CHAMONIX marathon guide
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Chamonix
Chamonix is a picturesque town located in the French Alps near the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland. It is renowned as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those interested in skiing, mountaineering, and other alpine activities. Known for its infamous Mont Blanc, Chamonix is often referred to as the "Gateway to Mont Blanc" the highest peak in the Alps and Western Europe. The Aiguille du Midi cable car offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
what to see
Just like its stunning natural surroundings, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley is magical yet authentic.
Drawn skywards by its iconic peaks and mountain ranges and edged by a river and its famous glaciers, Chamonix is a natural starting point for some incredible adventures.
Since the earliest days of mountaineering, pioneers have set off from here to conquer the summits and write Alpine history.
A world-famous, emblematic destination with a name that resonates in the heart of every mountain-lover and adventure-seeker. Whether you are looking to challenge yourself or to enjoy some rest and relaxation, Chamonix has so much to offer.
Chamonix Village
The village bustles with tourist shops, upscale boutiques, and gourmet restaurants. Dining options range from casual cafés and traditional brasseries to fancy gastronomic establishments. For an authentic experience, try the regional cuisine at a welcoming auberge or mountain refuge.
More Places to See
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Aiguille du Midi
Montenvers Railway and Mer de Glace
Les Grands Montets
Church of Saint Michel
Les Bossons Glacier
For Art
Musee des Cristaux
MAISON DE LA MÉMOIRE ET DU PATRIMOINE JANNY COUTTET
Musée Montagnard des Houches
For Music
La Folie Douce Chamonix
La Maison des Artistes
Chambre 9
where to run
“Starting from Les Gaillands we headed past the lake and the climbing wall to the start of the Promenade de l’Arve trail, taking a sharp right turn at the signpost pointing to Parc de Merlet. I’ve run as far as the park many times and it’s a nice little calf-burner for when you want to put yourself to the test on a short steep run. I’d never explored the trails beyond though, so I was excited to see where we would end up.
Under the cool shade of the pine trees we picked our way over the gnarled tree roots and around the rocks on a narrow zig-zag path that climbs 500m in about 4km, bringing you out at the entrance to an animal park where typical Alpine species roam in large enclosures. Keep your eyes open for marmots, bouquetin, chamois, red deer and even llamas!”
Our Top Pick ︎︎︎
Chalet de Chailloux
More Places
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Vaudagne - Les Houches
Les Chosalets - Le Lavancher - Alpage de la Pendant
Vallorcine - Les Mayens - les Parts
Servoz - Vaudagne - Les Houches
Tips from a pro :
“ For CCC, take it easy up the first climb to Rifugio Bertone. People pretend it's an uphill race at this point, but if you cannot consider running the last climb at a similar pace, it probably makes sense to slow down and thank me later.
The climb up to Grand Col Ferret is pretty hard, so once a long downhill shows up after it's possible to get a bit to excited. Run this section fast but controlled, you'll need your legs for another four climbs and descents after.
The final bigger climb from Col des Montets to Tete aux Vents might not seem very hard during a final training run before your race, but it's fairly technical once you get there in your race. I was cramping my way up it, and hope to arrive there with better legs at some point.”
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