Alpine hut-to-hut tour: The 7 Most Beautiful Options

Alta Via simply means High Route or High Path, or in German, Höhenweg. There are many high paths in the Dolomites, the Southern Alps in Northern Italy. The Italian hiking route that stands out is the Alta Via 1. Makes sense, as this is the hiking route that leaves no highlight of the Dolomites unseen and crosses the entire mountain range. "Starting from the mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, you can easily get to the starting point at the beautiful Lago di Braies," says Natascha. "From here, you can hike to the absolute highlights of the region in just four days. Think of Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi. Ideal for a shorter hiking vacation."

Just like on other hut-to-hut treks in the Alps, on the Alta Via 1, you stay in comfortable huts, called Rifugios in Italian, and meals are always included. "But," emphasizes Natascha, "there's a difference on the Alta Via 1 compared to, for example, a hut-to-hut trek in Austria. You are in Italy, and you can taste it in the food. Absolutely exquisite and plentiful. If you want to read more about the Alta Via 1, you can do so in this comprehensive blog post.

The complete Alta Via 1 or the shorter version? We arrange it for you. Find all our packages here.

The most beautiful option for a hiking vacation in Austria is the Stubaier Höhenweg. This route takes you past 8 huts, over 5,000 meters in altitude, and covers just under 90 kilometers. The hike is divided into 7 stages but can be shortened by the many connections to the valley. "It's quite challenging," confessed Rintsje, one of the trekking experts at Bookatrekking.com, when he visited several huts on the Stubaier Höhenweg at the edge of the season. The Stubaier Höhenweg goes around the Stubaital on one of the most beautiful but challenging high-altitude hut-to-hut treks in the Eastern Alps. "A shorter version can be done by families, but on the trails, you can see that an Austrian family finds it much easier. Those children are already more accustomed;" Rintsje continues. "It's possible, but you need to prepare the children well."

"The fun thing about the Stubaier Höhenweg is that it's entirely geared towards mountain tourists. Mountaineering, mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and in winter, of course, winter sports. This means that everyone is geared towards you as a tourist. From the local tourist office, where you pick up the vouchers for the huts on the Stubaier, to the local pub," says Rintsje. Bookatrekking.com collaborates with Tourismusverband Stubaital and has been offering the Stubaier Höhenweg for the fifth consecutive season. The Stubaital is an hour's journey from Innsbruck, making it a popular option for hikers from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The night train to Innsbruck is running again, and the highway is also easy to drive. And in the huts? "There's a warm meal and a freshly tapped glass of beer waiting for you in the evening." Here you can read more about the Stubaier Höhenweg.

At Bookatrekking.com, we have various packages for the Stubaier Höhenweg ranging from 3 days to the full 9-day route. You can find all options here! 

"On the Kesch Trek, we had to do without the Grialetsch Hütte in 2021, one of the participating mountain huts on the Kesch Trek. We now know that this hut has been back since 2022," says Annemiek, Area Manager for the Alps. The reopening of the Grialetsch Hütte means that you not only tackle the Albula Pass but also the Flüela Pass, both well-known points near Davos in the canton of Graubünden. With 'only' 4 days and 3 nights, this is a popular option for the first hiking vacation in Switzerland.

All huts on the Kesch Trek are run by the Swiss Alpine Club, the SAC. Natascha is in close contact with this club, which has existed since 1863. "For our bookings, we always have good contact with the operators. An SAC member is appointed to look after the hut for a season. This is not only our information point but also that of the hiker. This way, the host or hostess of the mountain hut can always give you tips or warnings for the journey," says Natascha. Don't want to worry about arranging your accommodation on the way? At Bookatrekking.com, we maintain warm contacts with the operators of the mountain huts and are happy to take that burden off your shoulders. You can find all our arrangements for the Kesch Trek here.

Regularly at Bookatrekking.com, we meet customers who, as children, went on hut-to-hut hikes with mom and dad and now want to do it themselves. There may have been years of beach vacations, backpacking, and festivals in between, but there comes a day when you're grateful to your parents for those long car rides to the Alps. Early learned is well done. Do you also want to give your children a cherished memory of the mountains? Good idea! What they always like to be is, on a hut-to-hut hike, a bit in charge. They don't need to know, but you do! When the children enjoy the hut-to-hut hike, so will you. During the preparation, the journey there, and the hut-to-hut hike itself, you adapt to your child. This doesn't mean they make all the decisions. It means they have a say when it comes to choosing the hut-to-hut hike, but more importantly, they set the pace.

