Best Hiking Destinations In The Alps - Italian, French & Swiss Alps

Stretching across 8 countries in south-central Europe, the Alps offers some of the best hiking anywhere. This guide is our review of the best hiking destinations in the Alps with information to help you decide where to go.

Although we travel for a living and hike all over the world, the Alps remain our favourite hiking destination.

There are several reasons for this. Mostly due to the variety of scenery, the excellent facilities and the choice of hiking destinations.

Which is why we put this guide together; to help you decide where to go hiking in the Alps.

In our opinion, there are a couple of considerations you need to think about.  

Firstly, what type of scenery are you looking for? In the Alps, you can hike among snow-covered giants and sweeping glaciers, tackle soaring pinnacles of jagged rock or meander alongside turquoise lakes.

Secondly, what type of trail do you enjoy? The Alps offer everything from a gentle amble across wide-open meadows to nerve-testing rugged trails and narrow ridges.

Thirdly, you need to consider what type of transport you are going to be using. Are you happy to hire a car or would you rather have a base and use public transport?

Last but not least, cost. Some countries in the Alps are very expensive while others provide much better value.

This guide will help you pick the right hiking destination for you.

1.  ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND

Why Zermatt? – In a nutshell, because the scenery is stunning.

Zermatt is dominated by the Matterhorn, the most iconic mountain in Switzerland. Across the valley, the Gorner Glacier is an enormous curve of ice circling Dufourspitze, the highest mountain in Switzerland.

Zermatt itself is a charming village in the Swiss Alps with other picturesque hamlets dotting the hillsides.

There are trails for beginners to experienced hikers. You can stroll along natural balconies to pretty lakes or head up to 4,000-metre peaks.

You could easily hike for 4-5 days here without repeating yourself.

It’s a busy destination but head out on some of the more remote trails and you can quickly lose the crowds.

When is the hiking season? — With many of the trails over 2,000 m in altitude, it is wilder and higher than many other hiking destinations. As a result, the hiking season is short, only running from late June to September.

What’s the downside? —Switzerland is expensive and the cable car costs quickly add up. It can also get very busy around the peak season.

BEST ZERMATT HIKES

• Riffelsee Trail – An excellent short walk to Riffelsee for reflections of the Matterhorn
• Hörnlihütte Hike – A great hike up to Matterhorn base camp to watch climbers ascend.
• Breithorn – Crampons and ropes are needed, but even beginners can reach the summit of this 4,000m giant.
• Höbahlmen Meadows – An epic hike with fantastic views of the Matterhorn’s north face.

Want to know more? — Find all the information on our best hikes in Zermatt guide.

Our conclusion – Zermatt is the best all-round destination for hiking under the high snow-capped Alps.

2. BERNESE OBERLAND, SWITZERLAND

Why the Bernese Oberland? — This is the Switzerland you see in postcards.

There are three highlights in the Bernese Oberland that make it an excellent hiking destination.  

Firstly, the Lauterbrunnen Valley is the most dramatic in Europe where 400-metre-high vertical cliffs are cut by 72 waterfalls plunging towards the flat valley floor.

Secondly, the majestic mountains of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau towering over grassy meadows are some of the most dramatic vistas in Switzerland.

Finally, Swiss villages with chalets covered in flowers create picture-postcard moments.

The scenery is gentler than at Zermatt with more green slopes and ridges, and less snow, ice and rock.

Base yourself in Interlaken, and there are so many hiking opportunities that you can easily spend a week here and not walk the same path twice.

When is the hiking season? – The paths are generally lower in altitude in this part of the Swiss Alps meaning a slightly longer hiking season of mid-June to early-October.

What’s the downside? — Switzerland in general is expensive and the entire area can get extremely busy with sight-seeing tourists as well as walkers.

BEST BERNESE OBERLAND HIKES

• Männlichen Panorama – A gentle stroll staring at the majestic Mönch, Eiger and Jungfrau massif.
• Oeschinen Lake – A turquoise blue lake sitting in a towering cauldron of mountains.
• Faulhornweg – An iconic Swiss Trail traversing the ridge from Shynige Platte to First.

Want to know more? — Find all the information on our best hikes in Interlaken.

Our conclusion – Bernese Oberland is great for less experienced hikers with plenty of easy walks, good facilities and grand sights.

3. APPENZELL, SWITZERLAND

Why Appenzell? — To hike among glorious sharp ridges in an under-visited corner of Switzerland.

Appenzell is a hidden gem. The mountains may not be as high or the valleys as deep as other hiking destinations in Switzerland, but what sets it apart are its sharp ridges and serrated rock edges.

Many of the trails here are not for the faint-hearted. Paths cling to rocky edges and twist and turn over narrow arêtes. Hiking here can be a test of nerves, but the rewards are exceptional with soaring pinnacles looming above your head.

The hiking area is relatively compact and can be well explored in 3-4 days.

Although Switzerland is expensive, Appenzell has an excellent free visitor’s card for those staying 3 nights or more. It includes all local public transport and a return journey on each of the cable cars in the region.

When is the hiking season? — With many paths at a lower altitude the hiking season runs from early June to mid-October.

What’s the downside? — The transport connections are not as good as some of the other regions.

BEST APPENZELL HIKES

• Aescher Hut – A short walk to a mountain hut precariously wedged on a tiny ledge.
• Shafler Ridge – A thrilling and nervy walk under a sinuous ridge to picture-perfect Seealpsee.
• Saxer Lücke – Another great ridge hike to a wonderful viewpoint over spiky mountains.

