Today you arrive in the world famous alpine town of Chamonix, in France. This evening your running guide will meet you at your hotel for dinner, to discuss the week ahead and answer any questions. You are here on holiday and it's our aim to show you the best of the Chamonix Valley.

The Valley of Chamonix has running trails at all altitudes and the Petit Balcon Nord and Sud, are located at the lowest elevation making this the perfect warm up day. The 'Petit Balcon' dates to the Victorian era, and history refers to it as being a 'balcony' walk, in other words it offers a wonderful balcony type trail with views of the mountains. Our day begins with a gentle start as we leave our hotel to run through this ancient mountain town. We soon pick up a lovely trail along the River Arve, taking us past the old village of Bois du Bouchet, and on to the hamlet of Les Tines, where traditional chalets add character to the day. Here we take a wide riverside trail through the pine and spruce forests that dominate the mountainsides, which takes us to the alpine ski village of Argentiere at 1250m. Here we will aim to have a coffee break while enjoying the scenery. Leaving Argentiere we complete our circuit by joining the Petit Balcon Nord, on the opposite side of the valley, and make our way back gently downhill towards Chamonix. We continue on excellent ‘balcony’ trails as the route picks up the Mont Blanc Marathon course and passes through the quiet village of Le Lavancher.

Today we head up high for close up views of two of the glaciers in the Mont Blanc Range, the 'Glacier des Bossons' and the 'Mer de Glace' or Sea of Ice. We begin with a steep climb that will test legs and lungs as we make our way above the treeline. Anyone wishing to miss the initial climb can join us on the high trail as the route is also accessible by taking the first stage up the famous Aiguilles du Midi cable car. Our ascent follows good trails through the pine forests to reach the perfectly situated Refuge Plan d'Aiguilles at 2200m. The gradient isn't steep, but a steady walking pace should be expected and the use of poles is recommended. As we gain height we see towers of ice through the trees, and the glacier itself. At the refuge we will stop for refreshments and a panoramic view below the summit of Mont Blanc. We now join the 'Grand Balcon Nord', the highest of the balcony trails, and run on an undulating path beneath granite rock spires. A rocky trail traverses for 6.5 km to reach the Signal Forbes viewpoint at 2198m. Here we have excellent views of the famous 'Drus' two immense rock towers, and we witness our second glacier, the largest in France the Mer de Glace. Our trail then drops down to meet the historic rack and pinion Montenvers Train. If you want to save your knees taking the train is the perfect way to return to Chamonix. Otherwise after a stop for refreshments this is where we begin a superb 870m switch-back descent through the pine forest to the valley floor.

We let the train take the strain today as our day begins with a ride on the picturesque Mont Blanc Express train to the neighbouring valley of Vallorcine which is close to the Swiss frontier. Vallorcine, which means the 'Valley of the Bears', is a wide valley scattered with traditional farm buildings and cattle grazing in lush alpine meadows. We then leave Vallorcine on another stretch of trail which features in both the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc and the Mont Blanc Marathon. Following the line of the river to Le Buet the trail winds its way through the pastures. We leave the main valley and climb for a short section through the hamlet of Le Lay to enter the quiet Vallon de Berard. Accessible only on foot our path soon reaches an impressive waterfall where it feels like we have entered another world. The trail continues close to the river and then heads upwards via several summer meadows known as 'alpages'. We continue to climb through the forests before arriving at the high alpage and Refuge Loriaz. These meadows are where the herds graze to a chorus of cow bells during the summer months. We can enjoy a coffee and cake at the old farm buildings with views to Mont Blanc and the Swiss Alps. We descend from the refuge through the lush meadows to pick up a superb single track trail which leads leads us back down to the valley floor.

Our final 'must do' Chamonix trail is to summit the 'Aiguillette des Houches' and 'Brevent' peaks. Perfectly positioned these peaks offer the best views of the Mont Blanc Massif. As we steadily leave the valley behind us and the summits get ever closer our efforts are rewarded round every corner. We pass the quintessential chalets of Plan de la Cry, then reach the Chalets de Challioux where it almost feels like you can touch the glaciers. After a break our trail continues on a smaller mountain path up one more level to reach our first summit, the Aiguillette des Houches at 2285m. With panoramic views it is without doubt one of the perfect picnic spots. We are now following an undulating ridge-line which leads us down to the Refuge Bellachat at 2152m for fine views of the three 'Monts'; Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit and Mont Blanc. From the refuge we have one final climb to reach our second summit. The trail moves onto rocky terrain as we pass the Lac de Brevent to reach the Brevent summit at 2525m for an unrivalled panorama. The Brevent is a rocky peak within the Aiguilles Rouge mountain range which is popular with rock climbers, and hikers. In 1930 the town council put in one of France's first cable cars here enabling tourist access to this exceptional vantage point. For those who would like to save their knees it's possible to take the cable car part or all the way down to the valley floor. From the summit our trail descends gradually first along the ridge passing the Clocher de Brévent before picking up switch-backs to reach Plan Praz mid station. We soon reach the pine forests as we wind our way back to the valley floor.

Today is departure day and the trip finishes after breakfast.