Monte Adamello is, after Presanella, the second-highest summit of the mountain group of the same name on the border between Lombardy and Trentino. The west and north faces of the Adamello rise steeply to the top, while the mountain falls away more gently towards the south-east. The Adamello lies in the Parco regionale dell’Adamello, which borders the slightly larger Parco naturale Adamello-Brenta directly to the east. Alongside ibex and chamois, larger birds of prey such as golden eagles and bearded vultures can occasionally be seen here, and brown bears only rarely.
The two peaks of the Aiguille du Dru in the northern part of the Mont Blanc massif rise steeply into the sky of the French Alps. The Grand Dru is the higher summit. The Petit Dru is about 20 meters lower. The impressive shape of the mountain has fascinated generations of climbers in Europe, and notably in France. The first ascent of the Grand Dru was accomplished in 1878 via the south-east face.
South of Chamonix, the peak of Aiguille du Midi towers in the Mont Blanc massif. It offers a magnificient view and is the starting point for various climbing routes to the surrounding four-thousander peaks, most of all the famous Mont Blanc. A cable car has been running up the Aiguille du Midi since 1955, making the summit, which is now equipped with restaurants and tourist shops, easy to reach. The highest peak of the Aiguille du Midi was climbed for the first time in 1856. Nowadays, the south face is particularly popular for its many climbing routes.
The Aiguille Verte, the “Green Needle”, is located in the Mont Blanc massif, east of Chamonix. With its rocky, pointed shape, it lives up to its name. The Aiguille Verte's massive rock face makes it one of the most challenging mountains to climb in the Alps. In some places the gradient reaches up to 55°, which is why even the normal route through the Whymper Couloir should not be underestimated. Additionally the mountain massif is surrounded by glaciers, which makes the ascent routes even more difficult.
The rock spires of the Aiguilles d’Arves rise in the Maurienne, east of Grenoble. The southern peak, the Aiguille Méridionale, is the highest of them. It is followed by the Aiguille Centrale, just one metre lower, and, set slightly apart further north, the Aiguille Septentrionale, also known as ‘Tête de Chat’ – cat’s head. Since many are drawn to the famous and popular Écrins massif to the south, the Aiguilles d’Arves have become something of an insider tip for anyone looking for quieter mountain and climbing tours.
The Albula Pass in the Swiss canton of Graubünden connects the Albula Valley with the Engadin high valley. It is one of the most popular Alpine passes for cycling. The more than 20 km long ascent from the west is scenically particularly beautiful and varied. Not only the mountains impress, but also the route of the Rhaetian Railway, which runs parallel to the pass road. Because of the train alternative and the partly narrow road, there is relatively little car traffic on the pass.
The Aletsch Glacier in the Swiss canton of Wallis is the best-known as well as the longest and biggest glacier in the entire Alps. Starting at a height of about 3800 meters in the Jungfrau-region of the Bernese Alps the glacier reaches over 22 kilometers towards the Massa river, which itself flows into the Rhône. The Aletsch Glacier as well as the adjacent Aletsch Forest make up the biggest part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.
The Aletschhorn is the second-highest summit of the Bernese Alps and is often described as the coldest mountain in the Alps, as it is particularly exposed to cold winds. From the top there is a breathtaking view of the surrounding three- and four-thousand-metre peaks of the Bernese and Valais Alps. Around the Aletschhorn lie the Aletsch Glaciers, which were once connected. The Great Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the entire Alpine region.
Lying close to many four-thousand-metre peaks of the Valais Alps, the Almagellerhorn is not the most conspicuous summit in the region. Yet the shapely mountain, which appears as a perfect rock pyramid from Saas-Fee, deserves all the attention. The ascent, which is not overly difficult, is worth it too: from the summit of the Almagellerhorn you have a splendid view of the surrounding peaks and ranges such as Weissmies to the north, Stellihorn to the south and, of course, the peaks of the Mischabel group and Monte Rosa to the west.
Alpe d'Huez is a winter sports resort in the French Alps, internationally known as a summit finish of the Tour de France.Alpe d'Huez – these are probably the 21 most famous hairpin bends in the world. The winding climb up to the French resort is also called the "Woodstock of cycling". When the Tour de France stops here, hundreds of thousands make the pilgrimage to the roadside and throw one big party.
The Alpspitze is located in the Wetterstein mountains close to Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze. In spite of its low prominence the mountain's unique pyramid shaped peak makes it one of the most iconic mountains of the Northern Limestone Alps and one of the best-known landmarks of nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The Altmann rises steeply almost 1000 metres over the valleys of the Alpstein. The second highest summit of the Appenzell Alps is a classic climbing mountain. The view from the top is impressive and goes from Lake Constance, over the Rhine valley, the Allgäu Alps, the Rätikon, the Silvretta Alps, up to the Bernese Alps, and Lake Zurich. Around the Altmann you have a fairly good chance to meet Alpine ibexes, which are widespread in the area.
