More and more friends, acquaintances and clients, those who learned about my travels to the Himalayas, became interested in trekking. Many people wanted to see the beauty of the mountains, be in silence, admire the magical landscapes, and feel proud of their own accomplishments. But trips to the Himalayas require a lot of time, serious preparation and effort to organize. In the meantime, there is a wonderful way out - a trip through the Alps. I call these trips “glamor trekking”. These are treks with a certain level of comfort, a wonderful lunch at a tavern along the way and even a glass of light wine, a chance to descend from the mountains in the evening and spend the night in a cozy bed in a mountain hotel. And if you come across a farm on the way, you can buy delicious cheese, bread and apples from the owners, then collect water from the stream and have a picnic in a clearing with magical views of the snow-capped mountains. At the same time, the mountains and treks are sometimes no less difficult than in the Himalayas, so the feeling of being a hero is guaranteed. So this story will be about my travel through the Alps light.

Trekking in the Alps

There are thousands of kilometers of trekking routes in the Alps. The most interesting trails pass above the border of the forest belt at altitudes of 1800 - 3000 meters above sea level. means an uncertain value, clarify or remove” data-name=”Uncertainty”>Many of today’s routes follow paths that have been used for centuries, for example, for driving sheep or connecting inhabited valleys through passes. Routes in the Alps are numbered and marked and are maintained by national and regional mountaineering clubs. In the Alps there are both very popular regions for trekking, where several hundred people walk along the trail every day, and much less popular places where in the height of summer you will not meet a single person on the trail.

I will talk about trekking in the Alps, which I enjoyed in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Italy. I hope the views of the mountain roads will inspire you to buy yourself some mountain boots one day, choose the place you like and go hiking. Or you can simply admire the photographs - this also gives pleasure and joy. I was in these places at different times and with different people, so this will not be a sequential description of the tracks, but such a free scattering of impressions and emotions. The story about hiking in each country will consist of general descriptions of the routes and a diary of my hikes and photographs of these places. I will show you places that do not require any special skills or equipment. It’s just important to understand that this is not a manual or a trekking guide. If you are eager to walk along these trails, you will need to carefully prepare to study a lot of additional information, perhaps look for a company or a professional guide. And the purpose of this story is only to make this desire appear in you. Since my friend Marina (or at home, Manya) was with me on my last hike in the Alps, many stories will be connected with her, because you can’t erase a word from a song, and on hikes, Manya is the main character of the adventure.

ITALY

The most famous trekking region in the Alps is the Dolomites. This is the most ancient region of the Alps, which was formed 230 million years ago, when the entire territory of the modern Alps was hidden by the ocean. In those days there were coral islands and reefs. Then, about 50 million years ago, the modern Alps formed, lifting the Dolomites and partially destroying them. Now the Dolomites are numerous peaks of bizarre shapes and high mountain plateaus with a lunar landscape. Trekking routes here are numerous and varied. They mostly take place at altitudes of 2000 - 2800 m; higher mountain areas are generally accessible only to climbers. Italy owns a large part of the Alps and is one of the most successful regions of mountain tourism in Europe in all its forms, including trekking.

To a certain extent, Italy is lucky, since the alpine territory of Italy has expanded significantly relatively recently. The beautiful South Tyrol came under the jurisdiction of Italy following the First World War, and before that, for centuries it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and other German-speaking states. Thanks to this acquisition, the entire Dolomites, unique mountains included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, became part of Italy. This is in the east, and in the west of the Italian Alps is the snow-white Mont Blanc, the highest peak of the Alps. The border between Italy and France runs through the top and most of the massif. Another famous peak, the Matterhorn, which in Italy is called “Cervino,” is also located in the Western Alps and belongs “in half” to Italy and Switzerland. These same countries “share” the second highest peak of the Alps - Monte Rosa. These are just some of the perhaps most famous places in the Italian Alps, and besides them, there are many more interesting regions for hiking. The Alps are the birthplace of mountaineering. The Italian Alps attracted pioneers as early as the 19th century. The result of this was not only the early conquest of peaks, but also the construction of mountain shelters. A large number of mountain shelters in the Italian Alps have a history of more than a century. The presence of shelters at high altitudes creates opportunities for multi-day routes that can be completed in relative comfort - staying overnight in a warm permanent house, where you can take a hot shower and the staff prepares a delicious dinner.

Lake Como

It was from the Italian Alps that my glamorous trekking began. I rented a villa on Lake Como - a magical, inexpressibly beautiful lake surrounded by tall mountains. On the very first day, I found a map of mountain routes on the bookshelf and realized that my plans for a lazy holiday were not destined to come true. The very next morning I was stomping up the path at dawn. I appreciated the delight of such hikes - beauty, stunning views, mountain steeps, herds of gentle, pretty cows, ancient chapels, cute villages, hospitable “rifugios” (shelters for climbers), in which even a map of the tracks and all the mountaineering shelters of the entire region is printed on paper napkins . And then go downstairs, drink a glass of prosecco in a local tavern or bar, get home and, sitting in a chair on the terrace, sort through photographs, and then fall asleep sweetly on a soft feather bed. Alas, serious trekking does not give such pleasure.

Further my story will be similar to the essay “How I spent the summer.” Guests came to me, I showed them the town, fed them delicious food, and took them to the mountains. My managers came, I held a meeting, fed them and took me to the mountains. Colleagues stopped by, relatives visited, and they also followed the usual program: a city tour, food, conversations, food, conversations and a hike in the mountains. But these places are worth spending the whole summer in. Many Milanese now buy abandoned small houses in mountain villages, put them in order, and come for the weekend to live in peace and beauty. It was standing on the top of the highest mountain, from where the peaks of the Swiss Alps are visible, that I conceived the Great Alpine trekking. The idea was to travel lightly, with one photo backpack through all the Alpine mountains, according to the principle “wherever you look.” Complete freedom of movement, the ability to linger where you really like, and quickly leave those places that you didn’t like or didn’t like. Like the flight of a bird. Then there were two more summer seasons spent in these parts. Then there was a trial hike in the mountains of Bavaria and, finally, this year the dream of a whole month in the Alps came true.

