Trail running in the French Alps
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Brendan Lawlor | Jul 10 2018, 1:34pm | Hi We'll be visiting the French Alps next week, staying near Megeve (not too far from Chamonix). I've heard all about the UTMB, CCC and other Ultra races based over there but is there any groups or organisations similar to IMRA that anyone has come across over there. Or any particular routes people who were over there for any of those races might recommend (but not 60km thank you very much) |
| John J Barry | Jul 10 2018, 2:45pm | Just general comment about the Alps. Each area will have local maps of hiking routes starting from the local areas. These are mainly circular and they will have a rating for difficulty e.g. Alpine (White-Red-White signage). The routes will also have a time associated with them (for hikers) The lower down in the valleys - the more trees there is. The more interesting routes are ones that start above the tree line i.e. use the Chair lifts to get above the boring stuff!!! Nice routes are ones that have a defined destination e.g. a PASS or a local Summit. The recommended time for the route will give an indication of the level of difficultly. My last time in Switzerland I was using routes of 2 to 4 hours which was giving me lovely half day run/hikes. |
| John J Barry | Jul 10 2018, 2:47pm | google is GREAT: http://megeve.com/en/summer/exert-yourself/hiking-cycling/ |
| Avril Challoner | Jul 10 2018, 2:51pm | Running over there is fantastic, loads of really well marked trails and refuges to stop off at for a nice treat along the way. Viewranger.com is usually is a good bet for finding routes and you can use the app on your phone with GPS for directions. For trail ideas in the Chamonix valley (or you can zoom further with the map and see the trails marked): http://www.valleedutrail.com/ I loved the ridge from Refuge du plan de L'Aigulle to Hotel du Montenvers, which climbs from and drops back to Chamonix. The refuge was lovely to stop at for a drink and take in the view. Enjoy, very jealous! |
| Mike Jordan | Jul 10 2018, 4:56pm | +1 for the Grand Balcon Nord if you end up in the Chamonix Valley (the route described by Avril). http://www.chamonix-mont-blanc-hiking.com/08grandbalconnor.html You can either take the train to Montenvers or the cablecar to Plan de l'Auguille and contour along the valley between the 2. Then drop down to Chamonix to finish. Myself and Brendan Murphy did it a couple of days before the TDS/CCC a couple of years ago and thought it was a great way to stretch out the legs without having to do a crazy amount of climb. |
| Brendan Lawlor | Jul 11 2018, 1:06pm | Thanks everyone, some great tips there and from Facebook too.. I'll need an extra week to investigate them all ! |
