Alps

Description

French Alps

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

Overview of the Alps

Trails in this region

Books

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2019
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2019
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2020
  • Tour du Mont Blanc
  • Easy-to-use folding map and essential information, with custom itinerary planning for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners Read more
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  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2020
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2022
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2022
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2014
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  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
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Stanfords
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
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2014
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2019
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2019
  • Walks and Treks in Croatia
  • Walks and Treks in Croatia: mountain trails and national parks, including Velebit, Dinara and PlitviceThis guide describes 20 walks and 7 short treks in beautiful Croatia. Around half the routes focus on the striking limestone ranges of Gorski kotar and Velebit, which form part of the Dinaric Alps, but there are also routes in Dalmatia and on... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2019
  • Wandelgids Walks and treks in Croatia - Kroatië | Cicerone
  • This guide describes day walks and treks in all Croatia's main hiking areas and national parks on the mainland, from the forested hills around Zagreb, to the roof of Croatia on the Bosnian border, and the national parks of Northern Velebit, Paklenica, Risnjak, UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes and more. Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
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Maps

The Book Depository
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
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  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
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The Book Depository
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
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  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Tignes / Val d'Isere / Haute Maurienne 2018
  • De wandelkaart die de perfectie benadert! Werkelijk alle topografische details zijn er op te vinden; van hoogtelijnen tot aan bruggetjes en allerlei wandelpaden. Daarnaast hebben de makers een flinke dosis toeristische informatie op de kaart verwerkt: campings, gites d étape; restaurants en ingetekende doorgaande wandelpaden, de grandes... Read more
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  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Monti Sarentini 2019
  • Monti Sarentini/Sarntaler Alpen area in a series of Tabacco maps at 1:25,000 covering the Dolomites and the mountains of north-eastern Italy - Stanfords Read more
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  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
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