Escape to another world while running lodge-to-lodge along Oregon’s Rogue River, with only the sound of flow water and runners’ footsteps to fill your otherwise racing mind. You’ll love running the famed Rogue River Trail, which parallels the river’s meandering route through a forested gorge that feels far removed from civilization. As our river guides transport your personal longings on rafts, you’ll run downstream along the undulating trail. While the entire trail is about 40 + miles, we’ll offer you the option to hop on the raft–rowed by our expert river guides, of course–and float sections as you wish in order to keep the overall miles run a bit more manageable.

Your retreat leader will lead mindful running clinics on the trail to help you navigate the trails with ease and flow, while our professional running guide leads the way and educates us about this pristine river’s inherent value leading up to its 1968 designation by the U.S. Congress as a protected “Wild and Scenic” Oregon river. 

Each night you’ll stay in historic riverside lodges dating back to the 1930’s and 40’s. These simple and rustic lodges will take you back to simpler times, and help you detox from digital life. Spend the evenings sitting on the wooden deck, listening to the river gurgle as you gaze up at the stars and savor the silence. 

Your daily runs will be about 9 – 11 miles, though with plenty of stops and breaks throughout, and the option to go even a little longer. The river guides transport your personal belongings from lodge to lodge on the rafts, so there’s no need to carry more than what you need for the run. Though there are no major climbs or descents along the trail, the rolling trail climbs and dips back down toward the river for constant ups and downs and while some of the trail’s footing is soft forest soil, the rest is volcanic rock. Although the Rogue River Trail is only moderately challenging overall, it is at times steep, rocky and narrow with exposed sections and therefore is not recommended for people who have a fear of heights.

See the full itinerary at: https://runwildretreats.com/rogue-river-trail-running-wellness-retreat/

About the Runs

This retreat is rated Level II, which means we recommend you have a base fitness level that allows you to run up to 9 miles at a time on roads. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run–really!

• Daily runs at this retreat range from 5 miles to 10 miles on singletrack trails.
• The running trail intersects with the river every few miles, at which point you may hop into the raft with the guides (a guide will control the raft, it’s OK if you’ve never been on one before) in order to shorten the run.
• On the other hand, if you like to run a lot, some days you may extend your run to as much as 15 miles!
• There is no time limit; you may take as long as you need to finish the runs, which end at the lodge at which we’re staying. 
• Two guides accompany the group to support the different pace groups, so there’s no pressure to run faster than you’re comfortable.
• Trail running experience isn’t necessary. Your retreat leader provides trail-running tips for running in this terrain.
• You’ll encounter trails with loose rocks, and some exposure to heights. You can walk/hike trail sections as you need.
• The trail surfaces are a mix of loose sand, rock and dirt trail. Very little ground will be truly flat–you have to focus on your footing, which is why we stop often to take photos and soak up the views.
• Trail running shoes and a hydration pack that can carry at least 1.5 Liters of water are required.
• Learn more about how we manage run pacing here: https://runwildretreats.com/about-the-run-wild-retreat-experience/levels/