Trail Running
Traverse

This custom Holimites Trail Running itinerary combines the most impressive and the most famous Dolomite locations all into one East-to-West traverse.

The tour starts from the charming town of Sesto di Pusteria at the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. From here you’ll run through the Fanes, Sennes, Braies and Puez-Odle Natural Parks, and finish your adventure on the idyllic Alpe di Siusi meadows.

A 7-day adventure with 103 km (64 miles) of trails and 6,500 m (21.300 feet) total ascent

Length 8 nights

Level °°°°°+

Arrival in Badia: meet and greet and briefing with a Holimites trail expert.
Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

1st day: warm up run, visiting the most panoramic spots of Alta Badia. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

2nd day: approx. 19,5 km (12 miles) with +1,400 m (4600 feet) elevation gain; -950 m (3120 feet) elevation loss;
Transfer to Sesto in Val Pusteria. From Sesto we cross the Val Fiscalina until we reach the world famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. From here we start the descent to the Antorno Lake. Dinner and overnight stay in a hut.

3rd day: approx. 14 km (8.7 miles) with +880 m (2890 feet) e. g.; -790 m (2590 feet) e. l.

We leave the Dolomites of Sesto behind us and enter the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park. We cross the Forcella di Monte Specie and arrive at Prato Piazzas pastures. Dinner and overnight stay in a hut.

4th day: approx. 19,5 km (12 miles) with +1,050 m  (3450 feet) e. g.; -950 m (3120 feet) e. l.

Running under the majestic walls of Croda Rossa, we cross the Rossalm hut and ascend to Forcella Sora Forno. From here we run through the alpine meadows of the Sennes plateau to the hut. Dinner and overnight stay in a hut.

5th day: approx. 26 km (16 miles) with +1,200 m (3950 feet) e.g.;   -1,950 m (6400 feet) e.l.

We descend to Pederü and start from there the ascent to Fanes. Once we reach the Fanes alp, we hike up along the “natural amphitheater” to the Forcella Medesc, where we can admire an amazing view over Alta Badia. We descend to the village of Badia. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

6th day: approx. 18,5km (11.5 miles) with +1,550 m (5080 feet) e.g.; -750 m (2460 feet) e.l.

From Badia we run towards the Gardenacia plateau and cross the lunar landscape of Natural Park Puez Odle, until we reach Forcella della Roa. With a breathtaking view on Val Gardena we run down to Col Raiser. Dinner and overnight stay in a hut.

7th day: approx. 29 km (18 miles) with +1,100 m (3600 feet) e.g.; -1,350 m (4430 feet) e.l.

Our final stage leads us from Col Raiser to Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest plateau. We cross the flowery meadows of Seceda's ski resort and descend to Ortisei, to hike up to Alpe di Suisi. Dinner and overnight stay in an hotel.

8th day: Departure.

PERIOD

Starting mid June until October

KEEP IT PRIVATE

Do you want to reserve one of our guided tours exclusively for you and your group of friends? Is your own crew so fun and delightful that you don’t need to add any strangers to the mix? Choose any tour that you like, contact us and remember to tell us how many people are in your group. We will send you a personalized quote based on the number of participants.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Half-board accommodation (breakfast and dinner)
• Tour escort will accompany your group for your entire trail running tour
• Baggage transfer from hut to hut
• Lunch in mountain huts
• Transfer from Badia to Sexten
• All taxes
• Special Holimites Trail Running souvenir

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Alcoholic beverages and anything not mentioned under the heading "Included in the price"
• Cancellation insurance

EXTRA CHARGES

• Extra days: 90.00 euro per person, per day
• Single accommodation: 100.00 euro (this option only available in hotels and not in huts)
• mid season price increase: August and September: +75.00 euro per person

• high season price increase: July: +115.00 euro per person

What is Trail Running?
Rather than a discipline, Trail Running is equal parts a philosophy, a sport and a way of life. It dilutes the hectic thrum life to its simplest rhythm. Moving across the mountains--unencumbered and with primal athleticism--one experiences the mountains both as a visitor looking outward as well as an athlete looking inside oneself. Trail Running allows one to explore nature on their own terms, allowing the runner to use their fitness as a path to discovery, while traveling to some of the most beautiful and secluded places on the planet.

Do we have to be able to run uninterrupted to participate?
The Holomites trail running trips are on mountain trails, and most runners will hike portions of each stage, however, as a participant in a group trail run, you will be expected to maintain a certain pace in order to finish the scheduled stages. If your legs are shutting down or your fitness is interfering with the group’s ability to make cut offs, your tour escort may decide you need to alter your daily route. In this case, you will have an array of options so that you can continue your trip at a more relaxed speed:

a) to take a rest day and shuttle with the service van, to the next hut where the group is headed for that stage

b) to take a shuttle and 'bump up' to the last hotel, where you can finish your vacation going on suggested trail runs from that location.

Given our considerable years of experience with trail running groups, here are a few statistics to help you gauge how much hiking you should expect: if you run marathons under 3 hours, on average you can run 70% of each stage; if you take 3 to 3.5 hours = 50%; 3.5 to 4.5 hours = 40%.

I have some Issues with elevation, is that a problem?
The runs vary between 1,500 and 2,300 meters of altitude (between 4,900 and 7,500 feet) each day. In addition, the huts for the overnight stays are above 2100 meters (6,900 feet). If you have a history of trouble with high elevations, please consult a doctor or medical professional for their expert opinion before booking this trip.

Is training necessary?
Yes, it is absolutely necessary to be well trained. We suggest training programs with runs between 10 to 15 km (6 to 10 miles), on unpaved terrain.

I'm in a good shape, have trained and can run the stages. Are the stages well marked?

For liability reasons, you won’t be able to leave the group and wait at the finish for each day. But you also don't need to stay with the group if you want to run faster. If you’d like to run ahead and wait for the group, or do an out-an-back, your tour escort will help you plan meeting points at key intersections each day.

What specific clothing do you recommend?

For trail running in good weather, we suggest you always carry a light hydration pack and a few layers such as a light insulated jacket, gloves and a hat. Always keep in mind that the weather in the mountains can quickly change. We suggest packing some warmer clothing in addition to this minimum suggestion. These items can be left in your bag that we that we will transfer for you from hut to hut each day.
Note: In some huts, bags are transported via a cableway and thus there are some weight restrictions: 10kg --> 50x40x20cm

What about having lunch in the mountains?
For lunch you can stop in one of the huts to taste some traditional food or you have the possibility to buy a lunch package in the hut where you overnight.

Overnight stay on the mountain huts...
You will be surprised of how lovely our mountain huts are. However, they have to be considered a rifugio in the mountains and not a hotel. So you won’t find all the luxury features you find in the towns.
In the huts there are blankets and pillows. We suggest to bring sleeping bags inlay with you.
All hotels and huts are well informed about dietary restrictions, like gluten or lactose intolerance. Everywhere you will find a vegetarian or vegan alternative.
Not all huts accept credit cards. So we suggest to bring some cash with you, to pay drinks, snacks or extras which are not included in the offer.

Should I expect to climb a Via Ferrata?
Our standard programs don't include a Via Ferrata. But gladly we can organize one for you with a certified IFMGA-UIAGM Alpine Guide. There is the opportunity to do the Via Ferrata during a stage or you can add an extra day at the beginning or at the end of your tour.