There's more to the Alps than skiing – 5 Alps destinations to visit

Written by: Aimee White - Travel Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Published: 18 February 2025

The Alps may be famed for their snow-capped peaks, mighty altitudes and world-class ski resorts, but once the winter season is over, these alpine destinations offer a whole new world of adventure.

Whether you're looking for family holidays in the Alps for the summer, going solo or with friends, visiting the Alps in the summer promises plenty of activities for all ages. Hike along high altitude trails, explore blissful car-free villages, enjoy road cycling or soak up the natural beauty of alpine lakes.

Each destination has its own unique charm and activities. You can go paragliding in Slovenia, tackle iconic treks in France and cycle past glistening alpine lakes in Albania. Mountain refuges (small, basic huts) cater for those exploring at higher altitudes, providing a good spot to pause for breath and take a moment to refuel.

Discover a different side to the Alps with a whole new world of adventure. Once the ski season has ended, the snow has melted, flora and flora of all hues blossom and thrive across various alpine landscapes.

From Switzerland to Romania, read on to discover the best Alps summer walking, cycling and outdoor adventure destinations:

Mont Blanc and the Tour du Mont Blanc

Chamonix in northern France is an excellent place to base yourself for an Alpine adventure. To the south lies Mont Blanc, an impressive mountain massif that spans France, Switzerland and Italy to form some of the most dramatic peaks in the Alps.

Outside of the ski season, Mont Blanc is a top choice for French Alps summer holidays, with plenty of activities including hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and whitewater rafting.

On our Highlights of Mont Blanc tour, you'll set off from your chalet hotel in Chamonix each morning to cover exciting day walks, following well-maintained mountain paths to reach rugged scenery, pretty hamlets and more areas getting you off the beaten path. Read Luke's take on his Mont Blanc walking tour here.

Chamonix is also famous for Tour du Mont Blanc, an impressive multi-day trek that circles the massifs. Hiking for 6-8 hours each day, you'll cover 148km across France, Switzerland and Italy on our 11-day tour. An ideal way to spend summer in the alps, you'll break up the trekking by staying at local auberges (traditional mountain inns), tucking into local cuisine at family-run hotels and people-watching from pavement cafes.

Ride the Montenvers Railway

Another quintessential experience is taking the old cog railway from Chamonix to Montenvers. This little red train provides postcard-perfect scenes of Switzerland. The route takes around two hours, giving you ample time to gaze out the window and be wowed by the dramatic mountain views.

Once you reach Montenvers, which sits at an altitude of 1,913m, you can venture inside the Mer de Glace and learn more about this fascinating glacier.

Plan de l'Aiguille

You can also take a cable car from Chamonix to Plan de l'Aiguille, which sits at an altitude of 3,842m. Needless to say, it offers superlative views of the surrounding Alps and on a clear day you can see as far as the Matterhorn in Switzerland - that's over 37 miles away!

While here, take in the vistas of Aiguille du Midi before daring to 'Step into the Void'. Stand inside a glass box with a sheer drop of 1,000m beneath your feet for some of the most unique panoramic views.

In northeastern Italy you'll find the Dolomites, with its unique geological makeup creating striking, jagged peaks, dramatic cliffs, dense forests, lush meadows and alpine lakes. It's easily one of the most breathtaking mountain ranges in Europe.

These unique dolomite rocks and their surrounds form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cycle with the Dolomites as your backdrop as you pedal past the pristine lakes, looming mountains and lush meadows, and visit popular towns including Trento to visit historical buildings like Buonconsiglio Castle.

The Dolomites are ideal for alpine trekking, with Dobbiaco serving as the gateway to the mountains. On our dedicated Dolomites hiking tour you'll wind through pine forests, along quiet roads and single-path tracks. For those interested in history, you'll pass various World War One relics, too. The best time to visit the Dolomites for hiking is over the summer, between June to mid-September.

Lake Braies

This alpine lake is nestled in the mighty Dolomites, and is a popular spot for non-ski alpine activities like boating, hiking and photography. Lake Braies provides a serene insight into Italy's natural beauty. Embrace the tranquility with a picnic stop for a true nature escape, surrounded by high-sided cliffs.

Cycling the Adige Valley

Flanked by the Alps and the Dolomites, the Adige Valley (or Etschtal) makes ideal cycling territory. Follow mostly flat cycle paths, taking in vineyards, apple orchards and charming villages. The winding Adige River - one of the longest in Italy - snakes its way through this alpine destination.

Continue until you reach the town of Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol. From Bolzano you can take two cable cars: one from Bolzano to the Renon High Plateau and one from Bolzano to mountain hamlet of Colle, both of which operate year-round.

Triglav means 'Three Heads', as pagan Slovenes believed the mountain was home to a three-headed deity. Today, it forms Slovenia's only national park and even features on the country's national flag.

