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).
Opinions

- Bastien July 2013
- Rate 9
- Positive Challenging and beautiful
- Negative Expensive accomodations

- Henk Nouws July 2007
- Rate 9
- Positive The Via Alpina is a great project, comparable to the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian trail in the United States. It crosses the well known parts of the Alps, but also lesser known regions which are not less interesting.
- Negative The trail is a cooperation between many countries and national organisations, and sometimes one gets the impression that not everyone is convinced of the importance of this project. I walked parts of the Via Alpina in Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Monaco and France.
Map
Hike Reports

-
Via Alpina in Southern France and Italy
- Henk Nouws August 2012
- This is an account of my walk on the Via Alpina Red Trail, starting in Monaco and ending in Ormea, Italy. I hiked 10 stages in eight days, R161 - R152. It was a great walk, not only because of the vibrant mediterranean nature and landscape, but al...

Photo Albums

More photos albums…
Links
Facts
- Via Alpina - Wikipedia (Italian)
- Via Alpina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Via Alpina – Wikipedia (German)
- Via Alpina Organisation
Excellent website, good introduction to Via Alpina, including great maps etc. in five languages!
- (I): Auf der Via Alpina durch Seealpen und Ligurische Alpen wandern - Teil 1: von Monaco nach Garessio (German)
The growing popularity of the Via Alpina - a real long distance challenge comparable to the trails in the United States - is proven by the edition of German guides. This webpage gives some introduction to the trail.
- Hiking the Via Alpina (dead link?) (German)
Swiss website by Patrick Mayer, with detailed info on the Via Alpina. Although the general pages are multi-lingual (English, French, Italian), you need to understand German to read the detailed trail descriptions.
- Via Alpina – Red Trail - Idrija Turizem
Introduction to the Red Trail of the Via Alpina, running through Slovenia.
- Via Alpina - Weitwanderwege - Wandern im Naturpark (German)
This page focusses on the part running through the Zilltertal in Austria.
- Via Alpina in Trentino
Multilingual website dedicated to the Via Alpina in the Italian region of Trentino.
- Via Alpina Brochure
Brochure with general info on the Via Alpina.
Reports
- Trail Journals : Backpacking and Hiking Journals
Quasimodo hiked all of the Via Alpina in one go. This is quite exceptional in Europe. If you ever plan to go on this trail, you can read Quasimodo's detailed trail diary.
- www.alpenfernwandern.de - Mehrtagestouren in den Alpen (German)
Day to day report and pictures of the Alpine part of the E5, partly the same as the Via Alpina, by A. Bartsch.
- 2009 Alpine Pass Route trip report (english)
Trip report, great photos and video about the green trail.
- Rocky & Swamp Fox's 2007 Via Alpina Trail Journal
Two hikers from America ventured out on the Via Alpina, and walked a stretch in Austria and Slovenia. Here is their day to day account.
Guides and maps
- Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps
Brandon and Cheryl Wilson traversed the Via Alpina–1900 kilometers across 8 countries. His exciting book tells all, with photos, maps, gear list and illustrations.
Lodging
- Club Arc Alpin Huts Database (German)
Club Arc Alpin multilingual website (but not in English), a joint effort by all Alpine countries mountaineering clubs, with links to all members hut-databases. Very handy.
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books

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 Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

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

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

Netherlands
2017
- Wandelgids Swiss Alpine Pass Route - Via Alpina 1 | Cicerone
- Guidebook to the Alpine Pass Route following the Swiss Via Alpina 1, a 360km trek east-west across Switzerland, from Sargans, on the border of Liechtenstein, to Montreux, including prologue from Liechtenstein. A demanding 3-week trek described in 18 stages, crossing 16 passes including the 2778m Hohtürli. Requires good fitness and experience. Read more

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
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium

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

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
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

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
2019
- Wandelgids 5966 Wanderführer Julische Alpen | 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, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium

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

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
Maps

United Kingdom
- Dachstein - Ausseerland - Filzmoos - Ramsau Hiking + Leisure Map 1:50 000
- Dachstein - Ausseer Land - Filzmoos - Ramsau - Bad Ischl - Schladming area of the Austrian Alps 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Dachstein - Ausseerland - Filzmoos - Ramsau F&B WK281
- Dachstein - Ausseer Land - Filzmoos - Ramsau - Bad Ischl - Schladming area of the Austrian Alps 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... Read more

