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Guided South Tyrolean Dolomites + Slovenia Trail Running Vacation

Summer 2026

 

Quick Facts

  • Route: South Tyrol Dolomites + Slovenia (Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj, Lake Bled)
  • Format: Guided point-to-point in the Dolomites — private transfers between locations, baggage transferred for you
  • Length: 7 days / 6 nights
  • 2026 Dates: June 21–27, 2026 · July 26–August 1, 2026
  • Difficulty: Level 2/3 — 7–16 mi/day, 500–4,500 ft gain, technical singletrack in places
  • Price (2026): $3,547 per person
  • Group size: 8–14 participants · 1 guide for every 8 participants
  • Who it's for: Trail runners comfortable on rocky, rooted, or steep terrain who want a multi-country itinerary with 4-star hotels (not huts)
  • Accommodation: 4-star hotels nightly with spa, sauna, pool, and wellness offerings
  • Included: All lodging, breakfasts daily, private transfers (including Dolomites → Slovenia), baggage transport, expert local guides, detailed trip packet
  • Solo travelers: No single supplement
  • Closest airport: Venice Marco Polo (VCE) — shared shuttles available to Cortina
  • Running this trip since: Designed in 2019, running since 2022 post-COVID

We like to think this Runcation has it all. The Alps of Slovenia, the Dolomites of Italy, Spa Hotels, Alpine Lakes, and Castles. Join us on this running vacation as we cross through the highlights of the Italian Dolomites and Slovenia on this week-long adventure. Each night of the running retreat is spent in beautiful 4-star hotels in the mountains with wellness options and creative accommodations inspired by the natural beauty of the area. We start the trip with guided trail running on the awe-inspiring mountain trails of the Italian Dolomites, including a hotel to hotel traverse of some of the most spectacular parts of the Italian Dolomites. This trail running portion is a traverse of some of our favorite trails, towns, and vistas of the Dolomites, from Sellaronda to the Cinque Torri. For part two, it’s all about perfectly runnable level paths along the turquoise valleys and lakes of Slovenia in Triglav National park. Our afternoons here are spent paddle boarding, swimming, or indulging in a lakeside beverage at a castle. We'll run along a lake that was voted one of the top 10 most beautiful lakes in the world and spend the evenings lakeside with views of the Julian Alps. This running trip includes private transport to bring you to a different location, trailhead, and hidden gem each day of the trip led by expert local trail running guides. All logistics, accommodation, and experienced guides included, so you’re free to soak it up and enjoy the Runcation.

Trip Difficulty: Level 2/3 (click to learn more about trip difficulty levels).

 
 

 
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Overview

• Trail running point-to-point in the scenic Dolomites while staying in hotels nightly

• Guided runs up traversing our favorite trails and vistas of South Tyrolean Dolomites crossing through multiple Nature Parks

• Stay in 4-star hotels nightly in scenic locations with spas, wellness offerings, massages and wood-fired hot tubs with views of mountains and lakes

• Run along the most scenic alpine lakes in Slovenia and visit Triglav National Park

• Baggage transport from hotel to hotel

• Run around a lake voted the top 10 most beautiful in the world with opportunities to swim and paddle board

• Enjoy Italian and Slovenian cuisine and culture

• Multiple run or rest day options to accommodate different different levels of runners (see daily itinerary)

• Private transfers to a new location, trailhead, and hidden gem each day

• Expert local mountain trail running guides and running coaches throughout

Spend all day out on the trails and enjoy afternoons recovering at 4-star hotels and wellness centers

 

Sample Trip Itinerary Summer 2026

Day 1

Welcome to Cortina!

Day 1: Our trip will start the afternoon of Day 1 with a meeting in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The town of Cortina is set like a crown jewel as it sits surrounded by some of the most spectacular peaks of the Dolomites by all sides. It's also been selected as the host of the 2026 Olympic Games! We'll start with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week before you're free to enjoy the town for the evening. Multiple easy shared shuttle transportations are available to Cortina from Venice.

4-star hotel with breakfast included

DAY 2

          Traversing the Dolomites

Day 2: After breakfast and coffee/tea, we'll head out from our front door of our comfortable hotel in Cortina and begin our adventure! We'll warm up the first few miles on a flat path with amazing vistas before we head up and over our first mountain pass with views through some of Cortina's finest mountains. We then begin our traverse through the valley, running along the river and passing waterfalls and gorges. We'll stop for a coffee and snack break at a peaceful malga (with the best apple strudel in the Dolomites!), meet a donkey or two, and then continue through Fanes Sennes Naturepark to the end of the valley before descending to our next hotel in the Alta Badia region. We’ll stay in charming 4-star hotel complete with a pool, wellness center, spa, and mountain views in addition to complimentary aperitifs and dessert bars. Today is one of our longest days of the trip at almost 16 miles and 3,300 feet of elevation gain, but the sights are not to be missed!

