Each year, the UTMB Mont-Blanc event brings together 10,000 runners and 2,300 volunteers over 7 events.
The original UTMB race, from Chamonix to Chamonix, is 171 km and 10,000 m of elevation gain, over 3 countries.
2300 runners took the start of the legendary event, which takes place from 23 to 29 August 2021. The best finish the race in less than 20 hours ... And the others must finish it in less than 46.30 hours.
Beyond a legendary race, the UTMB is also a declaration of love for the mountains and for the king of summits in particular.
The beauty of this immense massif can be admired in turn from France, Italy and Switzerland.
The proof in five steps.
To discover
Partner stay in Chamonix |
7 days |
in a luxury chalet at the foot of Mont-Blanc
Read alsoSummer in Savoie Mont-Blanc, between must-see sites and wild haunts
NOTRE-DAME DE LA GORGE IN CONTAMINES-MONTJOIE (FRANCE)
During the UTMB:
After the first hours of the race, it is here that the 2300 participants really leave the inhabited valleys to enter the preserved mountain kingdom and find themselves alone in front of themselves.
At sunset for the first ones and in the already dark night for the others, they arrive at the bottom of the Montjoie valley on a long flat path, bordered by the Bon Nant river.
At the end, the magnificent baroque Notre-Dame church lit up, the large bonfire and the public who come to give courage to those who rise, offer a very captivating atmosphere.
The procession of headlamps takes height and quickly, the runners will face one of the most difficult passes of the course: the Col du Bonhomme, located at 2329 m above sea level in the direction of Italy.
From June to October:
This unique site appeals to everyone, because it perfectly mixes cultural heritage and the gateway to the mineral mountain world.
The 4km educational trail from the village to this famous white church adorned with frescoes and gilding allows you to discover with peace the double heritage of the Haut-Savoyard village of Contamines-Montjoie.
Easy to access, it can be used even with a stroller!
Sharp hikers will see here a magnificent starting point for many routes, such as Lacs Jovet or the famous Col du Bonhomme, and an immersion in the highest nature reserve in France.
Information:
Les Contamines-Montjoie tourist office
Where to have a drink: Casa Roca
Epicurean approach and local products in the center of the village.
Casa Roca, 497 route de Notre Dame de la Gorge, 74170 Les Contamines-Montjoie.
Phone.
: 04 50 91 63 97.
See also Haute-Savoie: these family hotels to feel "at home"
LAKE COMBAL IN AOSTA VALLEY (ITALY)
Lake Combal in the Aosta Valley is a key location for UTMB runners who arrive here in the middle of their race.
Press photo
During the UTMB:
It is a key location for runners who arrive here in the middle of their race.
In the early morning, they crossed the Col de la Seigne and entered Italy into the magic of Val Veny.
The bodies and the spirits already suffer after a night of effort in the mountain, some give up, others pumped up by the encouragement continue their adventure.
After this long descent and crossing this magnificent plateau dominated by the Noire de Peuterey, a powerful granite pyramid, the trail runners are getting ready to set off again for 400 m of elevation gain on a balcony path then a huge descent to Courmayeur.
From June to October:
Here we are on the southern slope of Mont Blanc, on the Italian side, sunny, dry, and supplied with larches, purple fireweed and snowflakes. By road, the magnificent and wild Val Veny is located immediately after exiting the Mont-Blanc tunnel, before Courmayeur. Access to Lake Combal is easy: it is first via a tarmac road cut off from traffic which goes up the valley under the gigantic moraine of the Glacier du Miage, then gives way to a path on the vast flat area of the Lake of Combal: body of water on which the summits are reflected. The view is splendid on the Aiguille des Glaciers, the Limestone Pyramids and the Elisabetta Soldini refuge. Those who wish to increase the effort will offer a loop to Lac du Miage,A setting nestled in the moraine of the eponymous Glacier where they will certainly meet mountaineers on their way to climb Mont Blanc via the long and wild Italian route!
Where to have lunch: La grolla
For the famous Valle d'Aosta gastronomy (don't miss the Polenta à la Fontina!), Its warm welcome and the incredible view.
Literally perched facing the southern slope of Mont Blanc, the restaurant's terrace is complemented by large sun loungers on the thick grass which provide gentle, panoramic digestion.
La Grolla, Località Pendeint, 11013 Courmayeur AO, Italy.
Phone.
: +39 338 426 5695.
To read also In the Aosta Valley, taste the alpine dolce vita
ARNOUVAZ IN AOSTA VALLEY (ITALY)
The last hamlet at the end of Val Ferret, Arnouvaz, is also the UTMB supply point before the ascent of the Grand Col Ferret which marks the border with Switzerland.
Giacomo Buzio
During the UTMB:
Still in Aosta Valley, but in the valley opposite, after a 97km race, the last hamlet at the bottom of Val Ferret, Arnouvaz, is also the refreshment point before the ascent of the Grand Col Ferret which marks the border with Switzerland.
On the outskirts of the Chalet du Val Ferret, the runners regain some strength, talk to their loved ones and equip themselves for the ascent to an altitude of 2,537 m, the climax of the race where the weather conditions can be extreme ( wind, rain, even snow!).
The distances between the runners grew longer: the first to arrive in the early morning and the last at the end of the afternoon.
Once again, the trail offers splendid panoramas.
From June to October:
Dominated by the Grandes Jorasses and bordered by the beautiful Doire Ferret river, this long valley in the Aosta Valley looks like a little paradise.
In summer, it attracts tourists for its freshness and its bucolic atmosphere: walkers, cyclists, climbers and fishermen quietly mix under the sun.
