Winner: Dolomites, Italy
Outfitters around the world are starting to string together self-颅guided, lodge-to-lodge trail-running trips. 鈥淭he idea is to organize trips in areas where support is not 颅really necessary,鈥 says Tullia Caballero Augi, director of S-cape Travel, which offers outings across Europe. Our favorite hot spot? The Dolo颅mites of northern Italy. You鈥檒l find 10,000-foot spires, rollicking trails, 颅supreme landscapes, and cushy huts within solid running distance. Go with Italian outfitter Holimites, which arranges 颅lodging, airport transfers, and extras like morning yoga ($1,760 for seven days; ). You鈥檒l combine the best of the Alta Via 1鈥攁 classic north-south trail through the heart of the Dolomites鈥攁nd the more rugged Alta Via 2, a five-stage, 75-mile route on singletrack. You鈥檒l cruise through alpine valleys in Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park and stay in places like the 颅Ghernacia hut, which serves hot home颅made tortes.
Runner-Up: Santa Fe, New Mexico
The high desert around Santa Fe is braided with warm arroyos, high-alpine singletrack, and buff trails just beyond the downtown adobes. Get your legs under you with loops along the Dale Ball complex, where well-marked trails let you piece together runs of any length. Then head high into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains for an 11-mile run from the Santa Fe Ski Basin to Lake Peak and down 颅Raven鈥檚 Ridge, much of it above 12,000 feet. Crash at the historic Inn of the Five Graces (from $500; ) and walk around the 颅corner to the Pink Adobe for margaritas ().