Rise and Run with Elyse Kopecky in the Dolomites
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This tour is Sold Out for 2024! Please contact us if you’d like to be on the waitlist.
The Dolomites are coming onto the radar for US runners, but Run the Alps has been trail running here for a decade or more. We know the valleys, the hotels and inns, and the wonderful mountain huts. On this trip with Elyse, we’re pleased to share some of our little secrets with you!
Both culturally and topographically, the Dolomites are special. Here, the Italian, Austrian, and ancient Ladin cultures intermingle in the small, scattered villages that dot this mountainous corner of Italy. The dolomitic rock ridges and spires literally will make your jaw drop. It’s hard not to stop and stare, particularly in the fading light of a late September day.
We’ll stay in a deluxe chalet featuring a Finnish sauna, steam bath, and outdoor whirlpool. Here, a private chef will prepare wholesome meals, featuring Elyse’s own recipes. Plus we stay in one of our favorite hotels in the Alps– Hotel Kabis, managed by our friend Konrad Messner, cousin of the famous climber Reinhold Messner, who grew up in the same valley.
In between, we’ll fast-pack to one of our favorite high huts, Plattkofelhütte. Great local food, using meat and vegetables from their own farm, and big views combine for a special evening at this refuge, which offers many more amenities than similar remote mountain huts.
Our tour includes daily trail runs in Ortisei and Selva, nestled in Val Gardena, in the heart of the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage Area. We also experience the Alta Badia region, and quiet Val Funes, where we run through pastures and past chalets right to the door of our nearly two-centuries old hotel.
Meals at the chalet will be catered by noted Chamonix caterer Lisa Murgatroyd of Peppered Strawberry who will work closely with Elyse on preparing delicious and nutritious foods. Please contact us with any dietary requirements in advance.
Book this tour
Double Occupancy: $5,890/person
Single Occupancy: $6,750/person
Itinerary
Day 1
Today, we’ll meet in Bolzano and transfer by taxi to Colfosco in Alta Badia 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, we’ll meet in Bolzano and transfer by taxi to Colfosco in Alta Badia in the afternoon. If necessary, Run the Alps can help arrange your own private taxi from Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, or Munich directly–please inquire. Before dinner, we’ll meet for an overview of the week’s route, covering daily routines, and reviewing gear for each day’s adventure.
Day 2
Today we have a chance to find our running legs, heading straight out into the mountains from our chalet.
There will be time to relax at the chalet in the afternoon, or to take a look around the small town of Colfosco, with its famous late Gothic church of St Vigil.
Today we have a chance to find our running legs, heading straight out into the mountains from our chalet. Our group will take a route via the high mountain lakes of Crespeina and Ciampei, with a chance to stop at a mountain “rifugio” for coffee along the way.
There will be time to relax at the chalet in the afternoon, or to take a look round the small town of Colfosco, with its famous late Gothic church of St Vigil. We’ll enjoy another delicious meal in the comfort of our chalet in the evening.
Day 3
From Ortisei, we’ll enjoy a ride up on the Alpe di Siusi cable car, then run across the vast magnificent expanse of Alpe di Siusi where traditional farming still takes place. We’ll finish the day with our overnight adventure at the Plattkofelhütte, which features classic Dolomites cuisine and even hot showers!
We start the day with a taxi ride to the town of Ortisei. From here, we’ll enjoy a ride up on the Alpe di Siusi cable car, then run across the vast magnificent expanse of Alpe di Siusi. Also called Seiseralm Alm, this is the largest single expanse of pasture in the Alps, covering an area of 57 square kilometers, all above 1700m altitude. Traditional farming still takes place here, now with the addition of visitors during summer who take advantage of inns and mountain hotels dotted along the trails that criss-cross the plateau. We’ll finish the day with our overnight adventure at the Plattkofelhütte, which features classic Dolomites cuisine and even hot showers!
We’ll be fast-packing today, since bag delivery is not available at this remote location. (Fast packing information will be provided in your tour pack upon registration.)
Day 4
Along today’s stunning route, we’ll explore the immense and iconic Langkofel/Plattkofel massif. We leave the Sassolungo mountain and Plattkofelhütte, tucked at the base of jagged, imposing rock spires.
There is a final long descent through spruce/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!
Along today’s stunning route, we’ll explore the immense and iconic Langkofel/Plattkofel massif.
We leave the Sassolungo mountain and Plattkofelhütte, tucked at the base of jagged, imposing rock spires. We’ll traverse the edge of the massif, crossing immense scree slopes and charming “rock gardens.” We’ll stop at 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, with 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 your legs are feeling tired!
Day 5
Today 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.
A steep zig-zagged descent requires care but soon enough brings us to Rifugio Odle with an option for a light lunch from an extensive menu of local specialities.
Today 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. This rolling expanse dotted with quiet alp farms is crossed by numerous trails, and backed by the impressive jagged Odler peaks. The first part of our route is on south-facing slopes, so we’ll take advantage of the shaded lower valley as we make our ascent.
We will stop at the Regensburger Hut for a coffee and snack before continuing up for an exciting ascent to the Forc di Mesdi, a rocky pass at 2600m, right in the heart of the jagged peaks. A steep zig-zagged descent requires care but soon enough brings us to Rifugio Odle with an option for a light lunch from an extensive menu of local specialities.
Mellow trails and pleasant pine and spruce forest bring us to the valley bottom and the collections of mountain inns and farms that dot the hamlets of St Peter and St Magdalena.
Day 6
Today’s highlight is the “Gunther Messner way”, a flowing, narrow trail that’s occasionally exposed and completely absorbing.
Back in Val Funes, at Hotel Kabis, our host and wine expert Konrad Messner will guide us through a wine tasting featuring local wines and cheese.
Today’s our last full day in the Dolomites, and we’ll take advantage of it! We’ll tackle the Odle di Eores massif, taking in an engrossing singletrack trail, 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 that’s occasionally exposed and completely absorbing. It’s a fitting finale, set in a wild locale, with jagged peaks and steep scree slopes, and wrapping up with more great singletrack on the south side of the massif.
Back in Val Funes, at Hotel Kabis, our host and wine expert Konrad Messner will guide us through a wine tasting featuring local wines and cheese, in a beautifully renovated “cave” at the hotel. Our Dolomites adventure will close with a celebratory final dinner at the inn.
Day 7
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.
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.
What's Included
3 nights at a luxury chalet, 1 night at a mountain hut, 2 nights at a 3-star hotel; all breakfasts, light lunches, and dinners, trail nutrition, 3 IML certified guides, Elyse Kopecky as the special guest, Taxi from Bolzano to chalet, Taxi from Val Funes to Bolzano, all in-tour taxis, luggage transfers, wine tasting at Hotel Kabis, License free photography.
Arrival
Plan to arrive in Bolzano by mid-afternoon the day your tour starts. Your tour kicks off with a meeting at 4:30pm. Around 5:30pm, we will take a group taxi to Alta Badia.
Flights from the US usually depart the day before. The closest airports are Venice, Verona, Milan and Munich, which are all about three to four hours away by train or taxi. You will be provided with a Run the Alps Aid Station PDF, explaining how to get to and from Bolzano.
Departure
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 to your departure destination. Private taxis can be scheduled upon request at your 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’d like 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.
Good To Know
Run the Alps Stories: Bruno Yates: My Recon for Run the Alps’ Dolomites Trip and Courtney and Crew do the Dolomites.
All Run the Alps guests receive a copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps to assist in preparing for their trip.
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions and travel insurance.
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.