Mountain Adventure Holidays
Custom hiking trips are immensely popular and we regularly help craft an adventure for busy people who have little time to spend on organising a private holiday.
Our Scheduled Departure trips can be adapted to become a trip for just you and your friends. We can customise one of our Scheduled Departure holidays which you can find on this website, or we can help you create your own unique adventure. Read our Tailor-made trip page which will explain the steps involved in creating and booking a private trip.
Most of our Scheduled Departure trips can be changed to suit your requirements in a number of ways. You might want to add extra days to make the daily hiking distance shorter, or add in 'rest' days, or upgrade/downgrade the type of accommodation, there are numerous permutations! If you already know what you would like then simply then get in touch with our office.
You can also take a look at the Itinerary section above for a few ideas which may help you to make a start.
Use the interactive map above to browse your preferred country and destination.
We can create private adventure holiday itineraries guided by fully qualified professional mountain guides, known as International Mountain Leaders. We have extensive experience in the European Alps, in particular in France, Switzerland, and Italy. We also offer trips in Austria, Germany and Slovenia.
Since the first ascent of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe, the famous French mountain town of Chamonix has attracted visitors worldwide. The stunning views of glaciers and snow clad summits have inspired artists, writers, and poets such as Wordsworth, Dickens and Shelley.
With both Switzerland and Italy just thirty minutes drive away we can easily walk in three countries in three days. It's an ideal base for a huge range of day walks for all abilities. If you wish a more relaxed approach there is a large complex of cablecars and lifts which allow us to gain height easily and then walk the historic 'Balcony' paths once enjoyed by the Victorians who visited the town.
Chamonix is also the starting point for two of the world's most famous long distance hikes, the Tour du Mont Blanc, and the Haute Route which runs from Chamonix to Zermatt, in Switzerland.
Hiring a hiking guide is not just about being led through the mountains. Our qualified guides have spent years gaining their qualifications, and are well versed in the local flora and fauna, folklore and culture of the Alps. Your day out will be more than just exercise, you will finish your hike with an insight of the lives and times of the local people, and a knowledge of the history of this truly beautiful part of the world.
Many of our private trips are based on the Scheduled Departures which we already offer on this website. Simply browse the Scheduled Departures and decide which one you would like as a private trip. The itineraries can be adjusted to suit your needs with 'rest' days inserted where appropriate, and the number of trip days either extended or shortened. In this respect we find that the Tour du Mont Blanc, and the Haute Route are the most popular as custom-made, and also the stunning Italian Dolomites and the Alta Via 1.
What we would add is that the less famous, but equally as beautiful, routes are quieter in terms of less people on the trail and accommodation is easier to book, especially if you are considering a last minute getaway. Please consider all the trips rather than just the ones you have heard off, we promise you will be pleasantly surprised at the possibilities. We are very happy to discuss any of the trips with you and give advice about the options.
Our totally bespoke trips are those where you have the ideas and we discuss how these can be achieved. They could feature an element of our Scheduled Departure trip itineraries, but also include other optional activities, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoning, white water rafting and other adrenaline sports, or maybe something more relaxing and a visit to the beautiful spa at Pre St Didier in Italy, followed by compulsory gelato, to end your hiking trip?
In other words 'Bespoke' means created and crafted just for you and your family or friends. A unique experience in the stunning mountains of the Alps or indeed farther afield in Europe such as Tuscany. Tuscany is the land of surprises, not the rolling green fields of Chianti country, but impressive limestone ridges and hikes which get you well off the beaten track. Our accommodation is a gorgeous Tuscan farmhouse filled with antiques and paintings, and just a hop from the swimming pool that lies in the landscaped grounds. We already offer this trip as a Scheduled Departure, but find that it is also popular with groups and families who wish to hire the entire farmhouse for their private trip.
This is one example of the type of private trip which we can help create for you.
This is a brilliant short trip to France which can be accomplished in a long weekend. Arrive and depart from the fabled Chamonix Valley, at the foot of the highest mountain in Western Europe. The itinerary given below is a 3 day hike, plus an arrival day and departure day. An excellent 5 day escape to the mountains.
Passing through two Nature Reserves, the Tour des Fiz provides you with a true alpine experience. The Rochers des Fiz is a massive rocky mountain ridge which dominates the skyline for miles around.
We spend three days completing a circuit of it's dramatic cliffs walking 'Le Tour des Fiz'. We travel through alpine pastures and over high cols, used for centuries to link the valleys, while enjoying some of the best views of Mont Blanc.
On the evening before we start our walk we will meet you at your hotel in the lovely valley of Chamonix to brief you on the trip and answer any last minute questions. Chamonix is one of the most famous alpine towns in the world, and is a fabulous place to begin your trip.
