The Best Hiking Hotels in the Alps

Summer in the Alps is one of the great walking holidays in the world. Lifts and mountain railways carry you above the tree line in minutes, flower meadows and glacier views open up on every side, and a hut with a sunny terrace is never far away. From Zermatt and the Bernese Oberland to Chamonix, the Austrian Tyrol and the Bavarian Alps, the trails are superbly marked, and there is a walk for every level, from a gentle stroll around a lake to a week on the Tour du Mont Blanc.

The right hotel puts you at the start of the trail, with a pool and a good dinner waiting at the end. These are our favourite hiking hotels in the Alps, chosen for the walking on their doorstep as much as for the stay itself. For the Italian peaks, see our separate guide to the best hotels for hiking in the Dolomites.

The best hiking hotels in the Alps at a glance

• Best for Matterhorn views: Riffelalp Resort 2222m
• Best Zermatt base: The Omnia
• Best for the Jungfrau region: Bergwelt Grindelwald
• Best for Mont Blanc: Le Hameau Albert 1er
• Best value: Hotel Bella Tola
• Best for walking and wellness: 7132 Hotel
• Best for trails from the door: Tschuggen Grand Hotel
• Best for a lake-and-mountain walk: Bürgenstock Resort
• Best for guided hikes: Schloss Elmau
• Best for families: Naturhotel Forsthofgut
• Best for a long-distance trail: Hotel Gasthof Post

1. Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Zermatt

Best for: Matterhorn views, couples, walking straight from the door

Riffelalp sits on a sunny plateau at 2,222 metres above Zermatt, reached by the Gornergrat railway and Europe's highest tram, with the Matterhorn filling the view. It is in the middle of the Gornergrat hiking area, so the trails begin at the door. The classic walk is from Rotenboden station, one stop up the line, past the Riffelsee, where the Matterhorn is reflected in the still water, and down through meadows and stone pine forest back to the hotel: about six kilometres and an hour and a half, almost all downhill. The summer season runs from late June to late September. Read our review of Riffelalp Resort 2222m.

2. The Omnia, Zermatt

Best for: design lovers, a stylish base for Zermatt's trails

Set on a rock 45 metres above the main street of car-free Zermatt, The Omnia is reached by a lift through the mountain and has a calm, modern style and a spa with indoor and outdoor pools. Zermatt has around 400 kilometres of marked trails, and the lifts that reach them are a short walk away. Our favourite day walk is the Five Lakes Walk, about 11 kilometres from Blauherd to Sunnegga, passing the Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee, several of them with Matterhorn reflections. Read our review of The Omnia.

3. Bergwelt Grindelwald, Grindelwald

Best for: couples, families, the Eiger and Jungfrau

Bergwelt Grindelwald is a stylish design hotel in the centre of Grindelwald, beneath the north face of the Eiger, about 200 metres from the gondola to First. From First, an easy, popular walk of about an hour each way leads to the Bachalpsee, a lake with a perfect view of the Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn. Beyond that lie the Eiger Trail, the walks around Kleine Scheidegg and the railway to the Jungfraujoch, the highest station in Europe. The 800-square-metre Fire & Ice Spa is included in the rate. Read our review of Bergwelt Grindelwald.

4. Le Hameau Albert 1er, Chamonix

Best for: food lovers, strong hikers, the Mont Blanc massif

Chamonix is the birthplace of mountaineering, and its trails face the glaciers and granite spires of Mont Blanc. The great classic is the Grand Balcon Nord, about 5.7 kilometres and two and a half hours from the Plan de l'Aiguille, the halfway station of the Aiguille du Midi, to Montenvers and the Mer de Glace, where you take the train back down. Across the valley, the climb to Lac Blanc is one of the most famous views in the Alps, and the town is also a classic start for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Le Hameau Albert 1er has been run by the same family since 1903, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, an indoor-outdoor pool and private chalets in landscaped grounds. For a central alternative steps from the lifts, try the Grand Hôtel des Alpes. Read our review of Le Hameau Albert 1er.

