Italian Dolomites Trail Running 

Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Italy, the Dolomites are a wonderful trail running destination.

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Why run in the Italian Dolomites?

The flowing trails are easily accessible and scattered with friendly and deluxe mountain huts where you can take a break or even spend the night. 

The local Ladin culture, a fusion of Italian and Austrian language and tradition, creates a unique experience – where else can you get Apfelstrudel with your cappuccino?

The stunning scenery – marked by steeples, pinnacles, vertical rock walls, and a high density of narrow, deep valleys, it’s no wonder the Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Area,

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Run the Alps offers three trips in the Dolomites: 

_{Lead images: Martina Valmassoi}

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Guided or Self-Guided?

Not sure which trip style is right for you? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Guided Tours

• Led by licensed International Mountain Leaders who know the Alps inside out.
• Small groups, with built-in camaraderie and support on the trail.
• Everything is taken care of — from navigation to accommodations.
• Perfect if you enjoy meeting other runners and having a local expert by your side.

Self-Guided Tours

• Run at your own pace, with detailed route notes, maps, and GPX tracks in our app.
• Luggage transfer and accommodations arranged for you.
• On-the-ground support via our Whatsapp helpline if you need it.
• Ideal if you prefer flexibility and independence, but still want all the in-country logistics taken care of.
• For more information about our self-guided tours, check out this article.

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Why travel with Run the Alps?

• Local Experts: We focus exclusively on trail running trips to the Alps. Our team has lived, raced, and run here for years.
• Inclusive for All Levels: We have trail running vacations for every level of runner – and, on our guided tours, will never leave anyone behind.  
• Small Groups: Our guest-to-guide ratio is as good as, or better than, any other tour provider we know. It’s usually a maximum of 7:1, which allows us to give every runner the attention they deserve.
• Positive Impact: A portion of every trip supports our Net Positive initiatives.
• Beyond the beaten track: Unlike many tour companies, we don’t just offer tours to the busiest areas! Check out all our trips here.

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Planning your trail running vacation to the Italian Dolomites

Thinking about a trip to the Dolomites? Here are the essentials to help you prepare:

When to Go

• June–early July: Quieter trails, possibility of some snow still on passes.
• July–August: Best weather, but busiest season.
• September: Cooler, quieter, beautiful autumn colors.

Gear
Lightweight trail shoes, layers for changing weather, hydration vest, and poles are recommended. A full packing list is included in your pre-trip materials.

Travel Logistics
If you’re planning to travel to the Italian Dolomites by plane, we recommend flying in and out of Venice or Munich airport. You could also fly to Verona, Milan or Innsbruck. Detailed travel recommendations will be provided for all of these options.

On our guided Discover trip, you’ll typically take a train from your arrival location to Bolzano – the gateway to the Dolomites. From there, we’ll arrange a group taxi to take you to your hotel in Ortisei. At the end of the tour, we’ll arrange a group taxi to take you from Cortina to Venice airport. 

On both our guided and self-guided Classic trips, you’ll typically take a train from your arrival airport to Bolzano. From there, we arrange a taxi to take you to Ortisei and the start of your trip. At the end of your trip, we’ll arrange a taxi to take you from Val di Funes back to Bolzano.

On our Cortina trips, we’ll arrange a taxi to take you to and from Venice airport at the start and end of the tour.

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FAQs

How difficult is trail running in the Italian Dolomites?

Our Italian Dolomites trips range from Level 1 to Level 3 – meaning there’s a trip for every type of runner. If you’re just starting out, check out our Discover Tour; if you’ve been trail running for a few years and can comfortably run up to 12 miles (19 km), check out our Classic Tour; or if you a more experienced trail runner who’s comfortable with several big climbs and descents every day, head for our Cortina Tour. For training resources head here.

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What kind of accommodations will I stay in?

On our Italian Dolomites trail running trips, you’ll typically stay at 3 or 4* valley hotels, with one night in a high-mountain hut for a true alpine experience.

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When’s the best time to run in the Italian Dolomites?

The best time to run in the Italian Dolomites is June–September. July and August bring the most stable weather, but also the most crowds.

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What’s the difference between guided and self-guided?

Guided trips are led by licensed International Mountain Leaders who support from arrival to departure. On self-guided trips we provide detailed route materials, luggage transfers, accommodations, and on-the-ground support via our Whatsapp helpline.

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Can I bring a non-running partner?

Yes! Non-running companions can join you. They can hike, sightsee, and enjoy the mountains alongside your Run the Alps adventure. Learn more here.

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Can I take part in a trail race in the Italian Dolomites?

There are plenty of great options for trail races in the Italian Dolomites. You can use our Alps Race Finder to find your perfect race. It may be possible to add a race to your itinerary. Please get in touch and we can discuss your options.

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For more general FAQs, click here.

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