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Self-guided
trail running 2025
Alpine
trail running and famous ultra-trail
race recces    |
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Trip overview
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As
well as offering a wide range of guided
trail running, there is a rapid growth
in self-guided trail running, for those
wishing to navigate themselves along
the trails at their own speed. We offer
self-guided trail race recces for the
most famous running events in the Mont
Blanc massif. |
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Currently
we offer self-guided race recces for
the following events; UTMB, TDS, CCC,
OCC, 80km du Mont Blanc, and Marathon
du Mont Blanc. We provide a detailed
race notes 'road book', a GPX file for
GPS units, a map, accommodation booking(s)
in your name, baggage storage, logistics
support, and a briefing from one of
our trail running guiding team in Chamonix. |
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The
days are planned to run between a half
marathon and marathon distance each
day in the mountains, so these trips
are physically demanding, and are designed
for those with the pre-requisite experience
for one of the events whose route they
are recce'ing. |
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If
you've got any queries about these trips,
then please get in touch, and speak
with one of our team who actually have
done all of these races. There's not
many companies who have staff on their
team, who can promote that - in fact
we can't think of any others at all. |
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Dates: Our
itinerary can start on any day that
you choose, so decide what day you would
like to start your trek, and get in
touch with us by e-mail. We upload a
private self-guided trip onto our booking
system, and then you can book and pay
securely online. You receive an immediate
e-confirmation and kit list. You receive
your trip detailed itinerary and route
notes etc in Chamonix at the briefing. |
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Brief
trip itineraries
The
list below shows the race recces that we currently
offer a self-guided option for. We have developed
this list over the years, to cater for the growing
demand. If there's an Alpine trail running race
that isn't featured below, the chances are that
it's been organised before as a bespoke trip, and
we can make it happen, so get in touch. These are
the most popular self-guided trail running recces...
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UTMB:
Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
Duration:
6 days, with 4 days running
Price: £249 for 1-3 people, £299 for 4-6 people, £349 for 7-9 people
Accommodation: 3 nights on route,
with 2 nights in Chamonix (1 at either end)
Route: run the full UTMB, stating
from Chamonix, via St Gervais, Contamines,
Chapieux, Courmayeur, Arnuva, Fouly, Champex,
Trient, Tseppes, Vallorcine, Flegere, Chamonix.
Day 1 -
Travel to Chamonix to arrive for full briefings
on kit and huts. Night spent in Chamonix.
Day 2 - D+ 1577m, D- 1434m, 31.5km.
Start in Chamonix, and run to Les Houches,
then ascend Col de Voza, and down to Saint
Gervais, then river tracks to reach Contamines.
Day 3 - D+ 2387m, D- 2755m, 46.9km.
Run up Col Bonhomme & descend to Chapieux.
Then over Col de la Seigne, down to Combal,
before the last climb to Checroui, and the
steep descent into Courmayeur.
Day 4 - D+ 3247m, D- 2928m, 41.7km.
Ascend to Bertoni and Mont Saxe to Bonatti,
over Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland,
via La Fouly and Issert, then up to Champex.
Day 5 - D+ 2559m, D- 2653m, 42.9km.
Ascend to Bovine, down to Trient, then over
Col de Balme, down to Vallorcine, up to
Tete aux Vents, then descend from Flegere
to Chamonix.
Day 6 - Breakfast & depart |
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TDS:
Traces des Ducs du Savoie
Duration:
5 days, with 3 days running
Price: £249 for 1-3 people, £299 for 4-6 people, £349 for 7-9 people
Accommodation: 2 nights on route, with
2 nights in Chamonix (1 at either end)
Route: run from Courmayeur, via the
Petite St Bernard pass to Bourg St Maurice,
then over the mountains to Cormet de Roselend,
Les Contamines, Col de Tricot, and Chamonix. |
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CCC:
Courmayeur, Champex, Chamonix
Option
1 - Express (c.50km / day)
Duration: 2 days, with 2 days running
Price: £199 for 1-6 people, £249 for 7+ people
Accommodation: 1 night on route, fly
in on Sat early AM and fly out on Sun evening
Route: run from Courmayeur, via Bonatti,
Grand Col Ferret, La Fouly, Champex, Bovine,
Trient, Tseppes, Vallorcine, Tete aux Vents,
Flegere, and Chamonix.
Option 2
- Leisurely (c.33km / day)
Duration: 5 days, with 3 days running
Price: £249 for 1-3 people, £299 for 4-6 people, £349 for 7-9 people
Accommodation: 2 nights on route, with
2 nights in Chamonix (1 at either end)
Route: run from Courmayeur, via Bonatti,
Grand Col Ferret, La Fouly, Champex, Bovine,
Trient, Tseppes, Vallorcine, Tete aux Vents,
Flegere, and Chamonix. |
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OCC:
Orsierres, Champex, Chamonix
Duration:
4 days, with 2 days running
Price: £199 for 1-6 people, £249 for 7+ people
Accommodation: 1 night on route, with
2 nights in Chamonix (1 at either end)
Route: run from Orsierres, via Champex,
Bovine, Trient, Tseppes, Vallorcine, Tete
aux Vents, Flegere, and Chamonix. |
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80km
du Mont Blanc,
Chamonix
Duration:
4 days, with 2 days running
Price: £199 for 1-6 people, £249 for 7+ people
Accommodation: 1 night on route, with
2 nights in Chamonix (1 at either end)
Route: run
from Chamonix, vie Le Brevent, Flegere, Col
des Montets, Le Buet, Tre les Eaux, Emosson,
Loriaz, Vallorcine, Posettes, Argentiere,
Montenvers,
and Chamonix. |
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Marathon
du Mont Blanc,
Chamonix
Duration:
4 days, with 2 days running
Price: £199 for 1-6 people, £249 for 7+ people
Accommodation: 1 night on route, with
2 nights in Chamonix (1 at either end)
Route: run
from Chamonix, via Argentiere, Montroc, Col
des Montets, Vallorcine, Posettes, Le Tour,
Tre le Champ, Flegere, Planpraz,
and Chamonix. |
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| ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions
dependant, so occasionaly we are forced to
alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable
alternatives are offered. Please use this
outline itinerary as a guide to the types
of route / activity that you will attempt. |
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Inclusions.
