Dolomites Tour with Marathon Training Academy
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jun 16 - 24, 2026 | 9 days - 8 nights |
The Dolomites are a trail runner’s paradise. This summer, we’re excited to share these trails on a privately guided tour with Marathon Training Academy!
The tour starts in Ortisei, Val Gardena, in the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage Area where there’s great running in every direction. It finishes in one of our favorite towns in the region, Cortina D’Ampezzo. And in between? You’ll experience Dolomite villages, great cuisine, and no shortage of beautiful trails in one of the world’s most dramatic alpine environments.
On this tour, we’ll run inn-to-inn, enjoying stunning views along smooth singletrack and over high mountain passes. 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.
To start, 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.
We’ll explore the surrounding mountains on a multi-day point to point route. The Dolomites are famous for their pale, jagged peaks, cathedral-like spires and rocky ridgelines. These features are juxtaposed against mellow green pastures and a diverse forest neatly laid out below the sheer cliffs. Along the way are exquisite mountain lakes to admire and plenty of rifugios, or huts, where we can fuel up on local delights like apple strudel, pasta and strong Italian coffee.
This region is steeped in culture and history. During World War I the region was hotly contested. Lagazuoi, a hut that we will pass by, was the site of battles between the Austrian and Italian mountain troops. On our runs through this area, we’ll witness some of the tunnels and other structures from this wartime period. Today, one result of this mingling of cultures is the delicious, varied cuisine where you can detect both Italian and Germanic influences.
We’ll end our tour in Cortina D’Ampezzo, a well-known Italian resort town and a center for both summer and winter sports – in fact, it will host the 2026 Winter Olympics. It’s a small yet lively place with a selection of shops, cafes and restaurants. Nestled amongst impressive Dolomitic peaks and with easy trail access, Cortina is a memorable village from which to finish our tour.
Top photos: Matt Green
Book this tour
$6590 per person
$750 single supplement
This is a privately guided tour partnering with Marathon Training Academy.
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
We’ll use a funicular railway from Ortisei to gain the scenic Resciesa Ridge above the town, then head towards Passo de Brogles and the conveniently situated Brogles Hutte, offering tempting refreshments. We descend past the St. Jakob church to arrive back in Ortisei – or there’s the option of a cable car down.
(Photo: Matt Green)
Day 3 - Plattkofel Hut
We’ll take a cable car to the plateau of Alpe di Siusi – the largest single expanse of Alpine pasture in the Alps. We head over the Altipiano dello Sciliar and one of the most dramatic sections of trail of the entire week. Due to its remote location, we’ll “fast pack” our gear on today’s run. (Information will be provided in your travel packet, prior to the trip.).
En route to Selva. (Photo: Milo Zanecchia.)
Day 4 - Selva
We’ll traverse the edge of the Langkofel/Plattkofel massif, crossing immense scree slopes and charming “rock gardens” to reach the spectacular Rifugio Vincenza. A final long descent through spruce and larch forest brings us into Selva. Or a cable car can be used to descend. An early-morning run to the 2958m high Plattkofel Peak is possible.
Taking some time out – the Sella Massif as our backdrop. (Photo: Martina Valmassoi)
Day 5 - San Cassiano
We climb through forest to a stunning viewpoint at Dantercepies, then join a gentle trail through meadows with views of the towering Sella Massif. From here, it’s over the Furcela de Cir pass, and past the lakes Crespeina and Ciampei in wilder mountain terrain. We descend to the village of Colfosco, then reach Corvara via smooth meadow trails. We’ll have a short taxi transfer to our hotel in San Cassiano.
(Photo: Matt Green)
Day 6 - Rifugio Lagazuoi
Today we run more technical trails below the cliffs of Setsas, with impressive views of the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites.
We’ll pass through an area of Austrian trenches and fortifications from World War I, and then refuel at a refuge before we start the steep and rugged climb up to Rifugio Lagazuoi.
Sassongher. (Photo: Alta Badia/ Paola Finali)
Day 7 - Cortina d'Ampezzo
A quick traverse around the rocky mountainside brings us to the Travenanzes pass before descending into the Val de Travenanzes, a wild, remote-feeling and memorable corner of the Dolomites.
(Photo: Matt Green)
Day 8 - Cortina d'Ampezzo
From Cortina, we’ll catch a cable car up to Mount Faloria, then run trails with great views of the impressive Mount Cristallo and the famous Tre Cimes di Lavaredo. A long, fun descent takes us back to Cortina.
(Photo: Matt Green)
Day 9 - Departure from Cortina
We’ll enjoy a final breakfast together at our hotel before saying our farewells as our tour comes to a close. Those who have opted for the shared transfer to Venice will head off together after breakfast.
Regional map
- 3 & 4-star hotel and mountain inn bookings for eight nights
- Breakfast, trail snacks, and food at stops along the trail each day
- Dinner each night
- Luggage transfers to all stops, except Rifugio Plattkofel and Rifugio Lagazuoi. Guests will need to carry a change of clothing and some personal items for these nights. Information about fastpacking to be provided.
- Group arrival taxi from Bolzano to Ortisei
- Group departure taxi from Cortina to Venice
- Run the Alps Guide to Trail Running in the Alps
- Pro photographer for a day; license-free photography
- Regional information & maps
- Transportation to/from trailheads for guided runs
- Guided runs daily with licensed International Mountain Leaders
- Flights
- Transportation from arrival airport to Bolzano
- Transport to and from trailheads if you 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. You will receive detailed travel recommendations after you register. Flights from the U.S. usually depart the day before.
A group taxi is scheduled to leave Cortina after breakfast to travel to Venice airport. From here, you can continue on to your departure destination. Private taxis can be scheduled upon request, at an additional cost. You may have to plan on one night at a hotel in your departure city. We can assist with transportation and lodging recommendations, if you like. If you want to extend your visit with additional trail running, we can help with self-guided run descriptions for other regions of the Alps, or 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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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