Qualifying race for Tor des Géants® 2026: 100 bibs will be available in 2026 for the finishers of GTC100 2025, who may bypass the draw and register directly for the Tor des Géants® 2026.

Start: Friday July 11, 2025 at 10 pm from Piazza Abbé Henry, Courmayeur

Arrival: Courmayeur Parco del Bollino – Mont Blanc Trail Fest Village

The route, approximately 100 km long with a positive elevation gain of about 7400 meters, winds through the spectacular trails between Courmayeur, Pré-Saint-Didier, and La Thuile, immersed in the enchanting Val Veny and Val Ferret.

The race starts from Piazza Abbé Henry, in the historic heart of Courmayeur (1224 m a.s.l.), passing through the Dolonne hamlet and the Fonti Vittoria before taking the trail toward Champex in Pré-Saint-Didier. From here, skirting the Pré-Saint-Didier swimming pool, runners reach the quarries and the picturesque village of Arpy, where a refreshment point at the hostel welcomes them.

The climb to Colle della Croce leads to a descent toward La Thuile. The trail continues to the Deffeyes Refuge (2500 m a.s.l.), preceded by a short section equipped with chains, offering a revitalizing refreshment stop. Descending toward the waterfalls, runners arrive at Arly in La Thuile (1450 m a.s.l.), about a third of the course.

Following part of the legendary Tor des Géants® in reverse, the route reaches the Youlaz valley (refreshment point at 2047 m a.s.l.), then the scenic Colle dell’Arp (2572 m a.s.l.), Colle di Youlaz (2661 m a.s.l.), and the race’s highest point below Mont Nix (2830 m a.s.l.). A long traverse leads to Colle du Berrio Blanc (2818 m a.s.l.) and Mont Fortin (2755 m a.s.l.), with a mobile bivouac transported by helicopter serving as a refreshment point.

Skirting alpine lakes, the trail descends toward Col Chavanne (2598 m a.s.l.), Col de la Seigne (2510 m a.s.l.), and the casermette (2290 m a.s.l.), reaching the refreshment point at Lago Combal (1952 m a.s.l.). Following the Tour du Mont Blanc route, runners climb to Arp Vieille (2303 m a.s.l.), skirt Lago Checrouit (2151 m a.s.l.), and arrive at the Maison Vieille Refuge (1952 m a.s.l.), another refreshment point.

Crossing Val Veny and the sandy area, the ascent to Pavillon du Mont Fréty begins, where the base camp is located at the intermediate station of the Skyway Monte Bianco. An ancient trail leads to La Palud; after crossing the bridge, runners take the path toward the Val Ferret balcony.

The majestic Val Ferret guides runners to the refreshment point at the Bonatti Refuge and the Malatrà valley, roughly halfway through the race. From here, the final two passes, Entre deux Sauts (2524 m a.s.l.) and Col Sapin (2435 m a.s.l.), are tackled before the descent toward Curru, La Suche, and L’Ermitage.

The triumphant finish is in Courmayeur, at Parco del Bollino, the heart of the Mont Blanc Trail Fest Village.

NOTES

The maximum time allowed for the race is 33 hours. The trail is highly technical with considerable differences in altitude, exposed sections and the possibility of snowfields, but is run entirely along classified hiking paths.

Sections on paved roads are kept to a minimum and only on public roads where the route passes through built-up areas.

PARTICULAR POINTS OF INTEREST

1. The long section between Colle di Youlaz and Col Chavanne
2. The descent from Col de la Seigne to the Elisabetta refuge and Lake Combal
3. Skyway Monte Bianco - Pavillon du Mont Fréty
4. The Val Ferret balcony between the Bertone refuge and the Bonatti refuge
5. The panoramic view of Courmayeur from La Suche

RESCUE & REFRESHMENT POINTS

There are several rescue points and refreshment points along the route. Before leaving a refreshment point, runners must ensure they have enough food and water to last them until the next one. The final refreshment point in Courmayeur will supply hot meals.

GPX-KML-MAPS and TIME BARRIER

RANKINGS