SWITZERLAND.

This is my favorite country for hiking in the mountains, and not only because it has the highest level of comfort and ease of travel. It has the most clear marking system, many nice restaurants in the most remote places and fabulous views of the Alps. In principle, you don’t have to worry too much about choosing a place to go. Any ski resort turns into a trekking area in summer. I will only talk about those places that, in addition to tracks, give the joy of discovering unusual places.

Pilatus

Of course, I knew that I was an adventurer and a little crazy, but this time these qualities led me to a crazy place. Mount Pilatus, a mountain train with a gradient of up to 48%, which goes through open areas above the abyss and overnight in a hotel at the top. There were many ubiquitous Indians on the train. The trip itself is a complete delight and horror. I'll show you a few pictures, and the main thing tomorrow, when I run around the neighborhood. My friend Manya, who is afraid of heights, shed tears of fear in horror. And when they went up to the terrace, she said: “What a horror! What if the electricity goes out here? You can die right there. Okay, you and me, we'll go down. I feel sorry for the Hindus..."

I obviously don’t just write fairy tales about dragons that come to me from nowhere. But I constantly find myself in places associated with them. This Mount Pilatus turned out to be a dragon mountain - many legends in these places are associated with these mythical creatures. And Mount Pilatus was their home, where they dragged beauties and where brave knights came to fight monsters and rescue their lovers. It turns out to be a very scary and romantic place. There are also caves here, from which you can see the abyss, and the dragons from the paintings on the walls look at you carefully. Well, oh-so-romantic.

There are moments when you realize that your life is good. Despite all the falls and difficulties, grievances and failures, doubts and worries. It was a success and that’s all. And this moment does not have to be solemn or important. A simple dinner in a cool place with cool people can lead to just that feeling. And this is precisely a feeling, and not a rational analysis or assessment. For the night, 14 people remained in our mountain hotel, service staff and the manager of the complex. He met us at the reception, communicated wonderfully and touchingly apologized for the weather. Dearest person. Then dinner in the fireplace room, quiet and calm. Wonderful communication with nice people. And the wood in the fireplace is crackling. And the blizzard howls outside the window. And people communicate and smile. And you understand that God is with them, with their problems. Maybe this is precisely why the universe throws them at me, so that I appreciate the divine simplicity of this evening - the simple human joy of silence, of the beauty of nature, of normal people nearby. A moment of happiness can be very simple.

Appenzell

Today the exploits continue. We rushed off to Appenzell, where there was another place I wanted to see. Perhaps this is the most unusual hotel in the Alps - Aescher Berggasthaus. This guest house was built 170 years ago by local farmers. The house stands right on a rocky ledge and you can get there along a mountain path through a deep cave. Getting there is not very easy, but not entirely problematic either. My friend Manya, who is afraid of heights, at first muttered why she even contacted me, because she knew that nothing good would come of it, all feats. Then she demanded to sing brave songs. Usually, when we are scared, we sing about “a wedding ring, not just a piece of jewelry.” I was about to start screaming loudly, but Manya firmly said that for this horror, the ring was not enough for her and she would sing about the brave cavalrymen. Ignorance of words was not a problem for Mani. And for a long time behind me I heard: “We are red cavalrymen,... something like that, eloquent epic writers, something like that... We are bravely going into battle!” Well, in the same spirit. But they arrived cheerfully and froze with delight.

The place is truly unusual. On the terrace you can sit with a cup of coffee, admire the emerald lake below, eat delicious rösti and enjoy life. Before puffing and puffing up the path to the top. And the place where we stopped today is incredibly pastoral, a family farmhouse on a hill. Silence, beauty, open spaces. The owner's son really liked me and now I have a gentleman of two years old, who is very happy with me and flirts with me. Happiness continues...

Thoughts about beauty and love for your life. Since ancient times, when for the first time with my parents I traveled from Vladivostok to Chisinau by train and for the first time saw closely the realities of life in a large country, I had a question. This question is most likely rhetorical and has no answer. Why don't we need and don't care about beauty? In the most everyday sense. The beauty of your home and yard. The beauty of the street and buildings. The beauty of roads and sidewalks. That beauty that pleases the eyes and fills the heart with joy. Which fills life with pleasantness and peace. No one is obligated to make this beauty for us. It can only be the desire of each individual person to make everything around him beautiful, which ultimately makes the whole world beautiful.

These, excuse me, banal thoughts were prompted by an evening walk through several villages and their environs. These are ordinary villages, private houses, farms, guest hotels. But every house and yard is made with care, taste, and love for its world. Utility shed decorated with flowers. A house without fences, with incredible flower beds. An old paddock, the walls of which are covered with ivy. And all together these people created a wonderful world that you want to look at endlessly. But for us, either the beauty of the world around us has no value, or we fill this concept with strange meanings, or we glue the concept of beauty to various rubbish. Some kind of genetic dislike for oneself with neurotic complaints about the world around us. That's how we live. As much as we can. Sighing sadly and habitually blaming the matrix. And we go to other places for beauty.

Gloria Peak

Today we climbed Gloria Peak (3000 m). This is where the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Service was filmed. I am in love with the mountains and I can talk about them endlessly and photograph them without stopping. This is despite the fact that I have an almost animal fear of heights, which I have persistently overcome over the years of trekking. Today I even walked along the Sky Walk - a terrace with a glass floor over an abyss. I can’t say that I jumped briskly, however. At the same time, I met a Chinese man who scolded the Swiss for their irresponsible attitude towards security. He said that many Chinese see snow for the first time, but have never been to the mountains. I agreed with him, it was somehow scary to look at Arabs in flip-flops or Chinese in shoes on the slippery snow. We were actually arguing while standing over the abyss. We were very pleased with ourselves, the conversation, and our responsible attitude towards security, and our friend Manya took a photograph of us at this moment of Russian-Chinese unification. I was amazed at the fantastic work of the station staff - the climbers are doing technical work, it’s really scary to watch. The Japanese take few photographs - they slip very much in the snow and all their attention is focused on not falling. The time for prayer came and one of the Arab comrades spread a rug next to the figure of James Bond and began to pray. Very symbolic.

