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Best Mountain Climbs for Beginners
The Alps have been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, drawing over 120 million visitors each year. While skiing is the main attraction in winter, interest in mountaineering is on the rise.
From June to September, thousands of climbers head to the Alps to try their hand at mountaineering and take in the stunning views that Europe has to offer.
Many adventurers seek out the best mountain climbs for beginners. Summer provides a great opportunity for those new to the sport since the snow from earlier months has melted, and the weather is typically mild with plenty of clear, sunny days.
What Are the Best Alps for Beginners?
With the company of a certified guide and a reasonable level of physical fitness, many climbers can successfully summit the easier 4,000-meter peaks. Looking for a simple mountain climb in Europe?
Here Are Five Easy Summits in the Alps:
Gran Paradiso (4,061 m / 13,323 ft)
Situated between the Aosta and Piedmont Valleys, Gran Paradiso is a classic alpine ascent. It is the highest peak entirely located within Italy and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding national park.
The climb starts with a hiking approach from Pont, leading through rocky fields to one of two mountain huts.
The following day begins early, as Gran Paradiso features one of the longest summit ascents in the Alps. However, the climb is straightforward due to the absence of technical requirements, allowing for a rapid ascent.
Climbers will need to navigate a glacier using crampons and an ice axe before tackling a 60-meter scramble to reach the summit. All necessary skills can be taught to climbers on the first day of the ascent.
Breithorn (4,164 m / 13,661 ft)
Located on the border between Switzerland and Italy, the Breithorn is considered one of the easiest 4,000-meter climbs in Switzerland and is among the most frequently climbed mountains in the country.
The ascent begins with a lift ride to either the Plateau Rosa (Cervinia) or Breithorn Plateau (Zermatt), providing easy access to the mountain.
Once at the plateaus, only a few hours of climbing remain to reach the summit, which mainly involves traversing the glacier with crampons and an ice axe, with a few challenging sections near the top.
The summit offers stunning views of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa massif, extending into the Rhone Valley.
- Best starting point: Zermatt, Switzerland or Cervinia, Italy
- Ascent duration: 1 day
- Climb Breithorn with a local certified mountain guide
Aiguille du Tour (3,540 m / 11,610 ft)
Located at the northern end of the Mont Blanc massif, Aiguille du Tour presents a valuable opportunity for novice climbers to gain alpine experience.
There are two primary routes to the summit, one starting from the French side and the other from the Swiss side. Both paths are relatively straightforward, beginning with a chairlift ascent towards the mountain’s glacier.
Once off the chairlift, climbers will need basic crampon techniques and ice axe skills to navigate the glacier before completing a brief scramble to reach the rocky summit.
The summit rewards climbers with some of the best views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding Swiss and French Alps.
Allalinhorn (4,027 m / 13,212 ft)
Located in Switzerland and close to the Breithorn, the Allalinhorn is also recognized as one of the easiest 4,000-meter climbs in the region.
The ascent starts with a lift ride to Mittelallalin, situated on the mountain’s northwestern ridge. From this point, climbers face only a 500-meter vertical ascent to the summit.
This ascent occurs over the glacier, which can be easily traversed with the right equipment. Care should be taken due to various crevasses on the glacier as climbers make their ascent.
The summit offers spectacular views over Breithorn and many other peaks in the Swiss Alps.
Bishorn (4,153 m / 13,625 ft)
Located just north of Zermatt in south-central Switzerland, the Bishorn is another beginner-friendly climb in the Alps, recognized as one of the northernmost 4,000-meter peaks.
Its easy accessibility makes it a popular choice for novice climbers, beginning with a hiking day from the trailhead to a mountain hut. This hike, while manageable, requires a 1,500-meter ascent along carved stone steps.
The next day, the journey continues across the Turtmanngletscher before ascending a snowy saddle to the ridgeline. Climbers will then turn right at the ridge and cross a bergschrund to reach the summit.
Bishorn offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Weisshorn and across the Rhone Valley from the top.
Are you ready for your first mountaineering adventure? Be sure to check out Explore-Share, an online platform for booking guided tours worldwide. You can find various options to climb any of these five alpine peaks with a local certified guide.
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Author Bio: Daniel Dawson
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