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness spa included

Complimentary aperitif, local meats and cheeses, and dessert bar included

~16 miles/3,300 feet ascent/3,000 feet of descent**

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

DAY 3

Entering the Puez Odle and South Tyrol

Day 3: After a large spread of a variety of nutritious South Tyrolean breakfast items, we continue our traverse of the South Tyrolean Dolomites and enter the Parco Naturale Puez Odle. Today is our second big day in the mountains of the trip. We'll wind our way through the green meadows of high plateaus for a break of smooth and even trail running before climbing up a mountain pass with technical trails and views for miles. After a break at a rifugio for treats, snacks, and beverages, we'll descend down into a neighboring valley. We'll get to run alongside the famous Vallunga on some smooth singletrack before our final fun and technical singletrack descent down into the long valley. After our second longest day on the trails, we'll arrive to our top notch hotel in a green valley with plenty of time to take advantage of the many activities and wellness options from our scenic hotel, or visit the charming mountain town nearby. 

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness spa included

~13 mi, 3,600 feet ascent/3,600 feet descent**

DAY 4

New Day New Valley

Day 4: After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we'll head out the door for our final run in the Dolomites. There are options for today’s run based on energy levels, but any way you go there is no shortage of views before we arrive back to our hotel for private transport to start our Slovenia adventure! Our hotel for the evening is a 4-star hotel along Lake Bohinj, Slovenia. Side adventures include gelato, taking a swim, or renting a paddleboard!

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness center/spa included

Run options: ~7 miles, 3,500 feet ascent/3,500 feet descent OR flat option OR option for a rest day**

Private transfer from the Dolomites to Slovenia included (~4.5 hour travel time)

Trail run to your final cappuccino for your last spectacular day trail running in the Dolomites

DAY 5

Welcome to Slovenia!

Day 5: The setting for your breakfast is nothing short of spectacular, but it gets better on the run! For today's route we’ll tackle a scenic long run in Triglav National Park. Depending on the weather conditions and group ability, we have plenty of options to choose from for our first full day on the trails in Slovenia, but there’s no bad choice between the rolling valleys, turquoise lakes, and rocky high mountain forests and ridges through the lesser known region of the Julian Alps expertly led by our local Slovenian trail expert. Today's point to point will cover miles and views before you have the option of stopping for a refreshing swim and dinner at a lakeside cafe back in town.  

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness center/spa included

12-15 miles, +/-1,500-4,500ft OR option to take a rest day**

DAY 6

Alpine Lakes and Wild Mountains

Day 6: After a special breakfast, we’ll enjoy another run touring some of the more scenic vistas of the Julian Alps with jagged pale mountains contrasted by stunning alpine lakes. For today's route we’ll do another scenic loop past lakes and hidden gorges and waterfalls with a mixture of forest singletrack and flat runnable path. We’ll end with a short transfer to our next location in Slovenia which promises lakeside restaurants and castles to visit! Side adventures include visiting cafes and restaurants around Lake Bled, checking out a festival or live music, or hiking up to the castle and having a drink at the cafe or visiting the museum inside. 

4-star hotel with breakfast and wellness/spa included

~7-9 miles, +/- 600-1,500 feet OR option to take a rest day**

Private transfer to another region of Slovenia included

DAY 7

Final Lake Loop + Return to Venice

Day 7: We'll spend our final morning in Slovenia to a hearty and nutritious breakfast before a final run looping the shores of Lake Bled, which was nominated as one of the seven new wonders of the world. This alpine lake is home to the only island in the middle, and is rich in history. After enjoying a final espresso, paddle board, or swim in the lake, we'll make our way back to Venice in comfortable transport, reaching it by evening where we say our goodbyes with new Runcation friends and experiences.

