Are you planning your next vacation in the Alps? You've made the right choice! You can take advantage of the magnificent scenery of the Alps to enjoy a break at altitude with your partner, friends or family.
The Alps alone represent thousands of kilometers of marked trails for hikers. With hikes ranging in difficulty from a few hours to several days in length, and each one offering a different panorama, it's hard to choose between the many hiking trails on offer. We've put together a Top 5 list of the most beautiful hikes in the Alps. All you need to do is pack your hiking bag and binoculars!
1 - The Tour du Mont Blanc: Europe's most prestigious itinerary
The Tour du Mont Blanc is certainly the longest hike in the Alps. It takes around 10 days to cover its 165 kilometers of trails. The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe's best-known and most prestigious itineraries. However, this tour is for good hikers, with a good physical preparation beforehand.
Halfway between France, Switzerland and Italy, the hike has a considerable vertical drop of 10,583 meters! The hike can be started in the village of Les Houches, near Chamonix, or in the village of Les Contamines-Montjoie. From there, you'll reach Savoie and the hamlet of Les Chapieux via the Col du Bonhomme. Via the Col de la Seigne, you enter Italian territory and reach the Monte Bianco refuge above the village of Courmayeur. As you descend into the valley, you can take a nature break to admire the many animals that live there through your binoculars: foxes, deer, roe deer, typical Alpine birds and, above all, the famous marmots. You then climb back up to the village of Champex before continuing through the Bovine Alps. At the end of your hike, you'll be able to admire the Aiguilles Rouges reserve, where you'll enjoy the reflection of the massif's peaks and glaciers on Lac Blanc.
Throughout your hike, you'll enjoy a unique experience and a breathtaking panorama. Your binoculars will enable you to discover and admire the French, Swiss and Italian treasures of the Mont Blanc massif. Your binoculars will enable you to discover and admire the French, Swiss and Italian treasures of the Mont Blanc massif. You'll be able to rub shoulders with the world of the high mountains and enjoy its high-flying spectacle as you admire the many glaciers with your binoculars.
2 - Les Cascades du Cirque de Saint-Même: get out your binoculars!
Reveal your inner adventurer and discover the Cascades du Cirque de Saint-Même. The succession of four magnificent waterfalls has all the makings of an adventure film. Between pastures, forests and rocky paths, this Savoyard torrent will make you see every color!
In the heart of the Chartreuse Regional Nature Park, four waterfalls follow one another: Cascade de la Source, Grande Cascade, Cascade Isolée and Cascade de la Pisse du Guiers. Situated at an altitude of 900 metres, the Cirque de Saint-Même offers splendid postcard-perfect scenery. Dominated by 500-metre-high limestone cliffs, the waters of the four cascades come from the underground springs of the Guiers Vif.
The four waterfalls are accessible on foot from Saint-Pierre d'Entremont via a footpath. The hike lasts 4 hours round trip, and you'll need to be properly equipped: shoes, hiking gear and, above all, a pair of binoculars to enjoy the scenery!
Once you've reached the waterfall, all you have to do is enjoy a relaxing break and a well-deserved picnic. Keep your binoculars close by, however, and keep an eye out for animals in the distance. Many birds typical of the Savoyard landscape are never far away.
The hike takes around 45 minutes and covers a distance of 2.7 km, with an ascent of 226 metres. This is a medium-level hike for families, but no young children.
3 - Lac du Lauvitel: a sublime site to admire
This lovely hike around Lac du Lauvitel is a must on any trip to the Alps. At an altitude of 1,530 metres, hikers will have to tackle a beautiful climb up to the lake. Once at the summit, hikers can admire the Écrins National Park and enjoy the landscape as far as the eye can see. Here again, binoculars are a must to take in the view and make sure you don't miss a thing!
Lac du Lauvitel is a pretty emerald mirror surrounded by the most beautiful green peaks in the Alps. This 2.5-hour hike covers 6.3 km and has an ascent of 560 meters. It's for seasoned adventurers looking for a 100% adventure experience!
4 - La Croix du Nivolet: hiking in the heights of Chambéry
La Croix du Nivolet is a medium-difficulty hike for families. No special physical preparation is required. However, the route is not suitable for small children.
For 6 km, you'll hike along a steep cliff to the Nivolet refuge, where the Croix du Nivolet overlooks the landscape. Once there, you'll be rewarded for your efforts by the Chartreuse massif!
Thanks to your binoculars, you'll be able to contemplate the landscape at greater length. You'll be able to admire the whole massif in all its forms. You'll catch a glimpse of the town of Chambéry.
5 - The Col de la Vanoise: a hike for great adventurers!
If you're a seasoned hiker, this is the hike for you! Plunge into the heart of Savoie and hike the Col de la Vanoise. At an altitude of 2,517 metres, you'll be overlooking the Vanoise National Park.
From a forest trail, you continue your hike to the picturesque Barmettes refuge. Your route will take you along beautiful meadows before arriving at the Vanoise refuge, where you'll enjoy a sumptuous panorama of the Alps. Your binoculars will enable you to admire marmots and numerous streams in the distance. In early summer, you can also spot ibex and chamois.
The Col de la Vanoise lies in the middle of the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys. Located on the long-distance hiking trail 55 and on the tour of the Vanoise glaciers, it is one of the must-sees on a vacation in the Alps. This unique site, where the flora and fauna are carefully protected, is a delight for hikers who appreciate a heritage rich in surprises.
Hiking in the Alps: what can I admire with my binoculars?
Are you planning a trip to the Alps? You've chosen your hike and can't wait to admire the Alpine landscape through your best binoculars? The Alps offer some great hiking opportunities. The numerous mountain landscapes allow hikers to enjoy sublime views at altitude as well as on the plains. Your pair of binoculars will be your best ally for your alpine hikes.
Around Mont Blanc, the fauna is varied, offering glimpses of animals that many wildlife photographers love to capture. The Alpine landscape is mostly populated by herbivorous mammals. Typical Alpine birds are also regularly seen by hikers.
Can't wait to see what you can admire with your binoculars when hiking in the Alps? We'll give you a sneak preview:
- On the outskirts of villages or in the forests, you can meet and admire foxes, deer and roe deer. It's not uncommon to see black grouse, the typical bird of Alpine forests.
- In the middle of the alpine meadows, you can admire chamois in the distance. Without binoculars, it will be difficult to spot them, as these animals have a highly-developed sense of sight and smell that enables them to detect an intruder on their territory from over 500 meters away. Many ibex, golden eagles, bearded vultures, ermines and marmots can also be found in mountainous areas.
Hiking in the Alps: what should I pack in my hiking bag?
Depending on the season, packing a hiking bag can be a complex task. Inadequate equipment, forgotten items or an overloaded bag can quickly turn your hike into a nightmare. That's why it's essential to prepare your hiking bag properly.
First of all, you'll need to keep the weight of your bag to a minimum, so you can get the most out of your hike. If you're going out for a day: hiking boots, clothes suited to the season, first-aid kit, water bottles, snacks, picnic lunch and a pair of binoculars will be more than enough. You can also take a camera with you if you want to bring back a few souvenirs of your best hikes.
Now you're looking for the best binoculars for admiring Alpine landscapes? Check out our tips for choosing the right pair of binoculars for your hikes.