A scenic drive from your hotel in Chamonix to the Plaine Joux viewpoint where we begin our trip. Here you can find some of the best views of Mont Blanc and it's definitely a photo opportunity. We traverse the mountainside below the towering cliffs of the Rochers des Fiz, passing through ancient hamlets. We have the possibility to ascend the Pointe Noire de Promenaz, 2323m with stunning views to Mont Blanc before descending to the Refuge de Moëde-Anterne for the night. Ascent of 1000m if the Pointe Noire de Promenaz is included, otherwise a gentler first day of 700m.
Over the Col d'Anterne, 2264m, part of the GR5, and a descent to the alpine pastures and lake where the 'patou', huge white Pyrenean sheepdogs, usually spend the summer guarding the livestock. These dogs are amazing to watch and can be seen working the herds on their own with no human guidance! We then traverse the mountain and head through the beautiful Gorge de Sales to reach a high meadow surrounded by cliffs. Here you can often spot marmots, ibex, and the rare gypaète barbu, or bearded vulture, which has been successfully re-introduced. The Refuge de Sales, where we spend the night, is an ideal spot to enjoy the local wildlife. Ascent: 700m.
Through summer pastures climbing steadily to the Col de la Portette, 2354m where once again we return to views of the Mont Blanc massif. There's the chance to call at the lovely Refuge de Plate for refreshments and learn about the largest rock desert in Europe; a fortress of limestone rock which lies above the hut. We then descend to our starting point at Plaine Joux. Ascent: 500m.
Today you leave Chamonix Valley having enjoyed a stunning mountain experience in this quiet area of the Alps.
On the first and last night in Chamonix you will be in an hotel, the other 2 nights will be in high mountain refuges in dormitories, but in some cases rooms may be available - please request this upon booking. It's normal in the Alps to share accommodation while in the mountains as the high mountain refuges where we will be staying are designed to provide beds for as many hikers as possible. However, we can by lucky and have a dorm to ourselves as this trip is not particularly busy. The refuges themselves tend to be full of character and serve tasty local dishes. They are always situated in stunning locations and the chance to enjoy a beer or glass of wine while watching the sun go down can provide a really special mountain moment. For many of our guests the refuges literally provide a highpoint of the trip.
This trip involves carrying a few basic extra items of clothing and comforts for your overnight stays. Please do not be put off by the fact this trip does not include the daily transfer of luggage, as in reality it is simply a case of spare trousers, top, small wash kit, headtorch, sheet sleeping bag and clean socks and underwear! It is a very satisfying experience to complete a trip 'pure' like this, carrying everything you need.
This trip can be walked in 2 longer days rather than 3 days, with just one night in a mountain refuge if you want to enjoy a shorter trip. Alternatively, we can expand this tour either at the beginning or the end of your trip if you would like to experience more of the area and visit Chamonix valley, in France and view the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc at 4810 metres.
On the evening before we start our walk we will meet you at your hotel in the gorgeous Swiss village of Les Marécottes to brief you on the trip and answer any last minute questions. It is possible, if necessary, to arrive late evening to Les Marecottes and your guide can meet you on the first morning.
From Les Marécottes village we drive to the hamlet of Van d'en Haut and the start of the trail to the Lac de Salanfe and our first view of the Dents du Midi with it's seven summits. Heading up through the flower meadows we make our way over the Col du Jorat at 2212m, then a long and beautiful descent past imposing cliffs to the tiny old village of Mex with its cobbled streets and the Auberge de L'Armailli. Ascent: 900m.
We begin the day with a leisurely stroll along the mountainside with fantastic views of the Rhône Valley, while above us towers the Cime de l'Est known as the little Matterhorn. Usually a good opportunity for photos of its jagged profile which does indeed echo the shape of its namesake. We then climb through meadows and ancient forests to the summer pastures at Chindonne. Our auberge enjoys wonderful views across the valley to the mountains opposite. Ascent 700m.
A day spent traversing the North West face of the Dents du Midi, past impressive gullies, chasms, and waterfalls. This walk is very atmospheric and there is definitely a feeling of having entered the landscape of Lord of the Rings though thankfully you are more likely to see ibex and marmots than hobbits and orcs! We overnight at the Buvette de Bonavau, an idyllic mountain refuge. If 'Heidi' herself had designed a mountain home this would have been it! Salad from the garden, eggs from the hens in the yard, and Christine's home cooking. Ascent: 450m.
Today we descent to Van d'en Haut and then take a taxi back to Les Marecottes arriving by mid-day. This gives an afternoon to enjoy the village which has been described as a "hidden gem". There is a local open air swimming pool carved into the rock face which is an ideal way to relax at the end of the trip. Alternatively, we take the 'high road' and climb over the stunning Col d'Emaney, with the option of including the summit of Le Luisin 2786m, which offers incredible views of the whole region. We then traverse the mountainside back to Les Marecottes stopping at the Emaney alpage to sample some cheese which is made at the farm, a real treat! If this route is chosen the ascent is 512m, including the summit of Le Luisin it is 835m. NB: You could descend from the lake straight back to Les Marecottes in the early morning, then take a train to Geneva airport allowing you to shorten the trip.
