Alps
Description
The Alps, main mountain range of Europe, extending from France to Slovenia, including Austria, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein. Highest summit is Mont Blanc (4.810), on the frontier of France, Switzerland and Italy, home of the popular Tour du Mont Blanc.
The Alps are, contrary to what most people think, not the largest mountain range in Europe. The Carpathians actually are more extensive, but not as high.
Often, hikers from outside Europe ask where to go in the Alps, which trail is best. Obviously, this is something every individual has to decide upon herself. The range of hiking opportunities in the Alps is huge. Beautiful country walks are within reach of snow capped mountains where someone else is sweating on a rope to get over a glacier. There are plenty of long distance trails combining different areas, although most people stick to one area. Some like to stay in a hotel and make day walks. Others fancy a hut-tour.
Let's be clear on another point: the facilities in the Alps are among the best in the world. Some would argue they are over the top. Thousands of huts – and very good ones too – lots of ski lifts, well marked trails.
Okay, we from Traildino do have some advice. First, take into account the local culture of an area. Many Alpine regions have a long and rich history which is there to enjoy. The different countries sharing the Alps are all very different, and the regional differences are equally astonishing. This is really a part of the fun here: enjoying nature, enjoying people and hospitality. Second tip: famous is not best. You will probably think of flying to the Matterhorn or Mont Blanc or something equally famous. Needless to say: these area's are very busy and by no means the most impressive or beautiful. Pretty as they are, also the different national parks draw many visitors and hikers are packed in large huts when aiming at the high peaks. If that's what you want: fine. If you prefer a small hut where a local warden makes you the best dinner you've ever had and where you can have a chat with the other three guests while inhaling the sounds and fumes of the end of the day, than virtually every region in the Alps has its charms.
Map
Trails in this region
- AdlerwegGPX
- Aletsch PanoramawegGPX
- AlpannoniaGPX
- Alpen Weitwanderweg
- Alpenkranz Uri
- Alpenpanorama-WegGPX
- AlpenpässewegGPX
- Alta Via dei GigantiGPX
- Alta Via dei Monti LiguriGPX
- Alta Via Della Valle d'Aosta No 1
- Alta Via Della Valle d'Aosta No 2
- Alta Via Dolomiti 1GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 10
- Alta Via Dolomiti 2GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 3GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 4GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 5
- Alta Via Dolomiti 6GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 7
- Alta Via Dolomiti 8
- Alta Via Dolomiti 9
- ArnowegGPX
- Ämtlerweg
- Bassa Via del GardaGPX
- Berliner HöhenwegGPX
- Berner Voralpenweg
- Chemin des BissesGPX
- Chemin du VignobleGPX
- Dachstein-Tauern Panoramaweg
