Guided Walking & Trekking Holidays In Europe

Trekking in the Alps is a wonderful experience and holiday for the average fit hillwalker. Some hikes are harder than others but most regions have an excellent infrastructure of mountains huts and hotels lower down. There are good cable car systems and the routes are very well waymarked showing distances to towns and huts and clear directions. The hut managers will always have latest weather reports and the quality of food and drink is always going to be good and certainly filling.

The Tour du Mont Blanc ventures across three different countries, Switzerland, France and Italy highlighting the best of the Alps. Adventure Alternative opts to utilize the high route instead of the lower route through the valley. The higher route is more self-reliant and utilizes the hut system instead of hotels, giving you a more authentic hiking experience. Overall this trek has some of the most stunning views in the region.

One of the benefits of using the hut system is of course that the dormitories have beds with duvets and sheets and pillows, enabling you to hike a multi-day trip with a rucksack and just your personal clothes. This allows for great flexibility and range and our role as a guiding company is to put together some of the well-known routes and ensure the bookings are in place, as well as provide a professional mountain service so you can enjoy the views and physical challenge and beauty of the mountain wilderness without worrying about the logistics.

Treks in the Alps range from easy to difficult depending on where and what you are hiking. For example, although there is no technical skill involved, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a demanding trek that requires you to be fit. Since this hike is a bit more demanding, we recommend the Tour du Mont Blanc for a more seasoned hiker, with plenty of mileage under their belt.

The paths are well maintained; however, it is not uncommon to encounter snow. Loose rock is also prevalent and at times, low-angle scrambling (using your arms and legs to get over rocks) is required on various trails. There are also opportunities for glacier travel from the more intrepid trekker. We recommend that you be familiar with these types of activities while wearing around 10kgs of weight on your back.

We can organize a trip up Mount Blanc to add to your itinerary. Mont Blanc is the tallest mountain in western Europe (4,808m). It is considered the birthplace of mountaineering and holds historical significance in the mountaineering community. The standard route has crevasse danger and therefore requires knowledge of ice axe, crampons, and roped travel at a bare minimum. Other hazards include ceracs and avalanche danger. It’s important to understand these hazards and how to safely travel through them. For the more experienced alpinist, there are several technical routes up this famous mountain.

It’s also worth it to spend a few days wandering the lovely town of Chamonix. This iconic town of the Alps boasts plenty of charm and beauty. With plenty of day hikes, delicious food, and shopping there is something for everyone.

Another nearby area is the lovely high-alpine town of Zermatt, Switzerland. The town itself stands at the base of the Matterhorn, another iconic peak of the Alps. The Matterhorn is another great beginner technical climb. However, if bagging peaks are not your thing there is plenty to explore in this town, even during the summer months. The gondola will take you up to the mountains where there is a ski resort, that is open year-round, as well as a chance to explore nearby ice caves.

The Matterhorn Circuit hops between Italy and Switzerland and is rated as difficult. There are variations that cross glaciers or admire from a distance. The trek itself takes anywhere from eight to 13 days depending on which trails you choose. Every day is a dream hiking through larch forests, discovering glaciers, and enjoying iconic views of the mighty Matterhorn.

Known as the premier long-distance through-hiking trail in Europe, the Grand Randonne shuffles down the eastern edge of France, starting in in the Netherlands and winding along Belguim, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy before finally terminating in the Mediterranean. Nearly half of this 2,500km long trail travels through the Alps. Treks and trips can be organized to do this trail in segments or in whole.

The trail itself isn’t like the famous thru-hikes of America. It crosses through different countries with different languages. Most hikers sleep in lodges or huts instead of tents and the trail passes straight through several towns and areas of interest.