10 Feb Where to hike from May to November

Wondering where to hike from May to November? Outside of the ski season, we love to hike in the Alps. These are our tips for what to do each month.

May and June are fun months for summer hiking in the Alps. They are early for the Alps and so we like to get creative. We have recently combined the Alps with the Alpilles which are a chain of mountains in Provence. This is such a stunning combination, going from the cool conditions of green forests and snow-covered peaks to singing cicadas and herbal aromas. You need to take off a few layers to hike through the Alpilles. The contrast between the two regions is spectacular, the colours, the smells the temperature are drastically different from one region to the other. We love this trip.

Hit the Bisses in June

In early June we like to hike the bisses. These middle-aged irrigation channels are now walking trails that cross the mountains. They were originally carved out to be canals to take priceless water across the mountains from pasture to pasture. They helped avoid the water running all the way down to the valleys. These bisses are long and beautiful, well maintained and generally easy hiking, even if some can be challenging for people who might suffer from vertigo. For this reason, we choose carefully to make sure they are great for the whole family.

Cool off on a glacier in July and August

In July and August it starts to get hot in the Alps making it the perfect time to go hiking up high. Why not go all the way to a glacier? Exploring a glacier is like being in another world, or on the moon. The conditions can be extremely different from lower down in the Valley so we need to be prepared for anything. We rope up, get acquainted with our crampons and go exploring. If this is something that you have never done it is well worth trying out. It gives you a little feeling of being an alpinist and what is involved at this sort of altitude.

September is made for three countries in one week

September is the best month in the Alps. When it starts to cool down again the days are perfect for hiking. The skies are blue and there is a different feel in the air: the end of summer. The kids are back at school and things are quiet once again. This is the perfect time to put in some kilometres. In this area of the Alps it is possible to hike through three countries in one week easily and this is what we love to do in September.

Alps and lakes in October and November

October and November are hidden gems. The leaves are changing colour and it is the perfect time to combine the Alps with the lakes. Two different micro climates can have you hiking very high on dry trails with beautiful crisp days and then on a boat on a lake sipping sparkling wine in a t-shirt in October: a great way to finish a hiking trip.

Then in December we start skiing again, naturally.

So if you are in need of some inspiration then reach out. We will have the perfect suggestion for the perfect time of year for you in the Alps.

Warmest regards from the mountains,

Danielle