
Looking up at huge, wildly eroded limestone cliffs in the Dolomites, Italy, where mountain peaks and spires soar above meadows, forests and lakes. | Anthony Holm
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Hiking in the Alps
10 Alpine Walks in Europe to add to your Bucket List
Europe offers a plethora of walks, but where to start if you want to go hiking in the Alps? Here are 10 breathtaking alpine walks that are very popular among UTracks Travellers and should be 'high' up on every keen hiker's bucket list.
1. Chamonix to Zermatt 'Trekkers Haute Route'
The
‘High Route’ between Chamonix (Mont Blanc) and Zermatt (Matterhorn) was originally established by mountaineers, but fit walkers can also enjoy the magic of the region by following the trekkers’ route on one of our guided walking tours. Our
10-day guided hike will provide you with mind-blowing views of 4000m+ peaks including Dent Blanche, Zinalrothorn and Weisshorn. If you’re short on time, check out the
7-day Haute Route.
Excellent guide - very knowledgeable and experienced. Thank you. ~ C. Gorrick WA, Australia
The scenery and wildflowers, absolutely amazing. ~ Edward Schelegle, Montreal, Canada
2. Mont Blanc Encompassed
Like most of our Mont Blanc treks, the
Mont Blanc Encompassed walk takes you right around the Mont Blanc massif, from France through Switzerland and Italy. However, this 10-day version allows you to walk every step of the classic circumnavigation.
We have trekked and hiked many places (Nepal, NZ, South America to name a few) and this has been our favourite trek by far. The views of the Mont Blanc massif were just so incredibly stunning and right in your face. Walking through wild flower fields and gravel trodden paths it really is one of the best hikes in the world you will ever do. You don't have to be super fit to do it either although recommended training will help you but we had plenty of rest stops on a couple of the steeper climbs. The refuges where we stayed every night had absolutely unbelievable views to the mountains and beyond. The food was delicious and Max our guide was an absolute champion! Walking through villages with our red packed mule was a highlight too. We highly recommend this trip. ~ P. Lehrke, QLD, Australia
If you can't commit to 10 days, check out our popular
Mont Blanc Highlights and
Mont Blanc Guided Walk.
3. Mont Blanc Rambler
If you prefer taking it easy and are new to walking in mountain regions then our comfortably paced ramble through the Mont Blanc region is for you. As you wander through the villages and alpine meadows you’ll experience everything the Mont Blanc region is famous for, with ample time to stop and photograph the stunning scenery, have leisurely picnics and absorb the alpine culture. There is a
7 day self guided Mont Blanc Rambler tour and a
7 day small group guided Mont Blanc Rambler tour.
It was a wonderful experience. The views and our photos were so beautiful at first they seemed unreal. Our guide Sebastien was excellent. He struck the perfect balance of giving us information that would be helpful and interesting then allowing us to enjoy the peace and beauty. The mix of people on the trip was interesting and fun. The food was delicious regional fare. The accomplishment of completing a challenging hike then arriving at a new place with a shower, a beer, and a soft bed was perfect. This would be a very reasonable trip to do solo. In the last couple years I have spent 10 days in Bora Bora and a week rafting the Grand Canyon. Mont Blanc is not only bucket list material like those, but a trip I would (and plan to) do again. ~ D. Sink. Phoenix, AZ, USA
4. High Trails of the Bernese Oberland
The Bernese Oberland is dominated by some of the highest peaks in Switzerland, including the Eiger, Jungfrau and Finsteraarhorn. Following a section of the Alpine Pass Route, the
High Trails of the Bernese Oberland rewards hikers with magnificent views of these peaks, vast glaciers, and the otherworldly lakes surrounding Interlaken. Experience Swiss alpine hospitality in mountain huts in traditional villages and the famous ski resort of Grindelwald.
Everything was great. The route was amazing and the guide and van driver where a pleasure to be with. The huts were nice and the food was substantial. ~ C. Tilmann Madison, WI, USA
5. Gran Paradiso Adventure
Walk through rugged valleys carpeted in wildflowers, over snow-covered passes and past glacial lakes on the
Gran Paradiso Adventure, which crosses Italy’s first national park and be rewarded with unparalleled views of Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn on this 7-day guided walk. Walk on trails that have seen more animals (including the alpine ibex and chamois) than humans.
