Mountain Adventure Holidays
Our carefully designed trail running camp is based in Chamonix, the heart of the French Alps. Expert coaches and beautiful trails where you will not only have fun with like-minded people, but also learn a lot!
We base this week in what is now seen as the 'running capital of the world', Chamonix. Be inspired mountain views as you run sections of the 'Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc' and the 'Marathon du Mont Blanc'.
Our comprehensive week of trail running and education so that you can go home feeling, fit confident and informed about running in the mountains. The skills learned on this week will not only improve your road or trail running performance, but can also be converted to many other adventure sports.
Enjoy a supportive and relaxed environment in which to improve your technique. Our trail camp is suited to regular runners who love the freedom of getting out and exploring new places. If you can comfortably run for 1 hour 30 or 15kms (9.5 miles) and are looking to develop your mountain running experience and skills then this trail camp is for you.
Running with nature can add many new dimensions both to your health, mind and other sports. Getting off the beaten track and varying your training can help prevent injuries, improve your strength and fitness and provide an easy way to explore the great outdoors. Join us for a week of running trails whilst surrounded by awe-inspiring views, glaciated peaks.
Today you arrive in the world famous alpine town of Chamonix, in France. In recent years Chamonix has earned a place on the world trail running circuit through various events the most famous of which is the week-long Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc®. This evening your running guide will meet you at your hotel for dinner, at approximately 1800 hrs, to discuss the week ahead and answer any questions. You are here on holiday and it's our aim to show you the best of Chamonix Valley!
The hotel can organise massages during your week, but we would advise booking as soon after your arrival as possible.
Our week long camp is a trail runners dream holiday. Spectacular scenery of snowy peaks, glaciers and granite spires. Experience a journey of discovery on foot which takes in the history, culture, folklore and wildlife of the mountains. From remote farms and refuges, to ancient Roman towns and beautiful lakeside mountain villages - it's all here! At the end of each day relax and soak up the Alpine environment in our mountain hotel perfectly situated in Chamonix town centre.
Each day of the camp is designed to improve your form, confidence and efficiency to run in the mountains whilst exploring and having fun along the way.
Morning: After a discussion on suitable trail running kit and clothing enjoy a warm up run from the hotel door. We aim to run the Chamonix 10 km trail race course. This perfect first run is a favourite with the locals and offers a little bit of everything. Wide open trails which wind their way along the valley floor and through shady woodland by the River Arve. This perfect acclimitisation run orientates visitors to the valleys whilst offering panoramic views along the way.
Ascent: 350m (1148ft) Descent: 350m (1148ft) Distance: approximately 10km (6.2 miles)
Lunch will be in Chamonix
Afternoon: A practical 'prehab' session with Chamonix's top Physiotherapist - Neil Maclean-Martin. Our RUN FIT balance, core and strength session can be adapted to be done anywhere at anytime making it the perfect cross training for busy runners who can't access the mountain trails as often as they'd like. Use running drills and strength and mobility exercises to keep you injury free on the trails and in training.
Return to the hotel to enjoy the pool and spa.
On our run today you will be joined by Rebecca Dent our expert on 'Nutrition for Runners'. Have a race to run? A new training programme? Want to be able to put in more effort in those training sessions? Or strive to reach your full fitness potential? After our run today Rebecca will offer clear practical advice on the following:-
We start today with an introduction to trail run route planning and mapping runs. Then leaving our hotel we take a short transfer to the start of today's route, a Chamonix 'must do' trail is to summit the 'Aiguillette des Houches'. Arguably this peak offers the best views of the Mont Blanc Massif. Starting from the characterful hamlet of Le Bettey we first pass ancient houses, and up through forests of pine and spruce to reach the Chalets de Challioux, where on the other side of the valley it almost feels like you can touch the glaciers! After a break our trail continues on a smaller mountain path up one more level to reach the Aiguillette des Houches at 2285m (7494ft). With panoramic views it is without doubt one of the perfect picnic spots. We are now following an undulating ridge-line which leads us down to the Refuge Bellachat at 2152m (7058ft) for fine views of the three 'Monts'; Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit and Mont Blanc. We return back to Le Bettey in a full circle passing the quintessential chalets of Plan de la Cry.