Mont Thabor is a 3,178-meter-high mountain in the Massif des Cerces range in the Hautes-Alpes in France. Although beautiful, we are more interested in the hiking routes around this peak, especially the routes that start in the picturesque village of Névache. This village is in the Vallée de la Clarée and is one of the best-kept secrets of the Alps. The Tour du Mont Thabor is for the mountain goats, but we have developed a hut-to-hut hike that is entirely set up for the tiniest mountain goats. 3 days and 2 nights in Vallée de la Clarée give you the opportunity to see if a hut-to-hut hike with children is right for you. Daily walks of no more than 2 to 4 hours, relatively few altimeters, family-friendly huts, and in the meantime, you and the children are definitely in the French Alps. An absolute recommendation. Read more about the Tour du Mont Thabor and Vallée de la Clarée here, but be careful, the Tour du Mont Thabor is not suitable for children. Looking for more hut-to-hut hikes for children? Check out this blog post.

Here you'll find our arrangements for a hut-to-hut hike in Vallée de la Clarée.

Whether you want to go on a hiking vacation in Italy, in Switzerland, or France. The Tour du Mont Blanc is a combination of all three. It is one of the most famous hiking routes in Europe, and that means you'll encounter people from all over the world in the Refuges and Rifugios. "Hikers often tell us about the international character in the mountain huts. Like backpacker hostels, but for adults," says Sierd, who has helped many people get started. "Because the route is so well-known, things are always well-organized in the mountain huts. Breakfast in the morning, warm meals in the evening, it's always well-arranged." Hikers typically complete the 170 kilometers of the Tour du Mont Blanc in 10 days. The traditional starting point is in Chamonix, on the French side of Mont Blanc. Sierd: "Chamonix, also called Cham, is the epicenter for mountain sports on the French side of Mont Blanc. If you're going to the French Alps or Mont Blanc in particular, you're going to Chamonix. This makes it a very lively town." Looking for a quieter alternative? Then go for the Walker's Haute Route!

The best time to complete the Tour du Mont Blanc or another hut-to-hut hike in France is during the summer months, July and August, when the route has little snow, and the weather is usually good. Early in the season, there may still be snow on the cols, making it challenging. The season starts on June 15, but that doesn't mean you won't encounter snow. "On the contrary," Sierd knows. "It is not uncommon for hikers to encounter old snow in the first two weeks of the season. A crossing at the Fenetre d'Arpette can be difficult." The trekking experts at Bookatrekking.com know the alternative routes and always send you with instructions. Prefer not to encounter old snow anymore? If we had to recommend a more specific period, it would be the second half of August. During these two weeks, the number of trekkers and climbers is lower, and the weather is usually quite pleasant. Read more about the Tour du Mont Blanc.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, hut-to-hut hike in the Alps. If you want to be sure of your spot, don't wait too long to book. Here you'll find all Bookatrekking.com arrangements for the Tour du Mont Blanc!

The Pale di San Martino, part of the Pala Group, is impressive, elegant, literally hardcore, an Italian favorite, and home to one of the coolest and most exciting hut-to-hut hikes in the Italian Dolomites. Sexy, you say? Well, if you look at the photos and see the landscape you'll be walking through, you can definitely capture some sexy profile pictures or Instagram stories on this trek. This is the Palaronda Trek: short, accessible, not too technical, and a great way to make your time in Italy thrilling. The Pale di San Martino is the largest massif in the Dolomites, located between eastern Trentino and Veneto. The highest point is 3,192 meters: Cima de Vezzana.

The Palaronda Trek is relatively short, accessible, and doable for most hikers. The classic version, also known as the Palaronda Soft Trek, takes 4 days, covers about 35 kilometers, and involves almost 3,000 meters of elevation gain. Sounds like the life of a mountain goat, but you can do it too. Your daily hiking time is not much longer than a maximum of 5 hours, so in the huts, you'll have plenty of time to rest your legs and refuel. The walking times are generally a bit shorter than other well-known hut-to-hut hikes in the Dolomites. Curious? Read all about the Palaronda Trek here.

Here you'll also find our packages for the Palaronda Trek!

Can we consider Slovenia part of the Western Balkans? "Not really, but it is sometimes included due to the former Yugoslavia. Slovenia is a bit like Austria: everything well-organized, but slightly different, mainly due to the language. That makes it a very interesting destination," says Central Europe enthusiast Joery. More than half of the country is covered with forests and has predominantly mountainous terrain, a dream for every trekking enthusiast. With a dense network of rivers and one of the most diverse biodiversity in Europe, Slovenia is a great destination for those seeking nature. If you want to trek a bit further, the Peaks of the Balkan Trail might be for you. Read more about it here!  