Today is departure day from Les Marecottes. The train service runs from the village and there are regular connections to Geneva airport.
On the first and last night in Les Marecottes you will be in an hotel, the other accommodation during the trip will be in high mountain refuges in dormitories, but in some cases rooms may be available - please request this upon booking. It's normal in the Alps to share accommodation while in the mountains as the high mountain refuges where we will be staying are designed to provide beds for as many hikers as possible. However, we can by lucky and have a dorm to ourselves as this trip is not particularly busy. The refuges themselves tend to be full of character and serve tasty local dishes. They are always situated in stunning locations and the chance to enjoy a beer or glass of wine while watching the sun go down can provide a really special mountain moment. For many of our guests the refuges literally provide a highpoint of the trip.
This trip involves carrying a few basic extra items of clothing and comforts for your overnight stays. Please do not be put off by the fact this trip does not include the daily transfer of luggage, as in reality it is simply a case of spare trousers, top, small wash kit, headtorch, sheet sleeping bag and clean socks and underwear! It is a very satisfying experience to complete a trip 'pure' like this, carrying everything you need.
This trip can be done in 5 days, with just three nights in a mountain refuge if you want to enjoy a shorter trip. Alternatively, we can expand this tour either at the beginning or the end of your trip if you would like to experience more of the area and visit Chamonix valley, in France and view the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc at 4810 metres.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. Single rooms are usually available for a supplement. With a family group we can sometimes book a family 'suite' which usually means two inter-connecting bedrooms. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
Centre Based
With a private tailor-made trip you can choose your preferred standard of accommodation. Once you have decided where you would like to be based, we can advise you of the options available. Some towns and villages will have more options than others. If based in a large town there is usually a broader range of accommodation available from budget to luxury.
Point to Point
If you are embarking on a point-to-point journey you may find that there is no option or choice of accommodation. However, this does not always mean basic accommodation, some mountain locations offer wonderful, characterful and traditional mountain hospitality. The choice is yours and we will prepare a quote for your trip based on the standard of accommodation chosen.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
This is a general statement with regard to luggage and is not specific to your trip. Firstly, luggage on wheels is a good idea as you may have to walk a short way to your accommodation or bedroom.
Point to Point
The majority of our point-to-point trips have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to wear a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day.
On some trips which feature a night in a refuge/rifugio/hut your main luggage may not be available that evening due to lack of vehicle access. Your rucksack should be of sufficient capacity to carry a few extra items required for this overnight. Your trip itinerary will indicate on which nights you do not have access to your main luggage. If in any doubt please contact us.
Centre Based
For our centre based trips, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, do refer to the note below with regard to 'size' and the lack of elevators in some hotels.
Size of Luggage
Please note that many hotels do not have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom.
On our point-to-point trips where your luggage is moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number because they have to unload and reload the vehicle each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement.
We normally do not include the lunches in your trip cost because of food waste. We find that people are particular about what they eat while exercising. But if you would like us to include them for your trip then we can discuss this with you.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
When creating tailor-made trips for our private guests we do not include the cost of any additional expenses such as transport, accommodation or cable cars which may required to complete your route due to itinerary changes. We always aim to complete the proposed itinerary that you have agreed with us. However, in terms of both safety and enjoyment the day by day route can only be followed when conditions and weather make it appropriate. Your guide will make a decision on your route based on those conditions. Any decision by your guide will be final and indisputable. We therefore ask that you are prepared to cover these expenses, if needed, for your group and the guide. It is rare that we need to apply this, but by operating on a case by case basis we avoid building these costs into your agreed trip price.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Either before or after your hiking trip it is possible to add on optional summer activities such as mountain biking, white water rafting, canyoning, via ferrata, and rock climbing. Not all of these activities are possible at all locations. Please contact us to discuss what is possible.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
The date range given below indicates the months when the activity can usually be undertaken.
The Complete Package We offer all inclusive packages which can include accommodation, point to point journeys, luggage transfers, the guides fees and all other logistics. We can organise all elements of your trip and leave you to simply enjoy the hiking.
Maximum Numbers To ensure that you make the most of your hiking trip we take a maximum of 10 people per guide. We can accommodate larger groups but for reasons of safety and enjoyment this would require an additional guide depending on the group size.
| From Price | What's your budget? |
| Holiday Type | Tailormade |
| Duration | How long do you have? |
| Countries Visited | Italy, France, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Austria |
