13 Best Hikes in the Alps to Explore Today
It’s tough to narrow down a list of the best hikes in the Alps, as there are so many iconic trails and peaks to choose from.
Whether you’re a serious mountaineer or a casual hiker, there are world-class hikes in the Alps for you.
While every hike is different, they all offer incredible mountain scenery, unforgettable views, and a unique alpine cultural experience.
In putting together this list of the best hikes in the Alps, we mainly focused on the iconic long-distance trails that cover the vast Alps region.
However, all of these trails can be broken down into shorter sections or day hikes, and each offers something spectacular.
That being said, here are our top picks for hiking trails in the Alps.
1. Tour du Mont Blanc
Location: France, Switzerland, Italy
Length: 168 km
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Best for: Experienced hikers, scenery lovers, multi-day trekkers
The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most iconic long-distance hikes in the world. It offers a stunning circuit around the Mont Blanc massif.
It’s not only one of the best hikes in the Alps but also one of the best hikes in Europe.
This trek traverses three countries—France, Italy, and Switzerland—and provides diverse landscapes from lush valleys to rocky peaks.
It’s undoubtedly one of the best hikes in the Alps if you want to experience the full diversity of the Alpine landscapes.
The trail is usually completed in 10-11 days, with hikers staying in mountain refuges.
However, if you have limited time, you can absolutely do the Tour Du Mont Blanc in shorter sections.
It’s a reasonably challenging but rewarding adventure with an ascent and descent totalling about 10,000 meters.
However, the biggest challenge is endurance, as you’ll need to hike for many days in a row with a heavy pack.
The Tour du Mont Blanc is perfect for anyone who wants to experience a classic European trekking route while immersing themselves in alpine beauty.
Check out our Tour du Mont Blanc guided tour options for one of the best alpine adventures possible:
2. Chamonix to Zermatt 'Trekkers Haute Route'
Location: France and Switzerland
Length: 200 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Best for: Experienced hikers seeking a high-altitude adventure
The ‘Trekkers Haute Route’ is a legendary trail linking two of the most famous mountaineering centres in the Alps—Chamonix, at Mont Blanc’s foot, and Zermatt, beneath the Matterhorn.
This high-altitude route takes about two weeks to complete, passing through rugged terrain, high passes, and stunning alpine scenery.
We’d comfortably rate this as one of the best hikes in the world if you’re after a genuinely iconic route steeped in mountaineering history.
With over 11 mountain passes and more than 12,000 meters of ascent, this trek is physically demanding and best suited for seasoned hikers who are comfortable with long days on the trail and variable weather conditions.
It’s not easy, but it’s undoubtedly one of the best hikes in the Alps if you’re after a major accomplishment.
3. Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek
Location: Italy
Length: 140 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, experienced hikers
The Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek is a lesser-known but spectacular trek in the Alps, located in Italy’s Gran Paradiso National Park.
The full circuit is a 12-day adventure that offers a true wilderness experience. It takes you through remote valleys, across high passes, and past glacial lakes.
The park is home to various wildlife, including ibex and chamois, and provides stunning views of some of the highest peaks in the Alps.
It’s definitely a demanding trek with significant elevation changes.
But the hike offers incredible rewards: solitude and untouched natural beauty.
If you’re after a shorter and more manageable version of this trek, consider joining our 4-day Gran Paradiso Circuit trek for all the adventure and natural beauty without the significant commitment.
4. High Trails of the Bernese Oberland
Location: Switzerland
Length: 100 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Best for: Experienced hikers, those seeking glacier views
The Bernese Oberland region is home to some of the highest peaks in the Alps, including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
The high trails of the Bernese Oberland offer breathtaking views of these peaks and the vast glaciers and pristine lakes that characterise the region.
This trek follows sections of the Alpine Pass Route and typically takes about a week to complete.
Of course, you can hike shorter sections of it or even do a portion as a great day hike.
It’s a challenging hike with steep ascents and descents, but the rewards are the unparalleled views of the Swiss Alps.
5. Mont Blanc Summit
Location: France
Length: 20 km
Difficulty: Extremely challenging
Best for: Experienced mountaineers
Summiting Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps at 4,809 meters, is a dream for many mountaineers. It’s an intense mountaineering feat, but it’s one of the best hikes in the Alps for those who can do it.
The ascent typically takes two days, with a night spent at a high-altitude refuge.
This hike is a serious mountaineering expedition requiring experience in glacier travel, crampon use, and high-altitude conditions.
The climb is physically demanding and the weather on the mountain changes rapidly.
It’s only suitable for those with plenty of mountaineering experience or hikers guided by professionals.
Get the genuine experience
6. Matterhorn Trek
Location: Switzerland and Italy
Length: 145 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Best for: Experienced hikers, fans of iconic alpine peaks
The Matterhorn trek offers a close-up experience of one of the world’s most recognizable mountains, the Matterhorn.
This trek circumnavigates the mountain, crossing the border between Switzerland and Italy.
Over 8-10 days, hikers will encounter two glacier crossings, remote mountain passes, and spectacular views of 4,000-meter peaks.
The trek begins and ends in Zermatt, a quintessential Swiss mountain town.
The route is demanding but offers incredible scenery and the chance to experience the Matterhorn from multiple angles.
