Delicious Slow Trekking: discover the Dolomites from dusk to dawn
Cortina d'Ampezzo, 17 July 2024– Only a short time remains before the Delicious Slow Trekking 2024 event, which is being arranged by the mountain guides 'Gruppo Guide Alpine di Cortina' in collaboration with the Cortina Delicious Consortium on 27th and 28th July.
A unique trekking event that lasts from dusk to dawn and offers the opportunity to discover the magnificent Dolomites, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in the footsteps of the Delicious Trail Dolomiti (scheduled on 28th September), but at a more leisurely pace and accessible to everyone, and above all with the accompaniment of Cortina's mountain guides, true connoisseurs of the area. The route is approximately 42 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 3100 metres. The maximum altitude is 2730 metres.
The Delicious Slow Trekking is aimed at anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of the mountains without feeling pressured to perform. It’s a weekend dedicated to slow trekking, allowing participants to fully enjoy the breathtaking views, the history of the place and the culinary delights offered by the high-altitude refreshment points (as in the race at the end of September).
Programme
The start is scheduled for 8.00 p.m. at the mountain guides' office in the centre of Cortina (Ciasa de Ra Regoles), with arrival also in the centre of Cortina at about 6.00 p.m.
We reach the first stage at midnight and stop for refreshment at the Croda da Lago Refuge, surrounded by green alpine pastures. After a few hours, we get to the Malga Peziè de Parù Refuge. The itinerary continues leading to the Scoiattoli Refuge, facing the 5 Torri, and then to the Nuvolau Refuge, perched on a peak of 2,575 metres, with a breathtaking panoramic view. We arrive at the Averau Refuge at dawn, where a delicious breakfast is waiting for all participants. We reach Col Gallina at 7 a.m. and immediately set off through the mine tunnel, which climbs vertically to the Lagazuoi Refuge at 2,730 m, where we stop for a snack. We continue our journey and reach the Baita Resch hut in the afternoon, where we have a short break and enjoy some refreshments. An hour and a half later, we stop at the Hotel Villa Argentina, where we indulge in local specialities.
An unforgettable journey through nature and history that begins under the stars and ends under a pink and orange sky.
For more information and bookings, please visit the website guidecortina.com
Delicious Trail Dolomiti: tips from the 2023 winner Sophie Maschi
The winner of the previous year's race, a sports coach and personal trainer, provides insights on how
to best tackle the 43 kilometres and 3,100 metres of elevation gain. She reminisces about the race, and describes it as the most breathtaking event she has ever run, despite having taken part in other races in the Dolomites.
Cortina d'Ampezzo_ On 28th September, trail running enthusiasts will gather in Cortina d'Ampezzo to participate in the Delicious Festival Dolomiti. The event, which has become a tradition for lovers of mountain running, features not one, but three routes of 43, 35 and 23 kilometres that wind through the paths of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Last year's long-distance race, 43 km, was won by Sophie Maschi from Bolzano. As well as being a strong trail runner, she is a personal trainer and fitness coach. Speaking about the event, she said: "It was the most beautiful race that I have ever taken part in. As far as the scenery is concerned, I've been to other events in the Dolomites, but this one has the WOW factor.
In 2023, she tackled her first long-distance race with confidence and straightness, gradually picking up the pace and setting herself apart from the pack. So this year we asked her to give us her valuable advice on how best to tackle this demanding challenge. The first half of the race is almost entirely uphill and the keyword must be 'graduality'.
This is her first advice: "To succeed in the race it is important to start slowly and build up speed gradually. Although I usually rush at the start, my husband's suggestion to 'slow down’ led to a successful outcome. Starting off too quickly can lead to fatigue and hinder your ability to complete the entire race, so it's advisable to ease into it, particularly since the initial part of the run is mostly uphill. The most demanding and remarkable part of the track is undoubtedly the Anticima tunnel of the Lagazuoi mountain. The passage through the Mine Tunnel, which was excavated from the rock in WW1 and is a part of the Lagazuoi Open Air Museum, stands out as one of the toughest and most impressive route sections. It is particularly challenging for the competitors, taking them up to an altitude of around 2750 metres."
Sophie emphasizes the importance of acclimating to the high altitude, stating, "I usually train at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 metres, so the 2,700 metres of Mount Lagazuoi posed a challenge. Upon reaching the tunnel entrance, I initially had a slight lead over the second person, but it vanished rapidly due to my lack of prior training at such high altitude. To prevent this from happening, I recommend incorporating 3-4 training sessions at a comparable elevation if feasible.
I was strong in the vertical race and the issue wasn't the height difference, but the altitude; my legs were moving rapidly but my heart was thumping. This is definitely the most physically demanding part of the climb, in the dark, without anything to distract your attention, with only occasional glimpses of light. But when you come out of the tunnel it's amazing, you feel the fresh air and have an amazing view.
From the exit of the mine tunnel, the descent begins and Maschi explains: "The easiest part begins, you have a long descent ahead of you and you can let your legs go because it is not a super technical section and it is fairly runnable."