United Kingdom
- Lienz Dolomites - Lesachtal - Villgratner Mountains Hiking + Leisure Map 1:50 000
- Lienz Dolomites - Lesachtal area of Carinthia 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
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Lienz Dolomites - Lesachtal - Villgratner Berge F&B WK182
- Lienz Dolomites - Lesachtal area of Carinthia 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
- Lake Como / Lake Lugano 2017
- Lake Como area at 1:50,000 on a double-sided, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from K Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Lake Como K+F Outdoor Map 9
- Lake Como area at 1:50,000 on a double-sided, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from Kümmerly + Frey with both local and long-distance hiking and cycling trails, ski routes, sites for other outdoor pursuits, accommodation, bus stops, etc. Coverage includes the northern part of Lake Lugano and extends... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 09 Outdoorkarte IT Lago di Como - Como meer | Kümmerly & Frey
- Lake Como area at 1:50,000 on a double-sided, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from K Read more

United Kingdom
- Tennengebirge - Lammertal - Osterhorngruppe Hiking + Leisure Map 1:50 000
- Tennengebirge - Lammertal - Osternhorngruppe area of the Austrian Alps 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Tennengebirge - Lammertal - Osternhorngruppe F&B WK392
- Tennengebirge - Lammertal - Osternhorngruppe area of the Austrian Alps 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... Read more

United Kingdom
- Heidiland 2012
- Zeer duidelijke wandelkaart van een deel van Zwitserland. Deze kaart - gemaakt op scheur en watervast papier - is bedoeld voor de gewone en gemiddelde bergwandelaar. Ook voor huttentochten is deze zeker geschikt. Slechts voor de gevorderde wandelaar die glesjers gaat overschrijden zijn de 25.000 topografische kaarten aan te raden. Op deze... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

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

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 33 Heidiland mit UNESCO-Welterbe | Kümmerly & Frey
- Zeer duidelijke wandelkaart van een deel van Zwitserland. Deze kaart - gemaakt op scheur en watervast papier - is bedoeld voor de gewone en gemiddelde bergwandelaar. Ook voor huttentochten is deze zeker geschikt. Slechts voor de gevorderde wandelaar die glesjers gaat overschrijden zijn de 25.000 topografische kaarten aan te raden. Op deze... Read more

United Kingdom
- Matrei - Defereggen - Virgental Hiking + Leisure Map 1:50 000
- Matrei - Deferggen - Virgental area of the Austrian Alps 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Matrei - Deferggen - Virgental F&B WK123
- Matrei - Deferggen - Virgental area of the Austrian Alps 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Kufstein - Kaisergebirge - Kitzbühel F&B WK301
- Kufstein - Kaisergebirge - Kitzbühel - Wörgl - St Johann in Tirol area of the Austrian Alps 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Carinthian Alps - Gailtal - Gitschtal - Nassfeld - Lesachtal - Weissensee - Upper Drautal F&B WK223
- Naturarena Kärnten - Gailtal - Gitschtal -Lesachtal - Weissensee - Oberes Drautal area of Carinthia 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Ötztal - Pitztal - Kaunertal - Wildspitze F&B WK251
- Ötztal - Pitztal - Kaunertal - Wildspitze area of the Austrian Alps 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... Read more

United Kingdom
- Hinterer Bregenzerwald - Kleinwalsertal - Damuls Hiking + Leisure Map 1:35 000
- GPS-tauglich. Freizeitführer. Ortsregister Freytag und Berndt Wanderkarten. Neuauflage, Laufzeit bis 2014. Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Hinterer Bregenzerwald - Kleinwalsertal - Damüls F&B
- Hinterer Bregenzwald - Kleines Walsertal - Damüls area of the Austrian Alps presented at 1:35,000 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. Cartography is an enlargement of the... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Lechtal Alps - Allgau Alps F&B WK351
- Lechtaler - Allgäuer Alpen - Oberstdorf - Landeck area of the Austrian and Bavarian Alps 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... Read more

United Kingdom
- Gesäuse - Ennstaler Alpen - Schoberpass Freytag & Berndt Map
- 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
- 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
- Val Brembana - Valsassina - Le Grigne: Lecco - Bergamo 50K IGC Map No. 22
- Val Brembana - Valsassina - Le Grigne area including Lecco and Bergamo 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
Forum

- Kat 2016-11-26 01:22:45
Slovenia long distance routes
- Hello!
I am visiting Slovenia and other countries along the European alps next July and August and hope to hike for about 40 days. My partner and I are fit, and experienced in mountain trekking and work as hiking guides in Tasmania.
We are looking at either doing the red route of the via alpina from Ankaran in Slovenia to Innsbruck; or the Slovene High Route from the coast to Vrsic and onwards to Austria via the red route.
We would really some advice on route choice and the differences between these two. It seems the High Level Route takes in more remote and mountainous terrain? We are happy to camp, stay in remote areas and take via Ferrata kits if neccessary. Any recommended 'must dos', route choice, and side trips would be really, really appreciated!
Thanks Kat - MIRJAN ŽNIDARŠIČ 2020-03-01 09:32:47
- TRIESTE- LIPICA LOKEV MATAVUN- on the road: rifuggio Matavun- LOKEV 190a, MITEL B&B tel. 00386 41863914