Optional 3-5 mile flat lake loop

Private transfer from Slovenia to Venice, Italy Marco Polo Airport included

 
Trail run the triglav national park and the dolomites in one guided trail running tour through the best trails of italy and the dolomites

Explore magical lakes of Slovenia and less crowded trails of the South Tyrolean Dolomites

 

What’s Included

Roundtrip transportation from Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy at the start to Venice, Italy at the end

4-star hotels in the Dolomites and Slovenia included nightly, with wellness, massage, pool/jacuzzi, sauna and other special spa offerings throughout the trip

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

A 8:1 ratio of participants to guide

Baggage transport from hotel to hotel and transport throughout

Private transport each day between locations, including private transfer from Dolomites to Slovenia

Knowledgable mountain guides and running coaches along the entire route

Special bonus adventures including a guided trail run tours and wellness options

Trip packet with detailed itinerary including packing lists and weather resources

Access to a personal trip WhatsApp group and community

Not included

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day

Travel Insurance

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 city tax to be paid in cash/euros per person at time of checkout (usually 1-3 euros)

  • This is our only trip that combines two countries in one week. You'll spend the first half traversing the lesser-crowded South Tyrolean Dolomites point-to-point by foot, then transfer to Slovenia for alpine lake running in Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj, and Lake Bled. Our other Dolomites trips (the All Levels Cortina and the Hut-to-Hut Dolomites) stay entirely in Italy and have different formats — huts versus hotels, different routes, different paces.

  • This is a Level 2/3 trip. You'll cover 7–16 miles per day with 500–4,500 ft of elevation gain on technical mountain trails (rocky, rooted, or steep terrain). Long uphills are typically hiked; downhills and flat sections are run. You don't need to be an expert trail runner, but you do need to be able to complete each day's mileage. Rest day options are built in for several of the harder days. An optional 12-week training plan from our running coach is available as an add-on.

  • All seven nights are in 4-star hotels with spa and wellness facilities (pool, sauna, jacuzzi, massage in most locations). This is not a hut-to-hut trip. After long days on trail, you return to comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, wellness amenities, and excellent food. Several hotels include complimentary aperitivo and dessert bars.

  • Most days follow this pattern: breakfast at the hotel, run point-to-point or loop with your local guide (7–16 miles depending on the day), refuel and shower at the next hotel, then afternoon free for spa, swimming, paddle boarding, exploring a town, or simply resting. Most evenings include a group dinner or options to dine on your own. Mileage tapers in the second half so you have more energy for lakes, sightseeing, and recovery.

  • Yes, you'll need a valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining beyond your return date). Both Italy and Slovenia are in the Schengen Area, so you'll cross between them without a border check. As of April 2026, US visitors entering the Schengen Area are subject to the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at first entry — fingerprint and photo are taken at the border instead of a stamp. ETIAS (a quick online travel authorization, ~€7) is expected to launch in late 2026; we'll send you updated details closer to your trip date.

  • Yes — about half of our guided trip participants travel solo. We have no single supplement fee on this trip, and the small group size (8–14) makes it easy to connect with fellow runners over group dinners, shared transfers, and runs.

  • The trip starts in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy (host town of the 2026 Winter Olympics). The closest international airport is Venice Marco Polo (VCE), 148 km away, with shared shuttle service to Cortina that we'll point you to in your trip packet. The trip ends with a private group transfer back to Venice, so you can book your return flight from VCE the evening of Day 7 or the next morning.

  • Yes — we run custom and private versions of this itinerary for groups of friends, families, run clubs, and teams. You can adjust the number of days, daily mileage, pace, hotel preferences, and add rest days or extra time in Lake Bled. Email us about custom and private groups.

  • Expect South Tyrolean and Italian cuisine in the first half (think hearty mountain breakfasts, fresh pasta, regional wines, apple strudel), and Slovenian cuisine in the second half (alpine cheeses, lake fish, štruklji). Breakfasts at all hotels are included; lunches and dinners are at your discretion (often as a group at the hotel or nearby restaurants). Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other restrictions are accommodated — please let us know in advance.

Before You Go

Passport: Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.

Travel Insurance: Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip. 

How to Arrive

This trip starts in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The closest international airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo is Venice, Italy. The Venice Marco Polo airport is 148km away and the smaller Canova di Treviso airport is 136km away. There are a few shared shuttles per day between Venice (Marco Polo Airport, Mestre, or Piazzale Roma) and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. We provide more information on recommended shuttles in your trip packet. You can also choose to book a private transfer. This trip ends in Venice, Italy.  

Who Should Attend? What Pace Do We Run?

