If, like me, you’re still dreaming about skiing and you’re really missing the white stuff, then glacier hiking could the perfect way of getting through those long summer months before the ski season starts again. Venture where very few people have been before, discover a surprising and unique environment and take home memories you’ll want to share with everyone. Glacier hiking suits those who love trekking, wild landscapes and feeling at one with nature but there are different levels of difficulty and danger involved so find out if glacier hiking is for you…
Have you got the stamina for glacier hiking?
So you’re generally fit, healthy and practice regular sports and think you’re reading to try glacier hiking? You already have a very good, and necessary, base. However, there are some issues that you need to take into consideration before trying glacier hiking. The average glacier in Europe is at around 3000 meters above sea level – that’s nearly 10,000 feet – and one of the highest is at 3820m (12,530ft) in Zermatt in Switzerland! You won’t be lacking snow or amazing views up at these altitudes but one thing you will notice is the shortage of oxygen! If you’ve skied at high altitudes, then you’ll know that unnerving sensation of being constantly out of breathe. The difference is that when skiing at high altitudes, we take frequent breaks in cozy cafes and you can get your breathe back when taking a ski lift. Glacier hiking is an endurance sport and taking breaks is not really common practice – apart from obvious breaks to drink, eat and sleep of course – and a day’s hike can be between 6 and 8 hours! Also, unless you have decided to hire a donkey, you will have to carry all your own supplies and safety equipment in a rucksack – which could weigh up to 20kg! Are you still up for the challenge?
Where to try glacier hiking in Europe
To give you just a taster, we’ve taken a look at 3 of the most outstanding, relatively easy, glacier hiking trips in Europe.
The Summer Haute Route glacier hiking trail
Featured in the National Geographic's top ten worldwide treks, the Summer Haute Route glacier hiking trail offers you the chance to enjoy some of the most spectacular views and 4000-meter peaks in the Alps including the Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin, the Weisshorn and the Matterhorn. Stretching from the Mont Blanc to the Grand Paradiso, this glacier hiking trail links two world-famous mountaineering meccas; Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland. The Summer Haute Route trail is one of the world's best multi-day treks and is not particularly technically difficult as the trail is well-marked, although you will need plenty of stamina!
The Summer Haute Route glacier hiking trail
The Gran Paradiso Summits glacier hiking trail
If staying in mountain refuges and enjoying good Italian food sound tempting then the Gran Paradiso Summits is the glacier hiking choice for you. This is an accessible glacier hike in the Italian Alps which includes the ascent of Gran Paradiso peak, the highest mountain in Italy! Your stamina needs to be at a pretty high level and you need to be comfortable with some easy climbing. You might even have a chance to meet ibex, chamois and marmots.
The Eiger glacier hiking trail
If the mention of the “north face of the Eiger” gets your heartbeat racing, then the Eiger trek is the right choice for your glacier hiking experience. You will pass directly beneath the famous north face of the Eiger which has a notorious reputation among mountaineering guides. Starting in the town of Interlaken, you will experience some high altitude trekking, glacier hiking and some exhilarating via ferrata. If you’re really looking for peace and quiet and the feeling of having the mountain to yourself, then this is the right choice for you as it is a fairly quiet route.
The Eiger glacier hiking trail
How to organise a glacier hiking trip
Well, I think it goes without saying that you don’t organise your own glacier hiking trip! This is certainly one kind of holiday that you have to leave the experts to take care of. There’s a good choice of companies that organise this kind of trip but one, in particular, caught our eye – Mountain Tracks. A team of enthusiastic, professional and friendly mountain guides offering a great choice of glacier hiking trails with something to suit all levels and tastes. All guides hold the prestigious IFMGA Mountain Guides qualification and are all also members of the British Mountain Guides Association. With this kind of qualification, you are guaranteed your guide has an extremely high level of professional experience, knowledge and skills in mountaineering, climbing and skiing. I highly recommend you take a look at their website for more information.
Photos: all photos from Mountain Tracks website.