But the most important thing is the fantastically beautiful Eiger. I dreamed of seeing it from the moment I saw the incredible climber Ueli Steck climb its slopes. Today I was lucky and saw it. The day was a success again. Continuation of Russian-Chinese friendship. Yesterday it became clear why the future may well belong to Russia and China. We are resilient, savvy, reckless and restless. The Chinese are hardworking, resourceful and persistent. Dangerous mix. Where do such thoughts and not very philosophical conclusions come from? Yesterday, Manya and I, being restless girls, after climbing Gloria Peak, we also rushed to the track. It is clear that the views are amazing, the trails are cool, the girls are enthusiastic and active, and all this together led to the fact that we got carried away and quite far away, and returned already at 9 pm. It turned out that every single restaurant and cafe was closed. The Swiss went to bed. Silence and wilderness. Except for one cheerful tramp place, where it was fun and noisy - a Chinese restaurant. He is held by an amazingly sweet husband and wife. My God, what food! I’m not a fan of Chinese cuisine, but Manya and I decided that while we live in this village, we will only go to this blessed place all the time. And what a pleasure it is to communicate with them - pure delight! We were so glad that we liked the food. They gave advice on where to go. They asked where we were from and the sweet hostess thought for a second, then smiled and said in Russian: “Thank you!”

Lauterbrunnen Valley

I knew that my friend Manya and I were a little crazy. It turned out that we were very crazy. Today we climbed to the peak of 2200 m, went down to the valley and climbed again to 2400. At first we walked in thick fog, which from time to time opened the windows and then the mountains were visible. On the second climb we saw incredible waterfalls. In general, the valley below is called “Valley of 72 Waterfalls”. And we were in the upper reaches, where these beauties are born. The valley is magical - waterfalls flowing over black rocks, bright colors of mosses and grass, fog, just some kind of hobbit place. We walked part of the way in the snow. At some point we saw mountain goats grazing near one of the waterfalls. At first they were afraid of me and constantly moved somewhere, but gradually they began to perceive me as a piece of furniture. Then I wanted to take a closer look at the waterfall, and I energetically climbed up. I woke up when I realized that I was climbing almost vertically, and goats were grazing below. I suddenly didn’t want to take pictures, and I quietly, not at all heroically, crawled down. My friend Manya stood far below and had long been scolding my photo fanaticism. That’s how I didn’t achieve this feat and didn’t get any close-up shots of the waterfall. But from a distance he is also good.

The Lauterbrunnen valley is the best place in the mountains I've been to. I want to come back here and live longer, walk through these mountains of incredible beauty. We never had time to go to Kleine Scheidegg and watch the climbers leave to conquer the Eiger. At night, from the balcony, in the glare of lightning, I photographed this tiny settlement under the mountain. But the time has come for us to leave for Geneva. In the evening we decided that we would take the cable car down to the valley and walk through it, admiring the waterfalls. But in the morning it was pouring rain, there was heavy snow at the top of Gloria Peak, and there was a thick dense fog in the valley. We sighed and said that it was not our destiny to see 72 waterfalls and we would have to take a mountain train straight to the station and from there to Geneva. But leaving the hotel, we, without saying a word, turned towards the funicular. Crazy rain is no problem. We went down, walked through the valley for a long time, got wet through and through, but were happy. We saw a complete miracle - a waterfall from the inside. All the power of water. Caves vaults polished over centuries. The roar of a stream, like a plane taking off. The play of light in the openings. When you see this indomitable force, the phrase “man is the king of nature” seems especially funny. The photographs turned out to be not very clear - poor lighting, almost 100% humidity, but, nevertheless, they are somehow surreal and unusual. But imagine a waterfall inside a mountain at different levels. I’ll show them today, and the pastoral scenes with fog and cows tomorrow.

AUSTRIA

Austrian Tyrol

There are many great tracks in Austria. The most interesting for trekking is Tyrol, the region along the border with Italy. Here the routes pass at an altitude of 2 to 3 thousand meters, and pass next to glaciers. The shelters are located here, unfortunately, far from each other, approximately 7 hours away. There is even a multi-day route in the Zillertal Alps, which is over a hundred years old. At the end of the 19th century, the local mountaineering club built nine mountain shelters here, which made it possible to go all the way through the mountain range without descending into the valleys. Hallstatt - St. Wolfgang Very often my adventures begin with a photograph of a beautiful or unusual place. This was the case in Patagonia, when I saw an unrealistically beautiful hotel above a waterfall against the backdrop of the mountains. Or the amazing village of Reine in the fjords of Norway. Or the colored fields in the Mustang Kingdom. As one of my good friends said, my dream lives in this capacity for exactly 5 minutes, and then it becomes a goal. Well, I pursue my goals like a purebred bull terrier. So it was with this place where I found myself today. I saw a magical photograph and realized that I really needed to get to this place. Although at such moments of meeting a dream, I am very worried. What if the photographer embellished reality with Photoshop? But the wonderful Austrian village, which is called the most beautiful in the Alps, did not disappoint for a second. Absolute delight from the first minute. Fortunately, neither heavy rain, nor fog, nor crowds of Japanese interfered.

