Dolomites Tour with Marathon Training Academy

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.

Today is a great introduction to the area. We’ll use a funicular railway from Ortisei to gain the scenic Resciesa Ridge above the town. From there, panoramic views unfold from the trails traversing the mountainside. Many of the runs to come can be seen in the distance as we head along the ridge towards Passo de Brogles and the conveniently situated Brogles Hutte, offering tempting refreshments. The homemade cakes here are divine!

After a quick climb back to the pass, we’ll descend on a magnificent trail through pine forest into the Anna Valley above Ortisei. The trail twists and turns down through the trees, joining a historic pilgrim’s trail called The Troi Paian for an impressive traverse across the slopes of the valley. We descend past the St. Jakob church to arrive back in Ortisei – or there’s the option of a cable car down at the end of the day if you wish to save your legs.

Today is a bit different with us fastpacking our overnight supplies to the hut. We’ll take a cable car to the plateau of Alpe di Siusi – the largest single expanse of Alpine pasture in the entire Alps. After a comfortable hour or so of relatively flat running through beautiful scenery, we descend to Saltner Hut before climbing steeply on a rocky trail towards Rifugio Bolzano where there is the option to stop for refreshments.

We then head out over the Altipiano dello Sciliar and one of the most dramatic sections of trail of the entire week. The towering cliffs of the Catinaccio/Rosengarten mountains make an impressive backdrop but the trail is never too technical. We arrive at Tierser Alp Pass and a rifugio of the same name, another great spot for a cool drink or a café macchiato! The final stretch to our overnight stop at Plattkofel Hut is a pleasant contrast, an undulating and relatively smooth trail across a green and verdant ridgeline.

With 4-person dorms and private rooms, and hot showers, Plattkofel Hut is more of a comfortable inn than a rough mountain hut. It has a quiet ambience that allows us to relax and enjoy a beautiful evening high in the mountains. Due to its remote location, your bag will not be available tonight. We’ll use larger, “fast pack” gear on today’s run. (Information will be provided in your travel packet, prior to the trip.)

Along today’s stunning route, we’ll explore the immense and iconic Langkofel/Plattkofel massif. From the Sassolungo mountain and Plattkofel hut, we’ll traverse the edge of the massif, crossing immense scree slopes and charming “rock gardens.” We reach the spectacularly placed Rifugio Vincenza where a break for coffee and cake feels obligatory!

We’ll then head deeper into the massif to climb up to the narrow and improbable pass, Forc Sassolungo. Even more improbable is the small but cozy mountain hut that has been squeezed onto the pass! A steep zig-zagged descent brings us to the large Sallajoch (Sella Pass), followed by a pleasant trail through wooded rock gardens. There is a final long descent through spruce and larch forest to bring us into Selva. Alternatively a cable car can be used to go down from Ciampinoi if the legs are feeling tired!

For those feeling adventurous, the day could also start with an early-morning run to the 2958m high Plattkofel Peak, whose dramatic, rocky summit features 360-degree views. Don’t forget to pack a headlamp!

From Selva, we climb through forest to a viewpoint at Dantercepies, where we can take in the stunning views. We join a gently descending trail through meadows with views of the towering Sella Massif, bringing us to Rigugio Jimmy, where we can take a break. From here, it’s over the Furcela de Cir pass, and past the lakes Crespeina and Ciampei in wilder mountain terrain. We descend to Utia Col Pradat just above treeline, where we can stop for a break at the restaurant. A winding single track descent through trees to the village of Colfosco, with its famous neo-gothic church, followed by gentle meadow trails into the quiet village of Corvara. We’ll have a short taxi ride down the road to our hotel in San Cassiano.

A cable car take us 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.

We’ll pass through an area of Austrian trenches and fortifications from World War I, and then refuel at a hut before we start 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. The rifugio, our home for the night, is perched nearly on the summit and offers unparalleled 360° views of the surrounding peaks.

Today will be another fast-packing day and we’ll be in dorm rooms with bunk beds this evening.

We’ll bid farewell to this spectacular refuge and head down to Lagazuoi pass. 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.

Next, the valley narrows as it deepens and we follow the River Travenanzes as it changes 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. We’ll traverse high above town before descending to the famous village of Cortina!

From Cortina, we’ll catch a cable car up to Mount Faloria to start our run, traversing the northern slopes of the mountain with great views of the impressive Mount Cristallo and the famous Tre Cimes di Lavaredo. A steep descent brings us to the sublime turquoise waters of Lago Sorapis and a chance for refreshments at the nearby Rifugio Vandelli. We’ll then traverse forested slopes to Passo Tre Croci before a long, fun descent back to Cortina.

We’ll celebrate our big adventure and all that we have experienced with a farewell dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in 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.

We can help you make other departure arrangements if you do not want the provided taxi to Venice. Please reach out to the tour manager.