Luxury Wellness Hotels | Mindful Running | Challenging Alpine Trails | Spa + Pampering | Gourmet Italian Food | Intention Setting
Be prepared for some of the most breathtaking trails you’ve ever run (due to their beauty and elevation) while being pampered in some of the most luxurious four-star hotels of Sud-Tyrol. You’ll run the trails of the Pale Mountains, as the Dolomites are known, a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserved for its stunning natural beauty with an amazing group of women who, like you, run because of how it makes them feel.
There’s something about running the mountains that feeds the soul. Perhaps it’s the grandeur of soaring peaks or the vastness of the landscape that can shift your perspective about things that are happening in your life. In a place like the Dolomites, those seemingly big problems become minuscule when compared to these vertical limestone mountains.
Every run will be completely different as we explore different natural parks within the Alta Badia region of the Dolomites. At times, we’ll use gondolas to access the valley’s upper elevations in order to maximize our rewards (and views!) while running sections of the area’s most famous trails, the Alta Via 1 and 2.
Throughout this retreat, we’ll explore how the mindfulness practice of setting intentions can help you stay motivated to train for the next race or pursue the next life goal. If you find yourself bumping up against a wall of fatigue or apathy when you think about doing more than you are already, then this retreat is your chance to realign with your values around goal-setting and the role running plays your pursuit for excellence in all areas of life. We’re not just talking about running goals here, but any area of your life that is important to you and in which you want to bring your best self and highest energy.
Your retreat leader will guide you though mental and physical practices on and off the trail that will help you reconnect with what matters most to you and reignite your energy so you come home inspired and ready to pursue your next big project. This is a challenging retreat best suited to those with some trail-running experience.
Start Planning Your Retreat
Italian Dolomites Trail Running + Wellness Retreat- Two nights’ lodging in San Vigilio
- Two nights accommodation in Corvara
- Two nights accommodation in Selva
- Nightly hotel local taxes
- Daily access to wellness spa facilities
- Daily breakfasts and gourmet dinners
- Some lunches
- Daily trail runs with professional guides
- Dedicated Retreat Leader
- Private motorcoach to/from the Venice Marco Polo Airport
- Mindful Running Clinics
- Trail snacks/energy food
- Local bus passes
- Passo Furcia Gondola Plan de Corones
- Col Alt Gondola to Pralongia
- Col Raiser Gondola to Parc Puez-Odle
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- Run Wild Retreats gift bag
EXCLUDED:
- Flights
- Some alcoholic drinks
- Spa treatments
- Other incidentals
- Guide gratuity
- Some ground transportation
- Travel/cancellation insurance
- Anything else not listed under “What’s Included”
Depsit: $1,500
Balance Payment Deadline: February 8, 2023
Max Group Size: 15 women
Shared Room Package (per person): $5,495
Private Room Package (per person): $5,895
*Shared room packages have two beds. Solo travelers may choose this option and will be paired with another retreat participant.
If traveling with a friend, you may list your friend as your preferred roommate on your Retreat Participant Intake Form.
You may customize your retreat package with various add-on services.
This retreat is rated Level III. Given the physical requirements listed, this retreat is for experienced trail runners only.
This retreat is suitable for you if:
- You are comfortable with a combination of trail running and hiking six days in a row for around 3 – 4 hours each day. Each time we are out on the trail it is inclusive of hiking sections of trail and stops for water breaks, snack breaks and photo opportunities.
- You are comfortable trail running and hiking on trails with loose dirt, rocks and some muddy sections.
- You have experience running on mountain trails.
- You are comfortable trail running at high elevations. You can expect to reach elevations above 9,000 feet above sea level on this retreat.
- You are physically able to hike long uphills and steep downhills.
- You are comfortable on narrow trails that are high up and at times exposed.
- You are game for running in the rain! Don’t worry about what to wear; we provide you with a comprehensive packing list.
- You have, or are willing to acquire before the retreat, a pair of trail running shoes.
Note:
The total run distance for this retreat will be between approximately 42 and 50 miles. Each day’s run in this itinerary is represented by the time spent on the trail rather than miles run because the mileage covered will depend largely on your run pace. Faster runners will cover more mileage than slower runners on some days. As noted in the physical requirements, these run times include breaks to enjoy the views, take photos, eat and drink. The precise route and trails run may change due to changes to trail closures, weather conditions, guide recommendations and other safety considerations.
- Learn more about how we manage run pacing here: https://runwildretreats.com/about-the-run-wild-retreat-experience/levels/
Want to Know More?
Day 1 | Venice Arrivals and Retreat Opening
We ask that you book your flight to arrive before noon, otherwise arrive the day before. We will rendez-vous at the Venice Marco Polo Airport at 12:30 p.m., then meet our driver for the 4-hour drive to San Vigilio di Marebbe. Upon arrival, we will check into our rooms and have some time to freshen up before we convene for the Official Retreat Opening Meet and Greet followed by dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in San Vigilio di Marebbe.