And I have a new cat gentleman - handsome and proud. She called him Funtik so that he wouldn’t imagine too much about himself. I came to the conclusion that Italian lakes are much happier, livelier and more fun than Austrian or Swiss ones. Holidays, fireworks, local markets, ease of travel - these are all clear advantages. Of course, the atmosphere itself, it is felt in the air, like bubbles in prosecco. But the Swiss-Austrian region has its own advantage - countless opportunities to climb mountains. Funiculars and mountain trains give you the opportunity to look at the world below from many peaks. And although in most cases, they bring you to a certain point, and then you still have to crawl to the top yourself, but still this gives more freedom. If you climb it yourself (and this is what I did in Italy), then just one ascent and descent takes a long day. And this way I can afford to move to different points and manage to climb different mountains. The only inconvenience is that a small group of Chinese, about two million, and endlessly flickering Japanese are riding next to you. But you have to be patient a little and there is beauty in front of you. By the way, they rarely climb the trails - they arrived, clicked at the bottom and back. Yes, and all the lakes have very beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

GERMANY

Obersdorf

Yesterday I went down into the gorge to the waterfalls, so today I decided to climb the mountain. The views from the top are fabulous - open spaces, bright greenery, red roof tiles, winding lines of roads and paths. Walking here is incredibly comfortable - there are signs and signs everywhere. After the trek, I sat in a street cafe - you drink coffee, watch the leisurely life of the inhabitants of the gingerbread town, and such relaxation sets in. Everyone smiles at you, willingly greets you and communicates, if necessary, helps or suggests. And stupid thoughts and questions come to mind - well, why can’t we live like this? Why must there be potholed roads, flashy colorful advertising, Airborne Forces-style holidays, rudeness on the roads, and so on? But it’s probably the heat and general relaxation that works. The questions are rhetorical and in fact have one reasonable answer: “Who knows that we are not living well!” Therefore, I am simply sharing the beauty, so that you too may experience relaxation and harmony. Yesterday I climbed a small mountain and realized that no spa treatment would crush me - I want to go to the mountains. In the evening, I stocked up on equipment and climbed to the highest point in these places - Mount Hochgrat, 1833 m.

I have long dreamed of walking along the alpine trails that go along the ridge of the mountain and you can admire the views from both sides. The dream came true, but I was a little unlucky - there was a terrible fog and I couldn’t see anything. Or maybe this is good, because the trail is such that you walk in a state of quiet horror and panic. And if only it was visible! But I want to see the beauty, so I sit on the top and wait for the sun to appear and disperse the fog. In the meantime, two pictures - one shows a mountain, snow-covered and without trees in the distance, and the second - from the top, where I am sitting. Today I accomplished almost a feat - I climbed to 1834, went down into the gorge to the waterfall and walked 23 kilometers. Without strength, without thoughts and without legs, but it was cool. I saw unreal places, took endless photographs, and was completely delighted with the beauty. The most terrifying thing is the narrow path along the mountain ridge in the fog, very impressive. Scary and incredibly beautiful, especially when the fog begins to clear. And I was also struck by the rose that lay on the ground. It was still fresh, but who left it here if I was the first to climb the mountain?

Tracks in Germany are just a holiday. This is where German pedantry comes in handy. Everything is clearly marked, there are just enough signs so that you can walk calmly and confidently anywhere. The paths are in order - where necessary, they are reinforced, where it is difficult, there are railings or awnings. It's not like in Italy. I was tormented by their carelessness - sometimes the signs appear every five meters, sometimes they disappear completely. And at a fork in the road, when it is unclear where to go, there are, by definition, no signs. The Italians' maps do not coincide with reality. Either way, you walk and admire the beauty and are confident in every step, which, of course, does not exclude the difficulties of the route. And now I’m sharing the beauty... I reached the Buchennegg Wasser waterfalls - incredible beauty. They are in a deep gorge. One falls from a great height, and the other overflows from several bowls and falls through a narrow gap between the stones, an oval pool, and then the water flows further along the gorge. The water is a soft green transparent color, and in the deep parts of the pool it becomes rich, almost blue. We managed to get to the creek itself and from there the view of the waterfall was amazing. But getting out of the gorge turned out to be very difficult, steep slopes, in some places tree roots served as steps - I had to cling on and I looked more like a nimble monkey than a serious trekker. So I couldn’t shoot there anymore, but I think it looks great down there too.

Fussen

Somehow my adventurism is growing and thriving. Today I rushed off from my resort to Fussen for two days. I have dreamed of seeing Neuschwanstein Castle since I read the life story of the mysterious and romantic King Ludwig. Therefore, I decided that 70 km is not a distance that a dream cannot overcome. And those who are determined are always lucky! Fussen turned out to be fabulously handsome; he alone would be enough for complete happiness. The rain gave way to bright sunshine, I managed to see both castles, climb the Marienbrücke bridge, and take a funicular ride to the highest mountain from which you can see the valley. And even find the Royal Baths, understand their complex system and flatten yourself like a happy frog for two hours. Met a lot of interesting people. I was especially amazed by the girl in the wheelchair - she rode up the cable car with her boyfriend. He was preparing to fly, and she was sitting on the edge and looking into the distance. And then I followed his flight and they communicated via radio. Amazingly beautiful couple.

I was also impressed by the cheerful grandmothers who got off the track, got on their bikes and went home. And funny Japanese tourists. And a wonderful trio of streakers who sat and just looked at the river and the castle. And the brave castle guards are cheerful and sociable. Today I climbed into some distant wilds, I walked almost all the time alone, which is completely unusual for these places. At the very beginning of the journey I met a cheerful German couple, both over 70 years old, but still beautiful and fit. When they learned that I was from Moscow, for some reason they were happy and expressed respect for Russia, Moscow, and me personally. They were very glad that I liked it here in Oberstaufen. Then they quickly overtook me, and I justified myself by saying that I was always taking pictures and went to the cheese factory to buy cheese. My excuses were pitiful, since I only caught up with them in the next village in a cafe.

