British, European, Australian and US citizens can enter and remain in Italy for a maximum of 90 days without a visa. We recommend checking the latest entry requirements for your nationality before booking.

The nearest international airport is Venice Marco Polo (VCE), with frequent direct services from London, Manchester and most major European hubs. We recommend arriving on Day 1 of the trip — flights landing before 13:00 work best for joining the group transfer comfortably, though we'll do our best to accommodate later arrivals where possible.

Treviso Airport (TSF) is a smaller alternative used by some low-cost carriers, around 35 minutes from Venice. Please note the group transfer departs from Marco Polo, so guests flying into Treviso will need to make their own way to join the group — just let us know in advance and we'll help you plan it.

On departure day, the group transfer returns to Marco Polo in time for afternoon and evening flights home. We'd suggest booking flights departing no earlier than 15:00 to avoid any stress.

June and July are great times to be in the Dolomites — warm daytime temperatures, long daylight hours, lush meadows and retreating snow. However, this is the mountains and conditions can be unpredictable. A typical day will start with blue skies and warm temperatures, with clouds moving in throughout the day and a chance of afternoon rain or thunderstorms before clearing in the evening.

We'll always leave early to make the most of the best conditions, keeping a close eye on the forecast and communicating any itinerary adjustments clearly with the group. Night-time temperatures in Cortina can drop to 10°C or lower, so pack accordingly.

We'll be out on the trail for around 4–6+ hours each day, covering approximately 18–25km with steep uphill and downhill sections. It's not all-out running — we aim to jog the flats, run the downhills and walk the climbs, with plenty of stops along the way to soak up the views.

Two trail guides will be with the group at all times, plus our driver/guide on the route, giving a strong guide-to-runner ratio and allowing everyone to run at their own comfortable pace. Vehicle support is available at multiple aid points each day with snacks, water and nutrition.

Please note the itinerary is subject to change — distances may vary depending on the group, and start/finish times may shift accordingly.

Lavaredo is graded Challenging — it's our most demanding itinerary in terms of daily elevation and technical terrain. The Dolomites are steep and uneven underfoot, and the biggest days involve sustained climbing followed by long technical descents. You don't need to be an elite trail runner, but you do need to be genuinely comfortable running on rough ground, confident on exposed ridgelines, and capable of being on your feet for 4–6+ hours across multiple consecutive days.

As a guide, we'd suggest you're regularly running 25–35km per week, with some back-to-back running days in your training and ideally some experience of running in hilly or mountain terrain. If you're in doubt about your fitness, just get in touch — we're always happy to have an honest conversation about whether the trip is right for you at this point in your training.

Nearly 90% of our guests travel solo, and the group format means everyone supports each other. No one gets left behind — but Lavaredo is a step up from a regular weekend long run, and we want you to arrive ready to enjoy every metre of it.

We host a group transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) on arrival day. Cortina is a 2-hour drive and we depart once everyone has arrived — we anticipate a midday departure but will confirm the day before.

If you arrive early and have time to explore Venice, luggage storage is available on the ground floor of the airport (approx. €8 per large bag, open 06:00–20:00). ATVO buses run from the airport to Piazzale Roma in around 20 minutes.

Our group transfer departs from and returns to Marco Polo Parking Area B, just outside arrivals — cross the road to the left. What Three Words: ///resist.liaise.blinkers

We depart the hotel after breakfast around 9:00am in two vehicles, driving to the trailhead in 15–25 minutes. Our support van carries any additional clothing or gear you want accessible during the day.

On the trail we run for around 3–5 hours, covering 18–25km. This isn't all-out running — we stop regularly to take in the views, take photos and enjoy the experience. Two trail guides accompany the group throughout, with our driver/guide also on the route to support.

Once the trail is finished we have picnic lunches before returning to Cortina, with the rest of the afternoon free to relax, stretch or use the hotel facilities. Evenings are spent together over drinks, dinner and stories from the day.

We're based in Cortina d'Ampezzo throughout the trip — Italy's most celebrated mountain resort town, set in a natural amphitheatre ringed by the most dramatic peaks in the Dolomites. It's a town that manages to feel both genuinely alpine and effortlessly Italian, with excellent restaurants, cafés and an easy-going evening atmosphere that makes for a great base after long days on the trails.

Accommodation is twin or double room, hotel standard, with en-suite bathrooms. Guests travelling solo will share with another guest of the same gender unless a single supplement is requested at the time of booking. All breakfasts are included throughout the trip, along with picnic lunches on running days. We head out for evening meals together as a group — these aren't included in the trip price, so you'll cover your own dinner each night.

Completely normal — nearly 90% of our guests arrive on their own. Pure Trails is deliberately designed around the solo traveller experience. You'll join a small group of like-minded people who share a love of running, adventure and exploring the world on foot. By the end of Day 1, you'll feel like you've known everyone for years.

Groups are capped at a maximum of 10 guests, which means the dynamic is always intimate rather than coach-tour. There's no awkward mingling to be done — the shared experience of running big mountain terrain together creates connection faster than almost anything else we know of.

If you'd like to talk to a previous guest before booking, just ask — we're always happy to put you in touch with someone who's been on the same trip.

Trail shoes are essential — you'll be on rocky, technical terrain that road shoes simply aren't designed for. We'd recommend a shoe with a grippy Vibram or similar outsole and good ankle stability. If you're not sure what to choose, get in touch and we can advise based on your usual running background.

A running vest or lightweight pack is required each day to carry your water, snacks, a waterproof layer, and any personal medication. Poles are optional but some guests find them useful on the steeper descent days — particularly on Lavaredo's second and third running days.

The full kit list is included in your pre-departure pack, sent three weeks before the trip. Key items include: trail shoes, running vest (1.5–2L minimum), waterproof jacket, mid layer, sun protection, trekking poles (optional), and any personal first aid or medication. We'll also cover currency, tipping etiquette and what to expect from Italian mountain huts in the pre-departure email.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Pure Trails guests and must be in place before departure. Your policy must cover trail running activity, mountain rescue, medical evacuation and trip cancellation. A standard travel insurance policy will not cover trail running — please check the small print carefully and look for policies that specifically include adventure sports or trail running as a covered activity.

We recommend providers such as Sports Cover Direct, Battleface or World Nomads, all of which offer policies with appropriate trail running and mountain activity cover. If you're unsure whether your existing policy is adequate, it's always worth calling your insurer directly to confirm.

You'll be asked to provide your insurance provider, policy number and emergency contact number as part of your booking form. Please have this ready before departure.

Our maximum group size is 10 guests, with a 5:1 guest-to-guide ratio maintained throughout. Groups naturally spread out on the trail — faster runners tend to set the pace at the front, with a guide at the back ensuring no one is ever left alone or feeling pressured.

We've found that the Lavaredo group dynamic works particularly well because everyone is there for the same reason — to experience the Dolomites on foot, at their own pace, in exceptional company. There is no race element and no pressure to keep up. Guides will adjust the pace to the group and flag any route variations in advance where conditions or fitness require it.

If you have any concerns about your fitness relative to the group, just get in touch before booking. We'd rather have an honest conversation upfront than have anyone feel underprepared on the trail.