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Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm

Alpine Exploratory

Name: Alpine Exploratory
Address: Edinburgh, GB
Telephone: +441312141144
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

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Alpine Exploratory

We research and interpret the trail to give you the finest walking holidays in the Alps, Scandinavia and the UK. We call this the Exploratory system.

ing from our office in Edinburgh. We place great importance on a friendly and positive approach to organising our holidays. We are proud of our emphasis on knowledge of our routes, making regular research trips and writing our own detailed routecards describing each trek. Please contact us any time to discuss a trip.

19/01/2025

It is very depedent on how you like to hike, there's not one rule for everyone!

The importance is comfort, ability and durability.

We suggest a pack of 30 to 45 litres as about right for our holidays.

17/01/2025

On a self-guided trip, because there is no leader to navigate and to help with problems, we ask clients to have higher levels of experience and motivation. Two separate skills are also needed if going self-guided:

Navigation
Every self-guided party must have at least one good navigator. There are two key skills: following a bearing taken from the map, and taking a bearing from the ground to find your position on the map. Many days on trek are sunny and clear, but these navigation skills become essential if the visibility shrinks. On booking we send details of books and courses that teach navigation. The skills are enjoyable to pick up and will come naturally to anyone who is regularly in the hills.

Self-reliance
Self-reliance of course comes from experience, in part, but is an attitude too. It often happens on our trips that clients fall into step with other trekkers including other clients of ours. On our more popular routes at busier times, there is often another trekking party nearby. However, it must be assumed at all times on a self-guided trip that self-reliance is needed, in terms of navigation, kit, and ability to get out of any problems that crop up. We are a phone call away for advice, and local emergency services are available, but self-reliance is the name of the game.

15/01/2025

We have great availability on the following trips:
Alta Via 9 East
Alta Via 2: North
Adlerweg
Via Alpina
Julian Alps
Tour of the Vanoise

Contact us today to book your adventures
✉️ [email protected]

13/01/2025

The Via Alpina

Life on the trail falls into a reliable pattern, with most stages taking you up and over one of 16 mountain passes. Climb up through forests to high Alpine meadows and glacial lakes, with the sound of cow bells and dramatic mountain vistas all around. In the afternoon, drop down the other side into a new valley, with the next welcoming Swiss village waiting. The route takes you beneath the dramatic peaks of the Titlis, Wetterhorn, Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Gspaltenhorn, Blümlisalp and Les Diablerets, staying in famous mountain resorts such as Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren. Other nights include locally well-known resorts like Engelberg, Kandersteg and Adelboden.

✉️ [email protected]

11/01/2025

If you're thinking of heading on a trip, and there's limited availability, why not check out some of our other options!

AV9 East
Explore some of the most dramatic landscapes of the Dolomites in our 4 stage trip following the eastern stages of the Alta Via 9. This trip traverses the mighty Monte Cristallo Massif and passes the scenic Lake Misurina. Enjoy epic views over Cadini di Misurina on the way to the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo range. Finally, descend to the picturesque Val Fiscalina on the edge of the Dolomites. This trip follows rocky and narrow paths which traverse the towering limestone peaks, and picturesque paths through forests and meadows.

Via Alpina
Our 1-week Via Alpina trip takes place in the impressive Bernese Alps of Switzerland. The trail passes by some of the highest mountains in Switzerland with fantastic views onto the Titlis, Eiger and Monch. On this trip you will be staying in charming Swiss villages each night in private rooms at hotels and guesthouses. We can also make this trip longer by adding a couple of extra days either side of the trail for you.

Tour of the Vanoise
If you'd like to experience more Alpine huts, we'd recommend choosing our Tour of the Vanoise hike which offers very similar views to the TMB. On a clear day, you can even see the Mt Blanc range from the Col de la Chaviere on the final day of hiking. This trip takes place in the Vanoise National Park in France which is known for its glaciers and wildlife (lots of marmottes and ibex!). Accommodation wise, you will be staying in mountain huts on 7 nights, and comfortable hotels on the other 4 nights. Please note that dormitory accommodation is the norm at the Alpine huts on the trip.

30/12/2024

Routecards and notes
Typically we write our Routecards the evening of the first walk; we find this is a good mixture of closeness in time plus perspective on the whole day. Our Routecards will be checked at the next Season Update (below) maing this the first of two steps.

Our notes on the wider trail, the local towns, the buses and more, are written with a focus on the trail walker, directing readers to our recommendations.

28/12/2024

Our ongoing mission is to explore and interpret the Alps and the mountainous areas of Norway and the UK. We are systematic about our exploration and the result is a thoroughly human service that interprets trekking trails for our experienced clients.

If you have any questions, pop us a message!