They were sitting in the company of two other ladies of considerable age. I also met these ladies and one of them spoke excellent English. And again they sternly asked me if I liked them, and hearing an affirmative answer, the ladies were also happy that I fell in love with their region. They ordered to invite friends and acquaintances to visit. And they all drank beer in large mugs (and this was in the heat at 2 o’clock in the afternoon), and then they also ate another large plate of some delicious food. I sighed sadly that I still couldn’t do this - rush like a torpedo through the mountains, then drink beer and eat, and then walk along the path again. We happily talked and all the time they took care of me touchingly - whether I chose anything from the menu, whether I needed to explain, whether everything was fine with me. We parted, satisfied with each other.

Places that are a must for the trip and where I myself want to return again are Mürren and Zermatt (Switzerland), Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang (Austria), Gengenbach (Germany) I didn’t like: St. Moritz (Switzerland), Villach (Austria) and Colmar (France)

The trekking season in the Alps is 4 months from June to September. During this period, the region experiences warm and mostly sunny weather. At the same time, in June and in the second half of September there remains a weather risk - the weather is unstable, prolonged rains are possible. The average daytime air temperature in the valleys during this period is 25-28 degrees and it rarely drops below 20. At night in the valleys it is 15-25 degrees. In the mountains at an altitude of 2000 meters, temperature changes are more significant. Here on a sunny day the average temperature is 14-18 degrees, and at night it can drop to almost zero. Regular frosts at an altitude of 2000 meters occur until mid-June and from the second half of September. During the hot season, thunderstorms are common in the Alps. It happens that on hot days in the afternoon clouds accumulate over the mountain peaks and there may be short-term rain, while in the valleys it is dry and sunny. In summer, the ski lifts of the ski resorts operate - in most cases according to schedule.

Trekking maps

Topographic maps are published for all regions of the Alps where trekking is popular. These maps contain trails, forest roads, mountain shelters and all other information necessary during the hike. You can buy maps at hotels, sports stores, equipment rentals, tourist offices and mountain huts. Such maps are produced by several publishers and national mountaineering clubs:

• Austria: Kompass, OEAV (Austrian Mountaineering Club)
• Italy: Tabacco, Kompass, Tappeiner, 4Land, Instituto Geografico Centrale (IGC), Editrek & Escursionista
• France: Institute Geographique National (IGN), Rando Editions
• Switzerland: Hallwag, Kompass, Bundesamt für Landestopographie (Federal Office of Topography, Swisstopo)

Trekking equipment

When trekking in the Alps, the most important thing is good trekking boots! There is absolutely no need to waste money on this. In addition, protection from rain, comfortable trousers, and warm clothes are required. The exact equipment is selected depending on the season, autonomy, location and duration of the hike. Trekking clothes

• Waterproof and windproof lightweight jacket.
• Trekking trousers can be almost anything, but it is better to buy special ones, they easily protect from rain, stretch, and dry quickly.
• Polar or sweater.
• Thermal underwear
• A hat and gloves are generally always useful, even in summer.
• Rain jacket and trousers, thin and light, which are worn over clothing.
• Light change of clothes.

Trekking boots

• Trekking boots are a must-have piece of equipment. Sneakers and sneakers are fundamentally not suitable for the mountains.
• Once you've purchased new hiking boots, it's important to break them in before heading out on a multi-day hike.
• The sole of trekking boots should be grooved, rigid and at the same time quite elastic. It is also important when choosing boots to pay attention to the materials inside and on the surface of the boot. It is better to exclude boots made of leather and suede, since in such boots it is hot when walking and the foot does not “breathe”.
• High boots are preferable to low ones in all respects: they better “hold” the foot on uneven surfaces and protect the ligaments and protrusions from stone impacts, which can be very painful.

Things

• Backpack.
• A thin sleeping bag is only suitable for overnight stays in shelters.

• Slippers or change of shoes (you cannot wear trekking shoes in mountain shelters).
• Trekking poles can be very useful.
• Sunscreen

Classification of mountain trails

In all Alpine countries there is a classification of mountain trails, which is determined by national Alpine Clubs. Trails are classified only based on the difficulty of walking along them, regardless of their length.

Hiking trail Italy: Sentiero Turistico (T). Austria, Germany: Talweg. These are the simplest trails that alpine clubs don’t even mark. You can walk without special shoes and equipment.

Low difficulty level Italy: Sentiero Escursionistico (E). Austria, Germany: Leichte Bergweg. Trails in the forest zone, trails through meadows and pastures above the forest line, most trails for direct access to mountain shelters from valleys and trails connecting valleys. This is a low level of difficulty and no preparation is needed. Light trekking boots are recommended for equipment.

Medium difficulty level Italy: Sentiero per Escursionisti Esperti (EE). Austria, Germany: Mittelschwere Bergweg. These are more difficult trails that are located above the border of alpine meadows. There may be difficult areas - cables, ladders, steps. No special skills are needed, but good physical shape will be required. Trekking poles may be required.

High level of difficulty Italy: Sentiero per Escursionisti Esperti con Attrezzatura (EEA). Austria, Germany: Schwere Bergweg. These are already via ferratas - paths that lead to peaks and ridges, along steep cliffs vertically or horizontally. These are paths with full or partial support by cables and ladders. If they didn’t exist, it would have been called rock climbing. There is nothing to do on these tracks without special training and equipment.

Cortina d'Ampezzo - Fr. Federa - "Five Towers" — climbing Lagotsuoi- Alta Via No. 1 - hiking in the Fanes Senes Braies park - the top of the Croda del Becco and a panorama of the island. Braies – trekking in the Alps Braies – Three Peaks of Lavaredo– Dolomites di Sesto – Cortina

Day 1. Venice - Cortina

Participants fly to Venice, from where transport runs toCortina d'Ampezzo (you can even leave from the airport). The instructor will be waiting for you in Cortina- a classic alpine resort town.In summer it is quiet and peaceful here, the architecture is pleasing to the eye. Cozy squares and streets surround the majestic rock formations of the Dolomites. Here it is, this exciting moment of the first acquaintance with the Mountains of Dreams... We check into a comfortable hotel, explore the city and its surroundings, and in the evening we will sit in a restaurant and get to know each other better.

