Day Hikes and Long Runs in Chamonix
Going for a long day hike or a long run in and around the Chamonix Valley will enable you to see more and reach places that are less frequently visited. This page features our favorite hiking and trail running trails that are at least 15 kilometers in length. If you are used to walking or running on the flat, then 15 kilometers might not seem like a lot but in our experience covering 15 kilometers in the mountains will quickly be a multi-hour endeavor. Especially if the vertical gain and loss are substantial. We present two ways of findings these trails. Below we feature some pictures of long trails. If you see one you like, then click on it and it will show you where the picture was taken and which trails pass by that location.
Longer Trails in and around Chamonix
We love longer trails. They offer an opportunity to truly explore the mountains and valleys in and around Chamonix and to go to the less crowded places. The lifts and trains in and around Chamonix make it easier to reach higher altitudes and see some of the most spectacular views that Chamonix has to offer but these lifts and trains do not run year round and they naturally attract the most people. The trails we hand-picked on this page are at least 15 kilometers in length. They may still use lifts and trains but many of them will start from the valley floor and will include quite a bit of vertical gain. If you want to further refine your search then you can use our Detailed Trail Search to search our full database on a wide range of parameters including length and duration.
A challenging route that takes you to the summit of Mont Buet at 3096m passing by the Refuge de Loriaz, the Col de la Terrasse and the Cheval Blanc
Length
Nearest Town
Starting Point
Route Type
23.31km / 14.48mi
Vallorcine
Le Buet Train Station
Loop
Elevation +
2048m / 6719ft
Elevation -
2048m / 6719ft
Technical
Hike Duration
Run Duration
8-13 Hours
5-8 Hours
Scenic Beauty
Length
Lake, Snack Bar, Refuge, Big Views
An amazing route that takes you deep into the nature reserve of Passy and the Vallon de Berard. There are no towns or paved roads in these valleys so its a pure natural experience.
Length
Nearest Town
Starting Point
Route Type
25.66km / 15.94mi
Vallorcine
Le Buet Train Station
Point to point
Elevation +
1489m / 4885ft
Elevation -
2105m / 6909ft
Technical
Hike Duration
Run Duration
7-11 Hours
4-6 Hours
Scenic Beauty
Length
Refuge, Snack Bar, Lake, Big Views, Waterfall
A well-known classic route for exploring the Fiz mountain range. The trail offers a nice variation in scenery with great views of the Mont Blanc and multiple valleys and well-known peaks.
Length
Nearest Town
Starting Point
Route Type
31.5km / 19.5mi
Servoz
Plaine Joux (Passy)
Loop
Elevation +
2076m / 6811ft
Elevation -
2076m / 6811ft
Technical
Hike Duration
Run Duration
9-14 Hours
5-7 Hours
Scenic Beauty
Length
Lake, Refuge, Snack Bar, Big Views, Waterfall
One of the classic routes in Chamonix which takes you to the junction where the glaciers of Bosson and Taconnaz split. Fantasic up-close views of Mont Blanc
Length
Nearest Town
Starting Point
Route Type
14.98km / 9.30mi
Chamonix
Les Bossons
Out and Back
Elevation +
1561m / 5121ft
Elevation -
1561m / 5121ft
Technical
Hike Duration
Run Duration
7-9 Hours
3-5 Hours
Scenic Beauty
Length
Snack Bar, Big Views, Glacier
A tough but beautiful trail that takes you from the Col des Montets upto Lac Blanc and from there you traverse the Aiguilles Rouges and visit Lacs Noirs and Lac Cornu
Length
Nearest Town
Starting Point
Route Type
16.45km / 10.22mi
Le Tour
Col des Montets
With Lift
Elevation +
1552m / 5091ft
Elevation -
1011m / 3320ft
Technical
Hike Duration
Run Duration
7-12 Hours
4-6 Hours
Scenic Beauty
Length
Refuge, Snack Bar, Lake, Big Views, With Lift
A long discovery loop trail between Vallorcine and Finhaut visiting 3 waterfalls, a spectacular view point and a number of other points of interest along the way
Length
Nearest Town
Starting Point
Route Type
20.13km / 12.5mi
Vallorcine
Vallorcine Train Station
Loop
Elevation +
1381m / 4530ft
Elevation -
1381m / 4530ft
Technical
Hike Duration
Run Duration
6-9 Hours
3-4.5 Hours
Scenic Beauty
Length
Waterfall, Dogs, Snack Bar, Lake
Exploration trail starting at Refuge de Doran and climbing over the Col de la Forclaz onto the Tete de Chateau before looping back via the Chalets de Vormy
Length
Nearest Town
Starting Point
Route Type
18.3km / 11.37mi
Sallanches
Burzier Parking
Loop
Elevation +
1545m / 5068ft
Elevation -
1545m / 5068ft
Technical
Hike Duration
Run Duration
6-10 Hours
3.5-5 Hours
Scenic Beauty
Length
Refuge, Big Views
The Best Trails in Chamonix in other categories
We have many other categories for our selection of the best hiking and trail running trails in Chamonix. Just like this list, all these categories feature hand-picked trails which we feel are the best for that specific category. Have a look at any of these to find your perfect trail.
Lastly, we also have a page that showcases all the trails in our database in text format. This enables you to quickly compare trails and order them by length, elevation gain, name and starting point.