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! 

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

International airfare

Single supplement

Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day

Accommodations in Venice

Travel Insurance

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.

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!

Aug 3-4: After breakfast, we'll get an early start on the road to our Dolomite adventure. Our base for the evening will be Lago di Braies, a stunning alpine lake that sits at the start of our route, the Alta Via 1. We'll enjoy a light shakeout run on the spectacular trails of Parco Naturale Fanes-Senes-Braies and enjoy a group dinner at an upscale hotel.

Aug 4-5: 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 lattes 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."

Aug 5-6: 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 7.5 miles, today will be a relatively shorter day on the trail, offering those a chance to rest for the days to come, or take advantage of the many side hikes and activities from our scenic rifugio.

Aug 6-7: 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. Covering ten miles up and down the trails today, we will arrive at our rifugio in the afternoon. Our rifugio for the evening is one of the more remote rifugios, so the views of the dawn skies and starry evenings can't be beat.

Aug 7-8: After getting an early start, today will be one of our longest and most spectacular days on the trail as we cover 13-14 miles featuring peaks, passes, and a chance at experiencing a brief via ferrata to aide through the spectacular rocks of the Nuvolau region. We'll be greeted with a warm welcome at our refugio that serves excellent meals, apple strudels, and sunset views of that special Dolomiti light on the Pelmo.

Aug 8-9: For our final full days on the trails, we'll enjoy our last high alpine vistas at the start of the trail before descending in altitude as vegetation turns to forest and we get a view of the impressive mountain walls from below. Most of the high elevation gains and losses are completed and there's moderate running to enjoy to our final rifugio.

Aug 9: 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.