Cortina 56-26 - Karpos Outdoor

THE EVENT

Some trails touch us on an emotional level.
Like in the Ampezzo Dolomites, where the echoes of the champions who shaped the history of winter sports still resonate. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and true paradise of rock — from the Tofane and Tre Croci Pass to Fiames and Zuel — has hosted two historic chapters in international sports, 60 years apart.

In recent seasons, this remarkable setting, steeped in history and records, has become the “place to be” for the international outdoor community, with the launch of the Cortina Skimo Cup, which has also served as the 2024 World Cup finals and subsequent Italian championships.

From snow to dirt roads: In 2026, thanks to a Fondazione Cortina initiative, the mecca of winter sports in the eastern Alps will introduce a trail connecting the sites of Olympic achievement in Cortina. Cortina 56-26, which arises from this legacy, will allow trail running enthusiasts to compete on legendary slopes and distances, choosing from two different routes, tackled solo or sharing the effort and the results in a relay race.
An immersion in the terrain that shaped the greats, now accessible to everyone through an inclusive and sustainable approach that reflects the founding values of this unique event.

THE ROUTES

26 km
26 km
1310 d+

A dive into the heart of the region’s history, from the center of Cortina d’Ampezzo to the “Italia” ski jumping hill near Zuel. Within the seven-hour maximum time limit, participants will tackle, among other challenges, the iconic descents of Col Drusciè and the Olympia and Canalone ski runs, where the gradient turns negative for the first time. But there are also some wilder sections, such as the parts among the fir forests taking you alongside Lakes Ajal and Pianozes. These are the final stages of a memorable journey bringing together enthusiasts in the cradle of Cortina’s outdoor scene.

56 km
2800 d+

The ultra-format Olympic route adds a 30 km half-loop at the beginning. This route also features an uphill start, with the approach to the Capanna Tondi rifugio (2,347 m) via the Mandres forest, immediately igniting the challenge. This less-frequented yet equally iconic section precedes the long descent to rejoin the shorter course, after passing the Olympic village and the Boite River. Two sides of the same coin: behind every result lies the effort of training and an authentic connection with the elements.