Trail running Haute Route des Geants

7 days in the beautiful Valley of Aosta, partially on the trail of the famous Tor des Geants race, with Caroline, UIMLA certified mountain leader.

Group

Alps

3 Days

Apr - Nov

High

Intermediate

Description

This 7-day trail on the Haute Route des Geants takes over the first part of the mythical Tor des Geants path (330 km and 24000 meters of altitude change). Indeed, it's the longest endurance test mountain trail.

From the Courmayeur station at the foot of Mont Blanc until Cogne at the Gran Paradiso National Park you will thrive in magnificent landscapes of the high mountains through passes and valleys in the company of Jules-Henri, 2011 winner of Tor des Geants.

Enjoy exploring this region and the exceptional nature which composes it!

The advantages of this trail course are the following: – The presence of Jules-Henri, team SALOMON athlete – Part of the legendary route of Tor des Géants with one of its winners – The discovery of the Val d’Aoste with the Grand Paradis National Park – Professional advice to improve while having fun – Perfectly organized logistics: transfer, luggage transport, accommodation and meals – Running with a light bag

Our housing will be in cottages and hotels (accommodation in dormitories and shared rooms).

In the ‘extra’ section below, you’ll find information about the required trail running level you need to have. You will also see the equipment that you need to bring with you.

During these 7 days we will run on average 15-20km a day and go up from 1000 to 1500 meters. We will alternate between single tracks and large paths.

Do you find this 7-day trail course in Italy interesting? Then please contact me! We will discuss your level and the detailed program. Please note that I can not mix people for this course. But if you want to try it, you can come as a private group, with a minimum of 5 people!

If this tour does not suit you, I will present you other trail programs which I organize this year, in the Alps and elsewhere, for beginners and experienced trail runners, like this Trail running trip in Gran Paradiso. It will be a pleasure for me to take you through these beautiful mountain paths and coach you in your approach to trail.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Luggage transfer

Price details

Included:
. Transfers Chamonix > La Thuile and Donnas > Chamonix
Accommodation in gîtes (dormitories) and hotels (shared rooms)
1/2 board (dinner + breakfast)
Picnic lunches
Supervision by a qualified mountain leader
Luggage transport day after day
Not included:
Individual insurance
Food supplements (energy drink bars)
Personal expenses
Beverages during meals
Personal transfers in the event of interruption of the outing or stay

Itinerary

Day 1: Courmayeur - La Thuile

Meet in Chamonix, transfer to Courmayeur. This first stage will give us a great warm-up with the ascent of Col Chavanne.

Day 2: La Thuile - Planaval

The route begins with a beautiful climb to the Deffayes refuge, where we can magnificent waterfalls! The hut stands in front of the Rutor and the glaciers are all around us, a sign that we're entering the high mountains. One more effort and we reach the Passo Alto at 2857 meters of the mineral landscape. A beautiful descent follows. The terrain is technical but the views are splendid. The ascent to Col Crosatie at 2838 meters is made up of numerous hairpins, and the finish line is carved in stone. We do the final descent to the small Valdaostan village of Planaval. Last, we have dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Planaval - Rhèmes Notre Dame

We start the day with a gentle climb to the village of Valgrisenche. From the refuge, we follow the Alta Via path, and the window pass at 2840m marks the transition from one valley to another. Ibexes and lammergeiers and bearded vultures watch us, and after a fine technical descent, we've reached Rhèmes Notre Dame, the end of the day! Last, we have dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Rhèmes Notre Dame – Eaux Rousses

A slightly lighter stage for this 4th day, with just one pass separating us from the finish. The Entrelor pass is as beautiful as it is long: a superb stage that also allows us to after 3 intensive days. Then we have dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 5: Eaux Rousses - Cogne

We'll be climbing the "Giant of the Tor", Col Logon at 3296 meters. This stage in the heart of Gran Paradiso follows the hunting trails of King Victor-Emmanuel II's hunting trails. After the forest, we reach the world of stone right up there! The pass is set between two mountains, and the bluish rock It's time to head back down towards the posh resort of Cortina.

Day 6: Cogne - Champorcher

During this stage, we'll come across a series of high-altitude refuges before reaching Champorcher, a resort at the gateway to the Mont Avic Mont Avic regional nature park. Then we have dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Champorcher - Donnas

This is the last stage of our journey. Two climbs await us to Colle della Fricolla and then Colle Pousseuil. After one last look at the peaks, it's already time to head back down into the valley back to civilization! At the end of the day, we return to Chamonix by shuttle bus.

Details

More info

A minimum number of participants (defined in advance) is required for the departure to take place. If the number of participants is insufficient and the departure is cancelled, clients will be informed via a phone call at least a week prior to the scheduled departure date and will receive a complete refund.

Clients are required to have a multi-risk insurance, covering cancellation fees, rescue and accident, repatriation and baggage loss or theft.

