Classic Italian Dolomites
Dates (4 available) | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jun 19 - 26, 2025 (sold out) | 8 days - 7 nights |
| Sep 4 - 11, 2025 (sold out) | 8 days - 7 nights |
| Jun 17 - 24, 2026 | 8 days - 7 nights |
On this Tour, we’ll run from inn to inn, enjoying stunning views along smooth singletrack and high mountain passes. At night, we’ll relax with hearty local meals in charming villages.
The tour starts in Ortisei, Val Gardena, in the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage Area where there’s great running in every direction. We’ll explore the Gardena and Funes valleys in the western Dolomites, carrying light trail running vests, while our bags are transported between villages. One night in a high mountain lodge will require a slightly larger pack for your overnight essentials.
Each day begins with a buffet breakfast featuring fresh bread, pastries, local meats, cheeses, eggs, juice and coffee. Then we hit the trails, running through pastures beneath the towering Dolomites.
On our first day, we’ll warm-up with a funicular ride and flowy alpine trails. Most of the days will offer a choice of distances, and we also have two optional rest days. On a typical day, we’ll finish by 4 pm, giving time to relax and enjoy the views before a delicious multi-course dinner of local specialties.
Top photos: Martina Vamassoi, Milo Zanecchia, PatitucciPhoto
Book this tour
$4730 per person
$1050 single supplement
Make it privately guided
Prefer to go guided with your own group? Inquire here.
Go self-guided
Run on your own schedule, without a guide, and let us take care of the logistics! See details here.
Itinerary
Our guide tells us what we’ll do tomorrow. (Photo: Martina Valmassoi)
Day 1 - Ortisei
Today, we’ll meet in Bolzano and transfer by taxi to Ortisei in the afternoon. Before dinner, we’ll meet for an overview of the week’s route, covering daily routines, and reviewing gear for each day’s adventure.
Running through the Dolomites. (Photo: Milo Zanecchia)
Day 2 - Ortisei
Today we’ll start by using a funicular railway from Ortisei to gain the scenic Resciesa Ridge, with panoramic views and quality trails traversing the mountainside.
Yellow larch in the Dolomites in fall. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 3 - Plattkofel Hut
From the beautiful plateau of Alpe di Siusi, some relatively flat running brings us to Saltner Hut. We then head out over the Altipiano dello Sciliar and one of the most dramatic sections of trail of the entire week. We stay overnight at Plattkofel Hut, with private rooms and hot showers.
Running towards the high walls of Sassolungo. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 4 - Selva
Along today’s stunning route, we’ll explore the immense and iconic Langkofel/Plattkofel massif. Passing Rifugio Vincenza, a break for coffee and cake feels obligatory! For those feeling adventurous, an early-morning run to the 2958m high Plattkofel Peak, is an option.
A view of Vallunga. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 5 - Selva
Running from Selva this morning, we’ll enjoy a circular route up into the impressive Vallunga, or “Long Valley”, a long, deep chasm which has been likened to a mini-Yosemite valley. The flow on this section of trail feels just great!
Enjoying a meat and cheese platter in the Dolomites. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 6 - San Pietro
We cross from Val Gardena to its quieter neighbor, Val di Funes. Starting in Selva, we’ll climb to the popular Seceda meadows high above Val Gardena, an expanse dotted with quiet alp farms, and backed by the impressive jagged Odler peaks.
Gunther Messner Way. (Photo: Bruno Yates)
Day 7 - San Pietro
We’ll tackle the Odle di Eores massif, with engrossing singletrack, mature pine woodland, abundant mountain vistas and a couple of well-placed huts for refreshments along the way. Today’s highlight is the “Gunther Messner way”, a flowing, narrow trail.
(Photo: Martina Valmassoi)
Day 8 - Depart from San Pietro
Today we’ll say our goodbyes as we take leave of the Dolomites. We’ll have a morning group taxi available to Bolzano, where you can continue on to your final post-tour destination.
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Accommodation for six nights at 3 or 4 star hotels, one night at remote mountain inn
- Buffet breakfasts, food and premium nutrition on the trail, and multi-course dinners every evening
- Group taxi from Bolzano to Ortisei at the start of the tour, and from Val di Funes to Bolzano at the end of the tour
- All taxi and cable car transfers to and from trailheads that are included on our planned itinerary
- Luggage transfers between villages
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains 80+ pages of information and tips from Run the Alps staff and guides
- Flights / transportation to and from the tour
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Tips for guides
Plan to arrive in Bolzano by mid-afternoon the day your tour starts. We will take a group taxi from there to Ortisei.
The closest airports are Venice, Verona, Milan and Munich, which are all about three to four hours away by train or taxi. Flights from the U.S. usually depart the day before.
A group taxi is typically scheduled to leave Val di Funes at 8:30am and get you to Bolzano about 9:30am. From here, you can continue on to your departure destination. Trains run frequently from Bolzano to Milan, Munich, Venice and more.
If you’d like to leave at a different time or head somewhere else, private taxis can be scheduled upon request at your cost.
If you’d like to extend your visit with additional trail running, we can help with self-guided run descriptions for other regions of the Alps, and trail race options.
- Why Run the Alps? Learn how Run the Alps compares to other trail running companies and what sets us apart.
- Want to extend your trip with more running? We can help provide self-guided run descriptions for nearby regions of the Alps, and/or trail race options.
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. Check out our Alps Training Resources or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- Can a non-running partner join me on this tour? Yes–read how hiking and sightseeing companions can come too.
- Celebrating a special occasion? Each year we get a number of guests who are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or retirement with a Run the Alps trip. If this is you, let us know!
- Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard Run the Alps trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.
- Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.
- Tour Grants Program: Run the Alps is committed to making our trips more inclusive. If you’d like to join this trip, but don’t think you can afford it, please check out our Tour Grants Program.
- Trip Insurance: Life can sometimes throw us a curveball and wreak havoc upon the best laid plans, which is why Run the Alps requires trip insurance. Learn more here.
- Terms and Conditions: You can read up on them here.
Guides for this Tour
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