The Alps is a majestic mountain chain that can take your breath away and make you a devoted hiker, even if you are not predisposed towards exploring the ridge trails. Stretching across eight countries (Monaco, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Germany, and Austria), the Alps offer a variety of treks that you can choose from, including the ones that were on your wish list forever and some less-trodden gems only locals know of.
The hiking season, starting in June and ending in September (some trekkers are lucky enough to hike the Alps in October), is a perfect time to discover new routes in this glorious mountain range. Take a break from your studies, get essay help to make sure you stay on top of your game in writing, and go on an adventure of your lifetime.
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Best treks in the Alps
There is nothing more thrilling than hiking for days, covering miles, and never once descending to reality as you look down upon the world from the highest peaks in the European region. The Alps will always be unforgettable whether you prefer a gentle walk through bucolic hills and pastures or high-altitude treks. Here are the best treks to help you get a taste of what awaits travelers once they decide to take over the mountain range:
Tour du Mont Blanc
The Mont Blanc trek might be one of the top student travel destinations and a well-trodden route besides, but you shouldn’t let the mainstream name of the trek scare you away. Despite many hikers choosing the Mont Blanc route annually, it is still one of the best long-distance walks in the European region. Spanning three countries – with France as a starting point – the Mont Blanc takes you through the mountain passes, plateaus, and valleys, with the total ascent and descent of 10km.
The trek usually takes 7-10 days to cover, with inexperienced trekkers finding guides to walk them through the Mont Blanc massif. The needle-like peaks and ice-crusted tops are so close that it looks like they could be within arm’s reach. The best part of the tour is that you don’t have to be a mature mountaineer to take in the panoramic views of the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) glacier or behold the magnificent wildflower fields, as trekkers are allowed stops on the steeper ascents. The hikers typically start in Chamonix, France, and continue circumnavigating the Mont Blanc massif along a mesmerizing balcony trail.
Walker’s Haute Route
The Haute Route is on the list of places you must visit at least once in your lifetime. This trek connects two legendary peaks, Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, to provide you with a full-on trekking route that traditionally starts at Chamonix. The 14-day duration of the trek and the 221 km distance may sound intimidating on paper, but Walker’s Haute Route is, in fact, a traveler’s paradise.
It is a beginner-friendly trek that has been adopted into a moderately easy route compared to the classic Haute Route, which is only suitable for climbers with years of experience. Walker’s Haute Route, on the other hand, will simply require you to have a steady pair of hiking boots and a basic level of fitness skills. You will see glaciers, mountain passes, and overall pastoral idyll, complete with fields full of edelweiss flowers and lush greenery across the entire landscape. The two-week trek will leave you with positive impressions and a memorable hiking experience suited for first-timers.
Alpe-Adria Trail
If you want to explore the Eastern Alps region, this lower-level trek will be your saving grace. The long-distance trail was designed to help you soak up the magnificence of the local scenery and take your time wandering around Slovenia, Italy, and Austria. Despite the fact that you may occasionally glimpse the sharp-edged peaks and snow-covered domes, you will most likely enjoy the route even without having basic hill skills.
The mountaineers will find themselves fascinated by the stroll, as it includes gazing upon the glacial valleys and inhaling the smell of the fragrant woodland. The coniferous landscape, made up of spruce trees, larches, and pines, will make you forget the fact that your pilgrimage will last up to 6 weeks, with the total length of the trek being 750km.
The maximum altitude for Alpe-Adria does not exceed 2200m, so it can be covered by both experienced hikers and people who expect a moderately relaxing stroll through the Nock Mountains in Austria and the Groppenstein area, full of climbing paths, bridges, and breathtaking waterfalls.
The Glacier Trek
This is one of the so-called unofficial treks, which is why it is popular with trekkers who are tired of the tourist-populated routes and need something new to spice up their adventures. The Glacier trail offers a unique experience taking place among one of the most picturesque regions of the French Alps, the Vanoise region.
Because the trail is not in any official tour guides, it can be tailored to meet your expectations – with all the benefits that come with it, including prolonged stays in your favorite areas and taking time to explore the Vanoise National Park. The skies are impossibly blue, the rivers are shimmering under the afternoon sun, and there is not a day when you don’t spot the representatives of the local fauna, like vultures or eagles, soaring overhead. Walk through the meadows filled with flowers and stop at trekker huts for a quick break before you continue your journey along the snow-covered mountains with a total distance of 73 km.
Sentiero Bonacossa Trail
Those looking to make memories while hiking in the Italian Alps may choose the Sentiero Bonacossa trail as their preferred route. With the highest elevation reaching 2346 meters, the trail runs through the thrilling mountain range of the Dolomites. It may not be the easiest trek to cover, especially if you have no previous exposure to the area’s high peaks and snow-capped mountains, but it is definitely worth the praise.
All you must do is bring a pair of hiking shoes to keep you on solid ground and basic fitness training to trek the route on foot. Sentiero Bonacossa is one of the well-known treks, with the mountaineers getting a chance to divide the trail into sections. The most exciting part of the hike is the Cadini di Misurina mountain range. Here, you will have plenty of time to take pictures and observe the majestic scenery. The uphill route is nothing too challenging, and the views of the Dolomites are definitely worth the effort.
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Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!