Ascent: 958m (3143ft) Descent: 959m (3146ft) Distance: 13km (8 miles)
Running from our hotel door, first on good trails over rocks through the forest and up to high mountain meadows where the alpine flowers grow. Our focus today will be how to achieve a Vertical Kilometre! For many runners both local and visitors to the valley the 'Vertical K' has become something of a legend. Being sure to take it steady and enjoying breaks along the way, we aim to stop for lunch at the top of this famous Chamonix climb. Our trail then travels along a beautiful single track trail on what is known as the 'Grand Balcon Sud' and a section of the Mont Blanc Marathon route. With the help of some handy exercises, we explore climbing and descending over a variety of terrain; rolling, rocky, steep and steady. The views of the Chamonix peaks and glaciers are simply awe-inspiring. We run on to reach La Flegere where we begin our descent on superb switch back trails first above the treeline and then back into the cool of the forest. On our way we have to stop for refreshments at Chalet La Floria. This perfectly located 'buvette' is only open in the summer and offers coffee & crepes in the most idyllic setting - a must do for any hiker or runner! Then it's back down to the valley floor, along the river to our hotel and the hustle and bustle of Chamonix town centre.
Ascent: 1150m (3772ft) Descent: 1270m (4166ft) Distance: 16km (10 miles)
This day can be shortened at two points including two optional cable car descents.
We complete the day with a yoga inspired 'deep stretch' aimed specifically at runners. Delivered by trail runner/personal trainer, Steph Lightfoot, who is passionate about both running and injury prevention. This hour long, relaxing session will leave you feeling longer, leaner and better balanced. With a range of gentle flow and deep stretches designed specifically to target the most common muscles aches and imbalances that runners experience.
Morning: We start today with practical navigation session and introduction to basic compass work. We then put it into action on a professional orienteering course in the undulating woodland of Chamonix Les Bois. Orienteering is the sport of navigation designed for walkers or runners and helps to improve navigation. Gain simple tips so that you feel confident in following easy trails and finding common features on maps both walking and running.
After a coffee stop we commence today's run as we head towards the neighbouring village of Argentiere. Explore the lower balcony trails with excellent views of the Mont Blanc Massif from the sleepy village of Les Lavancher as we make our way. You will soon feel the grandure of the surrounding peaks as you pass the mighty Aiguilles Verte, Drus and Aiguilles Rouge as they line either side of the valley. On route we tackle some short hill climbs either with a steady hike or at a steady run pace. Try different techniques whilst developing confidence, overall 'form' and strength along the way. We stop for lunch in Argentiere. Choose to return by train or by trail back to the hotel.
Distance: 10km - 19km (6.2-11.8 miles). Max: Ascent: 350m (1312ft). Descent: 400m (1148ft)
Afternoon: Join Inez Elpers, ultra runner / qualified mental strength coach, talk on ‘Longevity in Running: Balancing Training and Avoiding Comparison’. Explore how to maintain balance, focus on personal growth, and avoid the pitfalls of constant comparison.
Our final day heads up close for views of two of the glaciers in the Mont Blanc Range, the 'Glacier des Bossons' and the 'Mer de Glace' or Sea of Ice. Our ascent follows good trails through the pine forests to reach the perfectly situated Refuge Plan d'Aiguilles at 2200m (7216ft). The gradient isn't steep, but a steady walking pace should be expected and the use of poles is recommended. As we gain height we see towers of ice through the trees, and the glacier itself. At the refuge we will stop for refreshments and a panoramic view below the summit of Mont Blanc which was also the setting for our short Trail Running Film.
We now join the 'Grand Balcon Nord', the highest of the balcony trails, and run on an undulating path beneath granite rock spires. A rocky trail traverses for 6.5 kilometres (4 miles) to reach the Signal Forbes viewpoint at 2198m (7209ft). Here we have excellent views of the famous 'Drus' two immense rock towers, and we witness our second glacier, the largest in France the Mer de Glace.