Day 2. “Five Towers”

A persistent climb quickly takes us to the picturesque highlands, into the kingdom of endless alpine meadows and majestic rock formations - the calling card of the Dolomites. We will make a stop near Lake Federa, from where we will enjoy panoramic views of the mountains Cristallo, Sorapis and the entire Cortina Valley.

But our main goal is the rocky ridge of CinqueTorri or “Five Towers”. This magnificent creation of nature needs no introduction. We will go straight up to the pillars, photograph them from all possible angles and in the evening we will go to our refuge. But even from there the Dolomites will be visible in all their splendor.

Trekking: 15 km. Ascent: 1000m. Descent: 570m.

Day 3. Lagatsuoi

Today's 17 km of trekking will be remembered for a lifetime. Through the Nuvolu massif we reach the Passo Falzarego pass.We run radially to Lagotsuoi Peak and get to the famous observation deck. 360° of pure beauty and perfection - before us is a panorama of the entire Dolomites: the Nuvolau massif, the peaks of Marmolada, Palais di San Martino, Sassolungo and Sella. Many consider this place to be the most beautiful in the Alps. In addition, military operations took place on the mountain during the First World War, and deep military tunnels and via ferratas have been preserved on the slope.

We descend from Lagozuoja to the Fanes Senes Braies Natural Park, where we continue trekking along the Alta Via 1 route.

Transition: 7-8 hours 750m. ↓1300m.

Day 4. Fanes-Senes-Bries

Light and pleasantHiking along the gorge between the Fanes and Senes ridges will be an excellent break from yesterday's ascent and will give you the opportunity to explore the unique karst formations that are found here at every step. The Dolomite massifs of the park have a pronounced karst character. There are funnels, craters, caves, gutters... The trail winds through picturesque gorges and green meadows and takes us deep into Senes. After lunch we will be in the refrigerator.

If we have any strength left, we will climb the Croda del Becco (2818m), from where we will look into the depths of the beautiful Lake Braies (1578m). This jewel of the Dolomites, surrounded by sheer mountain walls, is famous for its unusually clear turquoise water. We return to the refuge to rest.

Ttrekking: 13 km, 6 hours 880 m. ↓590m.

Day 5. Braies Dolomites

We continue trekking in the Dolomites through the Bayers Alps. The trail goes around the Kroda Rossa massif and offers excellent views of South Tyrol. Wide valleys and gentle mountain ranges contrast strangely with the pointed peaks-rocks that are already familiar to us. We climb the slopes of the Alpe Velandro to the pass where our current shelter stands.

Right from its terrace we will admire the magnificent panorama of Monte Cristallo until sunset, thanks to which the familiar Cortina is so popular. However, from our location the view is certainly much better ;).

Trekking: 14 km, 6 hours.435m. ↓ 720m.

Day 6. Tre Cime di Lavaredo

We climb up a deep rocky gorge. As we gain altitude, we slowly and effectively openthere are the legendary Three Peaks of Lavaredo. It will take a long time to walk, but along an incredibly picturesque path: over cliffs, through tunnels...

The reward is worth the effort: we will come close to Lavaredo and see these stunning giant boulders in all their glory. The tallest,Cima Grande, rises 2999m above sea level. Climbers consider Lavaredo a personal challenge, and photographers come from all over the world in search of the perfect model. The massif faces west in such a way that the sunset paints it real fire and gold. We will spend the night right opposite and see this magic from beginning to end.

Trekking 15 km, 7 hours.1220m. ↓850m.

Day 7. Explore the nature of the Dolomites

We leave the popular route and delve into the kingdom of pristine nature of the Dolomites - the Dolomites di Sesto. There are much fewer people here, we will be enveloped in the fragrant coolness of pines, firs and larches, so beautiful in anticipation of autumn. Let's observe the life of the original inhabitants of these mountains: chamois, mountain goats, squirrels, eagles. We will walk along the edge of the glacial circus, at the bottom of which, as if in an ancient amphitheater, the waters of the Bodensen lakes play. If we wish, we will climb one of the local peaks to take a farewell look at the splendor of the Dolomites. Alas, our trekking has come to an end. We go down to Cortina, where we will spend a farewell evening in a cozy restaurant. We'll spend the night at the hotel.

Hike:1 1 km,5 h.550m. ↓ 630 m.

Day 8. Home

In the morning we leave for Venice. We saw the most stunning places in the Dolomites, spent an unforgettable week in the mountains and acquired photographs that would be the envy of any professional. We advise you to spend a few days in Venice - get acquainted with the elegant architecture and sail on boats along the canals, where history seems to come to life. We say goodbye to Italy, but its beauty, warmth and hospitality will live in our hearts for a long time.

Trekking tour program in the Alps:

FIRST DAY
Upon arrival in Munich, we join the main group and go by train to neighboring Oberstdorf (the journey will take 2.5 hours). In Obersdorf we refresh ourselves in one of the restaurants, after which we board a bus and go to the starting point of the trekking. All these transfers will help preserve strength for the main climb, during which you will have to walk about 900 meters vertically.

Overcoming every meter of distance, you will feel how the coolness of the forest is gradually replaced by the aroma of alpine herbs, with which the local fields are covered like a carpet. Having passed through a narrow gorge, our company will come out to unusual slopes, wrapped in green furs.


Surrounded by these mountain beauties there is a shelter where we will spend the night - the Kemptner Hütte shelter (1844m).

