Via Alpina
Description
- Name Via Alpina (VA)
- Length of trail 5,000 km, 3,107 miles
- Length in days 333 days
- Start of trail Monaco
- End of trail Trieste
- Traildino grading DW, Difficult walk, bushwalk
- Hut tour grading T3, Demanding mountain walk
The Via Alpina is a pan European trail from Monaco to Trieste, covering the entire Alps region. No less than eight Alpine countries are involved: Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France and Monaco.
All together the Via Alpina trails cover 5000km in 342 stages. There are five separate trails, of which the red trail is the longest, forming a full arc connecting Trieste to Monaco, 2500km. This can be done in about four months. The yellow trail also starts from Trieste, takes an alternative route to Oberstdorf in Germany, where it ends to meet the red trail again. The purple trail splits off from the red trail in Tržaška koča na Doliču and turns east to make a detour through Slovenia and Austria, only to meet up with the red trail again also in Oberstdorf. Further west in Liechtenstein the green trail splits off from the red trail to take a shorter route across Switzerland to Adelboden where it ends to meet the red trail. Finally, the blue trail splits from the red trail in Riale, Italy, only to be rejoined with the red trail in Sospel, southern France, near the final destination Monaco.
The Via Alpina is a stiff hike, for hardened walkers. It crosses many of the main Alpine mountain ranges. However, it is not a mountaineering expedition, and there are no glacier crossings involved nor any exposed passages.
Season for hiking the Alps is from early July until halfway September. In the lower parts, june is a fine month, full of flowers. And oktober can be very pleasant in the Dolomites and southern Alps.
To prepare, start by visiting the excellent website of the Via Alpina organisation (see under Facts).
Map
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
Netherlands
- Wanderland Schweiz 02. Trans Swiss Trail
- Das Wanderland Schweiz besteht aus 6 nationalen Routen und 51 mehrtägigenHighlights. Die Routen basieren auf dem bestehenden Wanderwegnetz und integrierenteilweise bereits bestehende Angebote wie beispielsweise Via Alpina, Jura Höhenweg,Via Jacobi oder Rheintaler Höhenweg.Alle 9 Führer sind mit Farbfotos, Karten und Höhenprofilen farbig reich... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- Wanderland Schweiz 02. Trans Swiss Trail
- Das Wanderland Schweiz besteht aus 6 nationalen Routen und 51 mehrtägigenHighlights. Die Routen basieren auf dem bestehenden Wanderwegnetz und integrierenteilweise bereits bestehende Angebote wie beispielsweise Via Alpina, Jura Höhenweg,Via Jacobi oder Rheintaler Höhenweg.Alle 9 Führer sind mit Farbfotos, Karten und Höhenprofilen farbig reich... Read more
Netherlands
- Un Jubilado En Los Alpes
- Se aproximaba el verano y era necesario decidirse. Entre unos pocos proyectos previstos hasta esos dias, que habian ido surgiendo en mi imaginacion durante el invierno, se fueron concretando a mitad de la primavera la posibilidad de caminar por el Himalaya, en Cachemira, recorrer algunos valles del Caucaso al norte de Georgia o atravesar los... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- Un Jubilado En Los Alpes
- Se aproximaba el verano y era necesario decidirse. Entre unos pocos proyectos previstos hasta esos dias, que habian ido surgiendo en mi imaginacion durante el invierno, se fueron concretando a mitad de la primavera la posibilidad de caminar por el Himalaya, en Cachemira, recorrer algunos valles del Caucaso al norte de Georgia o atravesar los... Read more
Netherlands
- Over the Top & Back Again
- Book of the Year Bronze Award 2010 (travel essays category), ForeWord Magazine After hiking some of the world's great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, paths running across eight countries on the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it was the ultimate adventure. It... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- Over the Top & Back Again
- Book of the Year Bronze Award 2010 (travel essays category), ForeWord Magazine After hiking some of the world's great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, paths running across eight countries on the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it was the ultimate adventure. It... Read more
Netherlands
- Over the Top & Back Again