Set within the Julian Alps, Triglav National Park is home to some of the country's highest peaks. This makes it home to an abundance of hiking trails, mountain biking routes and aerial sports. Hiking in the Slovenian Alps offers picture-perfect scene after scene. The foothills of Triglav offers pristine wilderness and, even travelling as part of a small group tour, solitude. Well-maintained trails make it easy to stay on course; some sections of the path are carved directly into the limestone cliffs, winding along the mountainside like a scarf hugging your neck.

Follow spruce forest trails around the north side of Lake Bohinj, Slovenia's largest lake. The trailhead is easily accessible for Lake Bohinj, and you can hike as much or as little of the mountain as you like. The lower slopes of this impressive alpine peak offer plenty for any hiking enthusiast. On our Alpine Lakes of Slovenia tour we enjoy gentle walks and chill-out time at this naturally preserved glacial lake, while the rest of the tour sees you visit other alpine lakes in Slovenia including popular Lake Bled.

The 4km-long limestone Mostnica Gorge is just as dramatic as the peak of Triglav and well worth exploring. Before you even see it, you can hear the water thundering through the cracks in the rock beneath your feet. Whether you're seeking a challenge at higher elevations or simply enjoying the meadows, wildlifelower and serene forests below, Triglav is a true alpine escape; explore this stunning destination for yourself on our Slovenia walking tour.

Cycling the Alpe Alde Trail

There's an established snow trail for Alpe Adria, but outside of the ski months there are well-established cycling routes, too. This scenic trail spans 750km from Salzburg in Austria to Grado in Italy, while the contrasting terrains and cultures making it an undeniably diverse cycling experience. Starting from rural Austrian landscapes and finishing along the Adriatic coastline, there's a plethora of changing landscapes to behold.

Tamar Valley walk

The Tamar Valley is a glacial valley tucked away in the Julian Alps. Follow hiking trails from the likes of Planica to reach charming mountain huts and take in the towering peaks of Mojstrovka and Jalovec.

While it's a haven for cross-country skiing and sledding in the winter months, it's truly a year-round destination. Visiting outside of the ski season means you can enjoy beautiful valley walks and local flora and fauna, while hiking in more comfortable temperatures.

Situated in the Tropoja district of northern Albania, Valbona Valley National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit for summer in the Alps. It's part of the Malësi e Gjakovës, better known as the Accursed Mountains, and encompasses the Malesi region (aka the Highlands).

Summer hiking sees you follow part of the Kukaj Valley, through forest and towards alpine pastures, where you'll be rewarded with wide-sweeping views of the valley and surrounding mountains. There are quiet village roads and some uphill sections. A forest trail winds towards Valbona Springs, leading onto Valbona Pass; this offers views of the Accursed Mountains which are nothing short of breathtaking.

Theth National Park

As well as Valbona National Park, our Albania walking tour covers Theth National Park, situated within the Accursed Mountains. Visit one of the small villages in Theth Valley and check out the stone-built Catholic church, a small waterfall and ancient terraces along the Grunas Canyon. Complete the experience with a stay at a local family-run guesthouse, where you can expect a warm welcome before a well-earned home-cooked meal.

Theth National Park and its valley is one of the hidden gems of Albania's countryside, as its remote location helped protect the area from multiple invasions, allowing you to soak up its centuries-old history, culture and traditions.

Walking along Piatra Craiului

The Transylvanian Alps, also known as the Southern Carpathians, is located in central Romania. They form a major part of the Carpathian Mountain range with numerous hiking opportunities ranging from spectacular ridge walks to exploring Medieval castles.

On our week-long Transylvanian Alps Trek, we start in Sinaia and descend into the Bran Valley, where local flora and fauna include edelweiss, mountain wild rose, Red Deer and Brown Bear. Eventually we reach Piatra Craiului, or 'Royal Rock' as it's affectionately known. Loved by hikers and nature lovers, the mountain ridge has the biggest biodiversity in Romania.

One particular highlight is walking along the beautiful limestone ridge, which is about 15.5 miles long; the walk is challenging in parts but the mountain views of the Southern Carpathians are nothing short of remarkable. And of course, no visit to Romania is complete without a visit to Bran Castle!

Cycling through the Transylvanian Alps

Another rewarding way to explore the Transylvanian Alps is on two wheels. You'll feel as if you've stepped back in time as you take in the UNESCO-listed Medieval town of Sighisoara, unspoilt countryside and Neo-Renaissance castles. Cycle the Olt River Valley and switch off from the rest of the world as you focus on the gravel tracks to follow the watercourse. You'll pass villages, dams and herds of water buffalo before arriving ending in Talmaciu.

For those hoping to go road cycling in the Alps, the Transylvanian Alps is a good option as you'll generally cycle on quiet country roads with little or no traffic. Another memorable cycle leads from Piatra Cariului all the way to Cartisoara. Along the way, you'll have great views of the Fagaras Mountains, which are the longest and highest ridge of the Carpathian Mountain range. Stop for a picnic and visit a Romanian Orthodox Monastery before continuing along the valley.