Hut-to-Hut Hiking Alps

Hut-to-Hut Hiking Alps
Hut-to-Hut Hiking Alps
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🏞️ Explore the Best of the Alps — Without the Planning Stress, Even If It’s Your First Time Hiking from Hut to Hut

From the wild ridgelines of the French Alps to the emerald valleys of Slovenia, the Alps offer some of the most iconic hut-to-hut treks in the world. Whether you're navigating rugged high routes in Italy, crossing flower-strewn meadows in Austria, or hiking among crystal-clear lakes in Switzerland, each step brings you closer to nature, culture, and awe-inspiring alpine views. Trek through pristine national parks, past glaciers and mountain lakes, and arrive each night at cozy huts with warm meals and soft beds. Looking for the right starting point? Choose a route made for beginners, or go for a 3-day trek, a 4-day route, or a 5-day adventure. Hike light, sleep comfortably, and discover the Alps on your terms.

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What is included in your Hut-to-hut trek in the alps?

Balanced itinerary matched to availability
Finding, booking and paying for the huts and refuges
Half board in the huts, so breakfast and dinner for you
Comprehensive hiking guide in the Bookatrekking App with everything you need
Standby hiking advice from our experts

Expert tip

Match the trail to your experience

In the Alps, the best trek isn’t the most famous one it’s the one that matches your experience on the trail. Pay attention to terrain grades, daily elevation, and exposure, not just the name of the route. Choosing the right difficulty makes the journey safer, more enjoyable, and far more memorable.

, Alps Trekking Expert at Bookatrekking

Alps: Here’s Where to Go

France:

France is home to some of the most breathtaking and diverse corners of the Alps. From the towering Mont Blanc massif to the sun-kissed valleys of the Queyras and the remote beauty of the Mercantour, hut-to-hut treks here blend dramatic scenery with genuine alpine charm. Trails cross high passes, follow panoramic ridgelines, and wind through quiet valleys filled with alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and rugged peaks. Whether you’re hiking with family, taking on a classic intermediate route, or tackling long days with serious elevation, the French Alps offer space, variety, and a strong sense of mountain tradition. Along the way, welcoming refuges, local cuisine, and timeless landscapes make every trek feel rewarding from start to finish.

France:
France:
Italy:
Italy:

Italy:

Italy’s mountains combine dramatic alpine landscapes with a warm, unmistakably Italian atmosphere. From the gentle valleys of Sarntal and Val Formazza to the high routes of the Aosta Valley, Monviso, and the Meraner Höhenweg, hut-to-hut treks here offer a rich mix of scenery, culture, and variety. Expect panoramic trails, historic mountain paths, and welcoming rifugi where hearty food and hospitality are as memorable as the views. Whether you’re hiking with family or taking on longer, more demanding routes, the Italian Alps deliver a perfect balance of adventure and comfort.

Austria:

Austria is all about classic alpine trekking: well-marked trails, reliable huts, and landscapes shaped by high ridges and deep valleys. From panoramic routes like the Adlerweg and Salzburger Almenweg to demanding Höhenwege such as the Stubaier and Berliner Höhenweg, hut-to-hut trekking here offers variety for every level. Expect long ridge walks, sweeping mountain views, lush alpine meadows, and traditional huts serving hearty Tyrolean food. With its excellent infrastructure and strong mountain culture, Austria is ideal for both first-time hut trekkers and experienced hikers looking for serious alpine routes.

Austria:
Austria:
Switzerland:
Switzerland:

Switzerland:

Switzerland is home to some of the most iconic and meticulously maintained trekking routes in the Alps. From world-famous journeys like the Tour du Mont Blanc and Tour des Combins to lesser-known gems such as the Kesch Trek and Vier Quellen Weg, hut-to-hut trekking here combines dramatic landscapes with exceptional trail quality. Expect high mountain passes, glacier-lined valleys, crystal-clear lakes, and perfectly placed huts and accommodations. Whether you’re tackling a classic long-distance route or a shorter alpine loop, Switzerland delivers a refined yet adventurous mountain experience at every step.

Slovenia:

Slovenia may be small, but its mountains deliver a powerful alpine experience. In the heart of the Julian Alps, Triglav National Park offers crystal-clear lakes, limestone peaks, and beautifully maintained trails that feel both wild and accessible. From gentle lake loops to demanding ascents of Mount Triglav and longer traverses across the Julian Alps, hut-to-hut trekking here combines compact distances with rewarding elevation. Expect dramatic scenery, welcoming mountain huts, and a strong sense of nature, where every day brings you closer to the raw beauty of Slovenia’s alpine heart.

