Help me plan a walking holiday in the alps

[Walkies456]

I’m hoping to go on a walking holiday in the Alps this September. There will be 3 adults. Were not looking for particularly technical walks - we are of average fitness.

We’re considering basing ourselves in Chamonix for approx 1 week but are open to suggestions.

We don’t want to camp but have seen some nice looking campsites that have lodge style accommodation that would suit us.

We’re undecided about renting a car but would consider it if it will open up more options. However, I think our preference would be to stay somewhere well connected by public transport (hence looking at chamonix)

If anyone has done a similar walking holiday please let me know your tips - places to stay, best walks etc etc.

Thanks in advance!

We used Inntravel and they booked hotels and baggage transport, and gave maps and instructions. It wasn’t the cheapest way of doing it, but they were brilliant holidays

Chamonix and the valley are awesome. Are you looking to do day hikes and return to base each day or do something circular for the week. Like the Tour du Mont Blanc.
You get a tourist travel card giving you free train and bus transport for the whole valley from Servoz up.
They have loads of really well sign posted walking routes all around Chamonix and of course you can take cable cars up and do walks and catch cable cars back down.

Just don’t go too late into Sept. I remember going to chamomix mid Sept weeks 2-3 in the month and lots of things were shutting again before the winter season kicked in. It was a few years ago now and I think the season is a bit longer, we ended up not camping as it was shut but got a cheap room in a ski chalet offering self catering rooms. Morzine is another nice area to explore with ski lifts up for walking.

This is really helpful, thanks. We would be looking to do day hikes and return to base.

Have you stayed locally? It would be great to get some accommodation tips.

Inghams lakes and mountains specialise in this type of thing and get better prices that I've managed to get booking independently. They offer a couple of guided walks a week and advice on other walks. I would recommend the Bernese Oberland area. Bit touristy but amazing views and public transport is second to none.

@Walkies456 yes. We stayed in a Gite in Les Houches last year, booked through Airbnb. Also the campsite at Les Bossons in the past.
I know you said September but I'd avoid Chamonix for UTMB week. It's really busy and accommodation can be hard to find and a bit more costly. 26th August to 1st September.

Austria would also be a good option for walking in the Alps. The mountains are a bit lower than in Chamonix (walking at 1800m is less exhausting than at 2800m) and there are plenty of easy trails across mountain meadows and peaks.
As with anywhere in the Alps, early September is the latest you should consider as the weather can change by the end of the month and the hotels, cafes and mountain restaurants will start to close from mid-September.

Fly to Salzburg, then take the excellent public transport to somewhere like Zell am See or Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Both resorts offer free summer cards that give access to the cable cars and local transport (trains and buses) and attractions like the museum, open-air pool etc. There are spectacular views across to the higest mountains in Austria - Kitzsteinhorn and Grossglockner - and the high-level walks and views on Kitzsteinhorn are just 15 mins. from Zell am See.

That sounds lovely. Sadly there’s only one direct flight to Salzburg and it’s at 5am from Luton.

BA also fly direct to Salzburg from Heathrow, is that helpful to you?.

@Walkies456

There are many flights from the UK to Salzburg in the summer - you need to check Skyscanner.

Ryanair fly almost every day from Stansted.
WizzAir is the very early morning flight that you've found from Luton.
BA fly from Gatwick (not Heathrow) every day except Sunday
Easyjet fly from Gatwick on Wednesdays and Saturdays

I've done this before, borrowed a friend's chalet (it was a very small flat in an apartment block really) - and we just went out walking every day, signposting is excellent, the ski lifts are amazing, there's a good bus service and taxis to get you to start of walks. REally easy to plan a week of very lovely walking.

To add to my post above - the walks are all levels of difficulty from the VERY hard to rambles and everything in between. Chamonix isn't the prettiest town, but it's got good amenities and there's some very pretty village in walking or bus distance.

Watching with interest, have been thinking about similar hols.

Bernese Oberland and Zell am See - what weather to be expected at the end of March- early April? this is the only time I could go but concerned it's a dead season

@nearlylovemyusername

A hiking holiday anywhere in the mountains is not really possible in late March / early April because the mountains will still have snow cover and the walking trails won't be open. There are hikes around where I live that are still closed today (end of May) because of the snow that has yet to melt.

You can of course continue to visit. Zell am See has a beautiful lake and on a sunny day you can walk around the lake and admire the snow-capped peaks in the distance. You could also ride up on the cable cars and admire the views from the terrace of a mountain restaurant. If you get really lucky, the temperature even on the mountain might get over 15 deg and you can wrap up in a blanket and sit in a deckchair in the sun. Then there is always skiing ...!