Top 5 European Running Destinations: Your Next Trail Running Retreat Holiday
- Nick Butter
- Oct 11
- 7 min read
If you’re dreaming of adventure, travel, and the freedom of exploring the world on foot, these are the top five trail running holidays in Europe and beyond to inspire your next great escape. From the rugged peaks of the Dolomites, and the snow-dusted majesty of the French Alps, to the wild highlands of Georgia, the soulful mountain villages of Kosovo, and the sun-soaked volcanic trails of Tenerife, each destination offers a powerful mix of running, exploration, and wellbeing. Designed for runners of all levels, these trail running retreats and guided adventure running holidays with Run Weekends blend breathtaking landscapes, cultural discovery, and authentic local experiences in some of the world’s most stunning places. Whether you’re seeking mountain running adventures, multi-day trail running trips, active travel experiences, or small group running tours abroad, these journeys promise unforgettable memories that reconnect you with nature, challenge your limits, and remind you why running holidays and adventure travel are truly good for the soul.
Top 5 Trail Running Destinations in Europe
1. Dolomites, Italy
Often ranked among Europe’s top trail running regions, the Dolomites are pure mountain magic, a paradise for runners seeking beauty, challenge, and peace in equal measure. With more than 3,000 kilometres of marked trails, peaks rising above 3,000 metres, and an endless network of alpine paths linking remote valleys and mountain huts, every run feels both challenging and cinematic. You’ll move through turquoise lakes, wildflower meadows, pine forests, and quiet alpine villages that seem frozen in time.
From multi-day trail running holidays to short running weekend breaks, this UNESCO-listed region offers something for every ability. Whether you’re new to the trails or chasing high-altitude peaks, you’ll find routes that blend fitness, freedom, and breathtaking landscapes. Expect crisp mountain air, peaceful ridgelines, and trails that awaken both the legs and the soul.
Run Weekends, Europe’s leading running retreat company, hosts an unforgettable running holiday in the Dolomites, part of their growing collection of running adventures and trail running retreats across Europe and beyond. Designed for all abilities, their guided running trips combine community, mindful adventure, and authentic local culture. This running retreat in the Dolomites includes guided trail runs, bag transfers, mountain-hut stays, group dinners, and moments of stillness to reconnect with nature and yourself.
Whether you’re looking for running holidays in Europe, trail running camps, or mountain running getaways, this experience delivers the best of fitness, travel, and wellness. Imagine running through alpine pastures at sunrise, cooling off in glacial rivers, and sharing stories over hearty meals with fellow runners. It’s more than a trip, it’s a soulful running adventure that embodies everything a mindful running retreat should be.
Join Run Weekends for this Dolomites trail running holiday and discover why it’s become one of the best running holidays in Europe. Whether you call it a running retreat, running camp, or trail running tour, it’s the ultimate active holiday for anyone who believes that adventure, community, and movement belong together.
2. French Alps
The French Alps are the beating heart of European trail running, home to the legendary UTMB in Chamonix, and one of the most iconic destinations for running holidays in the world. Every year, thousands of runners arrive to experience endless singletrack trails, glacier-fed rivers, and breathtaking alpine peaks that define trail running holidays in Europe. From gentle lakeside paths to steep high-altitude climbs, the region offers a perfect mix of elegance, endurance, and adventure, making it an ideal choice for trail running trips, running retreats, and mountain running holidays.
Whether you’re seeking a multi-day trail running holiday, a guided running camp, or a mindful running retreat, the French Alps deliver every kind of adventure. Picture yourself running beneath snow-capped summits, passing through wildflower meadows and pristine forests, with every stride immersed in pure mountain energy. This is adventure running at its finest, where fitness, nature, and travel come together.
Join Run Weekends, Europe’s leading running retreat company, for an extraordinary running holiday in the French Alps. Their trail running retreat in Chamonix is designed for all abilities, combining community, comfort, and challenge in equal measure. You’ll enjoy guided group runs, bag transfers, wellness sessions, and shared alpine dinners, all set against some of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe.
Whether it’s your first running holiday abroad or you’re a seasoned trail lover, this French Alps running adventure is a chance to run, travel, and connect with like-minded people. Expect a balance of training and relaxation, mountain exploration, and moments of stillness that remind you why running holidays are good for the soul.
Run Weekends offers a growing selection of trail running holidays in Europe, including Dolomites, Mongolia, Japan, Albania, and Sri Lanka, but their French Alps running retreat remains a guest favourite. It’s more than just a trip, it’s a wellness travel experience, an active holiday, and a mindful adventure that leaves you fitter, happier, and inspired by the wild beauty of the mountains.
3. Georgia
Georgia remains one of Europe’s most underrated running destinations, offering wide open landscapes that feel truly wild and untouched. The Caucasus Mountains stretch for nearly 1,200 kilometres, linking glacier valleys, remote trails, and ancient watchtowers that tell stories of centuries past. It’s a country of deep hospitality, rich culture, and untamed beauty, perfect for runners who want adventure, authenticity, and connection in equal measure.