SECOND DAY
With the onset of dawn, without wasting a minute, we set off for trekking. Today we have to go through a considerable part of our walking route through the Alps, which will take about 7 hours to complete. At the very beginning, our group will cross the German-Austrian border and go down to the village of Holzgau.

Next will be the uninteresting part of our trekking tour, which the group will cover on wheels. After riding with the breeze and having a little rest, it was time to accumulate all our strength for the subsequent takeoff (750m) to our overnight location.

To make the ascent easier, for an additional fee you can send your belongings to the parking area by cable car. On the way to the Memminger Hütte shelter (2242m) we will meet 3 magnificent waterfalls, a couple of rushing rivers, as well as a place where mountain goats live, so there will be something to see and photograph.

THE THIRD DAY
Today we will leave the shelter and go to the neighboring town of Zams (775m). The transition will take approximately 7 hours, during which time we will cover a significant distance of our trekking in the Alps and drop 1800 meters in altitude. Even before the descent, we will have to work hard to overcome the short climb that separates us from the pass, from which the dizzying descent will begin.

Fortunately, as we climb up, we will be able to see our goal - the Seescharte pass, which will psychologically make the climb easier. Step by step, covering meters of distance, we do not forget to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountain lakes located on our right hand. Until summer, a thin layer of ice covers the surface of the lakes, which glistens brightly in the sun. In order not to suddenly become exhausted, we recommend constantly monitoring your breathing and trying not to get out of the general rhythm of tracking.

This part of the hike will be a lot of fun for photography enthusiasts. Having reached the top of the pass, we run down to a lawn with a beautiful river, where the road changes direction, leading us into the thicket of a coniferous forest. The final stage of the route will pass over a huge canyon with amazing cliffs.

​In some places the bottom of the gorge reaches 200 meters, so you need to move extremely carefully, without losing your vigilance. Having passed this difficult section, our company will reach the town, where we will stay for the night in a cozy 3-star hotel.

FOURTH DAY
In order to add some variety to our hiking tour of Europe, today will begin with a steam locomotive and bus journey. First, we'll go on a tour of the Pitztal Valley, which is famous for its mighty mountains and stunning waterfalls. This mini-adventure will help prepare trekkers in the Alps for the upcoming climb to the foot of the glacier.

The bus ride was good and we were able to relax a bit on the way. Having disembarked from the bus, we set off along the road, gradually approaching the Mittelberg waterfall. Having examined the waterfall and paid tribute to the mighty water element, we continue our journey, walking along rocky spurs to the southeast.

Ahead of us lies the most difficult part of our hike in the Alps - a steep climb without gentle sections. But our efforts will not go unrewarded; closer to the middle of the climb, we will see a simply amazing view of the Pitztal glacier, which will accompany us throughout the next two days of the walking tour.


The Braunschweiger Hütte shelter (2758m), surrounded by magnificent scenery, will quickly relieve the fatigue that has accumulated over the day. You can’t even imagine how impressive the starry sky looks in these wonderful lands.

FIFTH DAY
Today travelers will have a well-deserved day of rest. But we don’t recommend relaxing, because even on a day of rest we have a lot of activities planned. In addition to lounging around and sunbathing, we will take a walk to the base of the glacier. Well, if this doesn’t seem enough for you, then we have something else in stock!)

The most active participants in the hike are invited to make a short radial journey along a snow-covered glacier with access to Linker Ferner Kogel (3278m). A lot of beautiful landscapes await you, which you definitely need to photograph in order to later show off to your lazier comrades remaining in the camp. After such a day of rest, you should easily cover the rest of the route of our Alpine walking tour.

SIXTH DAY
Braunschweiger Hütte – Martin-Busch Hütte (up to 8.5 hours travel time). Relatively not difficult, but the longest section of our hiking tour in the Alps. Ahead of us lies the ascent to the Pitztaler Jöchl pass (2996m), some parts of which are covered with snow even in the warmest time of the year. Having reached the top, we “move down” 200 meters to the road tunnel - Tiefenbachferner (2793m) to get to the Ötztal valley.

The snowy landscapes surrounding us are gradually beginning to come to life, diluted with green colors. The road along which we are walking gradually goes up, now and then hiding from our view behind numerous spurs. The ascent will last until we reach Lake Weisskarsee (2656m), and then there will be another descent and another drop in altitude. In the distance, snow caps of the mountains begin to be visible, signaling that we are already very close to the Italian border. The road to the shelter will pass through the picturesque resort town of Vent. It is from there that we will begin to climb the valley towards the Kreuzspitze peak (3455m).

After descents and ascents, we finally reached the Martin-Busch Hütte shelter (2501m), where we will spend the current night, and tomorrow we will continue our journey with renewed vigor.

SEVENTH DAY
Taking our time, we pack our things and prepare to move to the new shelter - Similaunhütte (3019m) which is only 2.5 hours away on foot. Our path lies along a rocky path running along a muddy river, cutting through the glacier and resting on its tongue, which is hidden from our eyes by a layer of loose powder. Some buildings of the shelter are already beginning to be visible in the distance.

Sitting in a cozy cafe with a cup of hot tea, we can enjoy the beautiful peak of the Similuan glacier. It was on this peak that in 1991 a married couple found the body of a man who lived about 5 thousand years ago. Subsequently, he was given the name Ötzi and even a monument was erected to commemorate this historical find. Tourism in these areas has been successfully developing for 120 years.

Between November and April there are ideal conditions for fans of alpine skiing and snowboarding, and in the area of ​​glaciers you can ski even in summer. If weather conditions permit, it will be possible to climb the highest point of the route - the Finailkreuz peak (3514m).

Time will fly by very quickly, and you won’t even notice how you end up in sunny Italy from Austria.

EIGHTH DAY
Our hike is gradually approaching the finale. There is not a single climb ahead, only a dizzying descent. A sharp change in climate and temperature will only add adrenaline - from the cold mountains we will find ourselves in the hot and sultry South Tyrol.