If, like me, you’re still dreaming about skiing and you’re really missing the white stuff, then glacier hiking could the perfect way of getting through those long summer months before the ski season starts again. Venture where very few people have been before, discover a surprising and unique environment and take home memories you’ll want to share with everyone. Glacier hiking suits those who love trekking, wild landscapes and feeling at one with nature but there are different levels of difficulty and danger involved so find out if glacier hiking is for you…
Have you got the stamina for glacier hiking?
So you’re generally fit, healthy and practice regular sports and think you’re reading to try glacier hiking? You already have a very good, and necessary, base. However, there are some issues that you need to take into consideration before trying glacier hiking. The average glacier in Europe is at around 3000 meters above sea level – that’s nearly 10,000 feet – and one of the highest is at 3820m (12,530ft) in Zermatt in Switzerland! You won’t be lacking snow or amazing views up at these altitudes but one thing you will notice is the shortage of oxygen! If you’ve skied at high altitudes, then you’ll know that unnerving sensation of being constantly out of breathe. The difference is that when skiing at high altitudes, we take frequent breaks in cozy cafes and you can get your breathe back when taking a ski lift. Glacier hiking is an endurance sport and taking breaks is not really common practice – apart from obvious breaks to drink, eat and sleep of course – and a day’s hike can be between 6 and 8 hours! Also, unless you have decided to hire a donkey, you will have to carry all your own supplies and safety equipment in a rucksack – which could weigh up to 20kg! Are you still up for the challenge?
Where to try glacier hiking in Europe
To give you just a taster, we’ve taken a look at 3 of the most outstanding, relatively easy, glacier hiking trips in Europe.
The Summer Haute Route glacier hiking trail
Featured in the National Geographic's top ten worldwide treks, the Summer Haute Route glacier hiking trail offers you the chance to enjoy some of the most spectacular views and 4000-meter peaks in the Alps including the Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin, the Weisshorn and the Matterhorn. Stretching from the Mont Blanc to the Grand Paradiso, this glacier hiking trail links two world-famous mountaineering meccas; Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland. The Summer Haute Route trail is one of the world's best multi-day treks and is not particularly technically difficult as the trail is well-marked, although you will need plenty of stamina!
The Summer Haute Route glacier hiking trail
The Gran Paradiso Summits glacier hiking trail
If staying in mountain refuges and enjoying good Italian food sound tempting then the Gran Paradiso Summits is the glacier hiking choice for you. This is an accessible glacier hike in the Italian Alps which includes the ascent of Gran Paradiso peak, the highest mountain in Italy! Your stamina needs to be at a pretty high level and you need to be comfortable with some easy climbing. You might even have a chance to meet ibex, chamois and marmots.
The Eiger glacier hiking trail
If the mention of the “north face of the Eiger” gets your heartbeat racing, then the Eiger trek is the right choice for your glacier hiking experience. You will pass directly beneath the famous north face of the Eiger which has a notorious reputation among mountaineering guides. Starting in the town of Interlaken, you will experience some high altitude trekking, glacier hiking and some exhilarating via ferrata. If you’re really looking for peace and quiet and the feeling of having the mountain to yourself, then this is the right choice for you as it is a fairly quiet route.
The Eiger glacier hiking trail
How to organise a glacier hiking trip
Well, I think it goes without saying that you don’t organise your own glacier hiking trip! This is certainly one kind of holiday that you have to leave the experts to take care of. There’s a good choice of companies that organise this kind of trip but one, in particular, caught our eye – Mountain Tracks. A team of enthusiastic, professional and friendly mountain guides offering a great choice of glacier hiking trails with something to suit all levels and tastes. All guides hold the prestigious IFMGA Mountain Guides qualification and are all also members of the British Mountain Guides Association. With this kind of qualification, you are guaranteed your guide has an extremely high level of professional experience, knowledge and skills in mountaineering, climbing and skiing. I highly recommend you take a look at their website for more information.
Photos: all photos from Mountain Tracks website.