Walking
Tours of the European Alps:
The
Alps mountains rise from Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany,
Italy and Slovenia. These
are the biggest and most impressive mountains in Europe and the
fine infrastructure of the countries they lie within has ensured
that the whole range is set up extremely well to cope with recreational
activity.
The plethora of cable cars in the range means that otherwise hard
hiking and climbing can become relaxed walking with aerial carriage
runs in between to take the strain.
Downside: the weather is notoriously
changeable in the high mountains, as the altitude and inland position
give the range its own sub-Arctic weather system but this is to
be expected in such high altitude regions.
Parts of Switzerland and Austria can look a bit too Disneyish for
some people.
When
to go:
Some mountains have permanent snowcover but most clear up in the late spring so any time from spring to autumn is good but if you don't mind a bit of a chill in the air then late spring is best for massed wild flowers and minimal walkers, though the Alps are so huge that crowds are thin on the ground at any time of the year!
A hut in the Dolomites, Italian Alps
Accommodation:
Continental Europeans aren't big campers like British and Americans,
but camping is possible, though as a rule tents are supposed to
go up and down with the sunset and sunrise. While it is possible to carry your accommodation on your back while trekking it is not encouraged by officialdom for reasons of safety, the environment and financial support for locals. However, throughout the Alps at higher altitudes there are many efficient
mountain huts.
Alpine
Clubs:
Because of their unique positioning within several countries there
is a special Alpine Club [see Links page]
for the Alps range that has information on all types of routes, tours
and also some types of accommodation information. Each country has its own division
of the club. These can provide you with both advice and the detailed
maps required to walk unassisted here, so are well worth contacting
before your trip.
Safety: People die in the Alps during the summer, don't be one of them.
Just because you are doing walking tours where crampons are not
necessary and the sun is shining do not assume that you are invincible.
Sudden weather changes, slippery grass, loose scree,
avalanches and exhaustion could have you over the edge within seconds of viewing that grand vista.
1] Let
someone know in writing where you are going and when you will be
back or when you will be at the next hut, without fail.
2]
Try to travel in groups or pairs if possible.
Mountain accidents are like snake bites where one person is bitten,
one person stays with the victim and the other goes for help. Two people will be okay, but one Alpine walker is asking for trouble.
3]
Always take sturdy, grippy footwear, a rucksack with extra warm, waterproof clothing and high energy food, water, and navigation equipment.
Explore! is a carbon-conscious tour operator offering a great variety of well-organised, healthy hiking tours to various interesting and picturesque European destinations; click on their website for more details or other walking tours.
Explore Europe hiking tour group size is generally from 12 to 16 and a support vehicle enables trekkers to walk unencumbered. Click the links for fuller details including prices.
Mont Blanc Trek:
8 days. The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe's best walks full of staggering mountain views and flowery hillsides. This involves two day-long treks past the Chamonix peaks and a 3-day trek along the best part of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Zermatt & the Matterhorn [Hiking]:
This 8-day trekking tours is graded easy to moderate with walking times around 4 hours per day. All the walks follow well maintained paths with views of the majestic Matterhorn and surrounding peaks and glaciers.
Bernese Oberland and the Eiger [Hiking]:
Spend 8 days walking through a beautiful mountain region with dramatic skylines [as pictured above], explore traditional alpine villages, trekking high paths and enjoy Swiss food and hospitality at its best.
See: Alps 2 - where to go | Alps 3 - best walks
More
European Walking Tours: Iceland | Spain | France | Italy | Greece | Germany
European
Walking | Pyrenees | France
Also
see UK walking | Europe Cycling Tours | Walking Tours
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