Hut-to-Hut Running Retreat in the Italian Dolomites

Venice, Italy

RT
Runcation Travel
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33 reviews
Aug 2 - 9, 2017
Group size: 2 - 10
Hut-to-Hut Running Retreat in the Italian Dolomites
Venice, Italy

Runcation Travel
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified
33 reviews

Aug 2 - 9, 2017
Group size: 2 - 10

About this trip

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 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 mountain huts, or refugi, which offer warm lodges, scenic vistas, and fresh Italian cuisine and beverages. Our hut-to-hut adventure ensures that we'll be waking up and falling asleep to spectacular mountain sunrises and sunsets.


This retreat adventure is open to ages 15 and up of any pace. Must be able to complete 7-14 miles/day of hiking/running, including hills. 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! 

What’s included

Roundtrip transportation from Venice hotel

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

Breakfast and dinners at the mountain huts, or refugi

Baggage transport from hut-to-hut

Knowledgable guide and running coach along the entire route

Special bonus adventures including a guided trail run tours, wellness options, and cultural cuisine lessons

Not included

International airfare

Single supplement

Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day

Accommodations in Venice

Travel Insurance

Before You Go

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. 


Room info at the Refugi:

Rooms are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. If you are inclined to participate, book or contact the organizer ASAP as rooms will book up in advance by other vacationers.


Fitness/Pacing:

While there are guides to accommodate every pace of attending runner, this trip requires participants to be able to run/hike for 7-14 miles on trails at a time in mountainous/high altitude climates. 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 August is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change. Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.


Available Packages

Trip Price
$1,450
Deposit: $750

Available options

Itinerary

Meet-and-Greet
Day 1
Aug 2: Our trip will start after dinner the evening of August 2nd with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! We recommend that you arrive in Venice early to adjust to the time change and explore the fabulous city of Venice!

Your Organizer


RT
Runcation Travel
33 reviews
Runcation Travel creates international running adventures for runners. Instead of having to squeeze in a run on vacation, your run becomes the vehicle to explore and learn different cultures, countries, and landscapes. Our current runcations and trail running trips include hut-to-hut running adventures, retreats, training camps, and guided trail tours of the best trail running in the Italian Dolomites, Chamonix Mont Blanc, and Argentinian Patagonia, and more in group and custom itineraries. Our Runcations are for every level of runner.

Reviews

This was an awesome trip, and a wonderful experience! The trip was well planned out with great runs, but also plenty of downtime. Each of the runs were incredible and always ended up in beautiful scenery and sites. With a wonderful group of people that I met and have to say this was one of the best vacations I’ve ever taken!!
By Bethany L for Patagonia Runcation: Trail Running El Chaltén March 2024 on Mar 09, 2024
SL
Wow. The Patagonia Runcation was absolute perfection. We explored the Perito Moreno glacier together before heading up to El Chaltén for arguably some of the most beautiful running scenery in the world. Every day was designed to challenge us on the trails but each run was accompanied by rewarding views that seemed almost too beautiful for reality. I particularly appreciated the balance of trail running with other non-running activities, including the glacier viewing and the Estancia lunch and activities. The entire trip was expertly designed and organized and I would do this Runcation again in a heartbeat. To top it all off, everyone in the group bonded quickly over our love of running and adventure and we now have 13 new friends from around the world!
By Shelby L for Patagonia Runcation: Trail Running El Chaltén March 2024 on Mar 07, 2024
This was the trip of a lifetime for me. Exceptional views, great company and well organized. It was not “easy” and you should be in good shape and able to handle the climbs if you want to enjoy it, but if you’re up for it , you will not be disappointed. Patagonia is incredible and well worth the effort to get there. Runcation travel did a great job.
By Christine D for Patagonia Runcation: Trail Running El Chaltén March 2024 on Mar 05, 2024
The Runcation team put our dream TMB trek together for us. We utilized the custom trip option and are so excited for our trip this summer! They took all the hassle and anxiety out of planning a trip this big, so all we have to do is enjoy it!
By Taylor C for Custom Trip Deposit 2024 on Jan 18, 2024
This trip exceeded our expectations on every level. All of the accommodations booked by Runcation were great. We had a good mix of hotel and refuge/hut stays, and they were all very comfortable. Some were quirkier than others, but it was all part of the charm. They were all clean and had warm showers, so it beat camping by a long shot. We were also very grateful for the luggage transfers, which all worked flawlessly. It was SO NICE to only carry a daypack each day. We did a self-guided trip, which meant that Runcation provided us with a brief description of each day's trek along with the GAIX track for each day. It was perfect for the style of trek/travel that we like to do. When paired with a book about the Tour du Mont Blanc, we had all the info we needed. Runcation did the heavy lifting on the logistics which meant that we could just enjoy the trails, scenery, and food :-) We would definitely book with Runcation again.
By Erin G for Erin + Friends Custom Self-Guided TMB Sept 9-18, 2023 on Sep 29, 2023
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References

My husband and I went on the Hut to Hut run in the Dolomites, July 2022. What a luxury to have all accommodations booked and luggage transport taken care of, for us! The scenery was unimaginable, and you just can't imagine the beauty-you have to be there! We had 8-15 miles runs each day and felt challenged by the ascents and terrain, but not defeated. (We are from Ohio, NO moutains.) The runcation organizer, Liz and guide, Dario took care of all of the logistics and it was amazing to just have to cover ground an eat a bunch of great food! Thanks for a fantastic experience.
By Amanda F on 21 Jul, 2022
The tldr: Do it! This was an amazingly well planned trip (thoughtful planning, clearly),, the runs and views were unforgettable, and I'm already looking at the next one I can go on. The longer version: Runcation in Patagonia was amazing. Every thing was well-planned, the views were unforgettable, the crew was the best you could ask for, we stayed at nice spots with great staff...I could go on and on. Also, as someone who is super type-A, I really appreciate all of the early communication of expectations, what to pack, itineraries, and super quick responses from Liz.
By Marne P on 05 Jan, 2020