The Alps
Glaciers, high passes and a mountain hut at the end of every day. The Alps are home to Europe's most iconic long-distance hikes, connected by a dense network of huts, trails and mountain villages.
- Western & Central Europe
- Region
- France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia
- Countries we cover
- Mid-June to mid-September
- Best season
- Mont Blanc, 4,806 m
- Highest peak
- Mountain huts, hotels & campsites
- Accommodation
- High alpine peaks, glaciers & meadows
- Landscape
Hut-to-hut hiking at its best
The Alps stretch for around 1,200 km across eight countries, from France to Slovenia. What makes them special for long-distance hiking is the infrastructure: well-marked trails, hundreds of staffed mountain huts, and villages with hotels, trains and buses in almost every valley.
Expect big climbs: most stages climb and descend over 1,000 m. In return you get glaciers, alpine lakes and some of the most famous peaks in Europe, with a warm meal and a bed waiting at the end of the day.
Best time to hike The Alps
- Best
- Shoulder
- Off season
- Jan January: Off season
- Feb February: Off season
- Mar March: Off season
- Apr April: Off season
- May May: Off season
- Jun June: Shoulder
- Jul July: Best
- Aug August: Best
- Sep September: Shoulder
- Oct October: Off season
- Nov November: Off season
- Dec December: Off season
Most huts open from mid-June to mid or late September. Snow can linger on high passes until early July.
Trail reports in The Alps
Tour du Mont Blanc
Three countries - one emblematic peak.
- LocationFrance, Italy, Switzerland
- Difficulty
- Distance164km
- Stages9 days
- Elevation Gain 10200m
- Elevation Loss 10200m
Alta Via 1 - Dolomites
Explore the Dolomites without the technicality of via ferratas
- LocationItaly
- Difficulty
- Distance115km
- Stages7 days
- Elevation Gain 8200m
- Elevation Loss 7200m
Walker's Haute Route
A scenic hike through the Alps from Chamonix to Zermatt
- LocationFrance, Switzerland
- Difficulty
- Distance219km
- Stages11 days
- Elevation Gain 16400m
- Elevation Loss 15800m
Julian Alps
Another side of the Alps waiting to be discovered.
- LocationSlovenia
- Difficulty
- Distance72km
- Stages4
- Elevation Gain 3580m
- Elevation Loss 3580m
Good to know before hiking The Alps
Wild camping
Mostly restricted. Bivouacking is tolerated in some areas between sunset and sunrise, but the rules change from country to country.
Accommodations
Popular huts on the Tour du Mont Blanc and Alta Via 1 fill up months in advance for the high season. In general, the night in a hut comes with half pension (dinner & breakfast)
Cash still matters
Many huts accept cards, but not all. Carry some euros, and Swiss francs in Switzerland.
Getting around
Trains and buses reach most trailheads, so it is easy to start, finish or skip a stage by public transport and use the cable cars on the ski stations.
Languages
French, Italian, German and Slovenian, depending on the valley. English is widely understood in huts.
Emergencies
Dial 112 anywhere in the Alps. Mountain rescue insurance is strongly recommended.
Discover our Hike Planner
Create your perfect itinerary with our Hike Planner
Plan your long-distance hike stage by stage, with trail data verified by us on every route. All in one place.
- Curated hike data with official routes, variants, and more
- Design your hike stage by stage
- Find huts with real-time availability
- Download GPX files for your favorite navigation app
- Generate a printable PDF for your hike
Hiking stories from The Alps
Hiking through history: exploring Galleria Lagazuoi on the Alta Via 1
Published on 22/04/2025
Step into the past and walk through the scars of World War I along the Alta Via 1 in the Italian Alps.
How much does the Tour du Mont Blanc actually cost? (Real 2026 numbers)
Published on 08/03/2026
We've done the TMB and tracked every euro: huts, campsites, food, transport. Here's exactly what it costs and how to do it cheaper.
Where to start the Alta Via 1 (and why we did in reverse)
Published on 02/04/2026
Most hikers start Alta Via 1 at Lago di Braies. We did it in reverse from Belluno and found quieter trails, no crowds, and a much better finish.
The 5 Lakes Trail Zermatt: The Best Views to Matterhorn
Published on 17/06/2026
If you are doing Walker's Haute Route, or just spending some time in Zermatt, this is a trail worth fitting into your schedule.
Europaweg Trail Closures on Walker's Haute Route 2026
Published on 03/06/2026
The Europaweg has an important closed sections in 2026. Here's what's shut, where the detours go, and how to plan your Walker's Haute Route finish accordingly.
Things to do in the Dolomites after Alta Via 1
Published on 27/11/2024
The Dolomites offer more than the Alta Via trails—explore Tre Cime di Lavaredo, hidden lakes, and panoramic hikes beyond the classics.
Watch The Alps
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