Japan

Running tour

Discover Japan’s majestic Northern Alps where ancient pilgrim paths and Mount Fuji views create an unforgettable running adventure.

Dates vary

Duration: Up to 7 days

LEVEL:

PRICE FROM: $3,000

tour highlights

Welcome aperitifs at Ristorante da Anita, a family-owned restaurant and lodge in San Martino di Castrozza
Runs with two experienced trail running guides along the most iconic routes in the Dolomite mountain range from Tre Cime to Cinque Torri
Lush platters of cheeses and fruits from cliffside rifugios surrounded by grazing cows and glowing
Staying three nights in a family-owned boutique hotel in Cortina, the best-known resort town in the Italian Alps with dinner at the family’s farm

as featured in:

itinerary

Through the limestone spires of the Italian Dolomites, technical mountain trails lead to rifugios perched impossibly high, where steaming plates of polenta and local cheese await weary runners. Each day brings a new challenge – from exposed ridgelines to flowing singletrack beneath glaciers – but also new rewards: aperitivo in medieval villages, family farmhouse feasts, and nights spent in mountain huts where alpenglow paints the peaks pink.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL & APERITIVO

Overview

The adventure begins with an early afternoon group pickup in Venice and immediate transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the best-known (and arguably most beautiful) resort town of the Italian Alps and our base for the next few days. We’ll get settled into our boutique hotel right in the center of town and then stretch our legs with a stroll over to a local vinoteca for aperitivo and a chance to get to know each other. That evening we’ll tuck into the first of many spectacular dinners to come and get all of the details for our first run – happening tomorrow morning!

meals included:

dinner

Running:

No planned run

DAY 2 - TRE CIME

Overview

The first run of the trip will cover one of the most iconic hiking routes in the Dolomites and while it may not exactly be off the beaten track, it cannot be missed. You’ll be treated to some rolling hills – we are in the mountains after all! – but overall it’s a runnable route and a great way to ease into a BIG week ahead (of course, we have a bonus option available for those who want to maximize every day). The run finishes at a small alpine hut serving some of the best goulash we’ve ever had, which we’ll sample plenty of. Once everyone is finished, fed and ready to go we’ll hike the final couple of kilometers back to our vehicles and head back to our base in Cortina to clean up and enjoy some downtime before a feast at a local farm on the outskirts of town.

meals included:

breakfast, Lunch, dinner

Running:

7-10 miles / 12-16 km, 1600-3000 ft / 720-1000m gain; dirt road and single track trail

Walking:

1.5 mi / 2.5 km walk to vans after lunch

DAY 3 - MARMOLADA & THE CONTRIN VALLEY

Overview

Now that everyone is warmed up, it’s time for a BIG day with something for everyone! Expect an initial climb, grin-inducing singletrack flow with towering views of the Marmolada glacier, a steep, loose descent, pleasant forested river trails and a final stretch of forest road that will lead you through an idyllic valley and up a surprising grind of a final climb. The destination is another hut lunch, this one known for artisan dairy products (and the best polenta yet!) and for the fact that you have to work to get there – no vehicles are allowed in this valley. That of course means that we’ll have a nice long walk after our meal to stretch the legs; upon reaching the vans we’ll head back to Cortina for a free evening where you’ll be free to explore and choose your own dinner spot.

meals included:

breakfast & Lunch (dinner is oyo)

Running:

12 miles / 20 km, 2600 ft / 800m gain, 3300 ft / 1000m descent; flowy & technical single track trail, gravel roads and even a touch of pavement

Walking:

3 miles / 5 km walk to the vans after lunch

DAY 4 - CINQUE TORRI

Overview

After breakfast we will pack up and take a short drive to the start of our next run. This one begins with a climb through the forest before embarking upon a technical loop that takes in the iconic Cinque Torri formations and offers some of the most spectacular scenery of the week! Finish with a hearty lunch at a mountaintop rifugio with panoramic views, which also happens to be our home for the night – the quintessential Dolomiti experience! Our crew will transport small overnight bags for everyone, and you’ll have the afternoon and evening to soak in the scenery, explore surrounding WW1 relics and commune with fellow rifugio guests over drinks and dinner before an early bedtime.

