ITALY | TRAIL RUNNING | SELF GUIDED OR GUIDED TOUR
BEST OF THE DOLOMITES TRAIL RUNNING
Run Wild. Stay Cozy. Taste the Dolomites. Five extraordinary trail runs, six cozy alpine nights, and a journey through the most spectacular landscapes of the Italian Dolomites. The experience goes beyond running, bringing you closer to the authentic spirit of the Dolomites.
From the legendary Three Peaks of Lavaredo to the peaceful alpine pastures of Alta Pusteria and the dramatic limestone towers surrounding Cortina d’Ampezzo, this adventure is designed for runners who want more than just kilometres.
Imagine waking up in a charming mountain hotel, enjoying a delicious alpine breakfast, and heading out onto trails surrounded by towering peaks. Follow scenic singletracks, climb towards breathtaking viewpoints, and discover traditional mountain huts where homemade food and genuine hospitality are part of the experience.
After each run, return to the warmth of your alpine retreat. Natural wood, comfortable rooms, regional cuisine, and perhaps a relaxing sauna create the perfect ending to a day in the mountains. This is trail running with a sense of place: adventurous, authentic, and wonderfully rewarding
Facts:
- Activity: Trail Running / Mountain Running / Fastpacking
Length: Classic Trail: 13–18 km/day | Extended Trail: 17–24 km/day
Price of Guided Tour: Available on request for private groups.
This self-guided Dolomites trail running holiday is designed to offer flexibility, allowing runners to choose between shorter Classic Trail and longer Extended Trail routes on selected stages. Each route is carefully designed to showcase the most spectacular mountain landscapes, from the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the alpine meadows of Alta Pusteria to the breathtaking trails surrounding Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Run light, travel comfortably, and enjoy the mountains. All essential logistics, including accommodation, luggage transportation, and scheduled transfers, are arranged in advance, allowing you to focus on the trails and the experience. You’ll run with just your daily running gear, while we take care of the rest.
Designed by experienced trail runners, for runners.
Price of tour / person
Duration
Difficulty
Season
Accommodation
Booking
Start of the tour
End of the tour
Itinerary
Arrive in Sesto, a beautiful South Tyrolean village framed by the magnificent Sexten Dolomites. Your first three nights are spent in a welcoming alpine hotel, where warm wooden interiors, mountain views, and traditional hospitality create the perfect start to your holiday. Explore the village, enjoy an afternoon coffee, and discover the flavours of South Tyrol. For dinner, try Schlutzkrapfen, homemade pasta filled with spinach and ricotta, or traditional dumplings accompanied by a glass of regional wine. Settle in, relax, and get ready for your first mountain adventure.
- Morning/Afternoon introductory meeting.
- Optional run; Short and pleasant running in nearby
- Distance: 5–8 km | Elevation: +350 m …
- Overnight, Hotel ***/****, Sesto/Sexten
Your first running adventure begins among some of the most iconic mountain scenery in the world. From the Tre Cime area, follow spectacular alpine trails beneath the towering limestone walls of the Three Peaks. Enjoy magnificent views towards Rifugio Locatelli and the surrounding mountain landscape before continuing through the heart of the Tre Cime Nature Park.
Depending on your selected route, explore additional panoramic trails or descend towards the beautiful Val Fiscalina, where dramatic rock formations give way to peaceful alpine scenery. Stop at a mountain refuge for a homemade lunch, a slice of apple strudel, or a refreshing drink while admiring the spectacular peaks. A truly unforgettable introduction to the Dolomites.
- Breakfast in hotel, Split.
- Morning transfer to the trail running starting point.
- Run – option 1 – Distance: 12 km | Elevation: +450 m
- Run – option 2 – Distance: 19 km | Elevation: +750 m
- Overnight, Hotel ***/****, Sesto/Sexten
Discover the wilder side of the Sexten Dolomites, where dramatic limestone peaks, quiet alpine forests, and beautiful mountain singletracks create a magnificent running playground. Today’s adventure explores the landscapes surrounding Croda Rossa, with scenic climbs, flowing trails, and panoramic views towards the surrounding mountains.
