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Family Runcation with Childcare in the Italian Dolomites

Summer 2027

Part of our Family Runcations with Childcare series.

 
Family Runcation with Childcare in the Italian Dolomites — trail running vacation for families in South Tyrol with on-site childcare

Quick Facts

  • Destination: South Tyrol, Italian Dolomites — home to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) and the Three Peaks Nature Park (UNESCO World Heritage)
  • 2027 dates: July 25–30, 2027 · 6 days / 5 nights
  • Difficulty: Level 1/2 — runnable terrain, no run longer than ~12 miles
  • Childcare: Included for ages 3+, experienced childcare professionals (have a child under 3 or close to 3? Please reach out and we'll see if we can work something out)
  • Group size: 8–10 running adults (children don't count toward the cap)
  • Accommodation: 4-star hotel with 3 suite options to fit families of different sizes; separate kids' bedroom, mountain views, 2,000 m² panorama spa, pools, saunas, rooftop hot tub, kids' adventure pool, and dedicated play areas
  • Price: From $3,400 per adult (early bird) · Kids $400 per child · Early bird pricing through February 1, 2027 (or until sold out)
  • Lodging tiers (early bird per adult): Cozy suite $3,400 · Junior suite $3,650 · Senior suite $3,950
  • Best for: Running parents, families with kids, and non-running partners
  • Closest airports: Bolzano (1½ h), Innsbruck (2 h), Venice Marco Polo (2½ h)
  • Getting around: No rental car needed — all in-trip transport included

Experience the Dolomites the way we've always wanted to share them on our Family Runcation in the Dolomites — a running vacation built for parents who love the trails and refuse to choose between big mountain mornings and family adventure. Each day starts the same beautiful way: kids head off to dedicated, professional childcare steps from your door (one easy drop-off, no logistics, no guilt), while you join our guides for runs through the most dramatic limestone scenery in the Alps. We're proud to be the first running tour company to offer childcare on our trail running tours, and we're so excited to bring this type of Runcation to the Dolomites: mornings for runners, afternoons and evenings for families — and the in-between handled by a kids' kingdom the little ones may refuse to leave: a forest adventure playground with its own stream, alpacas to feed at the petting zoo, and activities tailored to our group of kids. Afternoons are for everyone: meadow playgrounds at the top of cable cars, wildflower valleys with creeks made for dam-building, and rifugio kitchens that believe every hike should end in strudel.

As for the running: this is the trip where the postcard comes to life. We'll run high grassy ridgelines along the old Austrian–Italian border with rock walls filling the horizon, thread wild car-free valleys to storied rifugios where the espresso is earned, and — on the big day — climb into the Three Peaks Nature Park itself for a head-on meeting with the Tre Cime from its quietest side. Every run offers something different: a high meadow, an open ridge, a quiet valley, and high alpine mountain passes, so in just a week you'll get to experience all the magical types of running this region of the Dolomites has to offer.

Our first Family Runcation with Childcare ran in the Swiss Alps in August 2026 and sold out. The Dolomites are the next location we're bringing this experience to. Same idea: parents run in the morning, kids in a supervised childcare program, families together for afternoons and evenings. Different landscape — the dramatic limestone peaks of the Dolomites, South Tyrolean mountain culture, and everything from Tre Cime views to speck-and-cheese lunches at the end of the day.

Trip Difficulty: Level 1/2 (click to learn more about trip difficulty levels).

For the guided tour, this trip requires a minimum of 8 to run. Please do not purchase flights until confirming with retreat organizer. 

 
 

 
Dolomites Tre Cime Run.jpg

Overview

•Guided morning trail runs in the Italian Dolomites with on-site professional childcare included — parents run, kids play, everyone gets what they came for.

•Runs through the South Tyrol Dolomites — high grassy ridgelines along the old Austrian–Italian border, wild car-free valleys, and — on the big day — the postcard-worthy Tre Cime di Lavaredo from its quietest side. All in-trip transport included — cable cars, gondolas, buses, chairlifts. No rental car needed.

• A full morning in the Three Peaks Nature Park (Parco Naturale Tre Cime) for a head-on meeting with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen).

• Rifugio stops for espresso, Kaiserschmarrn, and South Tyrolean cuisine and culture: speck, mountain cheese, gelato, apple strudel, and a well-earned Aperol at the end of the week.

• Childcare in a kids' kingdom the little ones may not want to leave: outdoor adventure forest, petting zoo with alpacas, rabbits, and sheep, and an indoor play world. Tailored to the ages of the children in our group.

• Afternoons together as families: meadow playgrounds at the top of cable cars, wildflower valleys with creeks made for dam-building, and a stroller-friendly family hike to a century-old mountain hut.

• Accommodation in a 4-star family resort with three suite options to fit families of different sizes — separate kids' bedroom, mountain-view balcony, 2,000 m² panorama spa, pools, saunas, rooftop hot tub, and a kids' adventure pool.

