Classic Italian Dolomites with Yassine Diboun
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Oct 3, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025 | 8 days - 7 nights |
The Dolomites are one of our favorite areas for trail running. Trails here are flowy and accessible, and the scenery includes impressive towering mountains, quiet villages and beautiful meadows where cows and horses graze.
We’re delighted to have Portland, Oregon’s Yassine Diboun joining this tour. As a top trail runner, and one of our community’s most wonderful and supportive people, Yassine inspires others to overcome challenges and set goals, as he has himself. With business partner Wille McBride, he created Wy’East Wolfpack, a fitness and trail running community in the Pacific Northwest. Yassine’s warm energy and enthusiasm is absolutely infectious.
Our point-to-point tour takes us through the Gardena and Funes valleys in the western Dolomites. Here, the Italian, Austrian, and ancient Ladin cultures intermingle in the small, scattered villages that dot this mountainous corner of Italy. We’ll trail run with light vests, as our bags are moved for us from village to village. One night at a high mountain lodge will require a slightly larger “fast packing” pack.
Our tour begins in the town of Ortisei, nestled in Val Gardena, in the heart of the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage Area. There’s miles of great running radiating in every direction. For the first full day, we’ll warm up with a run above town, on alpine trails with incredible panoramic views. On this Level 2-3 tour, there are sometimes options for different route distances, and if you want to take it easy, we’ll have two optional rest days. Most days finish mid-afternoon, giving time to wash up, relax, and just gaze upon the panorama from your room’s balcony. Later, we’ll enjoy dinner together at our hotel restaurants. These are multi-course affairs, often featuring delicious local Austrian and Italian specialties.
Header photos: Mark Brightwell, Martina Valmassoi
Book this tour
Single Supplement: $980
Itinerary
Time to meet Yassine Diboun and the whole group. (Courtesy photo)
Day 1
Today, we’ll meet in Bolzano and transfer by taxi to Ortisei in the afternoon. Before dinner, we’ll meet for an overview of the week’s route, covering our daily routines, and reviewing gear for each day’s adventure.
Cruising past a still alpine lake. (Mark Brightwell)
Day 2
Today we’ll start by riding a funicular railway from Ortisei to quickly gain the scenic Resciesa Ridge, where we’ll run panoramic views and high quality trails traversing the mountainside.
Running towards the high walls of Sassolungo. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 3
From the beautiful plateau of Alpe di Siusi, some relatively flat running brings us to Saltner Hut. We then head out over the Altipiano dello Sciliar and one of the most dramatic sections of trail of the entire week. We’ll stay overnight at Plattkofel Hut, with private rooms and hot showers.
Crossing scree slopes near the Sassolungo massif. (Photo: Martina Valmassoi)
Day 4
Along today’s stunning route, we’ll explore the immense and iconic Plattkofel massif. Passing Rifugio Vincenza, a break for coffee and cake feels obligatory! For those feeling adventurous, an early-morning run to the 2958m high Plattkofel Peak is an option.
A view of Vallunga. (Mark Brightwell)
Day 5
Running from Selva this morning, we’ll enjoy a circular route up into the impressive Vallunga, or “Long Valley”, a long, deep chasm which has been likened to a mini-Yosemite valley. The flow on this section of trail feels just great!
Enjoying a meat and cheese platter in the Dolomites. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 6
Today we’ll cross from Val Gardena to its quieter neighbor, Val di Funes. Starting in Selva, we’ll climb to the popular Seceda meadows high above Val Gardena, an expanse dotted with quiet alp farms and backed by the impressive jagged Odler peaks.
Gunther Messner way. (Photo: Bruno Yates)
Day 7
We’ll tackle the Odle di Eores massif, with engrossing singletrack, mature pine woodland, abundant mountain vistas and a couple of very strategically placed huts for refreshments along the way. Today’s highlight is the “Gunther Messner Way,” a flowing, narrow trail with big views!
It’s been great to run together! (Photo: Cam Bevan)
Day 8
Today we’ll say our goodbyes as we take leave of the Dolomites. We’ll have a morning group taxi available to Bolzano, where you can continue on to your final post-tour destination.
Regional map
What's included
Six nights at village hotels, one night at a remote mountain inn, all breakfasts, light lunches, premium trail nutrition, dinners, guided runs daily with a certified International Mountain Leader, daily runs with special guest Yassine Diboun, all transfers to and from trailheads, luggage transfers between villages, group taxi from Bolzano to Ortisei, group taxi from Val di Funes to Bolzano, and Run the Alps’ Guide to Trail Running in the Alps.Plan to arrive in Bolzano by mid-afternoon the day your tour starts. We will take a group taxi from there to Selva. Flights from the US usually depart the day before your arrival day. The closest airports are Venice, Verona, Milan and Munich, which are each about three to four hours away from Bolzano by train or taxi.
A group taxi is typically scheduled to leave Val di Funes at 8:30am and get you to Bolzano about 9:30am. From here, you can continue on to your departure destination. Private taxis can be scheduled upon request at your cost. You may have to plan for one night at a hotel in your departure city. We can assist with transportation and lodging recommendations, if you like. If you’d like to extend your visit with additional trail running, we can help with self-guided run descriptions for other regions of the Alps, or trail race options.
Run the Alps Stories:
Bruno Yates: My Recon for Run the Alps’ Dolomites Trip
Cam Bevan: Italian Dolomites with Team Egg, Speck, and Potatoes
All Run the Alps guests receive a copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps to assist in preparing for their trip.
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions and travel insurance.
Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.
Guides for this Tour
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Book this tour
Single Supplement: $980