You do not need to be an expert trail runner! However, please note, this is a LEVEL 2/3 trip. Runners must be able to complete the full distance each day on the trip itinerary (7-16 miles) with significant amounts of elevation gain and loss (500-4,500 feet per day) in mountainous environments, on technical trails (think rocky, rooted, or steep with loose rock), and at times in unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains. While we hike the long uphill climbs, is expected that all participants will run whenever the guide determines is feasible (including downhill and flat sections). We can accommodate different paces, photo and video stops, and taking time to soak up and enjoy the route and your vacation. We cannot, however, accommodate walkers or hikers on this running trip. If you’re psyched about visiting the Dolomites and Slovenia and can meet this trip requirements, you should attend!

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 guides include local, professional trail running mountain guides with certified regional guiding credentials. These include International Mountain Leaders, Middle Mountain Guides, Wilderness First Aid certified, Search and Rescue Members, and more. They are runners that know the ins and outs of this route and are prepared with a safety or alternate plan for any sort of unexpected weather or injury. Plus, they’re a ton of fun and we think they’re the best. Join one of our guided tours to find out!

Solo Travelers

We have no single supplement fee for solo travelers on our guided tours. We love solo travelers, and about half of all our guided trips (often even more) are solo travelers.

Weather

Although the weather in late summer is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.

Cancellation Policy

Please inquire for the full cancellation policy.

Our Content

All content on this website, including but not limited to trip itineraries, day-by-day descriptions, written narratives, and images, is the intellectual property of Runcation Travel and is protected under United States Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and international treaties including the Berne Convention.

Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of any part of this content — including copying text for use on other websites, marketing materials, or commercial operations — is strictly prohibited. Any such use may result in legal action, including claims for statutory damages, actual damages, and attorneys’ fees.

We regularly monitor for infringement. If you are interested in licensing or collaborating, please contact us at info@runcation.org.

Guided Dolomites/Slovenia July 26- Aug 1, 2026
Guided Dolomites/Slovenia june 21-27, 2026
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Participant Testimonials
“I would give this trip and experience more stars if I could. It was so well planned and SO much fun. A runcation is absolutely the perfect vacation for me! Our group was the greatest mix of kind, fun, friendly people, and we had the best guides. The runs were incredible—the perfect combination of challenging and fun—and our guides did a great job navigating some tricky weather to make sure we still had a terrific experience. Liz really knocked it out of the park in planning this runcation! The hotels were AWESOME, I loved having group dinners at night, and the runs and views were spectacular. All around such a great experience, and one that I definitely hope to do again some day!”
— Caitlin, Dolomites + Slovenia Runcation
“I recently went on a running trip through the Italian Dolomites with my mom and her friends, and it ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. The landscape was breathtaking. What made it even more special was the community. I met some incredible people, shared laughs and long runs, and felt genuinely welcomed by the group. The trip combined physical challenge with natural beauty and meaningful connection — I’m so glad I went. Highly recommend to anyone who loves running, adventure, and good company!”
— Rowan, Dolomites + Slovenia Runcation
“Runcation was awesome. We had a fantastic time. The entire week was run really smoothly, Liz and the other guides did such a great job planning a variety of runs and all the logistics. Each day had an incredible run and lots of time to hang out with the other people on the trip. Would recommend a trip like this to any runner.”
— Dave, Dolomites + Slovenia Runcation
“What an amazing trip. This was my 2nd trip with Runcation, and I’ll certainly be doing a 3rd! Such a great mix of challenging days on the trail, with delicious meals/stops along the way, great hotels with spas, and towns and trails I never would have visited without this trip. Great group of people too :)”
— Marne, Dolomites + Slovenia Runcation
“Our trip was amazing, all thanks to Liz and her team at Runcation. All the bookings, check-ins and transfers went smoothly and we had a fantastic time running (and hiking) trails that took us to breathtaking views and unique places we never would have gotten to on our own! They did a great job of accommodating a variety of levels of fitness and experience out on mountain trails. We are definitely planning to book with them again for a future adventure.”
— Bree, Dolomites + Slovenia Runcation
“Went on the Dolomites/Slovenia trip. It was super-well organized and we ran in beautiful places. Our guides knew the trails well. It was a great experience meeting like-minded people who enjoyed the trails and running. The hotels had nice spas to help us recover hard after playing hard in the mountains. We encountered some really bad weather in Slovenia, but the organizers and guides adapted plans to allow us to safely still get a run in when we made it to our next hotel. Highly recommend this trip or any other by Runcation Travel!”
— Tricia, Dolomites + Slovenia Runcation