Self-Guided Alpine Hiking Tours

The Tour du Mont Blanc and Alta Via 1 may be some of the most talked-about alpine routes, but they’re just the beginning of what the Alps have to offer. We’ve pulled together six trips that do what the Alps do best: big scenery, satisfying days, and moments that stop you mid-stride. Enjoy idyllic mountain villages and quieter trails. Sleep soundly in alpine huts, mountain inns or historic hotels.

No group to defer to, and no rigid schedules: just you, the mountains, and Macs' seamless behind-the-scenes planning, delivery and 24/7 support.

Here are our Top 6 adventures for a truly authentic alpine experience:

Grindewald Trail
Nestled beneath the iconic trio of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, the Grindelwald trails offer some of the most striking alpine scenery in Europe. Hikers enjoy crystal-clear lakes, wildflower meadows, dramatic glaciers, and panoramic ridge paths. The region’s well-marked trails range from gentle valley walks to more challenging high-mountain routes, all paired with world-class Swiss hospitality. With charming chalets, efficient transport links, and unforgettable views, Grindelwald delivers an alpine hiking experience that feels straight out of a postcard. 

The GR5: Lake Geneva to Chamonix
Experience true Alpine hiking on this inn to inn self-guided hiking tour along the GR5 trail from the glistening shores of Lake Geneva to the foot of the Mont Blanc. Ascend through the peaceful Alpine meadows of the French Alps and through countless traditional dairy farms; the sound of cow bells never far away. Take in the views of the jagged mountain ranges of the Dents Blanches, Dents du Midi and finally the mighty Mont Blanc Massif, as you criss-cross between France and Switzerland.
 
High Trails of the Julian Alps
Slovenia’s Julian Alps, located on the border with Austria, have always been a cross roads and this is reflected in the rich culture, architecture, and cuisine of this beguiling alpine region. Follow high mountain trails from the serene shores of glacial Lake Bled as you journey from hut to hut high into the Triglav National Park and on down to the pristine waters of Lake Bohinj.  Pass medieval castles, churches and traditional mountain villages as you walk across rich mountain pasture and traverse mountain ridges and passes beneath the sky scraping peaks.

Italian Alps - Walking at the Foot of the Matterhorn
Immerse yourself in the historic Aosta Valley, in the northwest of Italy, sandwiched between France to the west and Switzerland to the east. Discover this lesser-known part of the Alps, where you can sample Italian cuisine and culture, stay in cozy small hotels and guest houses in rustic mountain villages, and enjoy walking in the mountains without the crowds. Catch views of the famed Matterhorn and Monte Rosa massifs as you experience the snow-capped peaks, blooming alpine meadows, larch forests, and rushing streams.

Tyrol: Trails of the Wilder Kaiser
Spend a week hiking around Austria's impressive Kaiser mountains on this inn to inn alpine adventure. Made up of the Wilder Kaiser (wild emperor) and the Zahmer Kaiser (tame emperor) ranges, it’s the perfect location for an authentically Tyrolean Alps walking adventure. Follow panoramic trails in the shadow of the Kaiser’s dramatic peaks, journeying across the ‘Gentle Emperor’ range to reach the verdant Walchsee lake. You'll stay in 3-4* hotels, and spend two nights in traditional Austrian Alpine huts.

The Via Alpina
Experience the unforgettable beauty of Switzerland on the iconic Via Alpina, one of the country’s most celebrated long-distance hiking trails. Perfect for avid hikers, this route leads you through postcard-worthy landscapes in the Swiss Alps - from high Alpine passes and crystal-clear lakes to dramatic rock faces and the stunning Bernese Oberland, finishing in the culture-rich town of Montreux. Choose the itinerary that suits you best: the East Section from St. Gallen to the high Alps, the West Section from the Bernese Oberland to Lake Geneva, or the entire Full Via Alpina Route for the ultimate challenge. Whether you’re seeking a weeklong getaway or an epic Alpine trek, the Via Alpina promises an inspiring and unforgettable adventure. 

Need more ideas, or just some help deciding which adventure is for you?  Reach out to our Adventure Specialists, they'll be happy to talk you through your options!

Are you an alpine hiking enthusiast looking to experience point-to-point self-guided hiking in the European Alps for the first time, or at a less challenging pace?  Or perhaps you are hiking with friends of varying levels of alpine experience and you'd like to choose a tour that allows everyone to enjoy the hike without feeling over-extended?  If so, we've put together a short list of more moderately paced 'entry-level' long-distance alpine hiking tours that combine the thrill of the mountains with Macs' seamless behind-the-scenes planning, delivery and 24/7 support:

Walking the Salzburg Lakes
Explore Austria on foot and immerse yourself in alpine culture, towns and cuisine in the Salzburg Lakes region (Salzkammergut), which boasts over 70 beautiful lakes, impressive alpine backdrops and traditional villages. Enjoy easy to moderate walks along the banks of the Fuschl, Wolfgang and Hallstätter Lakes. Short hikes mean you can spend your afternoons soaking up Austria's relaxed alpine landscapes, atmosphere and cuisine. This itinerary is the perfect balance of activity, discovery and relaxation, the best way to take in this beguiling region.

