The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/- 2500m approximately per day.
Running time: 7 to 9 hours per day.
Type of trek: ON THE TRAIL OF THE TOR DES GEANTS® is a mountain route presenting no particular technical difficulty but stages that are very (or too long) for most hikers.
This trip is aimed at a well trained public who regularly practice trail running.
You must be able to easily do 50km of trail running (in the plains) and have already experienced trails in the mountains.

ROAD BOOK

One month prior to departure, we will send you your travel documents.

The "paper" version we send by post:
- Tabacco maps
- 1 card holder.
- The list of accommodations.
- The GPX tracks by mail.

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in dormitory, in gites, refuges or in hotel.
All accommodation offer hot showers (included in the tour price)

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader.

Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3630 OT - Chamonix and Top 25 - 3531 ET - Saint Gervais (1/25 000)

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

The adventure starts at the La Visaille bus stop in Val Veny, Italy.
To reach this bus stop from Courmayeur: Free shuttle bus between Piazzale Monte Bianco and La Visaille (regular departures throughout the morning from June to September)
Every day during the summer, buses run between Chamonix and Courmayeur. A single ticket costs around €20 per person.
A pick-up service from Chamonix (return) can also be arranged on request. The price varies depending on the number of people travelling: 
- 2 participants = €125 per person
- 3 or 4 participants = €90 per person
- 5 or 6 participants = €70 per person

BY TRAIN / BUS
Departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Chamonix (oui.sncf ou sbb.ch/fr), then by bus to Courmayeur (SAT Mont Blanc)
Buses and trains serve the entire Chamonix valley (montblancbus.transdev.com/ligne/les-horaires-de-chamonix-bus/) as well as the Courmayeur valley (ARRIVA.it)

BY CAR      
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, then go through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to reach Courmayeur, or travel via Bourg-Saint-Maurice and the Petit Saint Bernard Pass.

If you would like to leave your car in a covered parking area (max. price: 20€/day) (info +39 0165 841612 – park@csc.vda.it ) :
- Piazzale Monte Bianco car park
- Viale Monte Bianco car park
- Tzan de Blà P3: strada Tzan de Blà

Free, unmonitored parking:
- Entrèves football stadium car park (Campo Sportivo) (bus stop right next to it to reach Courmayeur town centre), 2.5 km from the centre
- Piazzale Sogno car park (next to the Sogno Helipad - Helimontblanc) at the southern exit of Courmayeur, 1.5 km from the centre

Car parks in Chamonix : https://www.chamonix.com/infos-et-services/transports/parkings-tous

CAR-SHARING
Get in touch with people to share a lift!  www.blablacar.fr  www.laroueverte.com  www.roulezmalin.com

CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA) - Lyon (LYS) - Paris (PAR)

End point at 4:00pm at Cogne.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

Regular bus service between Cogne and Aosta, then Aosta, Courmayeur and Chamonix (SVAP and SAT routes)
Private coach transfer from Cogne to Courmayeur for stays including luggage transport.
For the optional pick-up at Chamonix SNCF station (return journey), the estimated return time is 6.00 pm / 6.30 pm.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Hôtel Maison Saint Jean**** - Courmayeur : +39 165 842880 / www.msj.it
Les Houches Hôtel St Antoine: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10 www.hotelsaintantoine.com
Hôtel les Campanules: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 71 www.hotel-campanules.com   
Le Tour Chalet Alpin: +33 (0)4 50 54 04 16
Chamonix Tourist Office : +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24 www.chamonix.com
If you book a night in the Chamonix valley, ask the hotel reception for a bus/train pass to use public transport for free in the Chamonix valley.     www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines

TO CONTACT US

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Trail shorts
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper and Gore-Tex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Gore-Tex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Running trail socks (1 pair per day)
• Running trail boots with a good sole, already broken in
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (2 litre minimum) (a filter flask can be very usefull)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable trail backpack of 15 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks. ON THE TRAIL OF THE TOR DES GEANTS® is a real trail adventure where you will also carry your essentials for 2 consecutive days (bag sheet, change of underwear, snacks for 2 days).

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily (except day 3) between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs!