Which Trip is Right for Me?
Read on to learn more about our trips categorized based on style of accommodation, mileage per week, amount of elevation gain and loss, and technicality of terrain.
Level 1
These Runcations are for all levels of runners. These itineraries might include day trips from hotel stays on guided trips, meaning you are able to take a day off and rest if you need to or are not used to the back-to-back mileage. They can also include customized trips where you request a specific mileage, elevation gain, or type of trail, or can include our self-guided trips to run/hike at your own speed. Overall these trips include 5-10 mile days and 500-2,000 feet of elevation gain/loss per day. They still can include days in the mountains on technical trails with steep ascents and descents, but there are also shorter and flatter runs included with options to modify. Accommodations can range from comfortable hotels in towns to mountain huts (if requested).
Runcations:
Cortina Dolomites Runcation: Best Trail Runs in the Dolomites
Level 2
These trips still include adventurous runs in the mountains, but are paired with some easier runs in the week (or an option to skip a day and take a rest day if you need it) as well as comfortable 3 and 4-star hotels (some even with spas and options for massages)! By easier runs we mean runs on less technical trails with more runnable surfaces that might feel more familiar if you are used to running on asphalt or urban trails. There will be a mixture of 8-16 mile days, with some in mountainous terrain with up to 5,000 feet of elevation gain in a day, and others with less elevation gain (under 2,000-3,000 feet) including flatter and more gradual inclines/descents on surfaces that include dirt roads, wide fire roads, or asphalt. Keep in mind that our Runcations still include mountain running on trails, so if you’ve never run in the mountains on technical trails with steep descents and ascents, rocky trails, or heavily rooted technical trails, these days will feel challenging. On longer days you can expect to be out on the trail (including breaks and stops) for 3-6 hours per day.
Runcations:
South Tyrol Dolomites + Slovenia Runcation
Yosemite + Mammoth Lakes Long Weekend Runcation
French + Spanish Pyrenees Runcation
Level 3
These trips are categorized by level 3 because they can include high mileage (60-100 miles) and high elevation gain (15,000-32,000) over the course of the week and can include a mixture of accommodation styles in hotels and mountain huts. Some trips can also include multiple days in mountainous terrain on technical trails (including rocks and roots) with steep ascents and descents. On most days you can expect to be out on the trail (including breaks and stops) for 5-7 hours a day.
In our experience you can still be adequately prepared for the running portion if 1) you’ve run 15+ miles on trails with 3,000+ feet of elevation gain multiple times or are planning to do so before the trip or 2) regularly incorporate speed or interval workouts into your road running routine (eg track workouts, hill repeats, tempo runs or other interval workouts). If you are not in the categories above but are still interested, please contact the retreat organizer at RuncationTravel@gmail.com to learn more*.
Runcations:
Dolomites Hut-to-Hut Runcation
French and Spanish Pyrenees Trail Running
Self-Guided Dolomites Alta Via 1
Full Send
These trips can include adventurous style of accommodations within the trip including tents, difficult routes with steep climbs and descents (6,000-7,000 feet of elevation gain and loss in a day), cover technical terrain with rocky or heavily rooted trails, and can include high altitude environments up to 15,000 feet above sea level (please view different Runcation trip itinerary pages for trip specific details of which of the above are included). On longer days you can expect to be out on the trail (including breaks and stops) for 7-9 hours a day or longer.
In our experience you can still be adequately prepared for the running portion if 1) you’ve run 15+ miles on trails with 3,000+ feet of elevation gain multiple times or are planning to do so multiple times before the trip or 2) regularly incorporate speed or interval workouts into your road running routine (eg track workouts, hill repeats, tempo runs or other interval workouts). If you are not in the categories above but are still interested, please contact the retreat organizer at RuncationTravel@gmail.com to learn more*.
Runcations:
Running Requirements for Levels 2 and Up
You do not need to be an expert trail runner! However, runners must be able to complete the full distance each day on the trip itinerary with significant amounts of elevation gain and loss in mountainous environments, on technical trails, and at times in unfavorable weather conditions. It is expected that all participants will hike the long and strenuous uphill climbs at altitude and run whenever the guide determines is feasible (including downhill and flat sections). We cannot accommodate walkers or hikers on these running trips.
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!
Create Your Own
Our self-guided and custom self-guided trips are at your own pace and based on your preferred mileage, elevation gain, number of days, location, and style of accommodation. To create your own custom self-guided trips you can submit a custom trip deposit with your specific requests here and by email to RuncationTravel@gmail.com.
Runcations
Self-Guided Tour Du Mont Blanc
*Please note: we have had plenty of people coming from sea level that train in locations with minimal hills or trails that are still able to enjoy and complete these trips up to Level 3 and beyond, but preparation and approach to adventure is key! Almost no one on our trips (guides included) does this type of back to back mileage + elevation gain regularly at home. On these trips we take photo stops, we hike the steep and long uphill climbs, and regularly break for snacks, meals, or coffees when available. Most participants report at the end of the week that the mileage and elevation gain feels much better than they were expecting as long as there was adequate preparation and expectations. We recommend taking a detailed look at the trip itinerary you’re interested in and reaching out to RuncationTravel@gmail.com with any questions. You can also take our quiz below!