meals included:

breakfast, Lunch, dinner

Running:

8 mi / 13 km, 3300 ft / 1000m gain; single track trail

DAY 5 - THE HAPPY VALLEY

Overview

Chances are that several days of mountain miles will have begun to catch up to you, in which case you’ll love what we’ve got for you today! After breakfast we’ll head down from the rifugio and take a drive to Passo Rolle, the start line of a pleasantly runnable loop through a bucolic valley surrounded by the imposing walls of the lesser-visited Pale di San Martino range. The run finishes at an alpine hut atop a lush plateau where we’ll be treated to a lunch featuring the very local cheeses that this particular family – and their happy cows grazing nearby! – is known for. Once seated we’ll take a relaxed walk back to the vans and from there head to San Martino di Castrozza, a small village on the southern edge of the Dolomites. We’ll get checked into our cozy lodge and have time to relax before dinner in town.

meals included:

breakfast, Lunch, dinner

Running:

9 mi / 15 km, 1600 ft / 700m gain; dirt road & single track trail

Walking:

1.5 mi / 2.5km walk to vans after lunch

DAY 6 - CIMA ROSETTA

Overview

We hope you’ve saved something for the grand finale!

Our mission today (after indulging in one of the greatest breakfast spreads in all of Italy) is Cima Rosetta, the local classic that is reached directly from town.The distance might not look like much, but this is a steep and occasionally exposed route that will light your lungs, your calves and your sense of wonder on fire – expect to be hiking most, if not all, of it! Once we’ve reached the moonscape of a summit we’ll descend a short way to the mountain hut where we’ll enjoy lunch before eventually heading back to town by way of the gondola (oops, did we not mention that option on the way up?). That afternoon you’ll have some free time to rest before sharing one last feast together.

meals included:

breakfast, Lunch, dinner

Running / Hiking:

5 mi / 8km, 4000 ft / 1200 m gain; single track mountain trail with exposure towards the top

DAY 7 - ARRIVEDERCI

Overview

We know, we know, it came too fast! While hearts and minds surely won’t be ready to leave yet, your legs will certainly be ready for a well-deserved break. We’ll wake up for one last breakfast together before packing up and transferring back to Venice to catch flights or connect to further travel.

meals included:

breakfast

Running:

no scheduled run

dates & pricing

Date:Self Guided Dates Vary

Pricing:$3,000

Upon Request

Speak With Our Trip Experts

inclusion + DEtails

Expert Rogue Expeditions trip leaders & local Italian running guides and logistics team
Airport shuttle on arrival and departure days from Venice, Italy
All ground transportation during the entirety of the trip by licensed professional drivers
6 nights in thoughtfully selected accommodation in a stylish boutique hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a cozy family-run mountain lodge in San Martino di Castrozza and a traditional rifugio mountain hut
5 unique, supported runs/hikes showcasing the best of the Dolomites between 5-12 miles (8-20 km) per day
All meals from our favorite local chefs and restaurants from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
Gourmet trail snacks and water during runs
Coffee, tea, and juice provided with some breakfasts
Tickets and entry for gondolas and park entry fees
Rogue Expeditions merchandise

Not Included

Flights to/from Venice, Italy
Alcoholic beverages and drinks other than water (coffee/tea provided with breakfast, arrival day aperitivo wine included)
One dinner in Cortina d'Ampezzo (opportunity to explore on your own)
Travel protection (strongly recommended)
Personal purchases and souvenirs
Gratuities for guides and local staff (at your discretion)
Personal running gear and equipment

TESTIMONIALS

I absolutely LOVE Rogue Expeditions! This amazing company makes exquisite travel arrangements, picks the most beautiful trails, books boutique lovely hotels, supports local businesses, and takes fantastic care of all the clients. I never travel with any groups or with any travel companies so the fact that this is my 8th trip with Rogue Expeditions says a lot! It is truly hard for me to pick my favorite trip or place, but the Dolomites had been on my list for a long time. We ate amazing food, made wonderful friends, and had a blast running, hiking, and exploring! I cannot recommend Rogue Expeditions enough. They are simply WONDERFUL.

9/16/2024

Kasia L.

