Dive into the Alpine Adventure: Run Dolomiti in Italy

The trip price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, airport transfers, all accommodation, all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7 (one dinner excluded), transportation, drivers, experienced guides, organized runs, gondola tickets, sightseeing entry fees and team swag. In short, just about everything is covered from the moment you land until the moment you leave!

The cost does not include flight, alcohol, travel insurance, tips or personal purchases. There is also 1 excluded dinner in Cortina, giving you a chance to explore and dine on whatever you wish (suggestions provided, of course!).

Let’s be honest, we are all unique and your schedules (and originating airport!) are no exception. Come early, stay late. Participants will be responsible for booking their travel arrangements and ensuring that they arrive in Venice no later than 12pm on arrival day and depart the same place no earlier than 1pm on the final day. Suggestions and guidance will be provided once you are signed up.

Participants should arrive comfortable with at least an 8-10 mile trail run and prepared for significant elevation gain and loss; though we expect everyone to hike the ascents and there is no pace pressure, the hiking isn’t easy - you will be climbing (and descending!) 12-14,000 ft / 3600-4300m over the course of 5 days.

Please note that this is NOT a beginner-friendly trip and that everyone will be expected to have some experience/comfort with mountain environments, to carry mandatory gear and to arrive prepared to complete the full distance each day (roughly 40 mi / 65km over 5 days with additional walking to/from huts).

Nope! It’s less about being able to cover a single long distance and more about being prepared for five challenging days in a row and feeling comfortable on mountain terrain (that means rocks, scree, steep climbs, steep descents, occasional bits of exposure and the potential for being out in bad weather). We won’t be doing anything too crazy, but if you’ve never tried trail running or gone hiking in the mountains, this one isn’t the right fit for you.

The terrain is primarily a mix of dirt roads and rocky single track trail, with lots of elevation change. Expect to do as much hiking as you do running, and if you are primarily a road runner at home then please, please make a point to spend some time on the trails in preparation. If you don’t have hills or mountains in your area, find some stairs and start climbing!

We will generally plan to get on the trail mid-morning and finish with lunch, but it’s always possible that weather conditions or other logistical considerations could require an afternoon run. The key is to just relax and roll with it – it’s not about “getting it in,” but rather about exploring a brand new place each day!

These runs will take up the better part of the day, and will often finish with a mountain hut lunch and sometimes a bit of hiking afterward to reach our vans and travel to our next destination. Otherwise, our time off of the trail will be spent indulging in the gastronomical wonders of Italy, sipping espresso, strolling around town and making a point to catch those magical mountain sunsets.

Unfortunately we cannot accommodate non-runners on this trip.

No, this is not a hut to hut trip! While that is a fantastic way to experience the Dolomites, it doesn’t work so well for a group (imagine bad weather preventing us from reaching our next hut) and besides… we know that our people have a particular fondness for hot showers and nice dinners after a big day out! Two nights will be spent at a cozy family-run mountain lodge in San Martino di Castrozza, where we’ll have the whole place to ourselves and you’ll be able to wander around town on foot. One third night is spent at a rifugio (because everyone has to experience it at least once!); this particular hut offers wonderful homestyle meals, woodburning stoves, basic but comfortable bunk rooms for 4-6 people and a view from the front door that will blow your mind! Three nights are based in Cortina d’Ampezzo at a stylish boutique hotel right in the pedestrian-only town center.

Generally, beautiful! September is the beginning of shoulder season, when the weather is still pleasant but the crowds have begun to disperse. Although it’s common to see bright sunny days with highs around 70F / 21C and lows around 45F / 7C, these are the mountains: rain and even snow up high is always possible, and a cloudy or windy day can have temps dipping to near the freezing mark. All registered participants will be provided with a packing list, and should make sure to follow it!

Possibly! While single rooms are not possible at the rifugio (the mountain huts are all dorm-style), we will have a limited number of single rooms to offer for the remaining 5 nights once balances are paid and the group mix is set (3 months prior to departure). You can indicate your interest when you register, and we’ll offer any available singles based upon the order in which you signed up.

Food is one of the biggest highlights of the trip! Menus will focus on local specialties and traditions that reflect this Italian and Austrian border region. Meal styles include everything from hearty B&B breakfast spreads (fresh pastries, eggs, prosciutto, cheese, fruit) to al fresco mountain hut lunches to long, multi-course gourmet dinner affairs; highlights include house-made pastas, cured meats, local cheese, goulash, strudel, fresh bread, the very best olive oil, polenta, rich desserts, strong espresso and lots of wine. This is a region that places much importance on quality local ingredients and in taking the time to enjoy them. Prepare yourself for long meals, and come hungry!

Most common dietary restrictions can be accommodated, but please note that vegan options are extremely limited at the huts and rifugios in this region. If you are vegan or if you have a severe gluten allergy, please contact us before registering to discuss whether this trip is a good fit for you.

We will be traveling in clean, spacious passenger vans.