Trail running is an outdoor endurance discipline practised on unpaved mountain tracks, hiking trails, and high-altitude alpine terrain. It challenges athletes with varying elevations, rocky paths, and diverse natural landscapes. Across mountain resorts, trail running is primarily practised during the summer and autumn seasons, with several locations also accessible during spring. The routes range from gentle circuits in forested valleys to technical skyrunning itineraries traversing ridges above 3,000 meters.
Numerous destinations offer dedicated infrastructure and organized training for trail runners. In Italy, Campo Imperatore provides high-altitude circuits utilizing existing trails starting from 10 km alongside guided skyrunning outings, while Cervinia features routes that climb toward its maximum altitude of 3,883 meters. In Corvara in Badia, athletes can attend multi-day Dolomites Trail Running Camps led by professional coaches for all skill levels. In Switzerland, Verbier hosts the Tour du Val de Bagnes, featuring an extensive network of marked trails suitable for demanding long-distance runs, and Laax maintains a specific network of marked trail running tracks varying in length and elevation. Locations like Pontresina and Livigno also supply guided trail running tours adapted to different fitness levels.