The new trail running race, organized by Fondazione Cortina, takes runners through the iconic sites of Olympic sports and the most iconic landscapes of the Belluno Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, June 11, 2026 – A journey through the landscape, history, and identity of one of the world’s most famous sports destinations. With CORTINA 56-26 – The Legacy Trail, scheduled for July 25, 2026, Fondazione Cortina offers a trail running experience that winds through some of the most iconic sites of the sporting history and natural heritage of the Ampezzo Dolomites, symbolically linking two dates that have shaped the destiny of the Queen of the Dolomites: 1956 and 2026.
The two race courses—26 and 56 kilometers—have been designed to showcase Cortina d’Ampezzo through its trails, forests, and venues that have played a memorable role in international sports. From the start in the heart of the historic center, at the foot of the iconic Campanile, to the finish line at the Trampolino Italia in Zuel: every kilometer takes athletes on a journey through a story woven from nature, sport, and Olympic tradition.
The 26-kilometer course perfectly captures the spirit of Ampezzo. After leaving the town center, runners pass the Olympic Ice Stadium and the renovated Eugenio Monti bobsled track, symbols of Cortina’s Olympic legacy. The race then heads toward Col Druscié and the Tofane Mountains, crossing the iconic Olympia delle Tofane, the venue for World Cup competitions and the Olympic Games. From the breathtaking views at the Pomedes mountain hut to the forests surrounding Lake Ajal, the route alternates between technical sections and open vistas of the peaks that have made the Ampezzo valley famous worldwide, before reaching the finish line in Zuel.
The 56-kilometer route expands on this narrative even further, transforming it into a true immersion in the local landscape. Before reaching the locations covered by the shorter route, the trail heads toward Faloria along the historic Vitelli “Ilio Colli” trail and reaches Passo Tre Croci, one of the most picturesque vantage points in the Dolomites. From here, the view opens up to the peaks surrounding the Ampezzo basin, while the route continues through high-altitude trails, coniferous forests, and ancient mountain passes. The descent toward Fiames and the subsequent return beneath the walls of the Tofane allow athletes to traverse some of the most iconic landscapes of the Belluno Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in a continuous interplay between the natural landscape and the sports infrastructure that has shaped the history of winter sports.
One of the defining features of CORTINA 56-26 is its ability to connect places that, over the decades, have become symbols of international sport. The Olympia and Canalone slopes, the Faloria, Col Druscié, the Eugenio Monti bobsled track, the Olympic Ski Jump, and the Ice Stadium are not merely points of passage, but authentic testaments to a sporting tradition that continues today through the major events hosted by Cortina. Alongside this sporting legacy, however, the environmental legacy also stands out strongly. The Tofane, the Faloria, Lake Ajal, and the other mountains surrounding the valley provide a constant backdrop to the race, accompanying runners along a route that winds through forests, alpine meadows, lakes, and ridges offering 360-degree panoramic views of the Ampezzo Basin. An extraordinary natural heritage that makes every stretch of the race an immersive experience in the heart of the Dolomites.
CORTINA 56-26 is thus born as a one-of-a-kind trail race: a sporting challenge that invites athletes to run through a seventy-year history, guided by a region that continues to serve as an international benchmark for sports and the mountains. On July 25, 2026, in Cortina, history will not merely be something to remember—it will be something to experience, step by step.
Registrations at www.cortina56-26.com