Take the high route this summer in the incredible Italian Dolomites in the northeastern corner of Italy. The Italian Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, have been described by the explorer Reinhold Messner as “the most beautiful mountains in the world.” On this hut-to-hut runcation, or trail running/hiking adventure, we'll crest the impressionable rock spires, mountain passes, and descend through alpine meadows along the famous Alta Via 1 along some of the most beautiful trails in the world. Along the way, we'll take respite from the trail in scenic and comfortable staffed mountain lodges, or rifugios, which offer warm lodges, scenic vistas, and three-course Italian dinners as well as a full bar and beverage list. On this guided trail running tour, our hut-to-hut adventure ensures that we'll be waking up and falling asleep to spectacular mountain sunrises and sunsets by sleeping up high at the foot of these impressive mountains.
Trip Difficulty: Level 3
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
This retreat adventure is open to ages 15 and up of any pace. Must be able to complete 8-15 miles/day of hiking/running at altitude, including 2,000-6,000 feet of elevation gain per day. Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!
This trip requires a minimum of 8 to run. Please do not purchase flights until confirming with retreat organizer.
Roundtrip private transportation starting from Cortina d'Ampezzo on Day 1 and ending in Venice, Italy on Day 7
Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations
A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants
Delicious coffee and breakfast spreads and three-course dinners at the mountain lodges, or rifugios
Baggage transport from accommodations (all you carry is a hydration pack!)
Knowledgable expert trail running mountain guides and running coach along the entire route
Communal accommodation in dorms at some of the nicest rifugios in the Italian Dolomites (two with saunas!)
Special bonus adventures including World War 1 museums, saunas, and side adventure hikes
Trip packet with detailed itinerary including packing lists and weather resources
Access to a personal trip WhatsApp group and community
International airfare
Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day
Travel Insurance
Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)
Passport:
Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.
Travel Insurance:
Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip.
Fitness/Pacing:
While there are guides to accommodate a variety of paces for attending runners, this trip requires participants to be able to run for 7-15 miles on trails at a time in mountainous/high altitude climates with an elevation gain of 2,000-6,000 feet per day. It is suggested that you be able to maintain an average pace of 15-20 minutes/mile and must be prepared to run/jog the downhill and flat sections. Training for this trip is highly recommended, and you can participate in the 12-week group training program designed specifically for this trip as a package add-on to ensure you're able to tackle the trails and get maximum enjoyment of this running retreat!
Weather:
Although the weather in late summer is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.
Trip Difficulty: Level 3
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
Mountain Hut Experience:
This trip includes staying in mountain huts/rifugios. To learn more about the mountain hut experience, click below:
https://runcation.org/mountain-hut-experience
Day 1: Our trip will start in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy in the afternoon with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! Enjoy an optional shakeout run, unpack, and explore the many cafes, restaurants, shops, and Olympic center in town.
Double accommodation in 4-star hotel with breakfast included
Day 2: For our first day on the AV1, we'll head out from Lago di Braies and up towards the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo with panoramic views of the Sass de Putia to the Tofane pyramids. We'll cover 12 miles on the trail at with options to stop for photo breaks, lunch, and cappuccinos at rifugios along the way. Our home base for the evening will be a modernized rifugio level offering typical South Tyrolean dishes and beverages. Located at 2,060 meters above sea level, it's a place to sleep "a few steps from the sky."
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 11 miles/+3,300 feet ascent/-2,500 feet descent**
**Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change, but this is a good guideline**
Day 3: Today we enter the Cortina Dolomites, starting our day with Passo di Limo. Along the way we'll have the chance to stop at a malga, or dairy farm, with beverages and simple meals. We'll be rewarded for the day's climbing with truly spectacular vistas from our rifugio at 2500m, which also boasts the home of the highest sauna in the Dolomites. At a total of 12 hilly miles, today will be our highest elevation gain at almost 6,000 feet, but we'll still arrive with plenty of time to take advantage of the many side hikes and activities from our scenic rifugio.
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 14 miles/+6,000 feet ascent/-3,000 feet descent
Day 4: Today we pass through an important area in Dolomite history dating back to World War One. We will start off the run dropping down the trail before climbing up to the impressive Cinque Torri area. An optional side route includes exploring an extensive tunnel system through the mountain. On our shortest day of 8 miles up and down the trails today, we will arrive at our rifugio in the afternoon with plenty of time to rest for the days to come with one of most scenic vistas. Our rifugio for the evening provides some of the best food in the Dolomites, and views of the changing colors on nearby mountains can't be beat.
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 8-9 miles/+2,300feet ascent/-3,500 feet descent
After getting an early start, today will feature some of the most beautiful singletrack on both smooth and technical forest trails. Highlights include Passo Giau, the site of the ancient Mondeval Man, and a stop for coffee with the cows at Rifugio Citta di Fiume. After climbing up towards the stunning Passo Giau forcella, you'll enjoy a long and gradual descent towards a higher end rifugio. You'll be greeted with a warm welcome at your comfortable rifugio that serves excellent meals, apple strudels, has a spa, and sunset views of that special Dolomiti light on the nearby Pelmo.
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 10.5 miles/+1,80000 feet ascent/-4,000 feet descent
Day 6: Just around the corner from breakfast is one of the most impressive faces in the Dolomites, or Monte Civetta (some call it the El Capitan of the Dolomites). For your final biggest day on the trails, you’ll enjoy your last high alpine vistas at the start of the trail before descending in altitude as vegetation turns to forest and you get a view of the impressive mountain walls from below. Most of the high elevation gains and losses are completed midway through the route and there's moderate running to enjoy to your final rifugio.
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 15.5 miles/+4,900 feet ascent/-4,400 feet descent
Day 7: For our final morning, we'll enjoy an early breakfast and coffee at our rifugio before descending a couple of easy miles down to the town of Agordo. We'll then head back to Venice, reaching it by evening where we say our goodbyes with new friends and tons of memories.
5.5 miles/-4,500 feet descent
Private transfer to Venice included
