The best mountain walks in the European Alps

The trekking season in the European Alps is short and sweet – June to September. These are the European summer months when the temperatures are warm (it doesn’t get hot in the mountains) and there is plenty of sun – perfect for hiking. June can still be quite cool and it is not unusual for snow to be on the passes in mid-June but generally speaking during this period you can expect 20–30°C at lower altitudes and at night temperatures can fall below 10°C. By October it can get very cold.

Slovenia’s climate can be described as a typical Continental European climate with warm to hot summers and mild to cold winters. Snowy Alps and sunny Mediterranean coastline makes it a popular year round destination. However, the best time for hiking is from May to mid October, with prime months being May, June and September.

We offer a range of walking holidays in the Swiss Alps, including the challenging and famous Walker’s Haute Route (from Chamonix to Zermatt), a section of the Via Francigena pilgrimage trail from Lausanne to the Great St Bernard Pass, and our flexible Swiss Rail & Hike trips, which combine iconic Alpine walks with spectacular train journeys. You’ll experience breathtaking scenery, charming alpine villages, and famous peaks like the Matterhorn and Eiger.

When considering booking a hiking trip in the European Alps, it is vital to select a trip that is realistic for your ability. Read the descriptions about the physical difficulty to ensure that the trip matches your expectations. You can talk to our team of experts at any time and get first-hand advice about the realities on the trail.

For beginners, we recommend our popular Swiss Rail & Hike trips. These itineraries offer flexible walking options and cable car support.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is rated as one of the top 5 mountain treks in the world. It is a high-altitude trail around the entire Mont Blanc massif. The terrain is mountainous, rocky and often rough underfoot, but there are also plenty of graded paths. 

The Dolomites are part of the Alps but with their own unique geology and landscape. They are very steep and rocky mountains. You need to be prepared for this

The terrain is often uneven, rough, stony and hard underfoot and some of the paths are narrow and exposed. There are also vast scree slopes. To get the most from the hikes on this trip you will need to be fit, experienced and free from vertigo.

We have a range of practical training guides to help you prepare for your hike, including for the European Alps.

The ascents and descents of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) and Dolomites are very similar. The big difference with the Dolomites is the paths: they are a little narrower and steeper in sections than the TMB and sometimes more exposed. Dizzying heights and steep slopes are a feature of the walks in this area. The Dolomites are not suitable for people who experience vertigo!

Only fully-qualified International Mountain Leaders lead our guided treks in the European Alps. The International Mountain Leader qualification is the gold standard. Our guides have secured not only this qualification but also the necessary in-country permissions to work in the Alps. We don’t settle for anything less than their expertise and professionalism.

Our guides are expertly qualified to lead challenging treks. In mountain environments like the Alps, the weather can change quickly. We know it is essential that you have an experienced guide who is well versed in mountain safety and navigation. Our guides are trained in first aid and, should you need it, they know the local evacuation procedures.

Last but not least, our guides are good company. They’re used to guiding RAW Travel clients and enjoy it. Many of our guides have been leading RAW Travel trips for many years, and are firm favourites with our trekkers.