"Triglav is the highest point in Slovenia, and the mountain is also featured on the Slovenian flag," continues Joery. "In fact, it's a rule that every Slovenian must have conquered Triglav at least once. Otherwise, you're not a true Slovenian." Triglav is part of the Julian Alps, and, of course, there's more to do than just climb the famous peak. You can easily spend a week hiking from hut to hut. Read more about the Julian Alps and Triglav here.

Not sure which destination is suitable for you? The Trekking Experts at Bookatrekking.com are happy to help.

When you go on a hut-to-hut trek in the Alps, it's wise to be aware of a few things. Even if this isn't your first time, never underestimate the Alps. To ensure your hiking vacation is a safe and enjoyable experience, our trekking experts have the following tips for you.

1. Don't overdo it: Mountain hiking is the perfect outlet and escape from everyday life. But, don't overdo it. "Overestimation and underestimation are dangerous. Don't overestimate yourself and don't underestimate the trail," says Sierd, also a Kilimanjaro expert at Bookatrekking.com. "Always choose the slower option and take more time for your plans. Hiking under time pressure is not enjoyable, and a fast pace can be dangerous. Don't forget the word 'vacation' in hiking vacation."

2. Plan carefully: Good planning is half the battle! Hiking maps, literature, the internet, and expert advice are invaluable for planning trips and allow you to determine the length, altitude difference, difficulty, and conditions of your hike. When planning group hikes, the hike should always be planned for the weakest member of the group! The weather in the mountains can change incredibly quickly, and rain, wind, and cold all increase the risk factor. Therefore, always check the weather forecast in advance. Also, contact our trekking experts and get familiarized before you start.

3. Fully equipped: Equipment is everything. In the most extreme case, this makes the difference between life and death, and in almost all cases, the difference between enjoyment and suffering. Provisions, rain, cold, and sun protection should always be in the backpack, along with a first aid kit and a mobile phone (European emergency number: 112). However, lighter luggage makes hiking easier, so don't bring too much extra baggage. Your equipment should always be suitable for your planned hike.

4. Suitable shoes: Trail running shoes are fine when you're spending a weekend in the mountains, but on longer hikes, you'll want at least A/B hiking boots. That means high mountain boots that are also water-resistant. On the Alta Via 2, for example, a fairly technical trail, your ankles will need extra support, and you'll want to prevent sprains.

5. Stay on marked paths: The Dolomites have an endless number of marked hiking trails - these are well-controlled and maintained. It may be tempting, but it's not a good idea to cut the path or take alternative routes through unmarked terrain. If you do, you are likely to get lost. Steep slopes of packed old snow are often underestimated and can be dangerous. Doubtful? Better not do it.

6. Regular breaks: Again, you're on a hiking vacation. Take time for your hike and take regular breaks. Our advice: If you have little time, it's better to take the short arrangement than to rush the long arrangement.

7. Children are in charge: When you take the children on a hut-to-hut trek the motto at Bookatrekking.com is "children are in charge." Keep the children happy, and mom and dad will be happy. Listen to them carefully and don't exhaust them. Play a game along the way so they don't ask if they're there yet every five minutes. Of course, always choose the child-friendly option.

8. Respect nature: Leave no waste behind, avoid noise, stay on marked paths, leave animals alone, and respect protected areas.

The most important rule for hut-to-hut treks and hikes in the Alps or other high mountains is that the weather in areas above 2,000 meters changes much faster, and there are different climatic conditions than at the altitudes where we usually travel. When planning a trek for a hut-to-hut trek and mountain hikes, always consider the weather forecast. Even in the high summer when the temperature in the valley is over 30 degrees, it can snow in the high mountains. The reason is that for every 1000 meters of altitude, the temperature can drop by 5-6 degrees. Because cold air can also hold less moisture, it rains or snows more often in the high mountains than in the lowlands. Thunderstorms can be particularly dangerous in the high mountains, and in principle, the likelihood of thunderstorms increases in the afternoon, and the weather can change very quickly due to the altitude.

You can recognize a possible thunderstorm by lightning or small cumulus clouds that are increasingly piling up. Also, a rapidly decreasing air pressure is a sure sign of an upcoming thunderstorm. In case of a storm, always avoid the via ferrata and other metal objects. Quickly seek shelter in a hollow or under a ledge. Nevertheless, good protection against the sun is essential. The tree line in the Alps is at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,200 meters - above this, you are exposed to the scorching sun, which is always intense in the high mountains.