We like to think this Runcation has it all. The Alps of Slovenia, the Dolomites of Italy, Spa Hotels, Alpine Lakes, and Castles. Join us on this running vacation as we cross through the highlights of the Italian Dolomites and Slovenia on this week-long adventure. Each night of the running retreat is spent in beautiful 4-star hotels in the mountains with wellness options and creative accommodations inspired by the natural beauty of the area. We start the trip with guided trail running on the awe-inspiring mountain trails of the Italian Dolomites, including a hotel to hotel traverse of some of the most spectacular parts of the Italian Dolomites. This trail running portion is a traverse of some of our favorite trails, towns, and vistas of the Dolomites, from Sellaronda to the Cinque Torri. For part two, it’s all about perfectly runnable level paths along the turquoise valleys and lakes of Slovenia in Triglav National park. Our afternoons here are spent paddle boarding, swimming, or indulging in a lakeside beverage at a castle. We'll run along a lake that was voted one of the top 10 most beautiful lakes in the world and spend the evenings lakeside with views of the Julian Alps. This running trip includes private transport to bring you to a different location, trailhead, and hidden gem each day of the trip led by expert local trail running guides. All logistics, accommodation, and experienced guides included, so you’re free to soak it up and enjoy the Runcation.

Trip Difficulty: Level 2+

https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me

This running adventure holiday is open to ages 15 and up of various levels. Must be able to complete 7-16 miles/day of running. 3 days of the trip include running at altitude including 3,000-5,000 feet of elevation gain per day, while the rest of the mileage is shorter and flatter with between 500-1,500 feet per day. It is suggested that you be able to maintain an average pace of 15-20 minutes/mile for the mountain running days and must be able to run/jog the flats and downhill sections. 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 transportation from Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy at the start to Venice, Italy at the end

4-star hotels in the Dolomites and Slovenia included nightly, with wellness, massage, pool/jacuzzi, sauna and other special spa offerings throughout the trip

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants

Baggage transport from hotel to hotel and transport throughout

Private transport each day between locations, including private transfer from Dolomites to Slovenia

Knowledgable mountain guides and running coaches along the entire route

Special bonus adventures including castle visits and wellness options

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.)

Small local city tax to be paid in cash/euros per person at time of checkout (usually 1-3 euros)

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:

You do not need to be an expert trail runner! However, please note, this is a LEVEL 2+ trip. Runners must be able to complete the full distance each day on the trip itinerary (7-16 miles) with significant amounts of elevation gain and loss (500-4,500 feet per day) in mountainous environments, on technical trails, and at times in unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains. While we hike the long uphill climbs, is expected that all participants will run whenever the guide determines is feasible (including downhill and flat sections). We cannot accommodate walkers or hikers on this running trip. If you’re psyched about visiting the Dolomites and Slovenia and can meet this trip requirements, you should attend!

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!

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 2+

https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me

Day 1: Our trip will start the afternoon of Day 1 with a meeting in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The town of Cortina is set like a crown jewel as it sits surrounded by some of the most spectacular peaks of the Dolomites by all sides. It's also been selected as the host of the 2026 Olympic Games! We'll start with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week before you're free to enjoy the town for the evening. Multiple easy transportations are available to Cortina from Venice. 

4-star hotel with breakfast included

Day 2: After breakfast and coffee/tea, we'll head out from our front door of our comfortable hotel in Cortina and begin our adventure! We'll warm up the first few miles on a flat path with amazing vistas before we head up and over our first mountain pass with views through some of Cortina's finest mountains. We then begin our traverse through the valley, running along the river and passing waterfalls and gorges. We'll stop for a coffee and snack break at a peaceful malga (with the best apple strudel in the Dolomites!), meet a donkey or two, and then continue through Fanes Sennes Naturepark to the end of the valley before descending to our next hotel in the Alta Badia region. We’ll stay in charming 4-star hotel complete with a pool, wellness center, spa, and mountain views in addition to complimentary aperitifs and dessert bars. Today is one of our longest days of the trip at almost 16 miles and 3,300 feet of elevation gain, but the sights are not to be missed!

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness spa included 

Complimentary aperitif, local meats and cheeses, and dessert bar included

~16 miles/3,300 feet ascent/3,000 feet of descent**

**Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change due to weather, trail conditions, and group ability, but this is a good guideline**

Day 3: After a large spread of a variety of nutritious South Tyrolean breakfast items, we continue our traverse of the South Tyrolean Dolomites and enter the Parco Naturale Puez Odle. Today is our second big day in the mountains of the trip. We'll wind our way through the green meadows of high plateaus for a break of smooth and even trail running before climbing up a mountain pass with technical trails and views for miles. After a break at a rifugio for treats, snacks, and beverages, we'll descend down into a neighboring valley. We'll get to run alongside the famous Vallunga on some smooth singletrack before our final fun and technical singletrack descent down into the long valley. After our second longest day on the trails, we'll arrive to our top notch hotel in a green valley with plenty of time to take advantage of the many activities and wellness options from our scenic hotel, or visit the charming mountain town nearby. 

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness spa included

~13 mi, 3,600 feet ascent/3,600 feet descent

After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we'll head out the door for our final run in the Dolomites. There are options for today’s run based on energy levels, but any way you go there is no shortage of views before we arrive back to our hotel for private transport to start our Slovenia adventure! Our hotel for the evening is a 4-star hotel along Lake Bohinj, Slovenia. Side adventures include gelato, taking a swim, or renting a paddleboard!

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness center/spa included

Run options: ~7 miles, 3,500 feet ascent/3,500 feet descent OR flat option OR option for a rest day**

Private transfer from the Dolomites to Slovenia included (~4.5 hour travel time)

Day 5: The setting for your breakfast is nothing short of spectacular, but it gets better on the run! For today's route we’ll tackle a scenic long run in Triglav National Park. Depending on the weather conditions and group ability, we have plenty of options to choose from for our first full day on the trails in Slovenia, but there’s no bad choice between the rolling valleys, turquoise lakes, and rocky high mountain forests and ridges through the lesser known region of the Julian Alps expertly led by our local Slovenian trail expert. Today's point to point will cover miles and views before you have the option of stopping for a refreshing swim and dinner at a lakeside cafe back in town.  

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness center/spa included

12-15 miles, +/-1,500-4,500ft OR option to take a rest day

After a special breakfast, we’ll enjoy another run touring some of the more scenic vistas of the Julian Alps with jagged pale mountains contrasted by stunning alpine lakes. For today's route we’ll do another scenic loop past lakes and hidden gorges and waterfalls with a mixture of forest singletrack and flat runnable path. We’ll end with a short transfer to our next location in Slovenia which promises lakeside restaurants and castles to visit! Side adventures include visiting cafes and restaurants around Lake Bled, checking out a festival or live music, or hiking up to the castle and having a drink at the cafe or visiting the museum inside. 

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness/spa included

~7-9 miles, +/- 600-1,500 feet  OR option to take a rest day**

Private transfer to another region of Slovenia included

Day 7: We'll spend our final morning in Slovenia to a hearty and nutritious breakfast before a final run looping the shores of Lake Bled, which was nominated as one of the seven new wonders of the world. This alpine lake is home to the only island in the middle, and is rich in history. After enjoying a final espresso, paddle board, or swim in the lake, we'll make our way back to Venice in comfortable transport, reaching it by evening where we say our goodbyes with new Runcation friends and experiences.

Optional 3-5 mile flat lake loop

Private transfer from Slovenia to Venice, Italy Marco Polo Airport included