Great Alpine Traverse

Looking for the ultimate Alps odyssey? Our five-country adventure links the best trails of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, crossing five international borders—on foot! We feast our eyes on Mont Blanc in France, the Matterhorn from both the Italian and Swiss sides, and the glacier-clad Tyrolean Alps of Germany and Austria. We make great use of cog rails, cable cars, and Switzerland’s famed Glacier Express to connect one glorious hiking realm to another. Our team of at least two (and often three) Trip Leaders brings style and camaraderie to this incredible experience of the Alps.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Chamonix, France / Aosta, Italy

Chamonix, the mountaineering capital of Europe, treats us to spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif. On Day 2, a breathtaking gondola ride brings us across the Vallee Blanche Glacier for a close look at its icy panoramas. Arriving at Point Heilbronner, Europe’s highest border station, we walk into Italy for a descent by cable car to the ancient Savoy town of Aosta.

Days 3-4
Matterhorn / Zermatt, Switzerland

A stunning amphitheater of mountains surrounds us as we hike along the remarkable Grand Balconeta trail on the Italian side of the Matterhorn (14,688'). From the Theodul Pass at 11,500 feet on the Italian-Swiss border, we hike down the Theodul Glacier for unusual and amazing up-close views of the pyramidal Matterhorn, perhaps the world’s most easily recognizable peak.

Days 5-7
St. Moritz / Pontresina / Diavolezza

A spectacular rail journey on the Glacier Express carries us to stylish St. Moritz. The next day we hike along the mighty Morteratsch Glacier, then take a cable car to the Diavolezza Lodge for an overnight among the high peaks.

Days 8-13
Guarda / Jamtal Hutte, Austria / Maria Alm / Karlingerhaus, Germany

We hike to Ardez in the traditional Engadine region, cross the remote Futschol Pass (9,100') into Austria, and overnight at a Tyrolean-style lodge. From Maria Alm on the mountainous Austria-Germany border, we hike into Germany to a lakeside lodge.

Days 14-15
Salzburg, Austria

Hiking down through glacier-carved limestone scenery, we head to lovely Konigsee and take a boat ride to Berchtesgaden. We continue to baroque Salzburg for a gala farewell dinner. Depart on Day 15.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 4+, Moderate to Strenuous. Most hiking is between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. However, at times we hike at higher elevations, with a maximum of 11,500 feet at the Theodul Pass on the Italian-Swiss border. On Day 2, we ascend by cable car to 12,678 feet at the top of the Aiguille du Midi above Chamonix. There is a good bit of up-and-down hiking (often 3,000- to 4,000-foot gain or loss in elevation per day) during the 5-8 hours on the trail each day. You’ll carry just a daypack on most days, but on two hiking days, when we are staying in a mountain refuge with no road access, you must be able to carry your overnight needs in your daypack. Most medium-sized daypacks have enough room for your overnight belongings (a toothbrush, soap, small towel, and a fresh t-shirt suffice for most people).

Altitude is not usually a problem for people on these trips. The itinerary is developed to take you gently to higher altitude, giving you plenty of time to acclimatize. However, some people still find they get a few problems when they first reach high altitude. Slight headache and sleeplessness in the refuges are the most common problems.

Explanation of Trip Levels