I think I first got in touch with Holimites by Instagram, while looking for a guided tour around the Dolomites. After changing lots of emails with Tatiana, with a...
A unique trail running experience in the heart of the Dolomites: the “Best of” of the renowned Alta Via 1 & 2, combined into a single itinerary designed to discover the most spectacular sections without completing the full traverses.
The route crosses some of the most iconic Dolomite natural parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accompanied by an experienced Holimites guide who will lead you along scenic trails, historic ridgelines, and spectacular alpine plateaus.
A 6-stage adventure of approximately 85 km and over 5,000 meters of positive elevation gain: a challenging experience, yet suitable for runners with good fitness who wish to explore the Dolomites in trail running style.
Arrival in Alta Badia
Welcome to Alta Badia! After your journey, check in at the hotel and take time to relax, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and start enjoying the unique atmosphere of the Dolomites.
Acclimatization day
The first day is dedicated to a gentle pace: an easy walk to loosen the legs, get used to the altitude, and enjoy the scents of the alpine forests.
In the late afternoon/evening, a briefing with an experienced Holimites guide will take place, presenting the route, stages, and useful tips to get the most out of your trail running experience.
1st stage: Badia - Fanes Natural Park
approx. 17 km (10,5 miles) with +1.650 m (5420 feet) e.g.; -900 m (2950 feet) e.l.
We start from Badia and reach the Santa Croce sanctuary, at the bottom of Santa Croce mountain. From here we continue our route towards the Sant’Antonio Pass to end our first day in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park.
2nd stage: Fanes Natural Park - Lagazuoi/Valparola area
approx. 12 km (7,5 miles) with +1.100 m (3600 feet) e.g.; -450 m (1480 feet) e.l.
We cross the Fanes alp and hike up to Forcella del Lago. From here we can admire the charming Lagazuoi Lake. After a short break at the lake we start the ascent to Lagazuoi, one of the most panoramic places, which offers a unique view on the Dolomites.
3rd stage: Lagazuoi/Valparola area - Pralongià/Planac area
approx. 13,5 km (8,4 miles) with +650 m (2130 feet) e.g.; -1.250 m (4100 feet) e.l.
We leave Lagazuoi behind us and run through the trenches built during World War I. They mark the border between the Kingdom of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Our trail continues towards Malghe del Castello at the foot of the Settsass mountain arriving at the Pralongià plateau, which is called also “amphitheater of the Dolomites” because of its flowery meadows.
4th stage: Pralongià/Planac area - Passo Gardena
approx. 13 km (8 miles) with +850 m (2800 feet) e.g.; -800 m (2600 feet) e.l. *
From Pralongià we take the “hunters path”, which leads us to Passo Campolongo. We run along the woods to the village of Colfosco. After a short break we start the ascent to the pass which divides Val Badia to Val Gardena.
5th stage: Passo Gardena - Gardenacia
approx. 13,6 km (8,5 miles) with +700 m (2300 feet) e.g.; -800 m (2600 feet) e.l. *
Starting from Passo Gardena we cross the Puez-Odle Natural Park, with an amazing view on the Sassongher mountain and continue until we reach the Gardenacia hut.
6th stage: Gardenacia - Badia
approx. 8 km (5 miles) with +250 m (820 feet) e.g.; -950 m (3120 feet) e.l. *
Our final stage leads us to Badia, the starting point of the tour. After breakfast we start our run and cross the Gardenacia plateau accompanied by the spectacular view on the Dolomites, arriving to the village of Badia.
Departure
*Depending on the group’s ability, the guide may adapt the difficulty level of these stage.
Upon request, Holimites can fully customise the itinerary: modify individual stages, shorten or extend the tour, add extra nights, or choose easier or more scenic variations.
Each participant is responsible for carefully evaluating the chosen package and ensuring that it matches their own physical fitness, technical ability, experience, and level of endurance.
By booking, participants confirm that they are in suitable physical and mental condition to safely undertake the activity and that they have understood the characteristics, duration, and difficulty level described in the programme.
Participants are also required to follow all instructions provided by Holimites staff at all times. For safety reasons, Holimites experts may modify, suspend, or interrupt activities.
Holimites cannot be held responsible for accidents, injuries, or damages resulting from failure to follow instructions, inaccurate personal declarations, or participation in activities beyond one’s own capabilities.
Price includes
Price does not include
*Included during the escorted tour
Note:
Supplements
Route characteristics
The stages follow technical and varied alpine trails, with demanding distances and significant elevation gain. The terrain alternates between single tracks, rocky sections, and more runnable paths, offering a complete trail running experience in the Dolomites.
Overnight stays are in authentic mountain huts and selected hotels, ensuring comfort and recovery after each stage.
Who is it suitable for
This tour is designed for experienced trail runners with good fitness and prior experience on mountain trails.
It requires endurance over long distances and significant elevation gain, confidence on technical terrain, and the ability to complete several consecutive days of intense activity.
Arrival
Holimites supports you in planning your arrival and departure, helping you choose the simplest and most convenient travel solution to reach the Dolomites.
We can assist you with:
This way you can start your mountain holiday without worries, right from the very beginning.
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 2000 meters (6,600 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, we recommend training before participating in this event. Sore legs, blisters, or other ailments related to running after the first stage can possibly ruin the entire week for someone. We suggest training programs with runs between 10 to 15 km (6 to 10 miles) on unpaved terrain.
I’m in good shape. Have trained and can run the stages. Are the stages marked?