We offer a more accessible 4-day Matterhorn highlights adventure that lets you experience some of the best sections of this trail in a more manageable and shorter multi-day hike. Check it out for one of the most unforgettable hikes in the Alps.
7. Tour Des Muverans
Location: Switzerland
Length: 60 km
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Best for: Hikers seeking solitude and varied terrain
The Tour Des Muverans is a lesser-known circuit in the Swiss Alps, offering a quieter, more secluded experience in the mountains.
The trail loops around the Muveran massif, providing varied landscapes that include alpine meadows, rugged peaks, and tranquil lakes.
The trek typically takes 4 - 6 days, with overnights in mountain huts.
The hike has some steep sections but is accessible to most experienced hikers. This route is ideal for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy the serene beauty of the Swiss Alps.
Check out our epic Vues du Mont Blanc tour that follows this route.
8. The Eagle Walk
Location: Austria
Length: 413 km
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Best for: Hikers interested in varied landscapes and cultural experiences
The Eagle Walk in Austria is named for its eagle-eye views over the Tirol region.
The route is split into two main sections: a 24-day trek through North Tirol and a shorter, nine-day section through the highest peaks in Austria.
Of course, the shorter version of the hike is more popular.
The trail offers a mix of alpine meadows, high mountain passes, and picturesque villages - everything you’d expect from one of the best hikes in the Alps.
Along the way, hikers can enjoy traditional Austrian hospitality in mountain huts. This adds a great cultural experience to the awesome natural scenery.
9. The Alpe-Adria Trail
Location: Austria, Italy, Slovenia
Length: 750 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Long-distance trekkers, hikers interested in crossing borders
The Alpe-Adria Trail is a long-distance trek that takes you from the foot of Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, to the Adriatic Sea in Italy.
The trail passes through diverse landscapes all along the way, including the alpine regions of Austria, the lush valleys of Slovenia, and the rolling hills of Italy.
It’s an epic hiking route that most people only cover shorter sections of.
The 43-stage route is well-marked and can be divided into day hikes or shorter multi-day hikes, making it accessible to a wide range of hikers.
It’s the ideal trail for anyone looking to experience Central Europe’s cultural and natural diversity.
10. Alta Via 1
Location: Italy
Length: 120 km
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Best for: History enthusiasts, those seeking dramatic landscapes
The Alta Via 1 is the classic long-distance hike through the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s one of the best hikes in the Alps if you’re after unbeatable mountain sights.
This 10-day trek takes you from the northern Dolomites to the southern regions, passing through some of the Alps’ most dramatic and historical landscapes.
The trail is known for its rugged peaks, including the famous Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi and World War I history.
The route is moderately challenging, with steep ascents and descents, but the stunning scenery and rich history make it a must-do for any serious hiker.
11. Alta Via 2
Location: Italy
Length: 148 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Best for: Experienced hikers, those seeking solitude
The Alta Via 2 is the more rugged and less travelled counterpart to Alta Vi. It takes you through the remote Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps.
The 12-day trek is known for its wild and untouched landscapes, offering a true wilderness experience.
If you’re after the best hikes in the Alps for a real sense of solitude, this would be it.
The trail passes through high mountain passes, alpine meadows, and glacial lakes, with the highest point being the Col du Loson at 3,299 meters.
This trek is challenging and best suited for experienced hikers comfortable with long days and always-changing weather.
12. Via Alpina: The Red Trail
Location: Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco
Length: 2,518 km
Difficulty: Extremely challenging
Best for: Long-distance trekkers seeking an epic adventure
The Via Alpina Red Trail is the ultimate long-distance hike in the Alps.
It traverses eight countries and connects the most famous alpine regions. Very few people complete the entire trail in one go, and it can, of course, be broken down into sections.
The entire trail takes about five months to complete and covers some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe, including the Dolomites, the Matterhorn, and Mont Blanc.
Pick any section as a day hike or a shorter multi-day hike, and it will almost certainly be one of the best hikes in the Alps.
Completing the entire Red Trail is extremely challenging. It’s not just the distance; the route has significant elevation changes.
Attempting the trail end-to-end (even if split into sections) is best suited for experienced trekkers looking for the adventure of a lifetime.
Along the way, hikers will experience diverse cultures, landscapes, and climates, making it a serious bucket list hike in the Alps.
13. Rätikon Höhenweg
Location: Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein
Length: 60 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Hikers interested in lesser-known trails, border-crossing routes
The Rätikon Höhenweg is a stunning high-altitude trail that runs along the borders of Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
The 5-—to 6-day trek offers spectacular views of the Rätikon mountain range, with its dramatic limestone cliffs and green valleys.
This trail is a hidden gem in the Alps, offering a more secluded and peaceful experience compared to some of the more famous treks.
However, this doesn’t stop it from being one of the absolute best hikes in the Alps.
The trail is moderately challenging and accessible to most hikers, with options for staying in cosy mountain huts.
Summary
Whether after the best day hikes in the Alps or want to experience a longer trek, these trails offer the most amazing scenery and experiences available to hikers in this region.
From iconic mountain peaks to remote alpine trails, you won’t be disappointed whichever route you take.
Ready to strap on your hiking boots and start exploring? Check out our many top-rated hiking tours, including some of the best hikes in the Alps.
