Cortina, Dolomites Trail Running Self-Guided

If you choose, a taxi will take you from Venice airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo, about a two-hour drive. We can help you book the taxi. The other option is to catch a bus from the airport. After checking into your hotel, you’ll have a little time to explore the town before enjoying a delicious dinner in the hotel restaurant.

A taxi will meet you at the hotel and take you to the start of the trailhead., You’ll start on a wooded trail up to Rifugio Cinque Torri, then run through the dramatic, rocky landscape of the iconic Cinque Torri. An adventurous, technical trail leads to another possible refreshment stop at the beautiful Passo Giau, then it’s on to a quieter section of the famous Alta Via 1, circling the jagged spires of Croda da Lago. A fun descent through alpine pastures and wooded trails takes you back to Cortina, where you can enjoy an aperitivo at one of Cortina’s many restaurants along the pedestrian-friendly downtown, perhaps taking in the end of the afternoon at an outdoor terrace.

An early morning taxi will take you from Cortina up to the trailhead below Tre Cimes di Lavaredo. From here, you’ll run the main trail directly below the iconic three peaks, then break away from the tourists onto smaller paths that snake their way through the rocky landscape. You’ll pass by the beautiful Lago di Cengia before climbing to the Rifugio di Cengia – where you can enjoy some coffee and fresh apple strudel!

Next, you join another great trail heading around the back of the Tre Cimes and over the Col de Medo pass. A wild forested descent leads back to civilization and eventually on to  Lago di Misurina and your hotel for the evening.

After a quick shuttle to Podestagno, you’ll start with a gradual climb up the Valon Scuro, then reach the beautiful Senes plateau. This large expanse of alpine pasture is wild-feeling, yet dotted with several rifugios where you can stop for refreshments.

The route gets increasingly remote as you cross the plateau and climb to the Senes pass. It’s even wilder on the other side of the pass, zigzagging down steep scree slopes. This remote valley narrows to a gorge before you arrive in the Val de Mareo. Easy alpine pasture running leads to wild rock-hopping over once-flooded stream beds, down a technically challenging forest section, and finally some pleasant running into St Vigilio, your stop for the night. 

Today, be sure to start with a plentiful breakfast before the biggest day of your tour! After a cable car ride up to Col d’Ancona, you’ll run through forest and open alpine pastures up towards Sant Antone pass. The scenery becomes more dramatic and the trail more technical as you get closer to the pass. UTMB’s Lavaredo Ultra 80k tail race also passes this way. The view of the Fanes region at the high point is a worthy reward for your climb. 

A quick descent leads to two refuges from which to choose for a trailside treat! Another gradual climb through wild terrain leads to your second pass of the day, the Forcella de Medesc, nestled between impressive peaks. A long downhill brings you to the resort village of San Cassiano, and a well-earned rest for the night.

A gondola takes you up to Piz de Surega above San Cassiano for some easy running across a wide open expanse of alpine pastures. Utia Pralongia is a great spot for coffee, before heading onto quieter and more technical trails below the impressive cliffs of Setsas. Even more impressive are the views of the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites, looming in the distance. 

You’ll pass through an area of Austrian trenches and fortifications from World War I, and then can refuel at a refuge before starting the steep and rugged climb up to Rifugio Lagazuoi. Mount Lagazuoi is rich with wartime history, as the Italian and Austrian forces battled for control of this strategically important area. You’ll either sleep in a shared dormitory at the Lagazuoi hut, or descend to meet a taxi to a hotel in nearby Cortina, depending on availability.

Bid farewell to this spectacular refuge and head down to Lagazuoi pass. A quick traverse around the rocky mountainside and past well-curated World War I tunnels and shelters brings you to the Travenanzes pass, then down into Val de Travenanzes, a wild, remote-feeling and memorable corner of the Dolomites. In our opinion, this is one of the most special areas to trail run in all of the Alps! Enjoy. It’s dramatic beyond words. 

Next, the valley narrows as it deepens and you follow the River Travenanzes, changing from a mere trickle at the top to a raging torrent below. Competitors in the UTMB Lavaredo Ultra 50k and 120k races are also treated to this scenic route. You’ll traverse above Cortina before descending into the town to close the loop that you started six days prior! Celebrate your big adventure and all that you have experienced with a farewell dinner at one of Cortina’s many fine restaurants.

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before saying goodbye to Cortina and continuing with your onward travels. We can help arrange a taxi back to the Venice airport or you can take a bus.