5. Hotel Bella Tola, St-Luc

Best for: walkers, families, old-world charm at a fair price

St-Luc lies at around 1,650 metres in the Val d'Anniviers, an unspoilt side valley of the Valais, and Hotel Bella Tola is a family-run Belle Époque hotel with antiques, painted ceilings and a small spa. A funicular from the village climbs to Tignousa, where the Planet Walk follows a scale model of the solar system across the mountainside, with views of the Weisshorn and the high peaks of the Valais. It is a gentle, beautiful walk for children and adults alike, and the François-Xavier Bagnoud Observatory nearby offers stargazing evenings. Read our review of Hotel Bella Tola.

6. 7132 Hotel, Vals

Best for: wellness, architecture lovers, quiet walks

At the head of a remote valley in Graubünden, the 7132 Hotel stands beside Peter Zumthor's celebrated quartzite Therme. In summer, trails climb from the village through flower meadows to high pastures and alpine lakes, and there is nothing better after a day's walking than a long soak in the thermal baths. Rooms and penthouses designed by leading architects, including Kengo Kuma, and Michelin-recognised dining, make it one of the most memorable places to stay in Switzerland. Read our review of 7132 Hotel.

7. Tschuggen Grand Hotel, Arosa

Best for: design lovers, families, walking from the door

The Tschuggen stands at around 1,800 metres above Arosa, at the end of one of Switzerland's most scenic railways, so walks start at the hotel door, from forest paths to high trails to mountain lakes and summits. The Arosa Wildlife Trail, from the Weisshorn past the Hörnli and the Älplisee, is a highlight, and the hotel's Outdoor Butler can plan a hike with a picnic. Mario Botta's 5,000-square-metre Tschuggen Bergoase spa is waiting at the end of the day. The summer season runs from late June to early September. Read our review of Tschuggen Grand Hotel.

8. Bürgenstock Resort, Lake Lucerne

Best for: couples, families, a short, spectacular walk

Bürgenstock Resort stands on a car-free ridge 500 metres above Lake Lucerne, and its signature walk is the Felsenweg, a 2.2-kilometre path cut into the cliff face, with the lake far below. It takes about an hour and ends at the Hammetschwand Lift, built in 1905, which climbs 153 metres up the rock to a viewpoint at 1,132 metres. The path is open from spring to autumn. Back at the resort, the 10,000-square-metre Alpine Spa and the famous cliff-edge infinity pool look out over the lake to the Alps. Read our review of Bürgenstock Resort.

9. Schloss Elmau, Bavarian Alps

Best for: guided hikes, couples, culture lovers

Schloss Elmau lies in a secluded high valley beneath the Wetterstein mountains, home to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, with trails in every direction from the door. Easy walks lead to the Elmauer Alm and around the Ferchensee, longer routes to the Partnach Gorge and King Ludwig II's Schachen house at around 1,800 metres, and serious hikers can tackle the Arnspitze or the Dreitorspitze. The hotel offers free guided hikes several days a week and hiking-week packages, and in the evening there are concerts in the historic hall. Read our review of Schloss Elmau.

10. Naturhotel Forsthofgut, Leogang

Best for: families, nature lovers, walking and biking

Naturhotel Forsthofgut stands at the foot of the Asitz in Leogang, in Austria's Salzburger Land, surrounded by meadows and private woodland and facing the jagged limestone peaks of the Leoganger Steinberge. Summer brings hiking and mountain biking straight from the door, and the lifts of the Asitz lead higher still. It is one of the best family hotels in Austria, with a kids' club, family suites, a natural swimming lake and Europe's first forest spa, the waldSPA, for the adults. Read our review of Naturhotel Forsthofgut.

