After hiking the four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru and all over the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii, I thought I was prepared for the beauty of the Alps.
I was wrong.
The Alps aren’t just iconic—they’re one of the world’s most dramatic mountain ranges. What you’ll see on these hikes is simply jaw-dropping. Everything looks like it’s straight out of a postcard. It’s so beautiful, your friends will think your photos are fake.
But since these majestic mountains stretch over 750 miles (1,200 km) through 8 different countries, planning a hiking trip in the Alps is NOT easy.
There are just too many fantastic hikes to choose from. And designing the perfect route to get to all the different hikes you choose? Well, that’s even more complicated.
Luckily, you don’t have to plan it alone. This guide is your ultimate Alps Hiking Trip Itinerary, complete with:
The ultimate 8-day trip itinerary, starting in Munich, Germany and taking you through 6 countries. You’ll end the trip in Geneva, Switzerland, where you’ll hop on a flight home.
The 7 best hikes I recommend in the Alps for intermediate to advanced hikers—complete with links to the trail info on AllTrails.
My 12 foodie recommendations (please note this is NOT a complete foodie itinerary, but it does have a few restaurants and things you MUST try).
Tips and tricks for making the most out of every hike and each day.
The exact 5 hotels we stayed in—Day 4’s hotel will steal your heart (and you’ll never want to leave).
A Google Map with the exact driving route you’ll take, along with all the stops—so you know exactly where to go, where to park, and what to do.
Now, I can’t take credit for planning this Alps Hiking Trip Itinerary. The credit goes to my incredible uncles, who spent almost an entire year planning this amazing trip to celebrate my uncle’s 50th birthday. They’re both experienced travelers, and this itinerary is, in my humble opinion, a true work of art.
This Guide is NOT for Everyone.
That being said, this multi-country hiking trip guide is not for everyone. Here’s what you need to know right now, before you read any further:
This itinerary requires an open-jaw flight: meaning, you’ll fly into one city and out of another. (For more information about how to book open-jaw flights, click here.)
You will need to rent a car for this itinerary to work (you’ll also be taking trains and gondolas, but rental cars will be your main form of transportation).
The hikes in this itinerary are for intermediate to advanced hikers. You will need to have a strong fitness level to do these 5+ hour, 7+ mile hikes.
The hotels suggested in this guide are NOT budget hotels. They are stunning, beautiful hotels that will receive you like a warm hug after a long day of trekking (comfy bed, hot shower, warm breakfast, and all).
This is not slow travel. If you want to spend a week in the beautiful mountain town of Chamonix, taking it all in, exploring every alleyway, and eating at ten different restaurants, that’s fantastic, but this guide is not for you.
But, if you want to see multiple incredible countries… Do the most spectacular, unforgettable, and fun hikes in a ton of different countries… And experience the best of the Alps in just 8 busy, exciting, and adventure-filled days…
This is the Alps hiking guide you’ve been waiting for.