• Connect with other running parents on the run and opt-in afternoon family-friendly tour adventures: hikes, lake swims, and local culture or enjoy recovery sessions and social time for parents
 

 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to the Dolomites!

Tucked into a quiet valley beneath the famous "stone sundial" of the Dolomites, your home for the week is a 4-star family-run gem. Settle into your design apartment — separate kids' room, mountain-view balcony, a rooftop hot tub staring straight at the peaks — and let the little ones discover the adventure hub for kids while you unpack. This evening we meet to look at the week ahead. The trails start tomorrow; tonight is for arriving and settling in!

  • Accommodation in a design apartment at a 4★S family resort included, with daily breakfast, separate kids' bedroom, and full access to the 2,000 m² panorama spa, pools, saunas, rooftop hot tub, kids' adventure pool, and play areas.

Italian Dolomites family trail running vacation — trail running rifugio locatelli from the Family Runcation with Childcare

DAY 2

         Ridgeline Running

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel and dropping kids off with our private childcare service, we ease in the best way possible: a cable car does the morning's first climbing, and then it's pure, grassy ridgeline running along the old Austrian–Italian frontier — the kind of high, open singletrack trail runners dream about, with the Dolomites' rock towers filling the southern horizon. Meanwhile, the kids are minutes away in the care our trips are built around. We'll stop for a cappuccino mid-run to soak up the fact that we're in the Dolomites, and by early afternoon we're all back together heading to a hut in the high meadows — big views for the adults, room to run wild for the small ones, and gondola windows that turn the ride itself into the day's first story. First day, and everyone — runners and kids alike — come home happy-tired.

  • Mileage: ~6 miles, +/- 1,500 feet elevation gain/loss

  • Accommodation in a design apartment at a 4★S family resort included, with daily breakfast, separate kids' bedroom, and full access to the 2,000 m² panorama spa, pools, saunas, rooftop hot tub, kids' adventure pool, and play areas.

  • Roundtrip transport (short bus and cable car) to run included

  • Childcare included: the program is tailored to the ages of the children in attendance of our group. From playing in an outdoor adventure forest, feeding the alpacas, rabbits, and sheep at the petting zoo, or painting, crafts, and group games in the indoor play world.

DAY 3

Magical Valleys with a Side of Kaiserschmarrn

This morning's run leaves straight from the front door: no vans, no transfers, just a wild valley that funnels you gently, then dramatically, into a cirque of 3,000-meter walls, with a storied rifugio waiting at the top for espresso. Runners choose their distance; everyone earns the same view. After lunch the whole crew sets out together on the week's family hike — a stroller-friendly wander up a car-free valley where the trail keeps company with a cold, clear mountain creek, and kids are free to play and hang out in the meadow. The finish line is a century-old hut run by one of the valley's great mountain families, where the negotiation is simple: hikers who make it get first pick between apple strudel, Kaiserschmarrn, and hot chocolate. After enjoying our rifugio stop, we'll head back to the hotel to enjoy an evening as you please!

  • Mileage:

    Kid friendly hike option: ~2.5miles, +/- 450 feet feet elevation gain/loss

    Run mileage: ~4-6 miles, +/- 900 feet elevation gain/loss

  • Accommodation in a design apartment at a 4★S family resort included, with daily breakfast, separate kids' bedroom, and full access to the 2,000 m² panorama spa, pools, saunas, rooftop hot tub, kids' adventure pool, and play areas.

  • Transport to family activity included

  • Childcare included: the program is tailored to the ages of the children in attendance of our group. From playing in an outdoor adventure forest, feeding the alpacas, rabbits, and sheep at the petting zoo, or painting, crafts, and group games in the indoor play world.

DAY 4

The Big Loop!

Every Runcation has its big day, and this is ours: a full morning in the heart of the Three Peaks Nature Park, climbing past alpine lakes and lonely high huts to a view that has launched a thousand postcards — the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, head-on, from the quiet side. On this loop we'll have a little of every type of running: mellow grades in the valley to technical and rocky mountain passes that the Dolomites are famous for. Care for the kids runs into the afternoon today, so there's no clock-watching at the hut lunch — just one of the great trail-running days in the Alps, taken at your pace. In the afternoon choose from plenty of family-friendly activities provided in your trip packet, or relax at the hotel.

  • Mileage: ~11-12 miles, 4,000 feet elevation gain/loss

  • Accommodation in a design apartment at a 4★S family resort included, with daily breakfast, separate kids' bedroom, and full access to the 2,000 m² panorama spa, pools, saunas, rooftop hot tub, kids' adventure pool, and play areas.

