Taking on the Ultra-Trail du Haut-Giffre

During your stay in Megève at Chalet Ararat, take the opportunity to discover the Ultra Trail du Haut Giffre (UTHG), one of the most prestigious trail events in the French Alps. This exceptional competition, which takes place in the heart of the Haut-Giffre Valley between Lake Geneva and Chamonix, attracts trail running enthusiasts from around the world every year for its wild and technical routes through breathtaking alpine landscapes. With its six distances ranging from 10 to 128 kilometers, the UTHG offers a unique experience: surpassing oneself and communion with alpine nature in its purest expression.

Megève, located in strategic proximity to Samoëns – the starting point of these legendary races – proves to be the ideal base to fully experience this exceptional trail adventure.

Our Chalet Ararat, with its 15 suites and 7 prestigious beds, is your alpine sanctuary where sporting excellence and prestigious hospitality merge, enhancing your UTHG experience beyond your expectations.

An exceptional Trail event in the heart of the Alps

The Ultra Trail du Haut-Giffre has been one of the unmissable events on the European trail running calendar for over a decade. Born from the passion of local organizers for their region, this event has preserved its authenticity while earning its reputation among the international trail running community. ITRA certified and included in the prestigious UTMB Index, the UTHG now offers worldwide recognition for the performances achieved on its demanding courses.

The exceptional natural setting of the Haut-Giffre Valley is the perfect backdrop for this celebration of alpine trail running. Between the crystal-clear waters of Lake Geneva and the eternal glaciers of Chamonix, runners will experience a preserved environment featuring high-altitude lakes, century-old spruce forests, and verdant mountain pastures. This unique geography offers a remarkable diversity of terrain: from technical ridge trails to crossings of hanging valleys, including steep climbs to peaks reaching over 2,200 meters above sea level.

The spirit of the UTHG goes beyond mere sporting competition to become a true communion with the Alpine mountains. The warm, friendly atmosphere that is characteristic of authentic mountain events can be felt from the moment you arrive in Samoëns, where runners, guides and locals mingle in a uniquely festive atmosphere.

This human dimension, combined with the sporting demands of the courses, forges the special soul of the event and explains the remarkable loyalty of the participants who return year after year to discover new challenges in these exceptional lands.

Six distances for all levels

The Ultra-Trail du Haut-Giffre offers a full range of routes to enable every runner to find their ideal challenge, from beginners to the most experienced ultra-trailers:

• Ultra-Tour des Lacs Aux Cimes (UTLAC) – 128 km / 9050 m D+ : The grail of the event, an epic route crossing 6 lakes, 8 passes and 3 summits in an adventure lasting more than 24 hours for the most seasoned riders. This legendary event is a veritable voyage of initiation through the most beautiful jewels of Savoie's high mountains.
• Ultra-Trail du Haut Giffre (UTHG) – 96 km / 6750 m D+ : The showpiece event that gives its name to the event, offering a wild and technical course where mental commitment equals physical demand. This ultra format allows you to discover the very essence of the region in all its Alpine splendour.
• Trail des Frahans (TDF) – 53 km / 3700 m D+ : This intermediate format is perfect as a beginner's introduction to long-distance cycling while discovering the most beautiful panoramas in the valley. This distance represents the ideal balance between accessibility and sporting challenge.
• Tour du Bostan (TDB) – 33 km / 2150 m D+ : A great introduction for runners wanting to get a taste of the UTHG atmosphere without committing to the ultra formats. This route already reveals all the beauty and technicality of the Haut Giffre trails.
• Montée de Gers (MDG) – 18 km / 1000 m D+ : An accessible format that takes participants to the summit of the Criou at an altitude of 2227 metres, offering spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif and a first taste of the high mountains.
• Au fil du Giffre (FDG) – 10 km / 400 m D+ : This is the perfect discovery race for beginners or accompanying adults who want to take part in the group adventure while discovering the charms of the valley in a less demanding setting.

Why choose Megève as your starting point?