Slovenia:
Slovenia:
Germany:
Germany:

Germany:

Germany’s mountains may be compact, but they offer a surprisingly rich alpine experience. In the Bavarian Alps, dramatic limestone walls, narrow gorges, and panoramic ridgelines create ideal conditions for short but rewarding hut-to-hut treks. Routes range from gentle family-friendly walks through spectacular landscapes like the Partnachklamm to more demanding adventures such as the ascent of the Zugspitze, where serious elevation is rewarded with sweeping views across the Alps. With well-maintained trails, clear signage, and comfortable mountain huts, trekking in Germany combines accessibility, variety, and classic alpine scenery in a compact setting.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Mountain huts are an essential part of a hut-to-hut trek in the Alps and an experience in their own right. Each night you stay in a mountain hut, ranging from larger, more modern huts to smaller and simpler ones, many of which have been family-run for generations. Expect shared rooms or dormitories, communal dinners with regional dishes, and breakfast served early in the morning, all adding to the relaxed and authentic mountain atmosphere that makes hut-to-hut hiking so special.

Frequently Asked Questions: What do you need to know?

  • Do I need previous trekking experience to hike in the Alps?

    Not always. The Alps have routes for every level, from beginner-friendly valley walks and family treks to demanding high-alpine routes with steep ascents and exposed terrain. Many people do their very first multi-day trek in the Alps. The most important thing is choosing a route that matches your experience, fitness, and comfort on mountain trails, rather than picking the most famous trek.

  • How fit do I need to be for an Alpine hut-to-hut trek?

    You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but a basic level of fitness is important. Most alpine treks involve several hours of hiking per day and regular elevation gain. Beginners should look for routes with moderate daily distances and limited ascent, while more experienced hikers can take on longer days and higher passes. Being comfortable walking uphill and downhill on consecutive days matters more than speed.

  • What do I need to pack for a hut-to-hut trek in the Alps?

    One of the big advantages of hut-to-hut trekking is packing light. You’ll typically only need clothing, rain protection, toiletries, and essentials like a water bottle and headlamp. Mountain huts provide beds and meals, so you don’t need to carry camping gear or cooking equipment. Good hiking boots, layered clothing, and a backpack you’re comfortable carrying all day are the real essentials.

  • When is the best time to go hut-to-hut trekking in the Alps?

    The main trekking season in the Alps runs from June to September, depending on snow conditions and altitude. Early summer offers lush landscapes and fewer crowds, while July and August provide the most stable weather and fully open huts. September is quieter and often beautifully clear, but days are shorter. The best time depends on your route, experience level, and preference for weather and atmosphere.

  • Is hut-to-hut trekking in the Alps worth it?

    Absolutely. The Alps offer one of the best hut-to-hut trekking experiences in the world. Well-marked trails, stunning mountain scenery, and a dense network of comfortable huts make it easy to spend multiple days hiking without carrying heavy gear. Whether you’re out for a short escape or a long alpine journey, hut-to-hut trekking lets you fully immerse yourself in the mountains while enjoying warm meals and a proper bed each night.

Our Top 3 Favorite Hut-to-Hut Treks in the Alps


If you’re looking for the ultimate hut-to-hut experience in the Alps, these three treks are our favourites from all the routes we’ve shared. One is the classic multi-country Alpine journey, another is a quieter but equally spectacular high-alpine alternative, and the third is a true bucket-list challenge for experienced hikers. Together, they show the full range of what trekking in the Alps can be scenic, immersive, and unforgettable.


1) Tour du Mont Blanc (10 days)

The Tour du Mont Blanc is the Alpine classic. Over 10 days you hike through France, Italy, and Switzerland, crossing high mountain passes with constant views of glaciers, jagged peaks, and deep green valleys. The trail is famous for a reason: it combines big scenery with a strong hut culture, making every day feel like a complete mountain experience.

  • The most iconic hut-to-hut trek in the Alps
  • Three countries, one legendary route
  • Perfect balance of challenge, comfort, and scenery

👉 View Tour du Mont Blanc (10 days)


2) Tour des Combins (7 days)

If you love the idea of the Alps but prefer a route that feels a little more remote and wild, the Tour des Combins is a brilliant pick. This 7-day trek delivers glacier views, quiet valleys, and a strong sense of being deep in the mountains without the same crowds as the most famous routes. It’s one of those treks where the scenery keeps building, day after day.

  • Quieter alternative to the Tour du Mont Blanc
  • High passes, glacier scenery, and big mountain atmosphere
  • Ideal for experienced hikers who want solitude and depth

👉 View Tour des Combins (7 days)


3) GR20 Full Version (15 days)

The GR20 is not just a trek it’s a challenge. Known as one of Europe’s toughest long-distance routes, the full GR20 crosses Corsica from end to end on rugged, rocky trails with steep ascents and relentless terrain. If you’re an experienced hiker looking for a true test with unforgettable landscapes, this is the one that belongs at the top of the list.

  • One of Europe’s most challenging hut-to-hut treks
  • Rugged mountain terrain and dramatic Corsican scenery
  • Best suited for confident, experienced hikers

👉 View GR20 Full Version

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