During the descent, we will focus on the mirror of Lake Vernago, near which our company will be in two hours. Our journey home will begin from here. First you will need to get to the city of Bolzano (the capital of South Tyrol). Our route will pass through the small town of Merano, which is famous for its apple plantations, as well as for the fact that the famous Reinhold Messner lived in its vicinity.

Next, we will cross the borders of two countries one more time, traveling by train through the luxurious Italian valleys, flowering Austrian meadows and rich Bavarian lands. The journey from Bolzano to München will take about 5 hours.


* The article describes the pure travel time along the route without taking into account stops and pauses.

Changes and adjustments may be made to the program and time of the main trekking route in Europe due to changes in weather conditions, unforeseen and extreme situations that threaten the safety of the group.
If a tour is booked by a pre-formed group, then the participants of the trip have the opportunity to make adjustments to the main route.
Almost everyone can take part in the “Two Borders” trekking. There are no restrictions as such. The only restriction applies to children under 16 years of age, who can only go on a hike if they are accompanied by their parents.
The minimum size of a group participating in the hike is 4 people, the maximum is 12.

Our other hiking and cycling tours in Europe

Visit alpine Slovenia without going to the mountains? Are you serious?
There are many marked and equipped trekking routes of varying difficulty in the Slovenian Alps,
in any case, it is available to everyone. You don't need any special climbing or mountaineering training.
Just choose a route depending on your physical and psychological readiness and go!

The price of the trip includes the services of a professional photographer.
It is possible to rent sports equipment.
to the starting point is available on request.
So:

1. Simple routes for everyone.

1.1. Logar Valley (to Kochi)
The pearl of Slovenia. In the mountain circus you will see beautiful alpine peaks, Rinka waterfall,
You will walk along a beautiful path to the Planina house, where you can drink wine, beer, have lunch and even spend the night.

— Difficulty: simple, for any age and physical fitness.
— Elevation gain: 390 meters
— Equipment: not required
— Season: April – November

Link for the rest of the photos (early June)

1.2. Slemenova Spitz (1911m)

The road to the Vršić pass (1611m) is a beautiful excursion in itself, you will see the most beautiful Jasna lakes,
stunning panoramas of the Alps from the mountain serpentine. From the pass we go to the top along a good path.

— Elevation gain: 400 meters
— Equipment: not required
— Season: all year round

Link for the rest of the photos (photos April, October, December)

1.3. Debela Pech (2014m)

It’s a beautiful ascent path, but the most beautiful views await you at the top, after the pass.
— Difficulty: simple, for any age and physical fitness.
— Height gain: 606 meters
— Equipment: not required
— Season: all year round

Link for other photos (October, November)

1.4. Vyshevnik (2050m)

The starting point of the route is the famous Pokljuka biathlon center.
From the top you will see the highest peak in Slovenia - Triglav.
— Difficulty: simple, for any age and physical fitness.
— Elevation gain: 740 meters
— Equipment: not required
— Season: all year round

Link for other photos (December, January)

1.5. Veliki Vrh (2088m)

The Karavanke ridge separates Slovenia and Austria. On the way we will visit the Planina house.
— Difficulty: simple, for any age and physical fitness
— Elevation gain: 788 meters
— Equipment: not required
— Season: all year round


Link for other photos (September, November)

2. Routes that require physical fitness and psychological stability.

2.1. Mangart along the Italian way (2679m)

Mountain on the border of Italy and Slovenia. The road to the Mangart saddle passes through the most beautiful places!
The route itself to one of the most beautiful peaks in Slovenia is relatively simple, but requires careful passage.
— Difficulty: physical fitness - average, there is short climbing on simple rocks or with support
on a steel cable (via ferrata), no special climbing training is required.
— Elevation gain: 624 meters
— Equipment: helmet
— Season: May-October

Link for the rest of the photos (October)

2.2. Storzhich via Zrelo (2132m)

The beautiful route, despite the steepness, is easily traversed without self-belaying equipment.


— Height gain: 1009 meters
— Equipment: helmet
— Season: May-October

Link for the rest of the photos (August and September)

2.3. Mala Moistrovka Hanzova pot (2332m)

The route from the Vršić pass (the most beautiful road!), part of the way goes along the wall.
In dangerous places, the track is equipped with steel cables, to which you must fasten a lanyard.
system. You won't forget these impressions!
— Difficulty: physical fitness - average, there is quite a long climb on simple rocks or
supported by a steel cable (via ferrata), no special climbing training is required.
— Elevation gain: 800 meters
— Equipment: helmet, safety belt, lanyard system
— Season: May-October

The highest peak of the Alps is Mont Blanc (4810 m), which is located on the border of Italy and France. Mont Blanc is also the highest peak in Europe. In total, in the Alps mountain system there are about a hundred peaks above four thousand meters above sea level, and the small town of Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc is today a mecca for mountaineering.
Our hikes follow routes that run through Italy, France and Switzerland - around Mont Blanc and the difficult, but very interesting and beautiful route around Monte Rosa, the pearl of which is the Matterhorn peak.
If you want to conquer the highest peak of the Alps and Europe, you can also climb Mont Blanc.

Trekking in the Alps:

Documentation:

To participate in hikes in Europe, citizens of Belarus and Russia need to have a valid Schengen visa. If you are applying for a visa for a single entry, it is advisable that it be issued by the consulate of the country in which you plan to stay the longest amount of time or the one through which you enter and exit. For citizens of Ukraine, from June 11, 2017, there is a visa-free entry regime on the basis of a valid biometric foreign passport.

You should also have insurance, book return tickets, and you may be asked to indicate where you are staying (hotel reservation, or hiking plan if overnight stays in hotels are not provided). In addition, each country has its own requirements for the tourist’s sufficient financial resources to support the trip. These requirements apply both for entry on the basis of a visa and under visa-free regime.

Availability is required for all trekking participants!