Megève's privileged geographical position, only 45 minutes' drive from Samoëns, makes it the ideal base for taking part in the Ultra Trail du Haut-Giffre. This strategic proximity means you can take full advantage of the pre-race atmosphere without the logistical constraints, while benefiting from the top-of-the-range infrastructure of the pearl of the French Alps.

We could almost say that Megève is the French capital of alpine trail running! It offers an exceptional training ground to prepare for the UTHG in the best conditions. The Megève trails, renowned for their diversity, offer numerous routes: from the technical trails of the Col du Jaillet to the long traverses of the Mont d’Arbois, including the steep climbs towards the Petit Croisse Baulet. You will find more details on this subject below.

This variety of terrain means you'll be well prepared, whether you're aiming for the 128-kilometre UTLAC or taking your first steps on the 10-kilometre Discovery Trail.

Megève's unique ecosystem of services dedicated to high-level athletes is a major asset for your preparation and recovery. High-end spas, wellness centers, masseurs specializing in sports recovery, nutritionists expert in endurance nutrition: all the professionals needed for a holistic approach to performance are present in the Megève region. This concentration of expertise transforms your stay into a true personalized preparation course, where every detail contributes to your success on the trails of Haut-Giffre.

Megève's trail offer is not limited to serving as a training base for the UTHG, it constitutes a complete ecosystem with its own exceptional events. The Megève Nature Trail, organised in summer by the Club des Sports de Megève, offers a complementary approach to alpine trail running in a more accessible, family-friendly spirit.

This wealth of events means that trail enthusiasts can extend their stay and discover different facets of the discipline, making Megève a trail destination in its own right rather than just a stopping-off point.

Training tips from Megève

• Technical trails: The legendary Col du Jaillet – Petit Croisse Baulet is the ultimate technical training ground, with its 16.7 kilometers and 914 meters of positive elevation gain. This demanding loop faithfully reproduces the conditions of the UTHG with its rocky passages, its crossings of alpine pastures and its aerial sections on the ridge. The variety of terrain encountered – root trails in the forest, high-altitude scree, crossings on late snowfields – forges the agility and surefootedness essential on the Haut-Giffre trails.
• Long Endurance: The Mont Joux – Mont d’Arbois route from Megève is the ideal format for developing your long-distance endurance. With its 16.7 kilometers and 925 meters of elevation gain, this route allows you to work on effort management over several hours while discovering exceptional panoramas of the Mont-Blanc massif. This long outing forms the basis of your preparation for the UTHG ultra formats, developing both the physical endurance and mental strength necessary for long events.
• Active Recovery: The trails around Lac de Joux and the Les Salles family trails are good alternatives for your active recovery sessions. These less demanding routes allow you to maintain a gentle activity while enjoying the beauty of the Megève landscapes. The Croix des Salles Belvedere, accessible to families, is an ideal relaxing outing for rest days or to accompany your non-practicing loved ones in exploring the area.
• Altitude and acclimatization: The climbs to Megève's peaks such as the Croix des Salles and the various lookouts allow for specific altitude acclimatization work. These short but intense sessions effectively prepare your body for the demands of the UTHG, particularly for the events that go through the Criou summit at 2,227 meters. The progressive nature of these altitude training sessions promotes optimal adaptation and reduces the risk of altitude sickness on race day.

Plan your stay at Chalet Ararat

Chalet Ararat is a true refuge, a luxurious chalet dedicated to relaxation and well-being.

Our 15 exceptional suites, designed with the utmost respect for the contemporary Alpine lifestyle, offer the ideal environment to regenerate body and mind after intense training or participation in the UTHG. Each space has been designed to meet the specific needs of high-level athletes: high-end bedding for optimal recovery, relaxation areas, etc.

The Ultra-Trail du Haut-Giffre traditionally takes place in June, an ideal time when alpine weather conditions are good. To optimize your experience, we recommend booking your stay at Chalet Ararat several weeks in advance, including arriving 3 to 4 days before the event to take full advantage of the various training courses.

This anticipation also allows you to benefit from our concierge team to enjoy a private chef – who will also be able to prepare typical mountain meals (diots de savoie, Péla, Croziflette) as well as sporty dishes – and take time for yourself and your loved ones.