Rise and Run with Elyse Kopecky in the Dolomites
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| No upcoming dates | TBD |
This tour is Sold Out for 2024! Please contact us if you’d like to be on the waitlist.
The Dolomites are coming onto the radar for US runners, but Run the Alps has been trail running here for a decade or more. We know the valleys, the hotels and inns, and the wonderful mountain huts. On this trip with Elyse, we’re pleased to share some of our little secrets with you!
Both culturally and topographically, the Dolomites are special. Here, the Italian, Austrian, and ancient Ladin cultures intermingle in the small, scattered villages that dot this mountainous corner of Italy. The dolomitic rock ridges and spires literally will make your jaw drop. It’s hard not to stop and stare, particularly in the fading light of a late September day.
We’ll stay in a deluxe chalet featuring a Finnish sauna, steam bath, and outdoor whirlpool. Here, a private chef will prepare wholesome meals, featuring Elyse’s own recipes. Plus we stay in one of our favorite hotels in the Alps– Hotel Kabis, managed by our friend Konrad Messner, cousin of the famous climber Reinhold Messner, who grew up in the same valley.
In between, we’ll fast-pack to one of our favorite high huts, Plattkofelhütte. Great local food, using meat and vegetables from their own farm, and big views combine for a special evening at this refuge, which offers many more amenities than similar remote mountain huts.
Our tour includes daily trail runs in Ortisei and Selva, nestled in Val Gardena, in the heart of the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage Area. We also experience the Alta Badia region, and quiet Val Funes, where we run through pastures and past chalets right to the door of our nearly two-centuries old hotel.
Meals at the chalet will be catered by noted Chamonix caterer Lisa Murgatroyd of Peppered Strawberry who will work closely with Elyse on preparing delicious and nutritious foods. Please contact us with any dietary requirements in advance.
Book this tour
Single Occupancy: $6,750/person
Itinerary
Colfosco village, where we’ll stay in a luxury chalet (Photo: Alta Badia tourism)
Day 1
Today, we’ll meet in Bolzano and transfer by taxi to Colfosco in Alta Badia in the afternoon. Before dinner, we’ll meet for an overview of the week’s route, covering daily routines, and reviewing gear for each day’s adventure.
(Photo: Martina Valmassoi)
Day 2
Today we have a chance to find our running legs, heading straight out into the mountains from our chalet.
There will be time to relax at the chalet in the afternoon, or to take a look around the small town of Colfosco, with its famous late Gothic church of St Vigil.
Elyse Kopecky trail running. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3
From Ortisei, we’ll enjoy a ride up on the Alpe di Siusi cable car, then run across the vast magnificent expanse of Alpe di Siusi where traditional farming still takes place. We’ll finish the day with our overnight adventure at the Plattkofelhütte, which features classic Dolomites cuisine and even hot showers!
Running above Vallunga. (Photo: Bruno Yates)
Day 4
Along today’s stunning route, we’ll explore the immense and iconic Langkofel/Plattkofel massif. We leave the Sassolungo mountain and Plattkofelhütte, tucked at the base of jagged, imposing rock spires.
There is a final long descent through spruce/larch forest to bring us into Selva. Alternatively a cable car can be used to go down from Ciampinoi if the legs are feeling tired!
Meeting some of the locals in the Dolomites! (Photo: Astrid Renee)
Day 5
Today we 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.
A steep zig-zagged descent requires care but soon enough brings us to Rifugio Odle with an option for a light lunch from an extensive menu of local specialities.
Gunther Messner way. (Photo: Bruno Yates)
Day 6
Today’s highlight is the “Gunther Messner way”, a flowing, narrow trail that’s occasionally exposed and completely absorbing.
Back in Val Funes, at Hotel Kabis, our host and wine expert Konrad Messner will guide us through a wine tasting featuring local wines and cheese.
(Photo: Martina Valmassoi)
Day 7
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.
What's included
3 nights at a luxury chalet, 1 night at a mountain hut, 2 nights at a 3-star hotel; all breakfasts, light lunches, and dinners, trail nutrition, 3 IML certified guides, Elyse Kopecky as the special guest, Taxi from Bolzano to chalet, Taxi from Val Funes to Bolzano, all in-tour taxis, luggage transfers, wine tasting at Hotel Kabis, License free photography.Plan to arrive in Bolzano by mid-afternoon the day your tour starts. Your tour kicks off with a meeting at 4:30pm. Around 5:30pm, we will take a group taxi to Alta Badia.
Flights from the US usually depart the day before. The closest airports are Venice, Verona, Milan and Munich, which are all about three to four hours away by train or taxi. You will be provided with a Run the Alps Aid Station PDF, explaining how to get to and from Bolzano.
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 to your departure destination. Private taxis can be scheduled upon request at your cost. You may have to plan on 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 and Courtney and Crew do the Dolomites.
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.
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Book this tour
Single Occupancy: $6,750/person