Our trail then drops down to meet the historic rack and pinion Montenvers Train. If you want to save your knees taking the train is the perfect way to return to Chamonix. Otherwise after a stop for refreshments this is where we begin a superb 870m (2853ft) switch-back descent through the pine forest to the valley floor.
Ascent: 1300m (4264ft) Descent: 1420m (4657ft) Distance: 10km (6.2 miles), 16km (10 miles), 20km (12.5 miles)
This route allows for a longer or shorter day by taking the cable car or train to assist in the ascent or descent.
Your coach will spend time at the end of the afternoon giving advice and feedback for your future running adventures.
Today is departure day and the trip finishes after breakfast.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
Chamonix is a vibrant bustling town and offers a range of hotels. For this trip we will be staying at the 4* Hotel Le Refuge des Aiglons, but this does require early booking. It is centrally located offering superb views of Mont Blanc.
The hotel has 107 rooms, a spacious lounge, fitness studio, cocktail bar and restaurant that access the pool and terrace. After a day in the mountains hotel guests have free access to the Deep Nature Spa. Free slippers and bath robes are provided.
Chamonix, France is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
If travelling by train we recommend booking through RailEurope or Trainline. The most direct route is taking the Eurostar to Gare de Nord and then use the TGV system via Gare de Lyon, Bellegarde Sur Valserine, St Gervais le Bains and finally to Chamonix Mont Blanc.
For coach travel we recommend using Flixbus. For more information on travelling by public transport, please see our travel blog.
If travelling by plane, Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1h15 by road which makes shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
A range of travel options to reach the Chamonix valley can be found on the Chamonix Tourist Office website.
Reaching Chamonix from Geneva airport is straightforward with many transfer companies operating this route throughout the day. Either consider a scheduled bus which will drop you at Chamonix Sud Bus Station, such as easybus.com, or use a private transfer company such as Haute Transfer, or Mountain Drop-Offs which will drop you at your accommodation. If booking with Mountain Drop-Offs you receive a small discount on the route by using our company code of TAT01. This code only applies to transfers in ’normal’ working hours. It does not apply to early morning, or late evening transfers.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Mountain Rescue Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
COVID-19 Insurance
As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.
Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it’s important to have the right equipment and clothing. We believe our kit lists cover the necessary items required relating to the weather you might encounter and for the accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
Clothing
You must be able to cover yourself with 3 full layers on your upper body and 2 full layers on your legs
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
We suggest you look at the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc website, 'Runners' section for further advice on:
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £600.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your trail running guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. For our trail running trips we employ International Mountain Leaders who have a particular passion for trail running. Many of our trail running guides have competed in mountain marathons, and ultra marathons in the European Alps and further afield.
Any extra classes/sessions, such as yoga, will be run by appropriately qualified professionals.
You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you will find that those listed below cover the route:
IGN 89025: Tour du Mont Blanc 1:50,000
or
IGN 3630 OT: Chamonix Massif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000
IGN 3531 ET: St Gervais-les-Bains Massif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
We encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for traditional food and where the menu reflects the best that the region provides.
The hotels to there best to accommodate the dietary needs of our guest . If you are vegetarian this is not a problem as the hotel is used to being asked for vegetarian meals. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance which will make you ill then the accommodation will cater for this as best they can but we would ask that you make it clear on your booking form of any food intolerance so that we can discuss your needs with the hotel at the earliest point possible. When using remote mountain huts the staff are usually able to offer breakfast and dinner which meet with the clients needs. Packed lunches can be more problematic and so we do suggest that, if you do have a specific dietary requirement, you bring a range of suitable snacks to supplement the lunches. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 14 Jun - Sat 21 Jun Code: ATR1 |
Price: £1795 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 19 Jul - Sat 26 Jul Code: ATR2 |
Price: £1795 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1795 |
| Holiday Type | Low Impact |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2525m / 8284ft |
| Countries Visited | France |
| Meet In | Chamonix, France |