The trip plan was very well thought out – a vertical Km climb, sleeping in a refugio, flat(ish) runs through the woods, espresso aid stations…. they thought of everything! The whole support team was as fantastic as the scenery!

9/25/2023

Christopher C.

This trip was amazing! Every single part of the trip was exceptional. I loved all the runs, their diversity and their challenges. I loved the ability to add to the mileage if desired because the beauty of this trip makes you never want to stop exploring the Dolomites. The food was fresh and delicious. This one is a must and probably will be a repeat for me!

9/20/2023

Leann R

I don’t write many reviews and when I do it’s because someone or something left such an impression that I feel compelled to share some experiences. This was my second Rogue trip and I was so impressed both times with how the whole team works together to provide an incredible experience for their clients. During both trips there was dangerous weather and both times our guides and drivers went above and beyond to rearrange things to keep us safe and provide amazing experiences that weren’t on the schedule but are truly special! Thank you!!

9/25/2024

Andrea G.

FAQS

What's included in the Run Dolomites trip cost?

The run tour price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, airport transfers, all accommodation, all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7 (one dinner excluded), transportation, drivers, experienced running guides, organized runs, gondola tickets, sightseeing entry fees, and Rogue Expeditions swag. Almost everything is covered for your Dolomites running adventure!

What isn't included in the Dolomites running tour cost?

The cost does not include flights, alcohol, travel insurance, tips, or personal purchases. One dinner in Cortina is also excluded, allowing you to explore local dining options.

Why isn't the flight included in the Dolomites running tour?

We keep flights separate to allow for flexibility in travel arrangements. Participants are responsible for arriving in Venice no later than 12pm on arrival day and departing no earlier than 1pm on the final day.

How far do I need to be able to run?

Participants should be comfortable with at least an 8-10 mile (13-16 km) trail run and prepared for significant elevation gain and loss. Expect to climb (and descend) 12-14,000 ft / 3600-4300m over 5 days, covering about 40 mi / 65km total.

This Dolomites running tour is not beginner-friendly and requires mountain experience.

Do I need ultra-running experience for the Dolomites tour?HERE

Ultra-running experience isn’t necessary, but comfort with challenging mountain terrain and consecutive days of demanding runs/hikes is crucial. If you’ve never tried trail running or mountain hiking, this Dolomites running tour may not be the right fit.

What sort of terrain will we be running on in the Dolomites?

Expect a mix of dirt roads and rocky single-track trails with significant elevation changes. Be prepared for as much hiking as running. Road runners should spend time on trails before this Dolomites running adventure.

What will we do when we aren't running?

Your Dolomites run tour includes indulging in Italian gastronomy, sipping espresso, exploring towns, and enjoying magical mountain sunsets. Most days will be spent on the trails, often finishing with mountain hut lunches.

What will the accommodations be like on the Dolomites running tour?

Accommodations include:

2 nights at a cozy family-run mountain lodge in San Martino di Castrozza
1 night at a rifugio (mountain hut) with basic but comfortable bunk rooms
3 nights at a stylish boutique hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo’s town center

What is the weather like for running in the Dolomites?

September typically offers pleasant weather with highs around 70°F / 21°C and lows around 45°F / 7°C. However, mountain weather can be unpredictable, with possibilities of rain or even snow at higher elevations. Be prepared for all conditions on your Dolomites running tour.

What sort of food will we be eating on the Dolomites run tour?

The Dolomites running tour showcases local specialties reflecting the Italian and Austrian border region. Enjoy hearty breakfasts, al fresco mountain hut lunches, and multi-course gourmet dinners. Highlights include house-made pastas, cured meats, local cheeses, goulash, strudel, and plenty of wine.

Can you accommodate special dietary needs on the Dolomites tour?

Most common dietary restrictions can be accommodated. However, vegan options are limited at mountain huts and rifugios. Vegans or those with severe gluten allergies should contact us before registering to ensure the Dolomites running tour is suitable.

What is the cancellation policy for Rogue Expeditions?

We’ve done our best to create a cancellation policy that balances flexibility with our advance costs. For detailed information on cancellations, transfers, and refunds, please review our full Booking Terms & Conditions. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover potential cancellations.