  • Short transportation to the start of the run included

  • Childcare included: the program is tailored to the ages of the children in attendance of our group. From playing in an outdoor adventure forest, feeding the alpacas, rabbits, and sheep at the petting zoo, or painting, crafts, and group games in the indoor play world.

DAY 5

         High Mountain Meadows, Passes, and Home

The farewell run is a traverse: a lift floats us up to the spectacular rolling high meadows that make this region of the Dolomites famous. We'll set off for our run beneath an impressive peak, and from there we thread our way along the flank of the range — flower fields, larch woods, echoes of century-old history in the rock — to a mountain pass on the Italian border, before turning for home on a different line and descending all the way back to the hotel on foot. We'll cover 10 miles in a runnable and totally different fashion than yesterday and arrive back with time to relax and hang out before picking up our kids. In the afternoon, the families gather to explore South Tyrolean food and drink culture — think local speck, mountain cheese, gelato, and a well-earned Aperol.

  • Mileage: ~10 miles, +1,500/-3,000 feet elevation gain/loss

  • Accommodation in a design apartment at a 4★S family resort included, with daily breakfast, separate kids' bedroom, and full access to the 2,000 m² panorama spa, pools, saunas, rooftop hot tub, kids' adventure pool, and play areas.

  • Short bus and cable car fees included

  • Childcare included: the program is tailored to the ages of the children in attendance of our group. From playing in an outdoor adventure forest, feeding the alpacas, rabbits, and sheep at the petting zoo, or painting, crafts, and group games in the indoor play world.

DAY 6

Breakfast and Departure

After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes!

  • Breakfast included

*Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change based on weather and trail conditions, but this is a good guideline*

 

What’s included

All transport during the running trip itinerary, including private van transfers, cable cars, gondolas, and chairlifts (see daily schedule for what’s included)

Childcare during the running portion by trained and experienced childcare professionals

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

Accommodation in a design apartment at a 4-star family resort with 3 suite options to fit families of different sizes; separate kids' bedroom, mountain-view balcony, and full access to the 2,000 m² panorama spa, pools, saunas, rooftop hot tub, kids' adventure pool, and play areas

Breakfasts included daily

Knowledgable expert mountain guide and running coach along the entire route

8:1 ratio of guide to participants

Flexible family-friendly afternoon activities to join, or receive suggestions for alternate activities in the region

Trip packet with detailed info including packing and weather resources

Access to a personal trip WhatsApp group and community

Not included

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages and meals (dinners and lunches)

Travel insurance

Extra optional side activities such as massages or activities outside of itinerary

Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)

Small local tourist tax to be paid in person in cash upon checkout at the hotel

  • Each morning, after breakfast at our hotel, you drop your children with our vetted childcare team just steps from your door and head out for the guided run. The program is tailored to the ages of the children in attendance of our group — from playing in an outdoor adventure forest, feeding the alpacas, rabbits, and sheep at the petting zoo, or painting, crafts, and group games in the indoor play world. Afternoons are designed for opt-in family adventures so you can explore together.

  • Childcare is included for children ages 3 and up. If you have a child under 3 or close to 3, please reach out — we may be able to work something out depending on your family setup and this specific trip. If you're traveling with a partner, you can also switch off for the guided runs.

  • Absolutely. There are plenty of accessible, well-marked hikes and cable car rides from the resort for a non-running partner (we provide maps and suggestions; these self-guided activities are unguided). Solo parents are very welcome too — childcare during the morning runs means you can run while your kids are happily looked after. The trip is designed to be inclusive for parents, families, and multi-generational groups.

  • Our 4-star family resort offers three suite options to fit families of different sizes — pricing is tiered so you can match it to your family. Don't see a configuration that fits? Email info@runcation.org and we'll build one for you.

  • Trip pricing is tiered by suite level so you can match it to your family's size and preferences (all early bird):

    - Cozy suite: $3,400 per adult

    - Junior suite: $3,650 per adult

    - Senior suite: $3,950 per adult

    Children are $400 per child. Non-running partners who join the trip receive a 10% discount off the adult rate — they still enjoy all trip amenities (hotel, spa, sports center, childcare, mountaintop breakfast, and trip organization). Childcare for kids ages 3+ is included with the trip. A $750 deposit secures your spot. Early bird pricing is available for the first families to sign up through February 1, 2027, or until the trip sells out.

  • This is a Level 1/2 trip on largely runnable terrain, with runs ranging from ~6 miles up to ~12 miles on our big day at the Tre Cime. Uphills are hiked; flats and downhills are jogged or run at no set pace, with time for photos and snacks. It still takes place in a mountain environment with some technical or weather-exposed sections, so it's a running trip — we can't accommodate participants who only want to hike the run portions. Outside of the run are genuinely family-friendly options: cable cars to scenic viewpoints, easy hikes to alpine lakes, mountain playgrounds, and rifugio strudel stops.