While the Marmolada is regarded as the queen of the Dolomites, Antelao is their king. Unusually for this mountain group, the peak rises majestically as a free-standing rock pyramid to the south-east of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Together with Monte Pelmo to the west, the second-highest summit of the Dolomites forms a gigantic gateway into the Val di Cadore.
The Ballunspitze is well-known among the visitors of the ski resort Galtür, which is situated in Tyrol on the northern slopes of the mountain, near the town of Wirl. The chairlift Ballunspitzbahn gets you up to 2200 meters. West of the ski area, in Vorarlberg, the Kops water reservoir can be found, which was constructed in the 1960s. South of the Ballunspitze the Threethousanders of the Silvretta Alps dominate the view.
The Barre des Écrins is the Alps' western- and southernmost four-thousander, situated in the Dauphiné-Alps, a wild and rough region in southeastern France. The mountain's north face is covered by the mighty Glacier Blanc, which climbers usually pass on their way to the summit. There are no classic Alpine ski resorts around the mountain but La Grave in the north of the Barre des Écrins has become one of the centers for freeriding and extreme skiing in the Alps.
Situated in the Pennine Alps in the Swiss canton of Valais the main summit of the Becs de Bosson, the Grand Bec, rises up to 3149 metres. The subpeak, Petit bec, is only 20 centimetres lower. The mountain chalet Cabane de Becs de Bosson at an altitude of 2983 metres is the starting point or rest stop for many climbers attempting to reach the summit.
The Biberkopf (beaver's head) rises at the end of the main ridge of the Allgäu Alps and is considered to be Germany's most southern mountain. The border to Austria runs along the distinctive summit. The name of the mountain goes back to larger beaver colonies that populated the nearby Lechtal and the surrounding high moors. Beavers are also part of the traditonal womens' costumes of the area which include beaver hats.
The Birkkarspitze is the highest mountain in the Karwendel. Together with the three Ödkarspitzen peaks west of the summit, it forms an impressive massif. The Karwendeltal runs to the north of the Birkkarspitze. Its length and gentle gradient make it ideal for mountain biking, and long ski tours with an impressive panorama are popular there too.
The Birnhorn is the highest point of the Leoganger Steinberge and one of the 30 most prominent summits in the Alps. It rises almost 2000 metres above the valley of the Leoganger Ache to its south. The mountain’s south-east face, around 1400 metres high, is one of the highest rock faces in the Eastern Alps and is even compared to the famous east face of the nearby Watzmann.
The Bischofsmütze, German for “bishop's hat”, owes its name to the distinctive shape of the double summit. The border between the Archduchy of Austria and the Archdiocese of Salzburg ran along the mountain, until the beginning of the 19th century. The mountain was said to keep watch over the Eastern Pongau region, which was administered by the Archbishop of Salzburg. Even though in 1993 the Bischofsmütze lost a 200 meter cliff wall in a massive rock slide, which changed the mountain's appearance significantly, it remains a popular destination for mountain climbers since the first ascent, made in 1879.
The Breithorn is a mountain range in the Pennine Alps whose highest summit carries the same name and lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It sits on the main chain of the Alps, roughly halfway between the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa and east of the Theodul Pass. Most of the massif is glaciated and includes several subsidiary peaks, all of them east of the main summit: the Central Breithorn, the western Breithorn Twin, the Gendarme and the Roccia Nera.
Three Swiss cantons border on the top of the Brienzer Rothorn. A cable car from Sörenberg in Lucerne almost reaches the summit from the northern side. In the winter the are is part of the ski resort Sörenberg / Rothorn. The mountain station of the other cable car, going up from Brienz in Bern from the south, is located about 100 meters below the summit. The Brienzer Rothorn is known for the Alpine ibexes which populate its slopes. One might spot the animals when following the route of the “Ibex Trek” starting at Sörenberg.
The Churfirsten form a striking mountain range in the Appenzell Alps in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. Of its seven summits, the Hinterrugg is the highest at 2306 m. While the range tapers off relatively gently to the north, to the south it drops steeply down to the Walensee at an altitude of around 420 m.
Cima d'Asta is the highest peak of the mountain massif of the same name and thus also the highest point in the Fiemme Mountains The mountain is located in a rather remote part of the Dolomites, away from the main tourist routes. The rock of the Cima d'Asta consists of granite, which sets it apart from the surrounding mountains, which are mainly characterized by reddish volcanic stone.
