01 / 10 · Valchiavenna · rating 8
Best in November
The best hikes in the Alps
Hikes of the World is an independent guide to 53 hikes in the Alps across Italy, Switzerland and Germany, every one of them walked, photographed and rated by us: each page gives the CAI difficulty grade, the time, the distance, the ascent and our rating out of 10.
DolomitesRifugio Firenze and Seceda, a balcony on the OdlePerhaps the finest hike in the whole of the Dolomites, set between alpine pastures and vertical walls.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 880m
- Rating
- 10/10
GermanyZugspitze Via Ferrata / Klettersteig10 hours of walking, 4 of them on via ferrata, and over 2200 metres of ascent, to reach the highest peak in Germany.- Grade
- B/C
- Time
- 7:30h
- Distance
- 11km
- Ascent
- 2,180m
- Rating
- 10/10
SwitzerlandAletsch Glacier (Aletschgletscher)The most classic walk to the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 14km
- Ascent
- 460m
- Rating
- 10/10
DolomitesFrom the Alpe di Siusi to Rifugio Bolzano on the SciliarA stroll across the high plateaus of the Alpe di Siusi and the Sciliar, among the most famous in the Dolomites.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 21km
- Ascent
- 1,000m
- Rating
- 9/10
DolomitesThe Strada delle 52 Gallerie on the PasubioA visit to Rifugio Achille Papa and the Zona Sacra del Pasubio, by way of the spectacular Strada delle 52 Gallerie- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 17km
- Ascent
- 1,130m
- Rating
- 9/10
DolomitesCima Brenta tour from Molveno (2 days)A two-day loop to discover the remarkable high balcony of the Brenta Dolomites.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 14:00h
- Distance
- 33km
- Ascent
- 2,390m
- Rating
- 9/10
PiedmontRifugio Valasco, Rifugio Questa and the military mule tracks of ValscuraIn the upper Valle Gesso: remarkable military roads, the crystal-clear lakes of Valscura and Claus, and two historic mountain huts.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 20km
- Ascent
- 1,020m
- Rating
- 9/10
SwitzerlandTo the Rochers de Naye, a balcony over Lake GenevaThe 2000-metre peak closest to Lake Geneva: half green plateau, half vertical rock pinnacle.- Grade
- E+
- Time
- 4:00h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 550m
- Rating
- 9/10
SwitzerlandGlacier d'Orny and Cabane du TrientA walk to the imposing Glacier d'Orny, in the Mont Blanc massif- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 970m
- Rating
- 9/10
SwitzerlandLago di Saoseo and Lago Viola in the Val di CampoTwo gems of lakes in a valley dotted with alpine pastures. At its best between October and November.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 550m
- Rating
- 9/10
Aosta ValleyMonte Fortin and Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini in Val VenyA sensational viewing terrace over Monte Bianco and the Himalayan-looking Miage Glacier.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:30h
- Distance
- 21km
- Ascent
- 1,190m
- Rating
- 9/10
Aosta ValleyRifugio Bertone and Testa della Tronche, a balcony over Monte BiancoIn Val Ferret, on a grassy ridge face to face with the giants of Monte Bianco.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:30h
- Distance
- 16km
- Ascent
- 1,010m
- Rating
- 9/10
DolomitesLagazuoi loop hike300m of ascent through military galleries and tunnels to the panoramic terrace of the Lagazuoi. Optional: the Ferrata degli Alpini on the Col dei Bos (C/D)- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 700m
- Rating
- 8/10
DolomitesRifugio Puez and the Val Longia loopA loop hike along a balcony overlooking the gorge of the Val Longia.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:30h
- Distance
- 16km
- Ascent
- 1,030m
- Rating
- 8/10
Lake ComoMonte San Primo and Rifugio Martina loopAlong the most panoramic ridge of the Triangolo Lariano, with lunch at the historic Rifugio Martina.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 7km
- Ascent
- 550m
- Rating
- 8/10
Lake ComoFrom Piani Resinelli to Rifugio RosalbaOne of the great classics of the Lombard Prealps. Dolomite-like views, an hour's drive from Milan.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 6km
- Ascent
- 530m
- Rating
- 8/10
Lake ComoMonte Grona and Monte BregagnoAlong the grassy ridge between Monte Grona and Bregagno, face to face with Lake Como.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 1,120m
- Rating
- 8/10
Lake ComoThe Via delle Creste Orientali on the ResegoneAn entertaining ridge path along the Dolomite-like towers of the Resegone.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 12km
- Ascent
- 920m
- Rating