- E10GPX
- E2GPX
- E4GPX
- E5GPX
- E6GPX
- Eisenwurzenweg - 8GPX
- EmmenuferwegGPX
- Freiburger VoralpenwegGPX
- Furka HöhenwegGPX
- Gailtaler HöhenwegGPX
- GoethewegGPX
- GR5GPX
- GR50 - Tour des ÉcrinsGPX
- GR510 - Sentier des huit valléesGPX
- GR54 - Tour de l'Oisans et des ÉcrinsGPX
- GR541
- GR549
- GR55 - Tour de la VanoiseGPX
- GR56 - Tour de l'UbayeGPX
- GR58 - Tour du QueyrasGPX
- GR65 - Via PodiensisGPX
- GR653 - Via TolosanaGPX
- GR653D - Voie d’ArlesGPX
- GR9GPX
- GR91 - Traversée du VercorsGPX
- GR93GPX
- GR94 - Tour des Hautes-AlpesGPX
- GR946
- GR95GPX
- GR96 - Traversée des BaugesGPX
- Grande Traversata del Gran Paradiso
- Grande Traversata delle AlpiGPX
- Grenzpfad NapfberglandGPX
- GTPA - Grande Traversée des PréalpesGPX
- Haute Route Chamonix-ZermattGPX
- Heidiland Wandertour
- Heilbronner HöhenwegGPX
- Hintere Gasse
- Kalkalpenweg
- Karnischer HöhenwegGPX
- Karwendel Höhenweg
- Kesch Trek
- Kreuzecker Höhenweg
- Lasörling Höhenweg
- Lötschberg PanoramawegGPX
- Lechtaler HöhenwegGPX
- Liechtensteiner PanoramawegGPX
- Mariazeller Wege - 6GPX
- MaximilianswegGPX
- Meraner HöhenwegGPX
- Mittelbünden Panoramaweg
- Nationalpark PanoramawegGPX
- Nord-Süd Wanderweg - 5GPX
- Nordalpenweg - 1GPX
- Obwaldner HöhenwegGPX
- Pragelpass-WegGPX
- Prättigauer HöhenwegGPX
- Rätikon Höhenweg
- Rheintaler HöhenwegGPX
- Route du Temps
- Rupertiweg - 10GPX
- Salzburger AlmenwegGPX
- Salzsteigweg - 9GPX
- Sanetsch Muveran WegGPX
- Südalpenweg - 3GPX
- Schanfigger HöhenwegGPX
- Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg
- Schwyzer HöhenwegGPX
- SeealpentourGPX
- Senda SegantiniGPX
- Senda SursilvanaGPX
- Sentiero CristallinaGPX
- Sentiero della PaceGPX
- Sentiero Lago di LuganoGPX
- Sentiero VerzascaGPX
- Slovene Geological Path
- Slovenska Planinska PotGPX
- Slovenska Planinska Pot (extended)
- Stubaier HöhenwegGPX
- Sub-Alpine Trail
- Tauernhöhenweg
- Thurgauer PanoramawegGPX
- ThurwegGPX
- Tiroler Höhenweg
- TMB - Tour du Mont BlancGPX
- Tour des CombinsGPX
- Tour des Dents du MidiGPX
- Tour des Grands Barrages
- Tour du Augstbordhorn
- Tour du BeaufortainGPX
- Tour du MatterhornGPX
- Tour du Saint-BernardGPX
- Tour du Val de BagnesGPX
- Tour du WildhornGPX
- Tour Monte RosaGPX
- Tour Val d'HérensGPX
- Trans-Swiss TrailGPX
- Traumpfad München-VenedigGPX
- Venediger HöhenwegGPX
- Verwall Höhenweg
- Via AlpinaGPX
- Via EngiadinaGPX
- Via FrancigenaGPX
- Via GebennensisGPX
- Via JacobiGPX
- Via RhenanaGPX
- Via SbrinzGPX
- Via SplugaGPX
- Via StockalperGPX
- Via ValtellinaGPX
- Voralpenweg - 4GPX
- Walk of Peace
- Walliser SonnenwegGPX
- WALSA-wegGPX
- Weg der SchweizGPX
- Züri Oberland HöhenwegGPX
- Zürich-Zugerland PanoramawegGPX
- Zentralalpenweg - 2GPX
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Reading & Windsor - Henley-on-Thames & Bracknell OS Landranger Map 175 (paper)
- Reading – Windsor area, including a section of the Thames Path / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 175 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the physical edition of the map, each Landranger... Read more