The King Ludwig Way
Follow the King Ludwig Way, one of Germany’s best-known footpaths, through Upper Bavaria to King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle. Within easy reach of Munich, the King Ludwig Way takes you to Lake Starnberg, past quaint villages with abbeys, monasteries and frescoed churches. Quench your thirst in world-class breweries and beer gardens along the route, enjoy spectacular views from Hoher Peissenberg, the highest point north of the Alps and stay in charming small hotels and guesthouses experiencing the best of Bavarian hospitality.

The Kitzbühel Alpine Trail
Follow the best section of Austria's long-distance Kitzbühel Alpine Trail (aka the ‘KAT-Walk’) on this walking tour through Tyrol’s stunning Kitzbüheler Alps. Discover picturesque mountains and traditional alpine villages on this unique adventure from Hopfgarten to St. Ulrich am Pillersee. Hike to the summit of Kitzbüheler Horn for far-reaching views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, over limestone plateaus and through charming alpine meadows. Stay each night in 4* standard hotels offering the best of Tyrolean hospitality. Unwind in the small sauna areas, the perfect way to end the walking day!

Mountains & Lakes of the Julian Alps
Explore the mountains and lakes of Slovenia’s Julian Alps as you follow the Via Alpina from the tranquil village of Jezersko to Lake Bohinj at the heart of the Triglav National Park. Following well-marked trails, you will walk across forested plateaus, through deep river gorges and across flower-filled Alpine meadows with the snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps as your constant companions. Medieval castles, churches and traditional mountain villages bring the walk to life and immerse you in the friendly Slovenian culture, architecture and cuisine. 

Italian Alps - Hiking in the Aosta Valley
Enjoy a more relaxed alpine adventure in the northwest of Italy, in the historic Aosta Valley, sandwiched between France to the west and Switzerland to the east. Walk along the best stages of the Cammino Balteo on a trip packed with Italian culture, food, and Roman history. Admire traditional mountain chalets decorated with vividly colored geraniums, and towering mountain peaks, as you explore on the peaceful walking trails. Old trade routes lead through a pristine natural landscape peppered with castles, palaces, and churches, all surrounded by the highest and most famous mountains and vineyards in the Alps. The panoramic view of Mont Blanc makes for an ideal end to this unique itinerary. 

Best of the Bernese Oberland

Explore the iconic peaks of the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland on foot and at your own pace with a choice of classic hikes between Mürren, Wengen and Grindelwald- Swiss chocolate-box alpine villages framed by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The network of mountain transport gives you easy and flexible access to the Jungfrau region’s 310 miles of hiking trails. You’re in control of how easy or challenging you want your hikes to be, or simply relax and let the train, funicular, cable car or bus whisk you up and down the mountains!  You can even indulge in historic 4 star mountain hotels on our In Style tour, or if you're short on time or wanting just a tiny taste of easier alpine hiking, our Highlights of the Bernese Oberland is just the thing!

Need more ideas, or just some help deciding which adventure is for you?  Reach out to our Adventure Specialists, they'll be happy to talk you through your options!

Embark on one of our Alpine Crossings, these unique tours allow you to complete each crossing while enjoying stays in authentic accommodations, as well as bag transfers on some of the trips to help lighten the load. Here are some of our most popular ones:

The E5 Alpine Crossing (Grade 5) Starting in Oberstdorf, embark on this classic Alpine crossing, finishing in Meran. Experience three countries in one legendary trek; Germany, Austria and Italy. This is one of our tougher alpine crossings with long days and sizeable ascents and descents and terrain that covers scree, rocky and exposed paths with sections of rope to aid ascents/descents. We only recommend this walk to experienced alpine walkers or novices with a good level of fitness and a head for heights. It is ideal for those who don’t want to sacrifice comfort and enjoy hiking away from the crowds. Stay in 3* hotels/guesthouses and spend one night in a mountain hut (private room).

Walker’s Haute Route (Grade 5) – If you want to enjoy the rewards of taking on one of the world’s great treks than you can’t go wrong with the Walker’s Haute Route. Regularly voted as one of the world’s top walks the journey from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn on the Walker’s Haute Route is filled with breath-taking mountain panoramas, challenging mountain passes and Alpine scenes lifted straight from a storybook. But you do need to be physically fit and as this is a strenuous high mountain trek should be happy navigating in poor conditions and have a head for heights.

