step up from the Tour du Mont Blanc in terms of intensity, this trip is for you. This is one of our most adventurous trips for experienced runners and is truly an adventure of a lifetime!
Trip Difficulty: Full Send (click to learn more about trip difficulty levels). This is for experienced runners or trail runners and includes an estimated time of 7-10 hours per day on trails for 6 days with one rest day in the middle. You will cover 17-23 miles per day with 6,000-8,000 feet of elevation gain/loss per day.
This trip requires a minimum of 8 to run. Please do not purchase flights until confirming with retreat organizer. This trip can also be requested on a custom basis with a group of 4 or more.
Accommodation for 9 days, 8 nights (double accommodation in private hotel rooms and communal dorms in mountain huts-*depending on availability, but most likely 7 nights in hotels and one night in a mountain hut*)
Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations
A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants with experienced and professional trail running mountain guide who will adapt the route due to weather or trail conditions as necessary!
Breakfasts included each day and dinners where noted on detailed itinerary
Baggage transfer from Chamonix to Zermatt (otherwise this route is a fastpacking adventure)!
Trip packet with detailed itinerary including packing lists, weather resources, and how to reach the start by public and private transportation
Access to a personal trip WhatsApp group and community
International airfare
Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day
Travel Insurance
Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)
Tourist tax to be paid in cash at accommodations (usually ~1 euro per person)
Passport:
Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.
Travel Insurance:
Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip.
Fitness/Pacing:
While there are guides to accommodate a variety of paces for attending runners, this trip requires participants to be able to run for in mountainous/high altitude climates for 7-10 hours per day and cover 105 miles in 5 days on the trail. This trip is for experienced runners and training for this trip is highly recommended. You can participate in the 12-week group training program designed specifically for this trip as a package add-on to ensure you're able to tackle the trails and get maximum enjoyment of this mountain running adventure!
Weather:
Although the weather in late summer is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.
Trip Difficulty: Full Send
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
How to Arrive to Chamonix: Chamonix, France is accessed by the international airport Geneva, Switzerland. You can arrive by bus, train, or door to door shared shuttle service. This trip ends in Zermatt, Switzerland. We expect participants to spend some time in Zermatt, Switzerland at the end of the trip, but it is also easy to travel back to Chamonix, France. You can reach Chamonix by car in 2.5-3h or by train in ~4 hours.
Our trip will start the evening of Day 1 with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! We recommend that you arrive in Chamonix early to adjust to the time change and explore the fabulous markets, trails, and atmosphere of Chamonix.
Double accommodation in 4-star hotel with breakfast included
Please note: meeting time on Day 1 will be sent out in the trip packet, but it is in the early evening