- Book of the Year Bronze Award 2010 (travel essays category), ForeWord Magazine After hiking some of the world's great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, paths running across eight countries on the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it was the ultimate adventure. It... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- Over the Top & Back Again
- Book of the Year Bronze Award 2010 (travel essays category), ForeWord Magazine After hiking some of the world's great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, paths running across eight countries on the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it was the ultimate adventure. It... Read more
Netherlands
2019
- WF5966 Julische Alpen mit Karte Kompass
- De Kompass wandelgids + kaart geeft een overzicht van alle wandelroutes in het gebied met nauwkeurige routeaanwijzingen en hoogteaanduidingen, De extra grote kaart, schaal 1:35 000, is ideaal om van te voren uw route uit te stippelen en om onderweg te gebruiken; naast de bekende bestemmingen, worden ook de minder bekende vermeld; openbaar... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
2019
- WF5966 Julische Alpen mit Karte Kompass
- De Kompass wandelgids + kaart geeft een overzicht van alle wandelroutes in het gebied met nauwkeurige routeaanwijzingen en hoogteaanduidingen, De extra grote kaart, schaal 1:35 000, is ideaal om van te voren uw route uit te stippelen en om onderweg te gebruiken; naast de bekende bestemmingen, worden ook de minder bekende vermeld; openbaar... Read more
Netherlands
- Hiking in Switzerland
- This is the official guidebook to the Swiss section of the Via Alpina (National Route 1), published by the Swiss Hiking Federation. The Via Alpina is a network of five long-distance hiking routes which cross eight Alpine countries from Trieste to Monaco - over 5,000 kilometres of hiking trails in total. On Swiss soil, National Route 1 Via... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- Hiking in Switzerland
- This is the official guidebook to the Swiss section of the Via Alpina (National Route 1), published by the Swiss Hiking Federation. The Via Alpina is a network of five long-distance hiking routes which cross eight Alpine countries from Trieste to Monaco - over 5,000 kilometres of hiking trails in total. On Swiss soil, National Route 1 Via... Read more
Netherlands
2014
- Walking in the Bavarian Alps
- Guidebook describing a both valley and mountain walks and treks in the Bavarian Alps. 85 walks are covered, including graded mountain routes, gentler valley walks, hut-to-hut routes and two multi-day tours, arranged by region with practical information on transport, accommodation and the like. Since the last edition of this guide many of the... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
2014
- Walking in the Bavarian Alps
- Guidebook describing a both valley and mountain walks and treks in the Bavarian Alps. 85 walks are covered, including graded mountain routes, gentler valley walks, hut-to-hut routes and two multi-day tours, arranged by region with practical information on transport, accommodation and the like. Since the last edition of this guide many of the... Read more
United Kingdom
2017
- The Swiss Alpine Pass Route - via Alpina Route 1: Trekking East to West Across Switzerland
- This guidebook presents the stunning Alpine Pass Route, now fully waymarked as Via Alpina 1. The 360km trail traverses Switzerland from east to west, from Sargans near the Liechtenstein border to Montreux on Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). Crossing sixteen Alpine passes, it showcases some of the country`s most breathtaking mountain landscapes,... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
Netherlands
2017
- The Swiss alpine pass route - Via Alpina route 1
- This guidebook presents the stunning Alpine Pass Route, now fully waymarked as Via Alpina 1. The 360km trail traverses Switzerland from east to west, from Sargans near the Liechtenstein border to Montreux on Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Crossing sixteen Alpine passes, it showcases some of the country's most breathtaking mountain landscapes,... Read more
Belgium
2017
- The Swiss alpine pass route - Via Alpina route 1
- This guidebook presents the stunning Alpine Pass Route, now fully waymarked as Via Alpina 1. The 360km trail traverses Switzerland from east to west, from Sargans near the Liechtenstein border to Montreux on Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Crossing sixteen Alpine passes, it showcases some of the country's most breathtaking mountain landscapes,... Read more
Maps
United Kingdom
- Styrian Winelands - Southwest Styria F&B WK411
