Hiking and climbing in the Alps 2026

When we hear the word "mountains," we usually conjure up images of green meadows lining the foot of rugged rocky peaks covered with snow, and the silence is cut through by birdsong and the lonely mooing of cows. This image accurately describes the Alps.

The Alps are the highest mountains in Western Europe. They are located on the territory of eight countries - France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Monaco.

Hiking in the Alps impresses even the most experienced landscape lovers. The crazy colors of sunsets and sunrises, mingling with clouds, coloring the peaks, reflecting in lakes and flooding the space with ephemeral light, create stunning mystical paintings.

The best panoramas are available only to true travelers who have decided to hike in the Alps, or to daredevils who are ready for a real challenge - climbing in the Alps.

Cozy European towns and villages with unique architecture and rich history are scattered in the mountain valleys. Wooden and stone houses that look like fairy tales only emphasize the beauty of nature.

The most popular locations among climbers and tourists are Chamonix (France) and Courmayeur (Italy), which are located in the north and south of the famous Mont Blanc alpine massif. As well as the Italian village of Cervino and Zermatt, a famous Swiss resort at the foot of the world-famous pyramidal peak Matterhorn. In these colorful towns, you can take a break from hiking and climbing and engage in cultural exploration, tasting local cuisine, cheeses, famous French and Italian wines, not to mention Swiss chocolate.

Hiking or climbing in the Alps?

In the Alps, everyone can find something to do according to their strengths, abilities and desires. And, in any case, it will be an invaluable experience that will leave vivid, beautiful memories for a lifetime.

If you dream of peaks, are in good physical shape, feel strong and have no health contraindications, then you can climb one of the peaks in the Alps. Most likely, you will not be able to stop after the emotions you experience.

If you love the mountains, but prefer a calm, leisurely vacation without excessive physical exertion and risk, then your choice is informative and absolutely safe hiking in the Alps. While hiking, you will have the opportunity to relax, take a lot of beautiful pictures, learn more about the local culture and enjoy the unforgettable alpine scenery. Our programs are available to anyone who is ready to expand their horizons and has no health contraindications.

Hiking in the Alps

The Alps have a distinct altitude zonation, so the variety of landscapes is amazing. In summer, numerous berries grow here (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), which can be enjoyed during hikes and approaches to the top. As you gain height, deciduous forests give way to coniferous ones, and alpine meadows with fragrant herbs appear. Only sometimes the sound of cow bells or the sound of a waterfall breaks the silence of these places. And in the middle of the green zone, gray, harsh rocks with stone placers and glittering glaciers cut through.

All climatic zones of the Alps are home to 30,000 species of wildlife. It is not uncommon to see agile ibexes, curious but shy chamois, and fluffy marmots among the rocks in the mountains.

Hiking in the Alps will reveal to you the fantastic beauty of these mountains. You will get moderate recreational physical activity, visit all climatic zones and be able to visit three beautiful European countries - France, Italy and Switzerland.

In the upper reaches of the routes there are many cozy huts and shelters located in very picturesque places with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain scenery. Sometimes the approach to the hut is a separate adventure. Here you can comfortably and safely spend the night and try freshly prepared local dishes.

Trek around Mont Blanc

Full description of the route: hiking in the Alps - around Mont Blanc

This is an impressive hike around the highest mountain range in Europe. The route constantly passes at the foot of the Alpine giant, surrounded by majestic snowy peaks in Italy, Switzerland and France. Each of these countries has its own peculiarities, customs, cuisine, language, its own unique flavor, which we will get acquainted with during the hike in the Alps.

We will see incredible creations of nature: deep flowering valleys and green spacious meadows where cute cows graze, high mountain passes, huge glaciers and long moraines, raging rivers and mirror lakes, rocky verticals, sharp ridges and grandiose snowy peaks. Every day of the journey will surprise you with new landscapes.

We will also feel the atmosphere of small cozy villages and ancient alpine towns - Chamonix and Courmayeur.

All the trails on the route are comfortable and wide, and along the way we will come across mountain shelters where we can rest and recuperate. But the main difference between our route is the absence of crowds of tourists walking the standard route. We have found some unpopular but no less colorful places that we want to show you.

Dolomites - hiking without backpacks

The Dolomites are a great option for those who want to go hiking in one of the most beautiful parts of Europe, but not to exert themselves too much. Participants will find rocky peaks reflected in the mirror-like surface of alpine lakes, picturesque coniferous forests and rocky paths. And we will see all this beauty during radial hikes without heavy backpacks behind us.

Trek around the Matterhorn

The hike around the Matterhorn is a typical European trekking in the Swiss Alps. We spend the night in mountain shelters, have breakfast and dinner there. We will climb the passes, which offer fantastic views of glaciers, valleys and neighboring mountains. We will see the legendary Matterhorn peak from all sides. Furthermore, we will walk along breathtaking trails, over deep chasms, along narrow rock cornices.

Via Ferrata in the Dolomites

The Via Ferrata is a "railroad" equipped with steel cables, bridges, ladders and various auxiliary supports. It's like a rope park, but in real mountains amidst dizzying scenery.

Don't worry if you have no experience with ropes - we have selected Via Ferrata routes in the Dolomite Alps that are quite accessible for beginners.

We recommend it to photographers and all mountain lovers!