Gran Paradiso is a lesser known walk than the Dolomites and one worth doing. It was a wilderness experience as the tracks were less trodden and very few other walkers encountered, except at the refugios. Little contact in a couple of villages - passing through - refugios located in remote locations. Scenery spectacular, sighted wildlife - Marmot, Ibox, Chamois. Our guide (Tal) was engaging and attentive, and was good with directions, instructions and special points of interest. Organisation ran smoothly and the weather was great. Meals were adequate and accommodation comfortable - glad we paid the double room supplement. This was a more challenging walk than Mont Blanc, would be top end of Grade 4. This walk will increase in popularity once the word gets around. ~ G. Dauncey, NSW, Australia
6. Tour de Monte Rosa
Follow in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci on this alpine trek along ancient mountain trails linking Switzerland to Italy. This has been described as one of the best walks in all of Europe, taking you around the highest peak in the Pennine Alps and the second highest in the entire European Alps, the Monte Rosa (4634m). Trek through an amphitheatre of awe-inspiring 4000m peaks, marvel at the tumbling glaciers that feature in this fascinating world of rock and ice, and appreciate this serious walking challenge in a gorgeous alpine setting. There's the
7 day guided Tour de Monte Rosa Walk as well as self guided alternatives that go for
6 days and
8 days.
This trek took my breath away. It was without a doubt one of the most challenging hikes I’ve done but by far the most rewarding. Max our guide was so knowledgeable. The second we touched down in Zermatt, I started planning my next alpine walking holiday ~ D. Bates, London, UK
7. Dolomites Guided Walk
Every year, the jagged spires of the ‘Pale Mountains’ inspire thousands of climbers and walkers. Admittedly, it’s not hard to stay motivated when you’re overwhelmed with such displays of vivid and changing scenery every day. Our
7-day Dolomites Guided Walk allows you to explore the region’s network of trails that weave between typical villages, woods, alpine lakes and vistas.
The Dolomites walk was a challenging and enjoyable trek trough some amazing and varied mountainous regions. In contrast to the snow and greenery of the Mt Blanc trek there was a lot of trekking through ‘moonscape’ type areas with some loose shale and good climbs. It is not technically difficult but some of the climbs certainly got the heart going a bit. As usual with UTracks trips, everything was very well organised and the guides were fantastic, having no hesitation in sharing their experiences and history of the area. ~ C. Bushby, WA, Australia
View our full range of
Dolomites walks and cycling holidays.
8. Via Ferrata Guided Walk
If you have a head for heights then consider the
Via Ferrata Guided Walk, where you will experience the Dolomites from the top down using a network of iron ladders and cables is something you must try at least once. Certified mountain guides will lead you to the top of the Dolomites’ famous pinnacles, from which you’ll witness views enjoyed by few others. No previous climbing experience is required.
The guides for Via Ferrata were outstanding and made the trip so enjoyable. I would recommend bringing you own harness if you have one. As I left mine at home which is super comfortable and the hire ones, although good were not that comfortable. The local guide lent me his spare one which was fantastic and much appreciated. I really felt like the Via Ferrata guides were committed to ensuring we enjoyed the trip. ~ E & M Langridge Maylands, WA, Australia
9. The Alpine Pass Route
The classic
14-day self guided Alpine Pass Route walk, that takes you past some of Europe’s most famous and photogenic peaks, should be at the top of any long distance walker’s list. The snow-capped peaks of Jungfrau, Monch, Eiger, the Wetterhorn and the Blumisalphorn will take your breath away as you make your way through the most spectacular section of the Alpine Pass Route.
The most memorable part of the trip was the steepness of the mountains. Walking through fields of cows with bells. Feeling like I was going to fall off into oblivion on the edge of a mountain of scree! The incredible views that looked so amazing they looked fake! How unexpectedly hot it was... except when it was freezing! ~ Natalie Moore, Sydney, Australia
10. Tyrol | Austria & Germany
On the
Trans Tyrol - Garmisch to Innsbruck tour, you will ascent up to 1500m and have days on which you will traverse a distance of 19km (12 miles). The hike from Garmisch in Bavaria to Innsbruck in Austria is demanding at times and requires a good level of experience in alpine terrain. This walk is a perfect balance of comfort and alpine hiking though. Will you decide to try? There is also the longer
8 day tour, from Innsbruck to the Dolomites, to consider.
We've done several self-guided walks and this one was probably the best. Apart from the spectacular, jaw dropping scenery....the maps and directions were very straight-forward and each place we stayed was comfortable. We would highly recommend this route to anyone up for a challenge.
J. Walton | Knockhold, UK
Is a hike in Europe's Alps on your to do list? Which one has gotten you inspired? Let us know in the comments!