Want to know more? — Find all the information on our best hikes in Appenzell.

Our conclusion – Appenzell is less busy than the other Swiss destinations and it’s an excellent choice for more adventurous hikers.

4. VAL GARDENA, ITALY

Why Val Gardena? — For sightseeing and hillwalking in a beautiful part of the Dolomites.

Val Gardena is a beautiful valley in the Dolomites. Instead of snow-capped peaks and cute villages, the Dolomites are characterised by soaring limestone pinnacles.

Surrounded by high alpine meadows, the contrast of near-vertical rock and sweeping green fields is breathtaking.

Val Gardena is one of the best destinations for hiking in the Alps if you don’t want to hire a car. There’s an excellent network of cable cars connecting beautiful hiking trails.  

Some of the highlights in the area are the dramatic Seceda Ridgeline and the beautiful valley of Val di Funes.

With Italy much cheaper than Switzerland, it is a surprisingly good value destination.

When is the hiking season? — Hiking season runs from mid-June to mid-October.

What’s the downside? — The downside is that it can get very busy in peak season.

BEST VAL GARDENA HIKES

• Seceda Ridgeline – Walk to a viewpoint overlooking the soaring jagged peaks of Puez-Odle range.
• Sassolungo – An excellent circular walk around this giant massif of rock.
• Puez-Odle Altopiano – This hike into the heart of the spiky Puez-Odle range is breathtaking.

Want to know more? — Find all the information on how to spend summer in Val Gardena.

Our conclusion – The best hiking destination for Instagram-worthy viewpoints.

5. CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY

Why Cortina? – To hike in some of the most picturesque scenery in the Alps among mountains with razor-sharp peaks.

The area around Cortina in the Italian Dolomites is characterized by spiky red and grey mountains, high alpine meadows and beautiful turquoise lakes.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a lovely town with a mix of traditional restaurants, high-end dining and luxury shopping.

Many of the hiking trails wind between rock and soaring peaks. Two of them, Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cadini di Misurina are two of the most recognisable and dramatic mountains in the Alps.

There are so many trails it’s easy to find a path all to yourself and stopping at a rifugio for a beer mid-way through a hike is one of life’s great pleasures.

What are the downsides? — Public transport is limited, so you really need a car to hike around Cortina.

BEST CORTINA HIKES

• Lago di Sorapis – An under-visited turquoise blue lake tucked under rugged Mount Sorapis.
• Tre Cime – The hike around these three jagged peaks is possibly the best in the Alps.
• Croda da Lago – Exciting loop with varied terrain and captivating scenery.

Want to know more? — Find all the information on our summer in Cortina D’Ampezzo.

Our conclusion – Hire a car and enjoy an unparalleled choice of trails amongst rugged jagged scenery. 

6. COURMAYEUR, ITALY

Why Courmayeur? — For hiking among snow-covered peaks and mighty glaciers.

Courmayeur sits under the flanks of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. The paths up to its summit are too steep for most hikers but there are plenty of excellent trails around the base.

The 11-day Tour de Mont Blanc, one of the iconic long-distance hikes in the Alps, passes through Courmayeur and there are great sections you can complete as a day hike.  

The Mont Blanc tunnel connects Courmayeur with Chamonix, so if you are planning on a week’s hiking it might be a good idea to combine the two.

When is the hiking season? — The hiking trails generally open between mid-June and mid-September, but the best time is June to August.

What is the downside? — While the views up to Mont Blanc are stunning, Courmayeur does not have the variety of trails found in other areas. Once you have walked around Val Veny and Val Ferret the trails become steep and tricky, and the scenery is not as varied.

BEST COURMAYEUR HIKES

• Rifugio Bonatti – Tough hike past immense glaciers to this remote hut.
• Val Veny Balcony – A wonderful balcony walk with dramatic views of Mont Blanc.
• TMB – The Tour du Mont Blanc comes through here and you can try part of a day on the trail.

Want to know more? — Find all the information on our best things to do in Courmayeur guide.

7. CHAMONIX, FRANCE

Why Chamonix? — For out-of-this-world high-Alpine scenery.

There is no better destination for exploring the French Alps and Mont Blanc than Chamonix. It may not be the most picturesque town, but cable cars run up either side of the valley to incredible hiking trails.

The scenery here is a mix of snow-covered giants and spiky needles (aiguilles) of rock. The Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in Europe, is one of the biggest attractions in the area.

There are hikes for all abilities ranging from gentle balcony walks to high ridge treks with tricky clambers.

In our opinion, the cable car from Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi is the best viewpoint in the Alps, possibly in the world.  

When is the hiking season? — The hiking season runs from mid-June to mid-September. You could easily spend a week here, but you could also combine it with a couple of days in Courmayeur.

BEST CHAMONIX HIKES

• Grand Balcon Nord – Easy hike connecting the Aiguille du Midi mid-station to Mer de Glace.
• Lac Blanc – The classic hike in Chamonix, a high panorama trail with stunning views to Mont Blanc.
• Aiguillette de Posettes – A varied walk to a small summit with a big view.

MORE ALPS GUIDES

• Top places to visit in the Italian Alps.
• Best places to visit in Switzerland.
• Best places to visit in the Dolomites, Italy.
• Our guide to visiting Val Gardena, Italy.
• What to do in and around Cortina, Italy.
• Our favourite things to do in Zermatt.
• Scenic hikes around Interlaken.
• The very best things to do in Appenzell.