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 four-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.

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! 

Roundtrip transportation from Cortina d'Ampezzo

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants
Breakfast and dinners at the mountain lodges, or rifugios

Baggage transport from accommodations

Knowledgable guide and running coach along the entire route

Special bonus adventures including a guided trail run tours and wellness options

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day

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 Rifugios:

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 with an elevation gain of 2,000-6,000 feet per day. Training for this trip is essential in order to be able to complete and enjoy the trip. It is highly recommended that you 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.

July 15: Our trip will start midday on July 15th with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! After meeting in Cortina, we'll get a start on the road to our Dolomite adventure. Our base for the evening will be a nearby mountain town with 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 checking out town.

July 16: 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."

July 17: 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.

July 18: 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.

July 19: After getting an early start, today will be one of our longest and most spectacular days on the trail as we cover 15 miles featuring peaks and passes of both smooth singletrack and technical trails. We'll be greeted with a warm welcome at our remote rifugio that serves excellent meals, apple strudels, and sunset views of that special Dolomiti light on the Pelmo.

July 20: For our final full day on the trail, 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 long, yet moderate running to enjoy en route our final rifugio.

July 21: 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.