Along the way, discover traditional alpine pastures and rustic wooden huts, where mountain farming traditions remain part of everyday life. Enjoy a stop for homemade Kaiserschmarrn, local cheese, or a hearty mountain soup before continuing through the alpine landscape. Return to Sesto for a relaxing afternoon. Perhaps enjoy a sauna, a refreshing drink on the terrace, or simply the peaceful atmosphere of your hotel.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Morning transfer to the trail running starting point.
- Run – option 1 – Distance: 12 km | Elevation: +350 m
- Run – option 2 – Distance: 18 km | Elevation: +650 m
- Overnight, Hotel ***/****, Sesto/Sexten
Today, the Dolomites reveal a completely different character. Discover the magnificent high alpine plateau of Prato Piazza (Plätzwiese), where wide-open meadows, traditional wooden mountain huts, and extraordinary panoramic views create an idyllic setting for trail running.
Surrounded by the impressive peaks of Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo and Picco di Vallandro, the plateau offers a beautiful combination of flowing trails, gentle alpine terrain, and rewarding mountain climbs. Follow scenic paths towards Monte Specie, where magnificent views open towards some of the most famous peaks of the Dolomites.
This is also a wonderful place to experience the region’s traditional alpine farming culture. Stop at a rustic mountain hut for local cheeses, homemade dumplings, or freshly baked strudel, enjoyed on a sunny terrace overlooking the mountains. After your run, continue to Cortina d’Ampezzo, your second mountain base.
Check into a charming alpine hotel and enjoy an evening discovering Cortina’s restaurants, boutiques, and relaxed mountain atmosphere.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Morning transfer to the trail running starting point.
- Run – option 1 – Distance: 10–12 km | Elevation: +450 m
- Run – option 2 – Distance: 17–19 km | Elevation: +650 m
- Overnight, Hotel ***/****, Sesto/Sexten
Prepare for one of the most spectacular running days of your holiday. The mountains surrounding Cinque Torri and Passo Giau offer an extraordinary combination of dramatic limestone towers, panoramic ridgelines, beautiful alpine meadows, and exciting mountain trails.
Run beneath the famous rock formations of Cinque Torri and explore the magnificent landscapes of the Nuvolau area, with breathtaking views towards the Tofane, Marmolada, and surrounding Dolomite peaks. This is the Dolomites at their most dramatic: rugged mountain scenery, unforgettable panoramas, and trails that invite you to keep exploring. Take a break at a traditional mountain refuge, where delicious regional dishes and spectacular views make the perfect combination. Return to Cortina for a relaxing evening and a well-deserved dinner.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Morning transfer to the trail running starting point.
- Run – option 1 – Distance: 13 km | Elevation: +550 m
- Run – option 2 – Distance: 18-20 km | Elevation: +780 m
- Accommodation: Hotel****, Cortina d’Ampezzo
Your final running adventure takes you into one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes surrounding Cortina. Follow forest trails and scenic alpine paths towards the spectacular Croda da Lago massif, where dramatic limestone peaks rise above peaceful valleys and beautiful larch forests.
The highlight of the day is Lago Federa, a crystal-clear mountain lake reflecting the surrounding Dolomite peaks. Near the lake, the traditional Rifugio Croda da Lago offers the perfect place to enjoy a homemade lunch, a delicious dessert, or simply a peaceful moment in the mountains. Continue along beautiful mountain trails, taking in the magnificent views and the fresh alpine air. Back in Cortina, celebrate your adventure with a memorable final dinner featuring regional specialties and excellent Italian wines. Five extraordinary running days, countless unforgettable moments, and a true taste of the Dolomites.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Short morning transfer to the trail running starting point.
- Run – option 1 – Distance: 12 km | Elevation: +380m
- Run – option 2 – Distance: 20-22 km | Elevation: +680 m
- Accommodation: Hotel ***/****, Cortina d’Ampezzo
Enjoy your final breakfast and perhaps a leisurely morning coffee in Cortina before continuing your journey. Leave with unforgettable memories of extraordinary mountain trails, peaceful alpine pastures, delicious local food, and the warm hospitality of the Dolomites. The adventure ends here. The memories will last much longer.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Departure.