27/12/2024

The Snowdonia Way runs for 156km (97 miles) through the unique countryside of the Eyri National Park (Snowdonia) in North Wales. With dramatic mountains, atmospheric forests, quiet river valleys and comfy accommodation, the Snowdonia Way makes for a fantastic week-long walking holiday.

Starting in the rural market town of Machynlleth in the Dyfi Valley, the route winds its way through peaceful valleys with mountain views to the pretty coastal town of Conwy in the North. The views along the way are inspiring and the mountains of Eryri provide a wonderful backdrop to this trail.

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the team!!

Thank you all for your support and custom this year, we can't wait to see some returning faces, and also welcome new clients to our trips.

Looking forward to see what 2025 has in store for us.

From the Alpine Exploratory team
(Evie, Ben, Lucy, Steph, Rob, Amy, Nicky and Simon)

23/12/2024

Have you been practising your navigation skills?

21/12/2024

The Alta Via 9 is unique amongst the famous Alta Via trails of the Dolomites in Northern Italy, crossing this spectacular range of mountains from West to East (rather than North to South). For this reason, it’s also known as 'la Trasversale' (The Traverse). Beginning near Bolzano, we cross the Molignon Pass in the Rosengarten group, passing the Sassolungo to traverse the South face of the Sella group, with views of the Marmolada. Cross high meadows and ascend to Rifugio Lagazuoi, traversing hillsides with historic relics from the First World War before dropping to the resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. From Cortina continue East around the Monte Cristallo Massif, visiting Lago di Misurina before an epic finale around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Take in awe-inspiring views of the dramatic, rocky peaks of the Dolomites as you soak up the best of Italy's Südtirol.

Our 11 stage trip is a hike (without any Via Ferrata) and stays in beautiful mountain resorts, welcoming hotels, and cosy mountain huts. Experience the welcoming culture of Südtirol – influenced by Austria and Italy, the cultural contrasts are apparent. German, Italian and Ladin are the main languages spoken. On the way you'll also be staying in Corvara and Cortina, two charming Alpine resorts with plenty of shops and restaurants.

19/12/2024

Your self-guided trip can start on any date you choose within our season; we don't have set start dates.

Nor do we have set schedules, so we are always pleased to book trips in your chosen style. This could mean shorter or longer, more or less luxurious, or with extra stages or rest days.

For our guided trips, we offer our scheduled trips on fixed dates and with set itineraries that people can join, and also our private guided trips which can start on your choice of date.

18/12/2024

The Adlerweg is Austria’s ultimate trek, traversing the Tyrol from East to West. Translated as “The Eagle’s Way” this spectacular route winds through some of the most breathtaking alpine landscapes in Europe, and offers hikers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and diverse ecosystems of the Austrian Tyrol region.

Our route passes through 6 mountain ranges (Wilder Kaiser mountains, Brandenberg Alps, Karwendel Mountains, Tux Alps, Wetterstein Mountains and Lechtal Alps) as your traverse the whole of the Austrian Tyrol from East to West. We stay in quaint alpine villages, historic towns and traditional huts. The diverse range of terrains, including rolling meadows, dense forests, and high mountain passes, provides trekkers with an ever-changing backdrop of stunning scenery.

16/12/2024

Our 2025 season for trips in the UK and Ireland runs from 1 May to 18 September. Our self-guided trips are available on your choice of dates and trip length; we don't have set start dates and there are plenty of itineraries to choose from.

The terrain on the Davos to St. Moritz provides an exciting mix of solid trails, over which you can stride out among the...

14/12/2024

13/12/2024

Our Davos to St. Moritz trip gives a complete journey on foot from Davos to St Moritz without the need to use public transport.

The Davos to St. Moritz trail itself is a route on good footpaths, crossing from valley to valley in a handsome traverse of the Graubünden region. Although there is no 'Davos to St. Moritz' route signed as such on the ground, our Routecards show you the route and the actual footpaths that you are walking on are the well-signed, official Swiss footpaths. We celebrate this fabulous mountain area and the original purpose of Davos, which of course was mountain tourism.

12/12/2024

The terrain on the Davos to St. Moritz provides an exciting mix of solid trails, over which you can stride out among the high peaks, combined with narrower zig-zagging hillside paths on steep, loose and sometimes exposed terrain. The Davos to St. Moritz is first and foremost a walk, with no via ferrata or climbing sections.

In some places the paths are particularly steep and loose, for example on the final approaches to mountain passes such as the Sertigpass. These sections require steady balance and a head for heights.