Climbing in the Alps

The Alps are the mountains where mountaineering was born, and the origins of this movement began in the city of Chamonix. The birthday of mountaineering is considered to be August 8, 1786, when the French physician Michel-Gabriel Pacquard and his guide Jacques Balma first climbed Mont Blanc.

We offer you to climb the famous peaks in the Alps along proven routes.

Climbing the highest mountain in Western Europe - Mont Blanc (from France or Italy). Before participating in the climb, we recommend taking classes in snow and ice technique in the Carpathians. They will give you a sense of confidence on the terrain, a basic understanding of working with equipment, and strengthen your endurance. Also, the climbing program includes additional days for training sessions, where experienced instructors will give you all the necessary skills for climbing.

For participants who have experience of climbing in the Alps or other mountains and want to test themselves on more technical peaks, we offer climbing the famous Matterhorn pyramid along one of the classic routes (from Italy or Switzerland). Both routes are well-equipped with stationary ropes and belay points, but are quite difficult, and for these climbs you already need to have experience with equipment, skills in moving along vertical railings with a harness, have excellent physical fitness and be ready for hard, long work on the route. Before the climb, you will have the opportunity to practice at preparatory classes.

During the training sessions before climbing in the Alps, experienced guides will give you all the necessary knowledge. You will learn how to walk in crampons on snow and ice slopes, work and stay on the slope with an ice axe, walk properly in crampons, move along fixed railings with crampons, tie the necessary knots, handle equipment correctly.

The number of participants in groups is strictly limited!

The best climbs in the Alps (Italy, France)

Three options for climbing Mont Blanc:

Climbing Mont Blanc

The classic northern route from France, which starts in the legendary city of Chamonix. This is the most popular and easiest way to the top. We start from the ski lift to the Bellevue station, then take the mountain tram to Nid d'Aigle, from there we start hiking through the shelters of Te Rousse, Gouter and the Vallot emergency hut along the snow ridge to the top. The main danger of this route is the passage of the "Grand Couloir". But our best guides know how to pass it safely and relatively easily.

Climbing Mont Blanc from Italy

The classic southern route from Italy, which starts from the Italian center of mountaineering - the city of Courmayeur. This route is more difficult, longer, but safer. It passes through the Gonella shelter. There are fewer tourists on it, which will help you avoid the queue on the way to the top.

Traverse three peaks of Mont Blanc

The most difficult and very beautiful way to climb is the "traverse of the three peaks of Mont Blanc". We start from the city of Chamonix by cable car to the top station Aguile du Midi. Then our route passes through the peaks of Mont-Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit to the main peak of Mont Blanc.

Climbing the Matterhorn along the Swiss and Italian crests:

Climbing the Matterhorn from Italy

Climbing the Italian or Southwest Leon Ridge is a much shorter route than the Swiss one, but more technical and difficult. Start in the town of Breuil-Cervinia. Passage to the Rifugio Carrel shelter (3830 m) (distance 6.1 km, ascent 1706 m). You can hire jeeps that will take you to an altitude of about 2500 m. From the shelter to the summit there is 650 meters of ascent.

Climbing the Matterhorn from Switzerland

The Swiss route, the Northeast Hernli Crest, is easier, but longer and more elevated. Start in the city of Zermatt. Passage to the mountain shelter Hornlihutte (3260m) (distance 11 km, ascent 1660 m). You can use the cable car and get to the Schwarzsee station (2588 m), 706 m of ascent, 4.5 km to the shelter. From the shelter, the distance to the summit is 708 m and 1.7 km. The Solvayhutte mountain shelter is located at an altitude of 4003 m.

When to go to the Alps?

The Alps are an international center of mountaineering and skiing. These mountains are beautiful at any time of the year and almost every season offers unique opportunities for practicing various sports and outdoor activities.

Hiking and climbing in the Alps in summer - June, July, August

Summer is the golden time for climbing and hiking in the Alps. The weather is most stable at this time. Hot summers abound in the green valleys, and snowfalls are possible in the mountains. But in most cases, there is good clear weather with moderate temperatures at altitude.

To the Alps in the fall - September, October, November

September is a favorable month for hiking in the Alps, with beautiful autumn colors adorning the mountain landscapes. The weather is also favorable for climbing in the Alps. It pleases with its stability, and the air temperature remains in a comfortable range. October and November are the off-season. At this time, the weather is very unfavorable and unstable. The season for mountaineering, hiking and other summer activities has already ended, and the ski season has not yet begun. This is a short period of time when the mountains are away from people.

In winter, is it necessary to go to the Alps?

In winter, you should refrain from climbing and hiking in the Alps, the weather in the mountains is harsh and unstable: heavy snowfall, a high avalanche risk, severe frost and strong, constant hurricanes are normal during this period. Only professional climbers make dangerous winter climbs in the Alps.

Still, winter is the most popular season in the Alps. The location has contributed to the strong development of skiing. Here you can find a resort and slopes to your liking. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, winter activities include sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and simply enjoying the surrounding beauty.

Spring in the Alps is winter in the mountains

March and April are the golden time for skiing. There is a lot of snow, and the weather conditions are not as harsh as in winter. In May, nature in the valleys comes to life, blossoms and turns green, and there is still a lot of snow in the mountains. The weather is more stable and the temperature rises to a comfortable level. This is a great time to start hiking in the Alps.

If you find it difficult to make a choice between hiking in the Alps or climbing in the Alps, consult with our experienced managers who will be happy to answer all your questions, help you make up your mind and dispel all doubts.

Kuluar - your life-changing mountain experience!