(La Haute Route des Géants - Italie)

Initiation level:

Regular practice of running 3 times per week for 1-1:30hs
Occasional running practice in varied terrain or regular practice of mountain hiking

Equipment:

During the day: a light backpack with a waterproof jacket, a long sleeve warm fleece type, a survival blanket, a whistle, an individual pharmacy kit*, a cap or headband, a hat and thin gloves, sunglasses suitable for running, long tights if you are wearing shorts to run, cereal bars and energy drinks, a plastic bag for waste, biodegradable toilet paper, a headlamp, a minimum reserve water of 1.5L, an elastic strapping strip and some cash
To wear: running short, a short-sleeved t-shirt, running socks and already worn trail shoes
For the whole stay: spare clothes for 4 days, a personal hygiene kit, spare shoes, a spare water socket, spare batteries for the headlamp, a pair of spare laces, a pocketknife and earplugs
Recommended additional equipment: poles and camera

Individual pharmacy kit: anti-friction cream, sunscreen, double skin dressings, elastic band, paracetamol, anti-diarrheal, antiseptic and personal drugs

Meeting point

We will meet in front of the Chamonix train station.

Equipment you will need to bring

Equipment: What to bring for the day: - A light rucksack including - A waterproof jacket - A warm long-sleeved fleece top - Survival blanket and whistle - An individual first-aid kit - Cap or headband - Hat and thin gloves - Sunglasses suitable for running - Long tights if running shorts - Cereal bars and energy drink - Plastic bag for garbage - Biodegradable toilet paper - Headlamp - Minimum 1.5l water supply - Elastic strapping - A small amount of cash What to bring : - Running shorts - Short-sleeved t-shirt - A pair of running socks - Previously worn trail shoes For the whole stay : - Spare clothing for 3 days - Personal toiletries - Spare shoes - Spare water bottle - Earplugs or ear plugs - Floor mat (not compulsory) - Heart rate monitor (not mandatory) - Swimsuit Individual pharmacy: - Anti-chafing cream - Sun cream - Double-skin bandages - Elastic bandage - Paracetamol - Anti-diarrheal - Antiseptic - Personal medication Recommended additional equipment : - A pair of walking sticks - Camera

About the guide

-Caroline

4.9

(11)

Mountain Leader

I hold the State Certificate of Mountain Leader (UIMLA), Athlete of Team Garmin Adventure. I won many trail competitions such as Oxygen Challenge, The Glaciers Tour of Vanoise, Albertville Trail, Drayes Blanches of Vercors, the Frison Roche Beaufort, Run and skate of Chamonix… I have also some racing podiums such as the Saintélyon, the Lyon Urban Trail, the Causses Marathon, the Allobroges. I am an ex-sportswoman of high level in rowing (World Championships, World Cups, France Championships). I have a mastery STAPS (Sport) and BEES First degree in rowing. I organise and supervise many trail courses in the Alps with a pro team, a friends group with whom we have a mission: Run and enjoy! I invite you to contact me if you want to train and/or discover these incredible massifs.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

UIMLA

Request more information

What people are saying about -Caroline

J'ai eu l'opportunité de participer à deux stages, l'un dans le Cantal, l'autre à Chamonix. Un grand plaisir de partager une passion commune avec des participants très sympas de tous niveaux et de tous horizons. Caroline, une grande professionnelle de la montagne et du trail, n'a pas son pareil pour organiser ces rencontres, et tout cela dans une super ambiance et des paysages à couper le souffle.

J'ai fait deux stages avec Caro, c'est devenu une amie, et chacun de ces stages m'a laissé des souvenirs inoubliables. Le premier stage en 2014 en Haute Savoie à l'occasion du Trail du Gypaète. Le Deuxième stage en 2015, dans les Calanques de Marseille. Ces stages auront été parfaits à tous les niveaux: Paysages grandioses (on sent qu'ils ont été choisis avec soin), des échanges techniques avec des "pros" (un grand moment quand Caro inspecte les sacs à dos...), pleins de conseils nutrition - mode de vie etc... La découverte des autres stagiaires mais aussi des autres encadrants (très bon contact avec Guillaume Lenormand par ex.). Des conditions matérielles top (hébergement, repas, organisation etc...). Seule critique: le temps passe trop vite, c'est toujours trop court! Donc au final quand c'est fini, on n'a qu'une envie... c'est de repartir pour un autre stage! Et vu le nombre de personnes que l'on croise sur les stages qui en sont à leur n-ième participation, je peux affirmer que ce sentiment est partagé!

Pour moi le trail c'est avant tout la découverte de nouveaux territoires, les rencontres et les échanges avec d'autres passionnés, le respect de la nature. Mes 3 stages avec Caroline m'ont permis de retrouver ces fondamentaux dans un cadre toujours bon enfant, mais pas moins professionnel. Caroline est une passionnée de montagne et de tout ce qui y touche (sport, culture, gastronomie) et elle sait comme personne transmettre sa passion et ses bons conseils, toujours avec le sourire. Je garde un excellent souvenir des rencontres avec les autres stagiaires et mais aussi avec les autres encadrants, Guillaume, Seb, Cédric, Lydie et tant d'autres rencontrés au cours de ces stages.

James

Great experience, but definitely favored toward elite runners. One of our guides, JC, was amazing. He cared about every runner. The other guide seemed only to care for the elites (and himself). On top of Col des Montets, I asked if we had time to put on warm layers. The guide said "of course," but then quickly proceeded to run off with the entire group while I stood bare and freezing with my gear unpacked. Total lack of consideration for the well-being of his runners. Otherwise a great tour.

Christopher

Well organized tour of the TDS course. Amazing views await even if you’re not planning to run the race