Each evening our tour escort will conduct a brief talk about the next day’s stage. Also, the Alta Via 1 is marked with its own “symbol” and it’s NOT easy to get lost.
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
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.
What about having lunch in the mountains?
For lunch, you can stop at one of the mountain huts and try some local specialities. Alternatively, you can request a packed lunch from the hut where you stayed the previous night.
What about dinner?
All the mountain huts where you'll be staying offer dinner service, which you can decide to join on the same day. When you'll stay in a hotel you have the option to dine at the hotel's restaurant or, if you prefer, explore the town to find a restaurant that suits your taste.
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.
5 Reviews
Amazing experience at reasonable price!
I think I first got in touch with Holimites by Instagram, while looking for a guided tour around the Dolomites. After changing lots of emails with Tatiana, with a...
I think I first got in touch with Holimites by Instagram, while looking for a guided tour around the Dolomites. After changing lots of emails with Tatiana, with a lot of requests from me, Holimites made a perfect proposal, within my budget and schedule.
I went to the meeting at Badia expecting a nice week of trail running, without any comfort and eating basically gels and bars. I was so wrong! The rifugios selected for the tour were much more comfortable than I could ever imagine! Most offered rooms for drying clothes and shoes and one even had a sauna included in the price! The rooms were well equipped with comfy beds, duvets and towels, hot individual shower and body/hair liquid soap and most had individual power outlets for each bed.
The group was composed of four runners, including me and the guide, Richard. And our regular day would start around 7:00 with a nice breakfast, with bread, prosciutto, cheese, yogurt, musli, nuts, fuit juice and of course, all possible types of Italian coffee. Around 8:00 was the cut-off for luggage hand out (luggage was taken by Holimites staff from one rifugio to another) ad after that we departed for the day’s journey. After some 3 hours of running and taking pictures, first rifugio stop for a coffee and cake (linzer torte or apfelstrudel), the only meal not included in the tour. After a few more hours, lunch break at second rifugio of the day. One primo or secondo, plus one dessert or coffee. With renewed energies, we faced the last strecht of the day until last rifugio were we would spend the night. At arrival, leave dirt shoes to dry at the drying room, pick your luggage and then shower. During our tour, Holimites also had a trekking tour going on, and that group would sleep in the same rifugios as ours, so, until dinner, time to chat and change experiences among runners and hikers. As for the other meals, dinner was no disappointment. Lots of local specialties, usually with salad, bread, primo, secondo and dessert. After dinner, a few grappas to relax – not included – and go rest for next day.
Richard, our guide deserves a full review for himself! Great guide and great guy! Always taking pictures and explaining us local customs, geography and history. Very attentive when the trail got less obvious and willing to take us to unplanned cool spots. By the way, I was not part of their group, but trekking guides Suzy and Marina were also very nice to all people during our stops at the rifugios.
Overall, the holiday planned by Holimites exceeded all my expectations! The trails, the comfort at the rifugios, the food and mainly, the dynamic that Richard arranged for the group. He made us all feel included in spite of our completely different backgrounds and running ability. Great week! Could not recommend more!
Running trip with holimites
Recently went on a running trip with Holimites. Best of Alta Via 1&2. I highly recommend it. Holimites helped us arrange transportation to Badia, lodging and...
Recently went on a running trip with Holimites. Best of Alta Via 1&2. I highly recommend it. Holimites helped us arrange transportation to Badia, lodging and was organized the entire trip. Our guide, Dario, was phenomenal. For anyone considering the running trip, I was a little worried going in that I'd be slow in a group setting, but the group went at a moderate pace (taking pictures and jogging along)and there was a bit of power hiking going through the mountain passes. There are plenty of breaks at rifugios for coffee and strudel during the run. Food was fantastic.
Trip of a lifetime
I recently completed the Best of Alta Via 1 & 2 trail running trip with 3 friends and had a wonderful time. Our group consisted of 8 runners and our amazing (and...
I recently completed the Best of Alta Via 1 & 2 trail running trip with 3 friends and had a wonderful time. Our group consisted of 8 runners and our amazing (and patient) guide, Ricardo. The trails and scenery were incredible, the "huts" were way more lavish than expected, the food was delicious (and there was tons of it ... so pace yourself), and the company was fantastic. We shared lots of laughs and came home tired but very refreshed and happy. I would very highly recommend Holimites and will probably be back to try out one of their biking trips.
Trail running - Alta Via 1 & 2
Running through the Dolomites was a 19-month bucket list trip
in the making. Holimites was recommended as the best company to work with and they...
Running through the Dolomites was a 19-month bucket list trip
in the making. Holimites was recommended as the best company to work with and they completely lived up to their reputation. From the attentive and responsive staff answering all of our questions to the seamless booking process and the actual run week itself, this company has mastered the art of delivering even more than promised. The guides were knowledgeable, personable and amazing; we left as friends whom I can't wait to meet up with again! You will not be disappointed should you choose to entrust your Dolomite experience to the Holimites group. Five stars is inadequate, in my opinion!
Best of Alta Via 1 and 2 Trail Running
This trip was beyond expectations. Holimites did a superb job in all aspects of the trip. Guides were local and extremely knowledgeable about trails, terrain, history,...
This trip was beyond expectations. Holimites did a superb job in all aspects of the trip. Guides were local and extremely knowledgeable about trails, terrain, history, culture, etc and adjusted mileage based on the group’s ability and weather. Huts were comfortable, clean, and hospitable. Can’t wait to return!
Dates 2026
Dates 2027
Dates