What's included on an Alpine hiking trip

Accommodation each night (inns or mountain refuges depending on the route), luggage transfer where road access allows, route notes in our app, and 24/7 support.

Is luggage transfer included on every Alpine route

Yes on valley-based routes. On high-Alpine sections with hut-to-hut stages, you carry a daypack throughout and your main bag is stored or forwarded to your next road-accessible stop.

What countries do your Alps hiking tours cover

France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Slovenia, including the Tour du Mont Blanc, Walker's Haute Route, Bernese Oberland, Julian Alps, the E5 and Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites.

Can I hike in the Alps solo

Yes and no! Solo hikers are welcome on some routes like the Tour du Mont Blanc, but not on others such as the Alta Via 1 hut itineraries. Tour pages will have more details, or reach out to an Adventure Specialist for more information.

What grade are Alpine hiking routes

Most run Moderate to Strenuous. We have just one Extreme level tour, with a significant daily ascent and some exposed sections. We grade every route so you can match it to your fitness and we provide more detailed information on the tour page regarding terrain and level of challenge.

What gear do I need for Alpine hiking

Sturdy waterproof hiking boots, warm layers, a lightweight waterproof jacket, and trekking poles for steep descents. Full gear lists come with your booking.

Can I customize an Alpine hiking itinerary

Many routes follow a fixed stage-by-stage plan due to hut and accommodation booking constraints, but our Adventure Specialists can discuss rest days, accommodation upgrades or adding pre or post nights. Contact us before booking.

4.7(1,058)

Best Time to Hike in the Alps

The best time to hike in the Alps depends on where and how high you're going, but the sweet spot for most self-guided routes is mid-June through mid-September. Macs Adventure has run Alpine hiking trips across France, Italy, and Switzerland for over 20 years.

Tour du Mont Blanc and the Walker's Haute Route are usually best from July to September when high passes are clear of snow. Lower routes like the Bernese Oberland and Grindelwald Trail open up earlier, from June, and stay walkable into early October.

Our destination teams track snow conditions and refuge opening dates every season, so you book the right window for your route.

The best months for hiking in the Alps are July to early September when the wildflowers are in bloom. Snow on the trails and certainly on the nearby peaks are occasionally found in early June and late September.

Created by

Minna, Product Manager

18 hand-picked routes

France · Italy · Switzerland
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Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort
Walking
5–14 days
Moderate - Challenging
from$2,480CAD pp
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Switzerland
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Best of the Bernese Oberland
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8 days
Easy - Moderate
from$4,255CAD pp
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Slovenia
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High Trails of the Julian Alps
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8 days
Moderate - Challenging
from$2,695CAD pp
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Italy
4.7 (42)
Walking in the Heart of the Dolomites
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7 days
Moderate - Challenging
from$4,005CAD pp
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Switzerland
4.9 (40)
Grindelwald Trail
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8 days
Moderate
from$4,120CAD pp
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Italy
4.7 (35)
The Dolomites to Lake Garda
Walking
8 days
Moderate
from$2,900CAD pp
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Austria
4.5 (33)
The Kitzbühel Alpine Trail
Walking
7 days
Moderate
from$2,705CAD pp
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France · Switzerland
4.8 (27)
Walker's Haute Route
Walking
8–15 days
Challenging
from$3,590CAD pp
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Switzerland
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Via Alpina
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10–18 days
Moderate - Challenging
from$5,300CAD pp
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Austria · Germany · Italy
4.6 (22)
The E5 Alpine Crossing
Walking
8–9 days
Moderate - Challenging to Strenuous
from$2,660CAD pp
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Austria
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Tyrol: Trails of the Wilder Kaiser
Walking
8 days
Moderate - Challenging
from$2,230CAD pp
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France · Italy
4.6 (19)
Classic Walks of Mont Blanc
Walking
8 days
Moderate
from$3,090CAD pp
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Italy
4.8 (18)
Italian Alps - Walking in the Aosta Valley
Walking
8 days
Easy - Moderate
from$1,950CAD pp
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Italy · Switzerland
4.7 (16)
Across the Swiss Alps: Klosters to Tirano
Walking
8 days
Moderate
from$3,005CAD pp
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Switzerland
4.4 (12)
High Trail to the Matterhorn
Walking
8 days
Challenging
from$4,235CAD pp
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Austria · Germany
4.6 (8)
Tyrolean Alps: Garmisch to Innsbruck
Walking
8 days
Moderate - Challenging
from$2,480CAD pp
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France
5.0 (6)
Hiking in the French Alps
Walking
8 days
Moderate - Challenging
from$2,840CAD pp
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Germany
4.7 (32)
Bavarian Alps: Hiking the Salt Trail
Walking
8 days
Moderate
from$2,330CAD pp
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Real photos, real stories, straight from the trail

Over 26,000 travelers strong, our community shares #MacsMoments, swaps tips and advice, and helps each other plan the perfect trip. Many connect long before they set off - and some even meet up on the trail!

I'm headed back to the states and have a mixture of emotions. So much to process. I feel like a different person!
October 2026
Camino de Santiago, Spain
Thank you Macs for the brilliant adventure! We loved all the accommodations provided
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Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast, England
August 2026
Via Alpina, Switzerland
In fact, if you're looking for sensory magic, give this trip a try
October 2026
Walking the Dordogne in Style, France

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When should I hike the Tour du Mont Blanc
Late June through mid-September, with July and August the most reliable for high passes. Refuges along the route open from mid-June to late September.
Is early June ever a good time to hike in the Alps
Only on lower routes. Passes above 2,500m can still hold snow into June, so we recommend July onward for high-Alpine routes like the Walker's Haute Route.
What's the weather like in the Alps in September
Cooler and often clearer than midsummer, with fewer crowds on the trail. Nights get cold above 2,000m, so pack layers even late in the season.
Do mountain huts and refuges stay open all season
Most open mid-June and close by late September, though exact dates vary by year and altitude. We confirm hut availability when you book.
How far in advance should I book an Alpine hiking trip
6 to 9 months ahead for peak July and August dates on routes like the Tour du Mont Blanc - refuge space is limited and books out early.

Best Time to Hike in the Alps