Running the Alps

Running the Alps’ operates out of Ferme du Ciel, just above Samoens in the beautiful Giffre valley in the Grand Massif. We offer tailored holidays designed just for you!

We offer bespoke holidays tailored for individuals, couples, families or groups. We will either run from Ferme du Ciel or drive you to the start of your run, and run with you, or give you a route and let you enjoy it at your pace.

We can tailor a holiday to suit your needs and budget. You can choose:

• When you’d like to come and for how long (you may wish to run whilst your other half indulges in a yoga or spa break)

• Guided runs on superb on or off road trails in the area – whatever distance and format is best for you

• Additional running and fitness options – sports massage, yoga, mountain biking….

• A wide variety of non-running activities to help you and your family make the most of your holiday

Running Trails – Variety and Interest

We have more choice of runs available than we can begin to tell you about here! However, just to tempt you here are a few options, graded like the pistes, just to remind you where you are –

Green - Easy flat run (3-5 miles)
If you don’t like hills you can enjoy running along the river valley in all directions. One option is to start at Lac Bleue in Morillon (so deep it is always icy cold), and watch the kids clambering through the trees in the adventure park, before taking off along the river, following it through the wood until you reach Lac aux Dames in Samoens where you can watch the golfers hit balls into the lake before returning along the other river bank to Morillon (where you may choose to cool down at a table by the café and watch everyone playing in the lake). Our dogs Poppy and Skye will be very happy to guide you along this one!


Blue – A longer, more hilly run (5-6 miles)
No shortage of hills to climb here! A beautiful run from the door of Ferme du Ciel takes you down hill to start (to give you something to look forward to on your way back), on the footpath past the donkey and the original springs, troughs and farmhouses, through the forest, and over the canyon where you may be unable to resist stopping to admire the waterfall, and to Verchaix en Haut village. You can follow the trail around the village and learn about the village and vineyard as you go, before returning by a different route through the woods to Mathonex, and that final uphill push – secure in the knowledge you are close to a cool beer and sun lounger….


Red – Longer and hillier! (6-10 miles)
A lovely way to explore your surrounds is to set off from Ferme du Ciel, and head down the footpaths, past farmhouses, through meadows and finally following the stream down into Samoens. You can then follow the river along the valley, watching the whitewater rafters who will delight in trying to splash you, before routing back through the ancient village of Vercland where you can see another of the original chapels and marvel at all the different styles of farmhouse; then coming to the centre of Samoens (where you may allow yourself to be tempted by one of the bars in the main square by the church), before taking the road or path  up the mountain toward Mathonex whilst marvelling at the village below you and the mountains above.


Black – a long more challenging run (10+ miles)
Once again the choices are endless, but to keep it simple, starting from the front door, you can turn uphill this time, and keep going…..and going…and going….The trails take you up the mountain, past the Eco museum (which you can visit on another day to see how life used to be lived in Ferme du Ciel), through woods, over streams, into open meadows where you can suddenly see over the valley for miles, until finally you reach Col de Joux Plan – the top of the mountain. You can pause a while to enjoy the view of Mont Blanc and take a well earned drink in the friendly mountain restaurant, or you can continue around the lake, dodging the cows with their tinkling bells as you go, before heading down the mountain again toward the welcome that awaits you at Ferme du Ciel. This time you can rest feeling truly delighted at what you have achieved!



Your Holiday Includes

• Luxury accommodation at Ferme du Ciel.

• Use of all facilities including sauna, hot tub, entertainment suite, bicycles etc

• Breakfast every morning, 4 three course evening meals for a 7 night stay with wine or beer included. Packed lunches on request. Flexible packages available –  for as many nights as you choose.

• A bespoke holiday designed especially for you based on what you tell us you would like to do. An individual guide to all runs and other activities that you choose.

Prices

From £750 per person for a week


Please get in touch to discuss your bespoke running holiday

• Special events
• Winemakers Week
• Ski Boot Camp
• Couples Ski Camp
• Photography course
• Mushroom Foraging
• Yoga retreats
• Running the Alps
• Spa breaks
• Celebrations

As part of our continual quest to improve what we offer we are delighted to let you know we are installing a pool ready for this summer! Perfect for keeping the kids amused and cooling down at the end of the day.

Contact us quickly to book!

“Thanks to everyone at Ferme du Ciel for a fantastic holiday. The chalet is superb and the food was wonderful, but the best thing was the care and flexibility with the children. It was by far the most enjoyable holiday we have all had.”

The Telegraph and Guardian have enjoyed Ferme du Ciel hospitality this January. Come and share in the secret before they tell the world!

We still have limited space left on our Yoga week July 21-28. Don't miss out! Book now!