11. Hotel Gasthof Post, Lech

Best for: traditional Alpine style, families, long-distance walkers

Lech, in the Arlberg, is famous for skiing, but in summer its meadows are full of flowers and its trails are quiet. It is also the start of the Lechweg, a 125-kilometre long-distance trail that follows the Lech river from its source at Lake Formarin to the Lech Falls in Füssen, in Bavaria, usually walked in seven or eight stages. The Post is a family-run Relais & Châteaux landmark in the centre of the village, with individually styled rooms, a spa and mountain-facing pools. Read our review of Hotel Gasthof Post.

Also worth considering

In Austria, Jagdgut Wachtelhof has around 350 kilometres of hiking trails in the Hochkönig region on its doorstep, and Heritage Hotel Hallstatt is a lovely base for walks above the lake and the Dachstein. In Switzerland, The Chedi Andermatt pairs walking over the high passes with a superb spa. In France, Les Fermes de Marie in Megève is surrounded by flower meadows in summer, and in Slovenia, Hotel Triglav Bled is an affordable base for the Julian Alps.

How to choose a hiking hotel in the Alps

Sleep high for the views. Riffelalp and the Tschuggen put you above the valley, so you can walk from the door without waiting for a lift, and see the mountains at sunrise and sunset.

Choose a mountain town for variety. Zermatt, Grindelwald and Chamonix have lift and rail networks that reach dozens of trails, so you can choose a different walk every day, from gentle lake walks to long, high routes.

Choose a quieter valley for peace. St-Luc, Vals, Elmau and Leogang offer beautiful walking without the crowds of the famous resorts.

Think about the end of the day. After a long walk, a spa or a thermal bath is the best reward, and the hotels here all have one.

When to go hiking in the Alps

The summer hiking season runs from mid-to-late June to late September, and longer in lower valleys. Most high lifts, mountain railways and huts open from mid-June and close in late September or October, and snow can linger on high passes into early July. Late June and July bring the best wildflowers, July and August are the warmest and busiest months, and September is quieter, with clear, settled days and autumn colour. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in high summer, so start early. Many hotels close between the winter and summer seasons, so check opening dates before you book.

Tips for hiking in the Alps

• Ask about guest cards and lift passes. Many resorts include local lifts, trains and buses in a summer guest card, and Switzerland's rail network makes car-free trips easy.
• Check lift times. The first and last lifts set the length of your day.
• Book huts ahead. For hut-to-hut routes such as the Tour du Mont Blanc, book months ahead for July and August.
• Pack for the weather. Even on a sunny day, take a waterproof, a warm layer and sun protection above the tree line.
• Hire a guide for glaciers and via ferratas. Your hotel can usually arrange one.

For more summer ideas, see our summer mountain hotels, our guide to the Alps and our pick of infinity pools with mountain views.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best hotel for hiking in the Alps?

Riffelalp Resort 2222m in Zermatt is our favourite, with trails and Matterhorn views from the door. Bergwelt Grindelwald is best for the Jungfrau region, Le Hameau Albert 1er for Chamonix and Mont Blanc, and Schloss Elmau for guided hikes.

When is the best time to hike in the Alps?

From late June to late September, when high lifts, mountain railways and huts are open. Late June and July bring the best wildflowers, July and August are the busiest months, and September is quieter, with settled weather.

Where is the best place to stay for hiking in Switzerland?

Zermatt and Grindelwald are the classic bases, with huge networks of trails and lifts. For quieter walking, try St-Luc in the Val d'Anniviers, Vals or Arosa.

What is the best easy hike in Zermatt?

The walk from Rotenboden past the Riffelsee to Riffelalp is about six kilometres, mostly downhill, with the Matterhorn reflected in the lake. The Five Lakes Walk, from Blauherd to Sunnegga, is about 11 kilometres.

Can you go hiking in the Alps without a car?

Yes. Switzerland in particular has an excellent rail and lift network, and car-free resorts such as Zermatt are designed for it. Many resorts include local transport in a summer guest card.

Is Chamonix good for hiking?

Chamonix is one of the best hiking bases in the Alps, with routes such as the Grand Balcon Nord and Lac Blanc facing Mont Blanc, and it is a classic start for the Tour du Mont Blanc.