A Hike Guide to the Alps: An Epic of Ice, Snow and Humanity
When the snowy tops of the Matterhorn are tinged with morning light, when the rocky peaks of the Dolomites turn to rose gold, when the glaciers of the Jungfraujoch stretch beneath their feet, the Alps are composing eternal hymns about nature and life for every traveler with the geological psalms of billions of years.
❤ Must-check landmark
- Jungfraujoch, Switzerland: Take a gear train to the top of Europe (3454 meters), overlook the stunning 360° view of glaciers and sea of clouds from the Sphynx Observation Deck, explore the millennium blue ice texture of the Ice Palace Recommended pairing with a glass of Valais white wine, enjoy a cloud lunch at the Snow Mountain Restaurant.
- Mont Blanc, Chamonix, France: Ride the Midi cable car to 3842 meters, glass observation deck overlooking Europe's highest peak, hike the glacier ice cave to feel the extreme cold natural wonders in the town at dusk can taste traditional cheese fondue with rye bread experience French mountain romance.
- Three Peaks of Dolomitilla Varedo, Italy: Hike around three iconic dolomite peaks, the setting sun dyes the mountains rose gold, encounter the herds of Suzushi in alpine pastures, and enjoy corn dough with smoked cheese at the Rifugio Auronzo mountain cabin.
- Great Bell Mountain Alpine Highway in Austria: Drive through the most beautiful highway in the Alps, 25 hairpin bends connecting glaciers, waterfalls and alpine lakes.
♀️In-depth gameplay
- Cross-country hike: 170 km of Mont Blanc Circuit (France/Italy/Switzerland) runs through the three countries, starting from Chamonix through alpine meadows and glacial canyons, ending in Zermatt, Switzerland with a view of the Matterhorn.
- Glacier Exploration: Alechi glacier hike in Switzerland, with a professional guide leading through ice crevasses to observe the ice-eroded caves formed by glacial meltwater up close;
- Hot Spring Healing: 22 hot spring pools in Loikbard, Switzerland, are built against the mountains, and you can look up at the snow-capped stars while soaking in the open air; the hot springs in Badgastein, Austria, blend Roman and Alpine traditions, and mineral spa relieves hiking fatigue.
- Train travel: Glacier Express (St Moritz-Zermart) crosses 91 tunnels and 291 bridges for 8 hours, with red trains and snow-capped mountains and forests forming a flowing landscape painting;
🍽️A feast for the tongue
- Swiss flavors: Interlaken’s Cheese Factory freshly made cheese fondue with small potatoes and pickled cucumber to quench the thirst;
- Italian valley flavors: Albergo Ristorante Ciasa Salares in Dolomiti, signature dish Risotto alla Valdostana stewed with Fontina cheese and white wine with smoked ham slices;
- Austrian classics: Figlmüller restaurant in Salzburg, Wiener Schnitzel, thin as a locust steak, served with lemon slices and potato salad;
- French mountain cuisine: Le Cap Horn restaurant in Chamonix, French confit duck with red wine stewed pears, with Burgundy Pinot Noir, and Evian Leban’s lake fish cuisine, steamed trout drizzled with butter lemon juice and served with local white wine.
📌 Practical tips
- Transportation: The Swiss Pass includes 90% of transportation such as the Glacier Express, and the Rhaetian Railway is recommended across countries, which connects Switzerland and Italy.
- Season: Best hiking in June-September, golden skiing period in December-March;
- Safety: Avoid wild snow areas during avalanche season (December-April), purchase travel insurance with rescue;download the route APP of the Swiss Alps Club (SAC) before hiking.