The Best Time to Hike the Alps

the alps in the Spring: may & june

Why Visit the Alps in the Spring?

The early wildflower blooms of the Alps’ middle altitudes, (such as those found on our Treasures of Mont Blanc trip), are vibrant bursts of pinks, yellows, and purples that take the breath away against the snowy backdrop of the high peaks. Best of all, this is the season to enjoy without big crowds–just you, your group, and an alpine peace that cannot be put into words.

What to Expect on Our Spring Tours

You can find alpine hiking in May, but it’s the rainiest month of the alpine year. With shuttered infrastructure and a deep winter snowpack yet to melt, the high Alps are off-limits for all but the most hardcore backpackers. However, there is an exception: Slovenia‘s majestic glacial lakes and valleys, a hidden alpine gem that can be great early in the season.

By contrast, June can be one of the best hiking seasons higher in the range. Snow has melted significantly, temperatures are ideal, and trails at the middle altitude are generally clear. Snow patches pose a challenge at higher elevations, but this can lead to exciting, adventurous mountain days where “microspikes” (traction spikes that attach to the soles of your boots) may be necessary on high passes or in shady areas. Lifts, refuges, and restaurants will also begin to reopen, and most will be in operation by the end of June.

the alps in the Fall: september & October

Why Visit the Alps in the Fall? 

By the beginning of September, temperatures cool in the high mountains. With this, the landscape begins to don its autumn palette. The grasses of the pastures turn golden at first and then a rusty orange. The larch’s needles transform into a bright honey-color in the deep green pine forests. When set against the jagged peaks of the Alps, it may be the most dramatic time of the year aesthetically.

What to Expect on Our Fall Tours 

The wildflowers of the summer are all but gone in the late season, but in their place, hidden in the forests, an incredible array of mushrooms begin to sprout.

Colder, more stable weather fronts mean less precipitation in the first two months of autumn than at any other time of the year. And that means you find excellent hiking conditions. 

There are fewer people on the trails as school holidays end and people get back to work in Europe, but with that, some of the infrastructure begins to close, which can mean slight changes to the itinerary. By the end of September, almost all infrastructure is closed for the “interseason” in the Alps. Though conditions on trails and weather can remain good throughout October, you will only find a few solo hikers tramping the trails.