- 8/10
PiedmontCima di Morissolo and the Linea Cadorna fortificationsA summit dropping sheer to Lake Maggiore, just 30 minutes' walk away, with a maze of Linea Cadorna tunnels.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 1:30h
- Distance
- 3.5km
- Ascent
- 170m
- Rating
- 8/10
PiedmontRifugio Zamboni Zappa on the Belvedere GlacierAt the foot of the 4000-metre peaks of Monte Rosa, the hike to Rifugio Zamboni Zappa is a tour in glaciology.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:30h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 870m
- Rating
- 8/10
SwitzerlandThe balcony path from Silvaplana to the Maloja PassAn easy balcony path dominated by breathtaking views of Lake Sils and Lake Silvaplana, with the Bernina and the peaks of the Bregaglia in the background.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 470m
- Rating
- 8/10
SwitzerlandCapanna Boval and the Morteratsch GlacierFace to face with the Bernina, in a commanding glacial setting.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 14km
- Ascent
- 640m
- Rating
- 8/10
SwitzerlandLago Lunghin and Piz LunghinA lake, a peak and a pass, all sharing a breathtaking view over the Bernina group and the Lago di Sils.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:30h
- Distance
- 16km
- Ascent
- 1,030m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValchiavennaAcquafraggia Falls, Savogno and DasileA loop around the Acquafraggia Falls: ladders, pools, Lilliputian villages and old mule tracks.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 5.5km
- Ascent
- 620m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValchiavennaThe Sentiero del TracciolinoThe Sentiero del Tracciolino: 10km of galleries and tunnels between San Giorgio (Val Codera) and the Val dei Ratti.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 1,000m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValchiavennaThe Lago Bianco loop on the Pian dei CavalliOn the balcony of the Valle Spluga: from Starleggia to the Pian dei Cavalli, the Lago Bianco and Monte Bardan.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 4:00h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 830m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValchiavennaRifugio Bertacchi at Lago d'EmetTo Lago d'Emet, an almost perfectly circular little lake overlooking the Valle Spluga.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 11km
- Ascent
- 990m
- Rating
- 8/10
Aosta ValleyTo Rifugio Barbustel, in the heart of the Monte Avic Natural ParkCrystal-clear lakes and larch woods with a North American feel, in under 3 hours of walking.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 9.6km
- Ascent
- 700m
- Rating
- 8/10
Aosta ValleyThe Monte Avic 10-lake loop (2 days)10 lakes, 3 mountain huts and a 3000-metre peak. A long 27km loop in the Monte Avic Natural Park, almost entirely in stern alpine terrain between 2000 and 3000 metres.- Grade
- E+
- Time
- 12:00h
- Distance
- 27km
- Ascent
- 1,710m
- Rating
- 8/10
Aosta ValleyLakes, glaciers and waterfalls in the Valle del RutorA hike to Rifugio Deffeyes past the Rutor Falls, face to face with the Rutor Glacier.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:30h
- Distance
- 20km
- Ascent
- 1,070m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValtellinaLoop of Rifugio Benigni and the Trona and Zancone lakesA long route in the upper Val Gerola, taking in a mountain hut, 4 lakes and a few ibex.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 970m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValtellinaRifugio Cristina, a balcony over the larch woods of the ValmalencoA short walk to Rifugio Cristina at Alpe Prabello, at the foot of Pizzo Scalino.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 2:00h
- Distance
- 6.5km
- Ascent
- 230m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValtellinaRifugio Gianetti in Val MasinoAn essential stop in the mountains of Lombardy, face to face with the granite giants of Val Masino.- Grade
- E/EE
- Time
- 7:30h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 1,480m
- Rating
- 8/10
GermanyHerzogstand and Heimgarten loopTwo mountain lookouts above the German plain and the Walchensee.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 360m
- Rating
- 7/10
GermanyThe Wettersteinwand balconyFrom Garmisch to Mittenwald, through gorges, Dolomite-like scenery and picture-postcard lakes.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 12:00h
- Distance
- 32km
- Ascent
- 1,940m
- Rating
- 7/10
Lake ComoTo Monte Cornizzolo by way of San Pietro al MonteOne of the most panoramic summits of the Triangolo Lariano, by way of a Romanesque abbey.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 11km