Please print out this whole page for
reference on your trip. |
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Booking
of the mountain hut and valley accommodation
in your name. |
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Local
information sheets, with details about
the region and key sights. |
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A new map of the region, for you to
keep even after your trek is finished. |
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Briefing
on arrival about the route and kit to
take, from a UIMLA guide. |
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The detailed Icicle route information
cards, so you know where to go. |
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Free
baggage storage in Chamonix, for the
days you are out trekking. |
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Language
cards with key phrases, so you can communicate
confidently. |
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24
hour in-resort emergency contact and
queries support throughout. |
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Emergency
procedure and mountain rescue card,
in case of an incident. |
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Discount
voucher for use in our Windermere store
/ online purchases. |
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Exclusions.
Travel to Chamonix, all accommodation
/ food / lodging costs (i.e. price of
the half board stay in mountain hut
or accommodation), activities &
travel insurance, equipment hire, all
other costs as required. |
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Bag drops.
Some locations can have bag drops, if pre-paid before travel. As an indication a Courmayeur bag drop (driver waits up to 30 mins for you to change items, then return with bags) is c. £120-150, depending on the likely traffic waits for the Mont Blanc toll tunnel. Other locations may be possible, but are more expensive. A separate bag drop at one time, and a collection on another time over 30 mins later or even another day, is two separate charged transfers. Contact us for a quote, and pre-pay for guaranteed bag drops if required. |
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Cost
notes. The accommodation in Chamonix
at either end of the trek can be in
accommodation of any style to suit your
budget, from youth hostel / gite to
a four star hotel. The cheapest accommodation
is c.£40 pppn for B&B, and
the more expensive hotels are c.£100
pppn. On the nights in mountain huts
you should budget for c.£40 pppn
for half board (evening meal and breakfast).
Packed lunches can be ordered in huts
for c.£5 per day. Cable cars,
buses and taxis are not required for
these itineraries, but if you choose
to use them, then you need to budget
accordingly. |
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Book early for 2025...
Bookings for 2024 are now closed. Alpine mountain hut spaces are very limited.
2025 treks - book before the 01/12/2024, to guarantee trip availability & these prices. |
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Current
course availability
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| Location
data for this trip |
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| The
meeting point for this trip is in the Chamonix valley
in the French Alps. |
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Time
Difference
GMT +1hr |
Local
Currency
€ Euros |
Travel
from UK
1hr flight |
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| Free
resources |
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FREE
Podcast
Getting into trail running...
Trail
running is a fastgrowing sport, and
this podcast explains what it involves,
how to get into it, and also goes through
all of the equipment that is required. |
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FREE
Resource
Alps
trail running kit list...
If you are planning on attending one
of our trail running courses, you can
see a kit check list of the clothing
and equipment that we recommend you
take. |
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| Suggested
reading and kit |
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| Why
choose our trips? |
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The
photo above sums it up. All of these finisher jackets
of the UTMB race series belong to our head running
leader. We genuinely think that there is no other
operator out there who is more credible! |
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There
are several other operators who also offer trail
running camps, and we aren't afraid to advertise
that fact. Please look at their itineraries to see
how they differ from ours. |
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We
don't offer talks from 'celebrity' runners, or go
in for the chardonnay in a hot tub 'lifestyle',
or quasi-scientific courses. Ours are run by people
who do it, not talk the talk. |
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The
effect on our prices is that we can offer you great
value. We genuinely believe that you'll spend more
time actually running and in the mountains on our
courses, than with anyone else. |
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Anyone
who is leading you will be a finisher of one of
the iconic trail races, such as the Ultra Trail
du Mont Blanc, Tor du Geants or Leadville or WS100. |
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Author
signed!
'Trail Running Chamonix &
the Mont Blanc region' link
...or the NEW book...
'Trail
and Fell Running in
the Lake District' buy
a copy
by Kingsley Jones. Cicerone
Press
£14.95 each |
 Each book has 40 trail running
routes, each with height profiles,
and full colour mapping
Features
how to adapt your
running in the mountains, and
an index of where to stay
Includes
famous races in each
region, e.g. UTMB, Langdale
Horseshoe and Chamonix VKM
To purchase
a copy, click
here |
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Icicle logo
is the registered trademark ® of Icicle Mountaineering|UK company 413 6635. VAT 770
137 933 |
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