Run breathtaking trails while being pampered in some of the top four-star hotels of Sud-Tyrol
This retreat takes us to the Italian Dolomites, 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.
If you're ready to find more flow and ease in your running and life, 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.
"A few of my girlfriends and I travelled over to Italy to do the Italian Dolomites Retreat. This retreat was EXCEPTIONAL, the stays were beautiful, the women magical. Everything about this week was Epic and I'm so thankful to have not only been with my best friends, but other great women and a wonderful retreat leader, Liz. I would HIGHLY recommend these trips!"
--Lori M.
"I am returning home from the Dolomites with so much love—for the women on the trip, the retreat leader, the landscape and for what I’ve learned about being a mindful runner and human. This retreat was so much richer than I could have imagined—and so much more than just a running retreat."
--Melisa H.
This retreat is level III, which means it is suitable for you if you:
Note: The total run distance for this retreat will be between approximately 40 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. The precise route and trails run may change due to changes to trail closures, weather conditions, guide recommendations and other safety considerations.
This retreat can be the kind of vacation that truly transforms your state of mind and body, if you're open to it. Our retreats are designed to support you as a whole woman, not just a runner. That means you can expect free time to yourself, away from the group. It means that there are wellness experiences included in your retreat package to support your nervous system reset. This is your chance to heal from the effects of stress and focus on doing the things that energize you, inspire you and feed your soul.
Mindful Running is this retreat's defining experience. Your dedicated Retreat Leader will lead you through experiences on and off the trail that are designed to help you discover how to run with more ease and flow. And if you've never run trails before, you'll learn how to adapt your road running technique for this new terrain. And if you're an experienced trail runner, you'll take your running to a whole new level of efficiency and joy. Connect more deeply with nature, yourself and other women through this powerful practice that provides you with skills and insights to maximize the stress-reducing effects of running.
Our runs take place generally between 5,000 feet and 9,000 in elevation on well-established trails. All runners–not only those coming from sea level–find it necessary to adjust their running pace to account for the elevation. We have accounted for this slower pace in our allotted run times, giving you plenty of time to run and hike at the speed that suits you best.
July is the warmest month of the year here, with daytime temperatures usually between 50 and 70 degrees. However, since we’re in the mountains, weather can change rapidly, so we’ll want to have light rain jackets with us in case of some precipitation.
Experience exceptional dining! We’ll dine daily on traditional Ladin/Italian dishes that showcases the Italian’s passion for fresh, delicious food.
Some local favorites include Tris di Canederli (three different flavors of farm-style dumplings), speck, a type of cured ham similar to prosciutto specific to South Tyrol, polenta, the “bread of the Dolomites,” and of course, apfelstrudel, an Italian-style apple strudel.
Most meals are included in your retreat package, and we handpick high-quality restaurants for unforgettable culinary experiences.
We make every effort to accommodate your dietary preferences and restrictions. However, there are occasions when we may face limitations. You'll have a chance to indicate your specific dietary requirements in the retreat participant intake form.
Even though menus are heavy on breads, pastas and meat, gluten free and vegetarians will find satisfying alternatives.
Please note that alcoholic drinks are excluded, and snacks and beverages outside of meals and trail runs are not included.
For 200 years, the Posta Zirm Hotel, owned by the Kostner family, has provided refuge to wayfarers and adventurers from around the globe. You can spend time recovering from your mountain adventures at the Wellness-Farm, a Feng-Shui sanctuary of well-being that will instantly relax you and restore your mind, body and soul balance. As your “home away from home,” the Posta Zirm's hotel rooms offer air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a minibar, and free wifi. Guests have access to room service and a concierge. In addition, Posta Zirm Hotel offers a pool and free breakfast, which will help make your Corvara in Badia trip additionally gratifying.
(Actual hotel may differ from what is shown here)
One of the best ways to deepen your experience with mindfulness during and after your retreat is to add the Transformational Travel Journal to your package. This co-branded journal by Run Wild Retreats in partnership with the Transformational Travel Journal provides an intentional space to write, draw, sketch and otherwise creatively express what meaning this travel experience has for you. Filled with thoughtful writing prompts, inspirational quotes and mindfulness-inspired ideas, we highly recommend using this journal to help you enhance your mindful running experience.
Badia, South Tyrol, Italy 
We will meet at the Lost and Found/ Hospitality Desk in the Arrivals Area on the ground floor of the Venice Marco Polo airport by 12:00 p.m. (exit the doors beyond the baggage claim area). Your retreat leader will be holding a Run Wild Retreats sign. 
After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet for our first group trail run on a mix of trail types around San Vigilio, from forested paths to rolling singletrack. We’ll have our first Natural Running Form Clinic that will cover key postural tips that you can practice throughout the week.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
