The European Alps are perfect for all sorts of alpine adventures, particularly hiking and trekking. After the winter snow melts, a vast network of huts, trails and breathtaking terrain is left for us to enjoy, with glaciated peaks and rocky needles towering above. The combination of natural beauty and excellent infrastructure is a hiker’s paradise.
There are many different options for those who want to experience trekking in the Alps, from easy day hikes to more taxing multi-day treks. You may want to test yourself by completing one of the many “classic routes” the Alps have to offer, in French known as Grandes Randonnées (GR). These GRs use a mix of alpine huts and valley hotels or gîtes, and include such well-known treks as the Tour du Mont Blanc and the Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt). A more relaxed option, which can also serve as an intro to hiking in the Alps, is to be based out of a single alpine valley, tackling day hikes and returning to the same hotel each evening.
Tour du Mont Blanc
The TMB is the classic trek of the European Alps, circling the iconic Mont Blanc. From the starting and finishing point of the French mountaineering mecca of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, you pass through three countries; France, Italy and Switzerland. You will sample Italian food and culture on the south facing slopes of the massif and wander through quaint Swiss hamlets and villages with views down the Rhône valley, before returning to the buzzing Chamonix valley where people have flocked for over 200 years to get their fix of mountain adrenaline. We stay in a mix of valley hotels, gîtes and alpine refuges on this trip. Short on time? Consider “Highlights of the TMB” trip below.
Duration : 12 Days
Trip Level : 6 / 10
Dates : Mid-June ➔ Mid-September
Walker’s Haute Route
The Haute Route (meaning “high route”) links Chamonix and Zermatt, home of the Matterhorn (the Toblerone bar mountain). This route can be undertaken on skis or by foot, and is a classic since the 19th century. The walker’s Haute Route stays below the glaciers but is no less of an adventure for this - it is known as one of the most challenging treks in the Alps. Highlights include traversing the infamous Pas de Chèvres, the goats’ path, and arriving into the Swiss village of Arolla. We spend two nights properly nestled in the mountains on this trip, in Cabane du Mont-Fort at 2,457m and Cabane de Prafleuri at 2,662m, Alpine huts only accessible by foot (or helicopter!). A trek best enjoyed by the seasoned hiker.
Duration : 12 Days
Trip Level : 8 / 10
Dates : Mid-June ➔ Mid-September
Explore the Chamonix Valley
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is the world capital of adventure sports and this trip will open your eyes to this wonderful valley and its network of hiking trails. We will enjoy a wide range of cols, summits and picturesque lakes, with each day tailored to your specific level and preferences. Some days take full advantage of the valley infrastructure, using cable cars and mountain trains to maximise time above the tree line, while on other days we will keep to the shady forest lower down. Returning to the same bed every night will give you ample time to relax and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Chamonix. Single day hikes are also available on request.
Duration : 3 Days Minimum
Trip Level : 4-8 / 10
Dates : Mid-May ➔ Mid-October
Highlights of the TMB
Even if you don’t have enough time to complete the whole TMB, you can get a taste for the classic route on a five-day “best of” trip. Starting with a warm-up hike in the Chamonix valley, we pick up the Tour du Mont Blanc trail in Courmayeur, Italy, before traversing into Switzerland via some stunning balconies and then returning to the head of the Chamonix valley in France. This route gives you an insight into what hut-to-hut trekking is all about, including walking through three countries on one trip and experiencing many of the best parts of the full Tour du Mont Blanc.
Duration : 5 Days
Trip Level : 6 / 10
Dates : Mid-June ➔ Mid-September