Cima Dodici (or Cima XII) is the highest point of the province of Vicenza and the Vicentine Alps, which rise northeast of Lago di Garda. The border with the province of Trento runs across the summit. In German, the mountain is also known as Zwölferkofel. Since Cima Dodici is easily accessible from all directions it is a popular destination for mountain hikes in the summer and ski tours in winter.
Cima Tosa is a mountain in the Brenta Group, north of Lago di Garda. It was once considered the highest point in the massif. However, new measurements revealed a summit height of just under 3 136 meters, making Cima Brenta (3 151 m) in the north the higher of the two peaks. Nevertheless, Cima Tosa is a fascinating huge, snow-covered rock tower with steep walls. The north face of the mountain, which is around 800 meters high, is particularly impressive.
The summit of the Cimon della Pala is a striking rock pyramid, which is why the mountain is also known as the ‘Matterhorn of the Dolomites’. There is a particularly fine view of the summit and the surrounding peaks of the Pala group from the Passo Rolle at almost 2000 metres. The normal route to the top follows the east ridge, but was not climbed for the first time until 1989. The first ascent of the mountain in 1870, by contrast, took the line up the north face.
At 2764 metres, the Col de l’Iseran is the highest paved Alpine pass in Europe and one of the most legendary challenges in the French high mountains. It is of great importance for cycling and has been part of the Tour de France several times. Its difficulty comes not only from the amount of climbing and the length of the ascent but also from the thin air and the often extreme weather conditions. Even in high summer, cold and storms can dominate the pass – in 2019 the Tour de France even had to be abandoned here because of snow and landslides.
At 2304 metres, the Col de la Loze is one of the highest rideable passes in the French Alps and a legend of modern cycling. The summit between Méribel and Courchevel has only been accessible since 2019, via a paved cycle path closed to cars. Its difficulty lies less in its length than in its erratic profile: constantly changing gradients with ramps of over 20 per cent make any kind of pacing impossible. Part of the Tour de France since 2020, the climb is considered one of the toughest of the race – in 2023 it was here that Tadej Pogačar finally lost the Tour to Jonas Vingegaard.
At 2642 m, the Col du Galibier is the fifth-highest paved road pass in the Alps. This pass in the Western Alps is one of the absolute classics on the Tour de France programme, and it has a great deal to offer scenically as well. Much of the route runs through high Alpine terrain resembling a lunar landscape. The Galibier also forms a climatic boundary between the wetter northern Alpine climate and the dry Mediterranean climate on its southern side.
The southern neighbour Matterhorn steals a lot of the attention but the pyramid-shaped summit of Dent Blanche is most fascinating nonetheless. From here four ridges run almost perfectly towards the four cardinal points. The first documented ascent of Dent Blanche was accomplished in 1862, three years before the first ascent of the Matterhorn. The chosen route at the time from the south is still the normal route today. The hut of the Swiss Alpine Club Cabane de la Dent-Blanche is a popular starting point for summit attempts.
The Dent du Géant (the Giant's Tooth) is part of the Mont Blanc massif on the border between France and Italy. The northeast summit which rises up steeply gave the mountain its name. The lower southwest summit is also just above the 4000 meter mark.
The Dents du Midi are a mountain range which spans over three kilometers in the Swiss Canton of Valais. The seven peaks, all of which reach a height of about 3,200m, offer magnificient views both of Lake Geneva and the Rhône plains and are habitat for diverse plant and animal life, making them a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers.
With 4545 metres the Dom is the highest mountain with its entire base completely located in Switzerland. The view from the top offers a spectacular panorama far into the country and over the Monte Rosa massif due to the mountain's high prominence. The Dom is named after the Canon of the Sitten cathedral (in German: "Dom") who took part in the first official surveys of the area. The ski resort “Saas-Fee” is only six kilometres away, and even in the summer allows for some of the highest and most beautiful ski-runs in the entire Alps.
These three peaks of the Sesto Dolomites are a popular destination for mountaineers. It was here that many developments of mountaineering began, for example the discipline of sport climbing. Unfortunately, part of their popularity can be traced back to World War I. At the time, the area around the battlements was fiercely contested, the remains of which can still be found around the three peaks today.
The Dufourspitze is the highest mountain of Switzerland and the highest peak of Monte Rosa, one of the Alps' most impressive mountain massifs. The Swiss-Italian border runs along about 100 m east of the summit. The mountain is named after Guillaume-Henri Dufour, a Swiss general and topographer who published the first official map of Switzerland in 1845.