From the pretty hamlet of Planpincieux located at the entrance to the valley, you can admire the view of the legendary Dent du Géant where major races start on the Grandes Jorasses massif.
The last of the four small hamlets in Val Ferret, Arnouvaz, allows you to gain height via beautiful mountain pastures to the Elena refuge or… So to Switzerland, via the Grand Col Ferret.
Information:
Aosta Valley tourist information site
Where to dine: chalet Val Ferret
You will never forget the taste of pasta made on site, the same day, in this beautiful family inn.
The most difficult will be to choose between spaghetti, tagliolini, ravioli and finely accompanied gnocchi ... Not far from the river, the large lawn invites you to contemplate the mythical peaks facing it.
A real crush for this establishment which combines the finesse of Italian gastronomy with the incredible setting, all in a beautiful simplicity.
Chalet Val Ferret, Location Arnouva 1, Val Ferret 11013 Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Aosta, Italy.
Phone.
: +39 0165 844 959.
Read alsoSummer holidays: popular mountain activities
COL DE LA FORCLAZ AND TRIENT-VALAIS (SWITZERLAND)
Overlooking the village, the Col de la Forclaz is the starting point of the glacier trail which follows an irrigation canal (called the bisse) through the pines and larches.
Press photo
During the UTMB:
The runners therefore arrive from Italy and continue their journey in the beautiful Swiss Valais.
After the Col de la Forclaz, the arrival below at the very small village of Trient is for them the promise of a large-scale supply in a unique atmosphere.
Near the improbable and imposing pink church, the atmosphere is warm and very festive, and the number of volunteers exceeds that of 140 inhabitants.
Runners and companions are supported night and day with lots of smiles, coffee, fruit and… raclette.
It is not uncommon to see people dancing!
From June to October:
Overlooking the village, the Col de la Forclaz is the starting point of the glacier trail which follows an irrigation canal (called the bisse) through the pines and larches. This easy path allows access in less than an hour to the superb glacial valley dominated by the Grands and Trient glaciers. This route is named so because it was used from 1860 to 1895 to exploit the ice of the Trient glacier. This was transported to Martigny then, by train, to markets and restaurants in Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Since 1900, ice is no longer harvested but the canal serves as an irrigation system for the meadows and crops of the Combe Martigny. This pretty hike in the forest then on the balcony is marked with small explanatory panels.
Information:
Verbier
tourist office
and
Swiss tourist office
Where to have lunch: the Buvette des glaciers
At the end of the glacier path, this small refuge 45 minutes' walk from the Col de la Forclaz is bordered by the torrent and overlooked by the magnificent Trient glacier.
It offers a magnificent gourmet break and its Valais apricot tart is a must-try.
La Buvette des glaciers, Le Tissot, 1929 Trient, Switzerland.
Phone.
: + 41 79 635 96 44.
Read alsoIn Switzerland, architecture at the top of Vals
LA FLÉGÈRE -
LE LAC BLANC,
CHAMONIX (FRANCE)
Famous all over the world thanks to the reflections of the Mont-Blanc massif in its limpid water, Lac Blanc is accessible by different routes from the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley.
Chamonix Valley Tourist Office / Morgane Raylat
During the UTMB:
Last ascent and final "checkpoint" before the descent to Chamonix.
La Flégère sees the runners from Switzerland arrive via the very demanding Col des Montets.
The first runner to switch to the “Tête au vent” was always the first to cross the finish line in the center of Chamonix.
It is around 1 p.m. for the leaders, the spectators who come in large numbers, on foot or directly by cable car from Chamonix, just like the runners, enjoy this plunging view of the mountaineering capital and the panorama of the Mont-Blanc massif, from Drus to Aiguilles ...
From June to October:
From the top of the Flégère, in addition to this breathtaking view of the Mont-Blanc massif, hikers will happily dive into the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve to reach the unmissable Lac Blanc in 1h45.
After a descent into the Combe de la Chavanne, the track winds up and follows the ridge.
The panorama is breathtaking.
The descent can be done by cable car or for the more athletic, via the path, to Praz.
Note:
if you are with children, or if you are new to mountain hiking, prefer the departure from Les Praz de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc by the Flégère gondola then the Index chairlift.
You then only have an hour and a half of walking left to reach Lac Blanc.
Information:
Chamonix tourist office
Where to have a drink
:
La Floria
A pretty refreshment stall perched above Chamonix and a crossing point for the race, colored by its flowers and parasols, it announces its opening with a green flag fluttering in the wind of a long mast, visible from Chamonix ... go up for nothing.
Connoisseurs go up especially for the homemade blueberry pie.
Read alsoFrom Vercors to Chamonix, our favorite restaurants in the Alps
Where to sleep in Chamonix:
Plan B
***
A stone's throw from the city center and next to the bus station, this establishment is very active in local Chamonix life.
Its accommodation offers range from dormitories to apartments, including standard rooms and suites.
This diversity, complemented by its large bar and friendly space, make it a pleasant place where all generations, tourists and locals alike, come together.
Plan B, 96 avenue de Courmayeur, 74400 Chamonix.
Phone.
: 04 85 300 160.
Read also Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in summer: our ideas for a panoramic holiday
Where to sleep in Courmayeur? Grand Hotel Royale Golf
The oldest hotel in the Aosta Valley (1854) was renovated in 2019. Its heated outdoor swimming pool in summer and winter is magnificent, its “antipasti” and its Génépi spritz to die for… From € 218 per room with breakfast breakfast.
Grand Hotel Royal e Golf, via Roma, 87, 11013 Courmayeur AO, Italy. Phone. : +39 0165 831 611.