  • You'll need a valid U.S. passport (or your country's passport) with at least 6 months remaining beyond your return date, and travel insurance covering the activities of the trip. For 2027 travel, both the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS travel authorization are in effect — US travelers need to complete ETIAS registration online (approximately €7) before travel. Check the latest U.S. government guidance for Europe before you travel, and email info@runcation.org with any questions.

  • We currently run three other Dolomites trips: our All Levels Cortina Dolomites Runcation (adult-focused, all levels of runners), our Dolomites Hut-to-Hut Runcation (more technical, longer distances), and our South Tyrol + Slovenia trip (multi-country). This Family Runcation with Childcare is our first Dolomites trip in this region of the Dolomites and that is designed specifically for families — parents run in the morning while kids play in on-site childcare, and afternoons are for family adventures together.

  • Same category, different landscape. Our Swiss trip is based in the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland, with runs beneath the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Our Italian Dolomites trip is based in the Sexten Dolomites of South Tyrol, with runs among the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Three Peaks Nature Park. Both share the same rhythm: morning runs with childcare, afternoons together as families. Both are Level 1/2. If you're deciding between them, they're both wonderful — email us and we'll help you pick.

  • This is a [LEVEL 1/2] trip. While there are guides to accommodate a variety of paces, the guided trail running portion of this trip requires running participants to cover the mileage and elevation gain as described in the itinerary. While uphills are hiked, the flats and downhills must be jogged or run (no pace requirement). This trip still takes place in a mountainous environment where you may be exposed to sections of technical trails (think rocky, rooted, or steep with loose rock) or unfavorable weather conditions on certain days. We can accommodate different paces, photo and snack stops, and taking time to soak up and enjoy the route and your vacation. We cannot, however, accommodate people purely hiking on this running trip.

    Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime! This option is available as an add-on when booking.

Our Guides

Our guiding team is a mix of experienced Runcation staff and certified local mountain guides with regional credentials —all our guides are experienced professionals and hold credentials ranging from International Mountain Leader (IML) or Middle Mountain Guide to WFR/WFA. The exact guide roster varies by trip.

How to Arrive

The is well-connected by air, car, bus, and train — no rental car needed once you arrive at the resort.

By air — nearest airports:

  • Innsbruck (Austria) — approximately 2 hours by car/transfer

  • Bolzano (South Tyrol) — approximately 1½ hours by car/transfer

  • Venice Marco Polo (VCE) or Treviso (TSF) — approximately 2½ hours by car/transfer

Other regional airports worth knowing:

  • Munich — approximately 4 hours by car

  • Verona — approximately 3 hours by car

  • Zurich — approximately 4½ hours by car

  • Milan (Bergamo) — approximately 4½ hours by car

  • Trieste — approximately 3½ hours by car

By car:

This region of the Dolomites is well-connected by main roads and easy to reach from any of the surrounding airports. Convenient parking is available at the resort. If you're already exploring the region, Cortina d'Ampezzo is about 30 minutes away.

By bus:

Direct bus options include Flixbus and Cortina Express — check schedules in advance and coordinate with your trip organizer if arriving this way.

By train:

Get in touch for more instructions.

Once you arrive:

No rental car is needed for the trip itself — all in-trip transport (private van transfers, cable cars, gondolas, and chairlifts) is included in the itinerary.

For more info about arriving by train, car, or private transfer options, please email info@runcation.org.

Before You Go

You must have a valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining beyond your return date) and travel insurance covering the activities of the trip. For 2027 travel, both the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS travel authorization are in effect. Check the latest U.S. government guidance for Europe before you travel.

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Book now July 25-20, 2027

Curious what a Family Runcation with Childcare actually looks like? Our inaugural Swiss Alps trip ran in August 2026 — [read the full recap →]

From a families who ran our first Family Runcation with Childcare in the Swiss Alps:

“We had an incredible time and loved each day of the trip. We were so grateful to be able to do a trip that included our kids and was designed for both them as kids and us a trail running parents. The family activities were super fun and well planned out. The trail running was superb and we cherished each kilometer we got to do with this fantastic group of parents and awesome guides Liz & Tony. The trails were gorgeous, varied, fun, challenging, and quite runnable. The scenery and location was magnificent, and the fun stops along the way for food and drinks made it extra enjoyable. 12/10 - incredible trip.”
— Christi, Swiss Alps Family Runcation with Childcare
“Trip of a lifetime. Amazing runs, people and guides. The kids really enjoyed the trip as well. ”
— Trygve, Swiss Alps Family Runcation with childcare

🕓 Originally published: September 12, 2026
🔄 Last updated: September 12, 2026

Landscape photography: IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige — Manuel Kottersteger, Harald Wisthaler, Thomas Grüner, Manuel Ferrigato, trickytine. Additional images courtesy of our partner resort and © Runcation Travel.