In the Dolomites, a running day rarely ends when you stop your watch. It might continue over a plate of homemade pasta at a mountain refuge, on the wooden terrace of an alpine farmhouse, or in the warmth of a small mountain hotel as the evening light slowly leaves the peaks. Our seven-day Dolomites trail running holiday is built around this simple idea: the best mountain journeys are about more than the trail itself.
Inclusions
Included in the tour price:
Full organization of the trail running holiday.
Introductory briefing – “face to face” in Sesto/Sexten on Day 01.
Self Guided LIFE Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions.
- LIFE Run Goodie Bag with Useful Running Essentials.
Timetables and details with all vouchers for accommodations, private transfers, private luggage transfers, …
GPS routes/tracks (all stages/days).
APP for navigation (login with phone, watch or tablet).
Maps with marked routes (1:25,000).
Emergency contact number and 24/7 support.
Daily collaboration and tracking on the communication app – additional customer support.
6 nights in 3*/4* typical Dolomites hotels with breakfast.
All connecting land transfers according to the itinerary.
Luggage transfer by itinerary – all days.
All land transfers according to the itinerary.
Tourist tax and VAT.
Exclusions
Not included in the tour price:
Travel to/from Italy (the start and end point of the tour).
Food and drinks: all food and drinks, except breakfast.
Items of personal nature.
Travel Insurance.
Personal equipment.
Optional Extras
Optional arrangements that require a surcharge:
High season surcharge (July 15 th–August 30th): €290 /person.
Solo traveler supplement: €880.
Guided Tours - 2027
We currently have no scheduled dates for guided tours in the Dolomites for summer 2027. However, we can organize a private guided tour for a closed group, led by an experienced, internationally certified UIMLA Mountain Leader.
Privately Guided Tour
Want to go trail running in a privately guided group?
We can organise a privately guided tour for 4 or more runners with our experienced and licensed guides. Please, contact us for further information or booking.
Why run the Dolomites?
The Dolomites are one of those extraordinary mountain regions that every passionate trail runner should experience at least once. The dramatic limestone peaks, endless mountain trails, and incredible diversity of landscapes make running here something truly special. We have explored countless mountain trails over the years, yet the Dolomites always leave a lasting impression.
What makes this journey so unique is the connection between the Sexten Dolomites, Alta Pusteria, and Cortina d'Ampezzo. From the legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the wild trails of Croda Rossa to the peaceful alpine meadows of Prato Piazza and the spectacular mountains surrounding Cortina, every day reveals a different landscape and a new running experience. These places are so close to one another, yet each has its own distinctive character.
And the Dolomites are about much more than running. Traditional wooden mountain huts, beautiful alpine pastures, authentic local cuisine, and cozy mountain hotels are all part of the experience. There is something special about stopping at a mountain refuge, enjoying a homemade meal, and simply taking in the atmosphere of these remarkable mountains.
For us, this is what trail running is all about: discovering extraordinary places, enjoying the local way of life, and collecting those small moments of happiness that stay with us long after the run is over. Welcome to Dolomites!
Trail Running Expert
Špela is an enthusiastic trail runner, a nature lover, and a fan of cycling and ski touring. By profession, she is a Kinesiologist – Master of Science, primarily interested in exercise physiology and endurance sports. She applies her expertise to trail running, assisting runners with preparation and providing advice on nutrition, recovery, injuries…
Špela is also a trainee for the UIMLA mountain leader. At LIFE Run, she prepares and manages trail running programs and holidays. She is also involved in creating the Triglav Trail Run race, which is considered one of the most beautiful trail running experiences in the region. Špela will provide you with advice on running, information about the destination, and help you prepare for your trail running holidays. She will be there for tips on difficulty, the specifics of the trail, equipment advice, and any other information to make your trail running vacation a wonderful experience.
Best of the Dolomites Trail Running
Experience traditional wooden mountain huts, beautiful alpine pastures, authentic local cuisine, and cozy mountain hotels.
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