United Kingdom
2019
- Slovenia and the Julian Alps Sunflower Guide
- 75 long and short walks with detailed maps and GPS; 6 car tours with pull-out map Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2019
- Slovenia Sunflower Landscape Guide
- Several new walks have been added in this 5th edition, which was checked on the ground a few months prior to publication. The maps have been redesigned with waypoints, and GPS tracks are now available for all the walks. The book is one of the first in our new wider format: no mapping is lost in the gutter. Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Dorking, Reigate, Crawley & Horsham OS Landranger Active Map 187 (waterproof)
- Dorking and Reigate area, including a section of the North Downs Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 187 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the... Read more

United Kingdom
2019
- Walking in the Engadine - Switzerland
- Bernina, Engadine valley and Swiss National Park Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2019
- Walking in the Engadine - Switzerland: Bernina, Engadine valley and Swiss National Park
- Walking in the Engadine contains detailed route descriptions for 100 day walk routes that vary from 4 to 16km long in length. The routes cover a variety of terrain from luscious meadows and craggy mountains to glaciers and snowpeaks. Most of the walks described in this guidebook have been chosen with a particular viewpoint, lake, alp hamlet,... Read more

Netherlands
2019
- Wandelgids Walking in the Engadine - Engadin | Cicerone
- A guidebook to 100 day walks in the Engadine, Val Bregaglia, neighbouring valleys and the Engadine National Park. Varying from gentle rambles to adventurous high-level routes for the experienced mountain walker. The routes range from 4 to 16km long, visiting forests and meadows, high mountain landscapes, lakes and passes. Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick & Banbury OS Landranger Map 151 (paper)
- The area between Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Banbury, including the northern part of the Cotswold Hills and part of the Cotswold Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 151 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist... Read more

United Kingdom
2020
- Trekking the Giants' Trail: Alta Via 1 through the Italian Pennine Alps
- Beneath Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2020
- Wandelgids The Giants' Trail: Alta Via 1 Through the Italian Pennine Alps | Cicerone
- Beneath Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2019
- The Tour of the Ecrins National Park: GR54
- The complete guidebook for the Tour of the Ecrins National Park (GR54) in the French Alps. The only guidebook with Real 1:25,000 Maps: proper mapping included for each stage. This makes navigation easy and saves you money: no need to buy additional maps. Also includes: -Unique Itinerary Planner: plan a bespoke itinerary to match your ability... Read more

United Kingdom
- Bernese Alps Western Touring Route
- Route Guide to the Long Distance Alpine Walk Read more

United Kingdom
2014
- Via Ferratas of the French Alps
- 66 routes between Geneva and Briancon Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2014
- French Alps - Via Ferratas - 66 Routes Between Geneva and Briançon
- Via Ferratas of the French Alps by Cicerone covers 66 varied routes across six areas: Geneva and the Northern Alps, Chambéry, Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, Grenoble and Briançon, amid the Mont Blanc, Vanoise and Queyras ranges. Difficulty ranges from easy, protected routes through to exposed, technical challenges. The routes in this... Read more

Netherlands
2014
- Wandelgids - Klimgids - Klettersteiggids Via Ferratas of the French Alps | Cicerone
- This guidebook covers 66 varied via ferratas in the French Alps. The routes are spread over six areas: Geneva and the Northern Alps, Chambéry, Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, Grenoble and Briançon, amid the Mont Blanc, Vanoise and Queyras ranges. Difficulty ranges from easy, protected routes through to exposed, technical challenges. Read more

United Kingdom
- Alpenuberquerung mit Kindern - Familienwanderung E5 in 10 Tagen
- + Tipps fur jedes Wetter + Routen fur E5 Tagestouren Read more

United Kingdom
- Best Hiking in Switzerland in the Valais, Bernese Alps, the Engadine and Davos
- Over 100 Hikes in the Spectacular Swiss Alps Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2021
- Tour des Monts d`Aubrac GRP/GR60/GR6
- Tour des Monts d`Aubrac, FFRP topoguide Ref. No. 616, covering 259kms of hiking circuits in the Massif Central along the GR6, GR60 and GR65. Current edition of this title was published in May 2016.ABOUT THE FFRP (Fédération française de la randonnée pédestre) TOPOGUIDES: published in a handy A5 paperback format, the guides are the best... Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- Prespa - Vitsi - Voras 2014
- Uitstekende topografische kaarten van een deel van Griekenland: zonder meer hele goede kaarten voor wandeltochten in een onbekend stuk Griekenland! Ze zijn gedrukt op scheurvast en watervast papier op een schaal van 1:50.000 met een UTM grid voor GPS gebruikers. Op de meeste kaarten is geven de hoogtelijnen een interval van 20m. aan. Met... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Prespa - Vitsi - Voras Anavasi 6.2
- Prespa - Vitsi – Voras area of northern Greece at 1:50,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible, contoured map from Anavasi, with recommendations for three hiking trails and notes on the E4 and E6 cross-European trails. The map is double-sided; coverage in the west starts from the Prespa Lake on the border with Albania and... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 6.2 Prespa - Vitsi - Voras | Anavasi
- Uitstekende topografische kaarten van een deel van Griekenland: zonder meer hele goede kaarten voor wandeltochten in een onbekend stuk Griekenland! Ze zijn gedrukt op scheurvast en watervast papier op een schaal van 1:50.000 met een UTM grid voor GPS gebruikers. Op de meeste kaarten is geven de hoogtelijnen een interval van 20m. aan. Met... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Starnberger See / Ammersee 27 2021
- Starnberger See - Ammersee area of the German Alps at 1:35,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc. Maps in this series are at a scale of either 1:50,000 or 1:35,000. Contour... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Starnberger See - Ammersee K+F Outdoor Map 27
- Starnberger See - Ammersee area of the German Alps at 1:35,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc. Maps in this series are at a scale of either 1:50,000 or 1:35,000. Contour... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 27 Outdoorkarte Starnberger See - Ammersee | Kümmerly & Frey
- Starnberger See - Ammersee area of the German Alps at 1:35,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc. Maps in this series are at a scale of either 1:50,000 or 1:35,000. Contour... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Grenoble - Chamrousse - Belledonne IGN WATERPROOF 3335OTR
- Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Annecy - Albertville - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Massif du Mont Blanc IGN TOP100 144
- Discover the new double-sided laminated edition of TOP100 road maps of France from the Institut Géographique National (IGN); exceptionally detailed, contoured road maps which include the cycle paths and greenways of the AF3V (French Association for the Development of Cycle Paths and Greenways), ideal for exploring the French countryside by car,... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Digne-les-Bains - Sisteron - Les Mees IGN 3340ET
- Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more