Tour of the Matterhorn (Grade 5) - Walk through Switzerland and Italy on this demanding long–distance hike circumnavigates the famous peak, offering superb mountain views, as well as an insight into the two distinct regions that surround it, the Mattertal and the Aosta Valley. This is a tough and adventurous trek, but for fans of the Alps, it could not be more rewarding. This trek is ideal for experienced alpine hikers looking for their next challenge. There is no bag transfer available, adding to the difficulty. However for the walker who likes to get back to basics, this can be welcome and adds to your sense of achievement.

Tour du Mont Blanc – An Alpine classic, walk through France, Italy and Switzerland, staying in comfortable accommodation each night. It’s the perfect Alpine trek for those who prefer their trekking in comfort, is a tough trek with considerable ascent and descent on each day and there are two sections that include the use of fixed ladders and footholds, and require some very light scrambling.  We would suggest that you are an experienced walker who is looking for a challenge.

Across the Alps: Bavaria to South Tyrol (Grade 3) This tour takes you through the Eastern Alps from German Bavaria to Italy’s South Tyrol via Austria on this moderate inn to inn walking tour. This unique route has been designed by us with the Alpine novice in mind, or for those who are simply looking for a comparatively easy-going Alpine experience. Rated moderate, no Alpine experience is required to complete this tour, just a good level of fitness. You should be happy walking 13-19km and 500-1000m of ascents/descents a day. However, almost all the walks can be shortened if required. Stay in high-quality 3 and 4* hotels, and your bag will be transferred each day, giving you the freedom to walk with just a small day pack

Tyrolean Alps: Garmisch to Innsbruck (Grade 5) Walk from Germany to Austria through the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps, Explore the historical old town of Tyrol’s capital - spend a night in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps in a traditional hut. This trip involves a mixture of moderate to strenuous hikes, whilst staying in lively cultural hubs such as Garmisch and Innsbruck. Graded moderate, there are some significant ascents and descents involved, perfect for working up an appetite for some of the hearty local cuisines! Optional walks allow a rest day if preferred. If you are looking for the best of both worlds, then this is the tour for you!

A self-guided point-to-point hiking tour in the European Alps is the stuff of great memories and offers many rewards. However, many people worry about what it’s like to stay in a mountain hut. Here’s our guide to what you can expect from a true alpine hut experience:

Mountain huts vary in style, size and the standard across Europe varies considerably. There are many advantages to staying in high altitude huts, including cost and convenience, and it can be a lot of fun meeting new and like-minded people in the huts. 

Most huts run a policy that guests should arrive by 6 pm each night. Hut wardens may release bookings that are not taken up before 6 pm, and getting there before others will be an advantage in terms of getting a good place to sleep. Sleeping huts, rather than camping, requires a lot less kit to be carried on your back.

Hut rules

You are not usually allowed to wear your walking boots inside the hut. Leave boots in a boot room and take advantage of slippers supplied by the hut. An alternative is to take a lightweight pair of sandals with you for indoor use.

Sleeping

Most huts are small and in big demand in the high season. You will find that dorms of six people or more are standard, and some might sleep ten or more. Some dorms cater for up to 40 people. The earlier you arrive, the more chance you have of choosing where you sleep and if you are with friends you will be able to sleep in the same room. Most operate a first-come-first-served sleeping arrangement. Since most people only stay for one night, you should be able to pick from pretty much all the space available, depending on your arrival time. Most places provide stacked bunks or twin beds in communal rooms, a few huts have smaller or private rooms for couples.

Sleeping set up

Standard hut dorms will include bunks with a pillow and a woolen blanket on your bed. You will be expected to bring your own sleeping bag liner. These can be bought or made and are usually a light silk. The bedding in huts isn’t changed every day, so a sleeping bag liner makes this feel more acceptable. Check before you go if you require a sleeping bag, although it is unusual.

Facilities

These also vary between alpine regions and specific huts, but generally you'll find that these are shared, even when you have booked a private room.  Showers are usually separate from toilets and washing basins, but they offer individual privacy and in most of the modern huts very welcome hot water!  The showers are usually operated by tokens that you have to pay for. Some of the older huts only have cold water, but these are quite rare.

Food and drink

Water, soft drinks and alcohol are usually sold in the huts, and many also offer a set dinner menu and a breakfast. Some Rifugios also sell lunches. Larger huts might have a restaurant set-up, while smaller Rifugios will serve meals in a common room with big communal tables.

When you leave

Don’t forget to eat breakfast before you go. This is usually a basic meal of cereal, bread, jam, cheese, coffee or tea. Depending on your tour, you need to pay, and many huts accept cash only so always remember to carry that along with you.