There’s something undeniably magnetic about the Alps. Their sharp-edged peaks, sweeping glaciers, jaw-dropping vistas, and flower-strewn valleys have inspired generations of adventurers. Whether you’re a budding trekker, an ambitious mountaineer, or someone dreaming of carving tracks across glaciated terrain on skis, the Alps offer an unforgettable stage for your next big challenge.
But what alpine routes should you aspire to? We can help you with that! At Adventure Base, we live and breathe high-altitude excursions. From Alps peak summit tours and legendary treks to classic alpine ski tours, we’re here to guide you on your journey to the most iconic alpine experiences.Â
In this guide, we’ve handpicked five of the best alpine routes that deserve a spot on your bucket list, each one offering something for every level of experience. Scroll down to find our picks, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail (Switzerland)
The Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail is a stunning summer hiking route, located in the UNESCO-listed Jungfrau-Aletsch region of Switzerland. The classic version stretches around 12km with roughly 500m of elevation gain, although shorter sections (such as the Riederalp to Bettmerhorn trail) offer easier alternatives. The well-maintained paths, clear signage, and breathtaking glacier views make this a rewarding option for beginners with reasonable fitness.
Expect sweeping vistas over the 23km-long Aletsch Glacier — the largest in the Alps — framed by snow-capped peaks and dotted with traditional alpine huts. It’s an ideal warm-up trek before tackling more demanding guided alpine adventures like the Tour du Mont Blanc or the Walker’s Haute Route, but more on these below.
While Adventure Base doesn’t guide the summer version of this route, we offer an incredible Bernese Oberland Ski Tour at the tail end of the winter season. On this thrilling experience, we explore this vast glacier paradise and its surrounding peaks. However, please note that the ski circuit is a challenging, high-endurance alpine tour (we rate it as Level E, our highest difficulty rating), while the summer trail is a much more accessible option, and an excellent entry point into the world of multi-day alpine treks.
Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, and Switzerland)
Spanning three countries — France, Italy, and Switzerland — the Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe’s most iconic trekking circuits. Circling the Mont Blanc massif, the trail takes you through remote mountain passes, quaint alpine villages, glacial valleys, and meadows alive with wildflowers. It’s the kind of journey that captures the essence of the Alps: dramatic, immersive, and deeply rewarding.
Covering roughly 170km over 9 to 11 days, the TMB requires stamina but doesn’t demand technical expertise, making it a perfect next step for confident hikers. Each day brings new scenery and cultural flavour — from sipping wine in Courmayeur to enjoying hearty fondue in a Swiss refuge.
For those looking to make the most of this classic route without the stress of logistics, our 11-day Tour du Mont Blanc Guided Trek offers full support, experienced guides, and carefully chosen accommodation, ensuring you can focus on soaking in the beauty of one of the best alpine routes on the planet.
Do you have less time to spare but still want to sample the TMB experience? Look no further than our 4-Day ‘Highlights’ Tour du Mont Blanc Guided Hike.
And don’t miss our Beginner’s Guide to Trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc! It’s filled with expert insights to help you plan your own TMB trip.
Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites (Italy)
The Alta Via 1 slices through the heart of the Dolomites, a jagged, cinematic region of Northern Italy famed for its towering limestone peaks and dramatic cliff faces. This high-level route combines natural beauty with cultural richness, leading you past alpine lakes, wartime tunnels, and iconic formations like the Cinque Torri.
While not as high-altitude as some routes in the Western Alps, the Alta Via 1 still demands solid fitness and sound mountain sense, especially if you choose to incorporate via ferrata sections along the way. The trail typically takes 8 to 10 days to complete and is supported by a network of rifugi — mountain huts offering warm meals and even warmer welcomes.
As with the Tour du Mont Blanc, Adventure Base offers two options for taking on this world-famous alpine route. If you want to complete the full challenge, our 10-day Dolomites Alta Via 1 Guided Tour is the experience for you. But for those who can’t commit to a trek of this length, we have another ‘highlights’ offering: our 6-day Dolomites Alta Via 1 Guided Hike.
Both adventures allow you to explore this stunning region safely and with expert guidance.Â
Walker’s Haute Route (France and Switzerland)
Connecting Chamonix to Zermatt, the Walker’s Haute Route is a rugged and remote alternative to the Tour du Mont Blanc — and one of the most rewarding treks in the Alps. Over roughly 200km and two weeks, this route takes you across high passes, alpine plateaus, and through isolated mountain villages, culminating with a spectacular arrival at the foot of the Matterhorn.
The terrain is more challenging than the TMB, with several days involving significant elevation gain and descent, often over rocky or snow-covered trails. But the payoff? Quieter paths, pristine wilderness, and a deeper connection to the raw grandeur of the Alps.
Our 11-day Haute Route Guided Trek is fully guided and supported, designed for experienced hikers who want to conquer one of Europe’s most scenic long-distance trails without compromise. This is a classic example of a bucket list alpine adventure — and one that’s sure to stay with you for life.
Looking for another condensed ‘highlights’ package? We’ve got you! Read all about our 6-day Haute Route Guided Hike.
Matterhorn Hörnli Ridge Ascent (Switzerland)
No mountain captures the imagination quite like the Matterhorn. Its pyramid-shaped peak has long symbolised the spirit of alpine climbing, and summiting it via the Hörnli Ridge is one of the most sought-after climbing routes in the Alps.
This is not a trek. It’s a serious climb, demanding previous alpine experience, comfort with exposure, and the ability to move efficiently on mixed terrain at altitude. Most ascents start in the early hours from the Hörnli Hut, with climbers roped up and guided along the knife-edge ridge towards the summit at 4,478m.
If you’re ready for this kind of challenge, our Matterhorn Climb provides everything you need, from acclimatisation peaks to expert guiding on summit day. It’s the kind of experience that defines a climbing career — the pinnacle of alpine treks and climbs.
Be sure to read our blog What’s It Like Climbing the Matterhorn? when you have finished here. You’ll find even more expert tips and advice about scaling this renowned alpine peak.
Bonus Mention: The Haute Route Ski Tour
While most think of the Haute Route as a summer trek, it’s also one of the world’s greatest alpine ski tours. The winter version follows a similar route from Chamonix to Zermatt, but with skis underfoot and glacier crossings around every corner.
This is ski mountaineering at its finest — long days, hut-to-hut travel, and the thrill of descending pristine alpine terrain under your own power. The route demands solid off-piste skiing ability, avalanche awareness, and fitness, but the experience is second to none.
Our Haute Route Ski Tour is led by IFMGA-qualified guides, with logistics, safety, and accommodation all handled. For seasoned ski tourers looking to push their limits, this is the dream.
Book Your Next Adventure with Our Alpine Tours!
Whether you’re dreaming of your first multi-day trek, aiming to scale iconic peaks, or chasing powder on a legendary ski tour, the Alps are an adventurer’s playground like no other. Our picks above represent some of the best alpine routes out there — inspiring, rewarding, and endlessly beautiful. And most importantly, we specialise in making these big dreams achievable.Â
Browse our range of alpine adventures and let’s make your next bucket list adventure a reality. The Adventure Base team is here to help however we can, so please just get in touch if you have any questions.