From multi-day trail running holidays to guided running retreats, Georgia offers the perfect setting for runners of all abilities. You’ll move through alpine meadows, crystal-clear rivers, and mountain passes where shepherds still live as they did generations ago. Every route brings a sense of discovery, blending fitness, culture, and exploration. This is a place where trail running meets travel, where adventure and wellbeing go hand in hand.
Join Run Weekends, Europe’s leading running retreat company, for an unforgettable trail running holiday in Georgia. Their Caucasus running retreat captures the spirit of freedom and raw adventure that defines this remarkable destination. Expect guided runs through mountain villages, bag transfers, authentic Georgian meals, and evenings spent with like-minded runners sharing stories beneath star-filled skies.
Whether you’re looking for running holidays in Europe, mountain running adventures, or active wellness escapes, Georgia delivers it all. It’s the ideal destination for those who want to run, travel, and connect in one of the last true wild frontiers of Europe. This trail running retreat in Georgia is designed for community, inclusivity, and discovery, a chance to explore, reflect, and challenge yourself in nature’s purest form.
Run Weekends offers a collection of trail running holidays across Europe and beyond, including the Dolomites, French Alps, Japan, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka, but Georgia stands out for its sense of remoteness and cultural richness. It’s more than just a running trip, it’s a soulful adventure, a mindful running experience, and an opportunity to see the world differently, through movement, nature, and shared experience.
4. Kosovo
Kosovo is one of Europe’s quietest and most surprising running destinations, a hidden gem for those who crave authentic trail running experiences far from the crowds. The Via Dinarica and Peaks of the Balkans trails wind through Sharr National Park, crossing flower-filled meadows, dense forests, and mountain villages where life moves slowly and smiles come easily. From the high pastures around Brod to the cobbled streets of Prizren, every step offers a glimpse into a land where nature, culture, and simplicity intertwine.
This is trail running in its purest form, unspoiled, soulful, and deeply connected to place. Kosovo offers a rare sense of peace and authenticity, perfect for runners who value community, culture, and adventure as much as pace and distance. Whether you’re an experienced trail runner or new to mountain running, this corner of the Balkans provides the perfect mix of challenge and serenity.
Join Run Weekends, Europe’s leading running retreat company, for an unforgettable trail running holiday in Kosovo. Their Kosovo running retreat brings this region’s wild beauty to life, with guided runs through Sharr National Park, bag transfers, local accommodation, and home-cooked Balkan meals that celebrate the warmth of Kosovar hospitality. Each day combines mindful running, cultural discovery, and breathtaking views over the mountains that border Albania and North Macedonia.
From multi-day trail running holidays to small group running adventures, Kosovo is fast becoming one of Europe’s most inspiring new destinations for running holidays abroad. It’s a place where you can run, travel, and connect, exploring wild trails by day and sharing laughter, stories, and traditional food by night. Every route reveals a deeper connection to nature and the people who live among it.
Run Weekends now includes Kosovo among its signature trail running retreats in Europe, alongside the Dolomites, French Alps, Georgia, and Sri Lanka. For those seeking something unique, peaceful, and full of heart, this Kosovo running holiday is more than just a trip, it’s a wellness travel experience, a soulful running adventure, and a reminder that joy often hides in the quietest corners of the world.
5. Tenerife
Tenerife is a paradise for runners who love variety, adventure, and year-round sunshine. The island boasts more than 2,000 kilometres of trails, crossing pine forests, volcanic ridges, and the dramatic slopes of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak. With its mild, spring-like climate, Tenerife is perfect for running holidays at any time of year, offering everything from coastal paths to high-altitude routes above the clouds. Every run brings ocean views, rugged terrain, and a deep sense of freedom under the sun.
This island is made for trail running holidays, active escapes, and adventure running trips. You’ll experience Tenerife’s incredible contrasts – one moment you’re running through laurel forests, the next you’re on black volcanic rock with panoramic views stretching across the Atlantic. It’s a destination that delivers fitness, exploration, and renewal, making it one of the most sought-after running holidays in Spain and the Canary Islands.
Join Run Weekends, Europe’s leading running retreat company, for an unforgettable trail running holiday in Tenerife. Their retreat captures the island’s unique blend of energy and tranquility, combining guided trail runs, group dinners, volcanic hikes, and moments of stillness by the sea. You’ll explore iconic locations like Mount Teide National Park, Anaga Rural Park, and the Masca Valley, discovering the island’s wild side beyond the resorts.
This Tenerife running retreat is designed for all levels, from beginners to experienced trail runners, with routes that balance challenge and beauty. Whether you’re training for a race or simply looking for a wellness travel experience, it’s the perfect way to run, travel, and connect with nature and community. Expect sunrise runs above the clouds, mindful recovery sessions, and the shared joy of running in one of the most stunning landscapes in Europe.
Run Weekends includes Tenerife among its growing collection of trail running holidays across Europe and beyond, alongside the Dolomites, French Alps, Georgia, and Sri Lanka. It’s more than just a trip – it’s a soulful running adventure, a wellness retreat, and a fitness holiday that brings together sunshine, trails, and transformation.
For a curated running experience, check out Run Weekends (www.runweekends.com), offering expertly planned running holidays for beginners and seasoned trail runners alike.
Where will your next run take you?
Comments