10/12/2024

New for 2025, our 4-stage Davos to St. Moritz trip links these two famous resort towns in Graubünden, Switzerland's largest and least densely-populated canton. This is a route of Alpine Exploratory's creation, charting a varied course through the remote mountainous area between Davos and St. Moritz. We ascend to the summit of the Jakobshorn above bustling Davos, dropping to the peaceful Sertig valley before crossing the Sertigpass, now among the higher mountains. From the pass, our route descends via the Kesch Hutte through the Val Funtauna and Val Susauna to Zuoz, the historic centre of Switzerland's famous Engadin valley, with a final walk through the valley to St. Moritz.

Address

Edinburgh

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Telephone

+441312141144

Website

http://www.alpineexploratory.com/contactus/index.html

Alerts

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We're still taking bookings for hut to hut hiking in the Dolomites! Whilst accommodation on some of the more popular routes are now fully booked, our Alta Via 9 East trip is still open for bookings. This 4 stage trip includes stays in 2 cosy mountain huts and 3 welcoming hotels. Enjoy varied terrain as you pass through the Dolomites finishing with the epic circuit of the Tre Cime de Lavaredo. Contact us today for more details! #altavia #thruhiking #thruhike #dolomites

Who else is hoping for a white Christmas? ❄️ #snow #whitechristmas #alpineholidays

🥵🥶 Changing moods of a walking holiday #walkingholiday #exploremore #getoutside #mountainwalking #type2fun

Explore what the Alps have to offer on our trips! Send us a message to book now 🏔️ #tmb #tourdumontblanc #alpine #alps #epichikes

Nothing beats a sunny day in the Hebrides ☀️ #hebrides #visitthehebrides #thisisscotland

Dreamy mornings on the #Adlerweg @hotel_leitenhof #austrianhikes #vjsitaustria #tyrol #walkingholiday #tryolalps #hikingseason #austriantyrol #alpineholidays #travelinspo #activeholiday #getoutisde #exploremore

Enjoying Christmas in Edinburgh, have you visited the markets this year? #edinburgh #edinburghchristmas #christmasmarkets #edinburghlife #edinburghlive #christmasdecor #christmasinedinburgh #thisisedinburgh

Explore the Jotunheimen National Park on our 6-day walking tour this summer 🏔️ This trip passes by Norway's highest mountains staying in cosy, remote huts each night. Views like this make the hard walking so worth it! 💙 . . . . . #jotunheimen #dnt #gjende #lakegjende #turquoise #lakeviews #mountainhuts #dennorsketuristforening #memurubu #norway #bukkelægret #visitnorway

Explore the stunning landscapes of the Austrian Tyrol one step at a time ⛰️🔥 Epic trails, breathtaking views, and a whole lot of adventure! #tyroltrek #mountainmagic #mountainmood #tirol #austria #alps #austrianadventures #visitaustria

Our Tour of the Vanoise trip is a spectacular high-level route in the French Alps, encompassing the main valleys and mountain passes of the Vanoise National Park. Our 11-stage trip follows the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise route in the South, as well as our additional Northern sections. The trail runs along sections of the GR5 and the GR55 long distance routes to create its own circuit. Located between the Mont Blanc and the Ecrin Massifs, the Vanoise national park is home to 107 peaks over 3,000m, providing the mountain back-drop to this trip. Our 11-stage tour will take you on an immersive journey through Alpine meadows, past glistening lakes and over the rocky terrain of high mountain passes surrounded by snow-capped peaks and glaciers. This combination of environments, cosy huts, delicious food and varying stage lengths makes for a great walking holiday. Our 11-stage tour stays in 7 traditional mountain huts, adding a remote mountain feel to your trip. 📍 Tour of the Vanoise 📹 @themountaindietitian #alpineflowers #mountainflowers #meadow #alpinemeadow #alpenglow #alpen #alps #thealps #floraalpina #alpinelife #hikethealps #hikinglife #guidedhikingholiday #alpineviews #hiking #nature #mountains #adventure #naturephotography #hikingadventures #outdoors #alpineexploratory #explore #mountain #outdoor #wandern #getoutside #tourofthevanoise

2021 hiking holidays are just around the corner and we're excited to start booking your next trip! We realise booking a holiday right now may seem a little scary, so let us reassure you. We are offering additional flexibility for all 2021 bookings with free postponements up to 8 weeks before your trip, no questions asked! We hope to see you back on the trails soon!

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Our Story

Alpine Exploratory is a system of knowledge on the best mountain trekking in our areas, giving clients superb holidays based on this exploration. Our ongoing mission is to explore and interpret the Alps and the mountainous areas of the UK. We are systematic about our exploration and the result is a thoroughly human service that interprets trekking trails for our experienced clients. We call this the Exploratory system. We run everything from our office in Edinburgh. We place great importance on a friendly and positive approach to organising our holidays. We place great emphasis on knowledge of our routes, making regular research trips and writing our own detailed routecards describing each trek. We are based in Edinburgh. Please contact us any time to discuss a trip.