Dolomites Trail Running – Cortina
Welcome to a brand new Run the Alps tour! After several years of research, we’re pleased to announce this new trail running adventure in and around Cortina, Italy, in the very heart of the Dolomites.
The Dolomites is a trail runner’s paradise. Run the Alps has been trail running here for years, exploring trails on and off the beaten path. Our trip starts and 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.
This region is perhaps best known for the iconic Tre Cimes di Lavaredo, the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. The UTMB® Lavaredo Ultra Trail races takes place here every June, taking its name from this towering range. For us, however, the jewel in the crown is the Senes-Fanes range. Here, we’ll explore secluded valleys and remote mountain passes. It is not uncommon to run long stretches and have the trail all to yourself – just perfect trail running!
Cortina D’Ampezzo is 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, it’s a memorable village from which to start and finish our tour.
We’ll explore the surrounding mountains on a multi-day loop with trails and scenery to rival any mountain area in the world. 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 refugios, or huts, where we can fuel up on local delights like apple strudel, pasta and strong Italian coffee.
We’ll spend nights in comfortable hotels in the alpine villages of Cortina, Misurina, San Vigilio and San Cassiano. We’ll also stay one night at the stunning Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain refuge. Perched on a mountain summit with a 360° view surrounding peaks, the hut also features hot showers and great food. We’ll have our luggage transported to each hotel, and we’ll “fastpack” with a few extra overnight items for our special night at Lagazuoi.
This region is steeped in culture and history. Because of its proximity to Austria, we’ll be passing through areas where Italian, German and even Ladin– a language unique to this area– is spoken. During World War I the region was hotly contested, and Lagazuoi 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 very pleasant result of this historic clash is the delicious, varied cuisine where you can detect both Italian and Germanic influences.
This level 3 tour is a notch more challenging than our Val Gardena Dolomites trip. This tour is well suited for trail runners looking for a more challenging experience and as well those who’ve already been enchanted by the region on our Val Gardena Dolomites tour and are ready for more!
(Top images: PatitucciPhoto, Cortina/giuseppeghedina.com, Milo Zanecchia, Bruno Yates)