The Delicious Trail Dolomiti is a great challenge. However, with the right physical and mental preparation, every participant can enjoy an unforgettable experience. And if you follow the advice of the 2023 winner, you will be able to tackle the 43 kilometres of pure beauty and adrenaline in the best possible way!
Click HERE for all the high-resolution photos by Pierluigi Benini and Sportograf.
Delicious Festival Dolomiti and Salzburg Trailrunning Festival join forces to fuse the best in trail running.
Cortina d'Ampezzo - Delicious Trail Dolomiti is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Salzuburg Trailrunning Festival, the Austrian event dedicated to outdoor sports lovers, which will take place from 11th to 13th October.
A cooperation which represents a significant synergetic effect in European trail running.
During the Delicious Trail Dolomiti, which will take place in Cortina d'Ampezzo on 27th and 28th September, the Salzburg Trailrunning Festival will be present with a promotional pavilion to provide information and involve fans in the grand finale of the trail season in Austria. Delicious Trail Dolomiti, on the other hand, will be present in Salzburg with a stand to promote the event abroad.
The aim of this partnership is to join forces to promote the passion for trail running and to offer a unique experience to athletes from all over Europe.
The competitions of the Delicious Festival Dolomiti
The Delicious Festival Dolomiti will feature three races, 43, 35 and 22 kilometres long, all set against the backdrop of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Delicious Trail Dolomiti will be covering approximately 43 kilometres with an elevation gain of 3,100 metres. The race starts in the centre of Cortina, then the route leads to Pocol, Croda Da Lago, 5 Torri, Nuvolau, Mt. Lagazuoi and the Falzarego Pass. It crosses the most extensive open-air museum of the Great War fought at high altitude in the Dolomites, and leads through the Lagazuoi mine tunnel at 2,647 m above sea level. The finish line is in Pocol.
The Medium Delicious Trail Dolomiti is 35 kilometres long. It starts in the centre of the village of La Villa in the Badia Vally (Alta Badia), follows for a stretch the “Path of the Artists” and takes the runners up to Mt. Lagazuoi at an altitude of 2,778 metres, before descending to Pocol, where it finishes.
The Short Delicious Trail Dolomiti is 22 km long and is certainly the least demanding, but no less spectacular route (it touches the 5 Torri and the Nuvolau mountain group). It starts and finishes in the Cortina distirct of Pocol.
A team of Austrian athletes, part of the Salzburger Trailrunning Festival organising committee, will participate in the Delicious Trail Dolomiti races.
Partnering the two events
Delicious Festival Dolomiti and Salzburg Trailrunning Festival come together to merge excellence in trail running. The union of two prestigious events in the field of trail running has the aim of promoting sport, culture and the natural beauty of two of the most fascinating mountain areas in Europe.
For a selection of high resolution photos of the 2023 edition, taken by Pierluigi Benini, please click HERE.
In the picture: Sophie Maschi, winner of the 7th edition of the Delicious Trail Dolomiti - Photo by Pierluigi Benini
On 28th September, three races will be held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, following three distinct routes through the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. Participants will experience a perfect blend of nature, history, tradition, and culinary delights.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, 20th March 2024_Registration is now open for the Delicious Festival Dolomiti, the trail running event taking place in Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Badia Valley on 28th September, co-organised by L5T SPORT ASD, Consorzio Delicious Cortina and the Town Council of Cortina d'Ampezzo, and with the backing of Regole d'Ampezzo, the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo, the Cortina branch of the Club Alpino Italiano, the Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative, Alta Badia Brand, and the Town Council of Badia.
These are three truly exceptional races, with routes of rare beauty that, in addition to the sporting aspect, also offer culinary delights: refreshment points offering local specialities and "traditional" provisions, as well as food supplements and mineral salts for competitors who just want to concentrate on the race and have only the finish line in mind.
THE THREE TRAIL RUNNING ROUTES IN CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, POCOL AND ALTA BADIA
The Delicious Trail Dolomiti will be covering approximately 43 kilometres with an elevation gain of 3,100 metres. The race starts in the centre of Cortina, then the route leads to Pocol, Croda Da Lago, 5 Torri, Nuvolau, Mt. Lagazuoi and the Falzarego Pass. It crosses the most extensive open-air museum of the Great War fought at high altitude in the Dolomites and the Lagazuoi tunnel at 2,647 m above sea level. The finish line is in Pocol.
The Short Delicious Trail Dolomiti is a 22 km long running race with an elevation gain of 1.300 metres, with the starting and finishing line at the Cortina district of Pocol. A shorter but equally spectacular route, as it passes some highly scenic points such as the 5 Torri and the Nuvolau mountain group.
Last but not least, the Medium Delicious Trail Dolomiti, the "youngest" race of the three, currently in its third year. The route is 35 kilometres long with an elevation gain of 1.900 metres. The race starts in the Badia Valley, in the centre of La Villa/Stern, then the route follows for a stretch the “Path of the Artists”, takes the runners up to Mt. Lagazuoi at an altitude of 2,778 m, and descends to the finish line at Pocol.
The Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to three exhilarating trail-running races, all featured in the National League ITRA and UTMB Index Races Calendar circuits.
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IRENE RIGHETTI
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E-mail. deliciousfestivaldolomiti@runningpost.it