Sonoma Valley Runners Trek
Description
Overview
This 5 day/4 night running vacation is designed for the serious runner who also wants Wine Country luxury and pampering. The trek is set in Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon, which includes the villages of Glen Ellen and Kenwood. The area is known for its 5 star inns, fresh California cuisine, and superb wineries. Three state and regional parks ring the area, including Jack London State Park, Sonoma Valley Regional Park. With wine tastings every afternoon, you will get to experience vineyard tours, cave tastings, and mountaintop tastings. We will be happy to discount your trek if you prefer no wine tastings.
Details
The trek includes 3 days of running 8 to 11 miles (13 to 18 km) in state and regional parks. Your lodging is 5 star every night! Note: This is the same as our Sonoma Valley Hiker's Trek, but designed for runners. You run in the morning, return to your lodging for a shower and lunch, and then have a wine tasting in the afternoon. You finish your days relaxing at your lodging.
Day 1: Kenwood Wine Tasting
Plan on arriving in the lovely “Valley of the Moon”, Kenwood, by 1:00 p.m. to enjoy your first wine experience of the trek. Your hotel is a small luxury inn and spa noted in Travel and Leisure as one of the top 100 hotels in the world and a Reader’s Choice winner in 2010. Walk a short distance to a world class estate winery where they produce and make wines from only their vast estate. Enjoy learning about the estate as you are taken to their mountaintop terrace to sip excellent wines overlooking a stunning view of their vineyards and the Valley of the Moon. After tasting, return to the inn to relax before a wine country dinner at an excellent nearby restaurant.
Hiking today: No runs are planned for your arrival day. You will walk about 1 mile between your inn and the winery.
Day 2: Kenwood: Hood Mountain Run
Today is a gorgeous and challenging run in Hood Mountain Regional Park. After a short transport, you will run to the top of a 2700 foot mountain to a rock outcropping overlooking one of the best views in the wine country. After running down the mountain you will finish at your lovely inn. Later this afternoon you will walk to a nearby winery for a cave tasting. Dinner will once again be at an excellent local restaurant.
Running today: 11 miles (18 km) with 2100 feet (640 m) elevation gain and 2300 feet (700 m) elevation loss.
Day 3: Glen Ellen: North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park Run
Today you will be transported to North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park to run among the oak, chaparral, and redwoods. There are expansive views of mountains and vineyards and you can enjoy a redwood grove and explore the home and museum of the famous author, Jack London. You will finish your day with a salon tasting of world class wines at a lovely local winery. Your lodging for the next two nights has a world class reputation as one of the best luxury inns in the U.S. You’ll relax by the pool, enjoy a spa treatment if you wish, and walk to one of several wine country restaurants.
Running today: 9 miles (13 km) with 1200 feet (365 m) elevation gain and 2000 feet (610 m) elevation loss.
Day 4: Glen Ellen: Jack London State Park Run
You’ll run from your inn through the quaint village of Glen Ellen, through Sonoma Valley Regional Park with oaks, madrone and creeks to Jack London State Historic Park where you will run up the eastern flank of the mountain. You’ll visit the “Grandmother Tree”, a 1,800+ year old magnificent redwood tree. After your run through the park, finish your day with a special tour and tasting at a mountain vineyard estate and winery. Dinner tonight will again be at one of the wonderful local restaurants within walking distance of your lodging.
Running today: 8 miles (13 km) with 900 feet (270 m) elevation gain and loss.
Day 5: Trek Conclusion
Your Wine Country Trek comes to an end.