The High Trail Runs of Chamonix

A selection of runs taking you high above Chamonix, next to glaciers, and into wild valleys.

Run The Alps

Images

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Heading over the Col du Brévent towards the Rochers des Fiz

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Running into the Diosaz Valley

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Moving on from a stop at Refuge du Moëde Anterne

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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The Aiguilles Rouges, with Mont Blanc in the background

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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At the Col du Salenton - the summit of Mont Buet visible in the background to the right

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Running up above Parc Merlet

by Dan Fitzgerald

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Almost at the café stop

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Above Chalet de Chailloux, opposite the Mont Blanc massif

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Flowing traverse towards Brévent

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Climbing up towards Brévent

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Running up through forest from Les Bossons

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Near the Bec du Corbeau - the Taconnaz glacier in the background

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Close to the Bossons glacier

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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The boulder field near La Jonction

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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La Jonction

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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A flowing section on the Grand Balcon Nord with the Gouter ridge of Mont Blanc making up the skyline

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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The Granite-strewn Grand Balcon Nord

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Nearing Le Signal, with the Chamonix valley below

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Approaching Le Signal with Les Drus up ahead

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Looking across to Les Drus

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Running down to the Mer de Glace

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Coming out of the trees on the climb up from Montroc

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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On the Posettes Ridgeline, the Aiguille Verte in the background

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Running towards the Col de Balme

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Approaching the Col de Balme

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Nearing the summit of the Aiguillette des Posettes

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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On the Posettes Ridgeline

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Towards the top of the high traverse, opposite of the Argentière glacier.

by Sam Hill

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Climbing up steeply opposite the Le Tour glacier

by Sam Hill

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Looking down to Chamonix, having left Lac Blanc

by Sam Hill

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At Lac Blanc

by Sam Hill

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Steps up to Lac Blanc

by Sam Hill

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Heading over the Col du Brévent towards the Rochers des Fiz

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Running into the Diosaz Valley

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Moving on from a stop at Refuge du Moëde Anterne

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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The Aiguilles Rouges, with Mont Blanc in the background

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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At the Col du Salenton - the summit of Mont Buet visible in the background to the right

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Running up above Parc Merlet

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Just above the tree line, traversing to Chalet de Chailloux

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Almost at the café stop

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Above Chalet de Chailloux, opposite the Mont Blanc massif

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Flowing traverse from Aiguillette des Houches towards Brévent

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Climbing up towards Brévent

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Running up through forest from Les Bossons

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Near the Bec du Corbeau - the Taconnaz glacier in the background

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Close to the Bossons glacier

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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The boulder field near La Jonction

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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La Jonction

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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A flowing section on the Grand Balcon Nord with the Gouter ridge of Mont Blanc making up the skyline

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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The Granite-strewn Grand Balcon Nord

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Nearing Le Signal, with the Chamonix valley below

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Approaching Le Signal with Les Drus up ahead

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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ooking across to Les Drus

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Running down to the Mer de Glace

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Coming out of the trees on the climb up from Montroc

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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On the Posettes ridgeline, the Aiguille Verte in the background

by Daniel Fitzgerald

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Nearing the summit of the Aiguillette des Posettes

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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The Aiguillette des Posettes and the Le Tour glacier

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Running towards the Col de Balme

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Approaching the Col de Balme

by Daniel Fitzgerald

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Climbing up steeply opposite the Le Tour glacier

by Sam Hill

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Starting the high traverse, opposite of the Argentière glacier.

by Sam Hill

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On the steps up to Lac Blanc

by Sam Hill

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At Lac Blanc

by Sam Hill

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Looking down to Chamonix, on the descent from Lac Blanc

by Sam Hill

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Description

Chamonix is the world’s trail running epicenter. With hundreds of miles of world-class trail running, it’s a magnet for trail runners from around the world.

In this guidebook, we've rounded up the best routes up high around the valley—where you'll find the best views. You can run past glaciers, take a break at a mountain cafe, and in some cases, use the impressive cable cars and mountain trains to help with the ascent or descent.

Full directions and extra info for all the routes are available at https://runthealps.com

Adventures

La Jonction

A tough climb to the junction of two glaciers

Grand Balcon Sud

The premier balcony trail of the region with sensational views of the Mont Blanc range.