Run time: no run today.
Day 2 | San Vigilio Forest Run
After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet for our first group trail run of approximately 7 miles on a mix of trail types around San Vigilio, from forested paths to rolling singletrack along a turquoise glacier-fed river. We’ll have our first mindful running form clinic that will cover key postural tips that you can practice throughout the week. We’ll finish back in the village in time for lunch and in the heart San Vigilio, followed by free time to enjoy the spa before dinner at the hotel. Overnight in San Vigilio di Marebbe.
Run time: 2 – 2.5 hours on rolling valley trails that avoid any major ascending or descending. The trail surface is mostly crushed gravel and worn dirt trails, at time rooty. No exposure to high terrain today.
Day 3 | San Vigilio to Corvara (Alta Via 1)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll check out of our rooms and set aside the luggage for transfer to our next hotel. At 9:30 a.m., we’ll take a 20-minute bus ride to Pederü, where we’ll have our first trail running technique clinic, then begin an adventurous point-to-point high alpine run along the Alta Via 1 trail through the Fanes Plateau. Most of our uphill gain is in the first 1.5 to 2 hours of today’s run, so we’ll hike sections of it until we reach the plateau’s gently rolling terrain where we’ll soak up soaring alpine views at every turn. After descending a series of switchbacks, we’ll hop on the bus for a 35-minute ride to our hotel in Corvara. We’ll arrive at mid-afternoon, at which time you are free to explore the village before dinner. Overnight in Corvara.
Run time: 3 to 4 hours on mountain trails (i.e., sometimes rocky) with exposure to heights, long uphills and long downhills.
Day 4 | Corvara to Pralongia
After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet for a workshop on mindful breathing and how it helps us lower stress and run more efficiently. After the workshop, we take the Col Alt Gondola up to the starting point for today’s point-to-point “recovery” run of around 2 to 3 hours (including breaks). Today’s run is at a lower elevation on relatively smooth footpaths, so we can gaze out at the mountains without having to watch the footing so closely. We’ll enjoy a rolling route that takes us to Utia Pralongia before the long descent to Corvara, finishing at our hotel. After lunch at a pizzaria in the village, enjoy some free time to explore the town or enjoy a spa treatment. This evening we will have dinner at our hotel in Corvara.
Run time: 2.5 to 3 hours (including breaks) on wide dirt paths and some steep, rooty singletrack trails
Day 5 | Corvara to Val Gardena (Alta Via 2)
After breakfast, pack your luggage and set it aside for transfer to Selva. Then we’ll either take the bus (or gondola) up to Passo Gardena, where we’ll begin today’s premier trail run and hike along an out-and-back section of the Alta Via 2 trail. This high-alpine singletrack trail takes us through a barren rocky landscape surrounded by limestone peaks. From the run’s end, we take the gondola down to Selva, and then walk or jog to our hotel. After checking into our rooms, enjoy some free time to explore the village, enjoy the spa and relax before dinner. Overnight in Selva.
Run time : 3 – 3.5 hours on a mix of dirt and gravel trails, at time on very steep, exposed alpine terrain. You must be comfortable in this environment to complete this run.
Alternate run: Take the gondola down to Selva and do an easier out-and-back run along the flat, gravel path trails of the Vallunga Langetal with relatively little elevation change.
Day 6 | Parco Natural Puez-Odle
After breakfast, we’ll board the bus and have a 10-minute bus ride to St. Christina where we take the gondola to Col Raiser. Here we enjoy a beautiful loop through the beautiful green pastures of Parco Nautral Puez Odle. At the 5-mile point, you can choose to take the gondola back down and hop on the bus to the hotel, or run down the mountain for 3 miles (this is a lot of downhill and only recommended if you feel good and have no knee pain), finishing at our hotel. We’ll enjoy a pizza lunch followed by some free time to relax, enjoy the spa or shop before dinner. Overnight in Selva.
Run time: 2 – 3.5 hours (including breaks) on well-worn dirt paths, at times rocky, but always rolling uphill/downhill.
Day 7 | Retreat Closing and Transfer to Venice
This morning we have an optional recovery run of about 3 or 4 miles along the valley floor (no big climbs today!), followed by breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m.. After breakfast, we’ll have our official Retreat Closing Meeting. After checking out of your hotel room and loading your luggage into the van, at 11 a.m. we board the van for our private transfer to the airport, arriving at the Venice Marco Polo Airport around 4:00 p.m. (this arrival time is not guaranteed and is dependent on traffic volumes. Please plan your travel accordingly). From the airport, check in for your flight departure, or if you booked additional hotel nights in Venice, take a shuttle, bus or taxi to your hotel.
Optional Run time: 30 minutes out-and-back on mellow dirt trails and village roads