- Styrian Winelands area south-eastern Austria presented at 1:50,000 in a series of contoured and GPS compatible outdoor leisure map from Freytag & Berndt with hiking and cycling routes, mountain huts, campsites and youth hostels, local bus stops, plus other tourist information. To see the list of currently available titles in this series please... Read more
United Kingdom
- Goms - Aletsch
- Goms - Aletsch area of the Bernese Oberland at 1:50,000 in a series from Hallwag covering Switzerland’s popular hiking regions on light, waterproof and tear-resistant maps highlighting long-distance paths: the nine national routes plus special regional routes, as well as other local hiking trails.Cartography is similar to that used both in... Read more
United Kingdom
- Gesäuse - Ennstaler Alpen - Schoberpass F&B WK062
- Gesäuse - Ennstaler Alpen - Schoberpass area of eastern Austria presented at 1:50,000 in a series of contoured and GPS compatible outdoor leisure map from Freytag & Berndt with hiking and cycling routes, mountain huts, campsites and youth hostels, local bus stops, plus other tourist information.To see the list of currently available titles in... Read more
United Kingdom
- Asti - Alba - Acqui Terme IGC 19
- Asti - Alba - Acqui Terme area in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint highlights local footpaths and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Maira, Grana and Stura Valleys IGC 7
- Maira, Grana and Stura Valleys in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint highlights local footpaths and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Il Cuneese: Cuneo - Saluzzo - Carmagnola 75K IGC Map No. 24
- Il Cuneese area of Piedmont, including Cuneo, Saluzzo and Carmagnola, at 1:75,000 in a series contoured hiking maps with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale. This title also includes an overprint showing cycle routes.Maps in this series have contours at 50m... Read more
United Kingdom
- Heidiland - UNESCO Tectonic Arena Sardona 50K K+F Hiking Map No. 33
- Heidiland, including the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at 1:50,000 in Kümmerly + Frey’s hiking series of Switzerland printed on light, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper. Coverage includes Walensee, Flumserberg, Pizol, Weisstannental, Sarganserland and Taminatal. Hiking trails highlighted on the map... Read more
United Kingdom
- Langhe Meridionali IGC 18
- The southern part of the Langhe region of Piedmont, famous for its wines, cheeses, and truffles, in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Ivrea - Biela - Lower Aosta Valley 50K IGC Map No. 9
- Ivrea - Biela - Lower Aosta Valley area in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale. Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint highlights local footpaths and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Adelboden - Lenk
- Adelboden - Lenk area of the western Bernese Oberland, from Gstaad to Frutigen and Leukerbad at 1:50,000 in a series from Hallwag covering Switzerland’s popular hiking regions on light, waterproof and tear-resistant maps highlighting long-distance paths: the nine national routes plus special regional routes, as well as other local hiking... Read more
United Kingdom
- Finale Ligure - Alassio - Savona IGC 15
- The coast of the Italian Riviera around Albenga, Alassio and Savona in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint... Read more
United Kingdom
- Monte Rosa - Alagna - Macugnaga 50K IGC Map No. 10
- Monte Rosa - Alagna - Macugnaga in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint highlights local footpaths and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Haslital: Grindelwald - Engelberg 50K Hallwag Outdoor Map No. 5
- Haslital area, from Grindelwald to Engelberg, at 1:50,000 in a series from Hallwag covering Switzerland’s popular hiking regions on light, waterproof and tear-resistant maps highlighting long-distance paths: the nine national routes plus special regional routes, as well as other local hiking trails.Cartography is similar to that used both in... Read more
United Kingdom
- Monviso IGC 6
- Monviso / Monte Viso cross-border area with coverage from Châteaux Queyras to Sampeyre and from the Grand Queyron to the Aiguille de Chambeyron in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours... Read more
United Kingdom
- Genoa - Varazze - Ovada 50K IGC Map No. 16
- The coast of the Italian Riviera and its hinterland around Genoa in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint... Read more