United Kingdom
- Gap / Montagne de Ceuse 2019
- Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Gap - Montagne de Ceuse IGN 3338ET
- Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart - Topografische kaart 3338ET Gap | IGN - Institut Géographique National
- Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Nevache - Mont Thabor - Cols du Galibier et du Lautaret IGN WATERPROOF 3535OTR
- Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2020
- Trekking the Tour of Mont Blanc
- Complete two-way hiking guidebook and map booklet Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2020
- Trekking the Tour of Mont Blanc: Complete two-way hiking guidebook and map booklet
- The Tour of Mont Blanc is one of the world`s classic treks. This guidebook to hiking the 170km TMB contains in-depth route description and mapping for both the classic 11 day anti-clockwise circuit and an alternative 10 day clockwise circuit. This well-signed but demanding route, starting from Les Houches or Champex, is suitable for fit... Read more

Netherlands
2020
- Wandelgids Tour of Mont Blanc | Cicerone
- The Tour of Mont Blanc is one of the world`s classic treks. This guidebook to hiking the 170km TMB contains in-depth route description and mapping for both the classic 11 day anti-clockwise circuit and an alternative 10 day clockwise circuit. This well-signed but demanding route, starting from Les Houches or Champex, is suitable for fit... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Leman et Mont Blanc entre - Chablais Faucigny 2018
- Selected tourist regions of the France on GPS compatible, contoured TOP 75 maps at 1:75,000 from the IGN, highlighting local and long-distance hiking paths, cycling routes and sites for other recreational activities. Each title includes five large panels with mapping at 1:25,000 to cover its most popular areas in greater detail. Cartography of... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc IGN 75007
- Selected tourist regions of the France on GPS compatible, contoured TOP 75 maps at 1:75,000 from the IGN, highlighting local and long-distance hiking paths, cycling routes and sites for other recreational activities. Each title includes five large panels with mapping at 1:25,000 to cover its most popular areas in greater detail. Cartography of... Read more

Netherlands
- Fietskaart - Wandelkaart 07 Entre Léman et Mont Blanc | IGN - Institut Géographique National
- Selected tourist regions of the France on GPS compatible, contoured TOP 75 maps at 1:75,000 from the IGN, highlighting local and long-distance hiking paths, cycling routes and sites for other recreational activities. Each title includes five large panels with mapping at 1:25,000 to cover its most popular areas in greater detail. Cartography of... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Fischbach Alps - Roseggers Waldheimat - Mürzzuschalg F&B WK021
- Fischbacher Alps - Roseggers Waldheimat – Mürzzuschalg area of eastern Austria presented at 1:50,000 in a series of contoured and GPS compatible outdoor leisure map from Freytag & Berndt with hiking and cycling routes, mountain huts, campsites and youth hostels, local bus stops, plus other tourist information.To see the list of currently... Read more