- Ascent
- 1,110m
- Rating
- 7/10
Lake ComoTo Monte Moregallo by way of Sant'IsidoroA hike to Monte Moregallo, an enjoyable hill close to Lecco and the Corni di Canzo.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 8.5km
- Ascent
- 920m
- Rating
- 7/10
Lake ComoTo the igloo bivouac on Monte Due ManiAn easy summit facing the Grigne, ideal for a quick sunset outing from Lecco or Milan.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 2:30h
- Distance
- 5km
- Ascent
- 500m
- Rating
- 7/10
Lake ComoAlpe Giumello and Monte Croce di MuggioA short, easy hike to a panoramic summit high above Lake Como- Grade
- T
- Time
- 1:30h
- Distance
- 3.5km
- Ascent
- 220m
- Rating
- 7/10
Lake ComoThe Boletto and Bolettone loopA loop along the grassy ridges of Monte Boletto and Monte Bolettone, squeezed between the plain and Lake Como- Grade
- T
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 740m
- Rating
- 7/10
Lake ComoThe protected path on Monte BarroA slightly more entertaining alternative to the normal ascent of Monte Barro.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 2:00h
- Distance
- 3.5km
- Ascent
- 310m
- Rating
- 7/10
Lake ComoVia del Fiume in Val d'EraA protected path among little waterfalls and pools, in a deep, narrow valley at the foot of the Grigne.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 12km
- Ascent
- 710m
- Rating
- 7/10
PiedmontThe Valle Antrona loop: Lago Antrona and Lago di CampliccioliA short hike around the lakes of Antrona and Campliccioli, in the lower Valle Antrona.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 400m
- Rating
- 7/10
SwitzerlandAlp and Munt La Schera, lookouts over Lago di LivignoNorth American views, with the turquoise Lago di Livigno and broad valleys cloaked in firs and larches.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 810m
- Rating
- 7/10
SwitzerlandCapanna del Forno and the Forno GlacierA long walk up the Valle del Forno, repaid with views worthy of Patagonia.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 8:00h
- Distance
- 21km
- Ascent
- 1,020m
- Rating
- 7/10
SwitzerlandLago di Cama in the Val di CamaA small Alpine lake set in an amphitheatre of peaks.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 940m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValchiavennaBivacco del Suretta from the Passo dello SplugaA panoramic loop straddling the Passo dello Spluga, culminating at the Bivacco del Suretta- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 11km
- Ascent
- 850m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValchiavennaDaloo and Lagunc, balconies over the ValchiavennaA mule track, a little white church and a unique view over the Piana di Chiavenna.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 6km
- Ascent
- 650m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValchiavennaThe Sentiero del Cardinello (or Via Mala)Carved into the rock of a narrow gorge, the Sentiero del Cardinello is one of the oldest and most spectacular stretches of the Via Spluga.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 12km
- Ascent
- 660m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValchiavennaTour from Lago del Truzzo to Alpe LendineA long loop that takes in all the most magical spots of the remote Valle del Drogo, a side valley of the Valle Spluga.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 17km
- Ascent
- 1,190m
- Rating
- 7/10
Valtellina · SwitzerlandLago Vago, the blue pearl of LivignoA short hike to Lago Vago, a Caribbean-looking tarn so blue it seems fake.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 6km
- Ascent
- 520m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValtellinaRifugio Bignami and the Marson Glacier Trail at the FellariaIn the upper Valmalenco, face to face with the Fellaria Glacier.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:30h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 670m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValtellinaRifugio Gerli Porro and the Ventina Glacier TrailDiscovering Alpe Ventina, on the trail of a retreating glacier.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 3:30h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 700m
- Rating
- 7/10
By region
Eight regions across Italy, Switzerland and Germany, from the Lombard lakes an hour from Milan to the glaciers of the Valais and the Bavarian Alps.
Guides
Lists built around the questions we are asked most often: where to go near Milan, which mountain huts have a lake beside them, where to see the larches turn in autumn.
