Best Resorts for Hiking 2026

Best Resorts for Hiking compares the strongest Alpine summer bases for stunning trails, panoramic ridgelines, and waymarked routes — these resorts are a hiker's paradise in summer. The shortlist spans Slovenia, France, Austria and prioritises lift access, village facilities, activity variety and easy accommodation options for 2026 trips.

How these resorts are ranked

Resorts are ranked by the relevant summer activity mix, lift-served access, trail variety, family/adventure facilities, altitude range and how easy it is to build a multi-day mountain holiday around the village.

The top 10 summer picks combine high-mountain scenery with practical activity depth, so readers can compare hiking, biking, climbing, water sports and family options without opening every resort page.

Top 10 best resorts for hiking

  1. Kranjska Gora, Slovenia — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Zip Line, Lake Swimming, Playground; 810–1295 m, 485 m vertical.
  2. Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Rock Climbing, Paragliding; 1035–3842 m, 2807 m vertical.
  3. Courchevel, France — Hiking, Golf, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding, Kids Activities; 1300–2738 m, 1438 m vertical.
  4. La Plagne, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Paragliding, Playground, Adventure Park; 1250–3250 m, 2000 m vertical.
  5. Avoriaz, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Playground, Adventure Park; 1100–2466 m, 1366 m vertical.
  6. Morzine, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, White Water Rafting, Lake Swimming, Adventure Park; 1000–2466 m, 1466 m vertical.
  7. Les Gets, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Mountain Karting, Playground, Adventure Park; 1172–2002 m, 830 m vertical.
  8. Les Houches, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Playground, Adventure Park; 1010–1900 m, 890 m vertical.
  9. Le Grand-Bornand, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Paragliding, Playground; 1000–2100 m, 1100 m vertical.
  10. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Via Ferrata, Playground, Adventure Park; 1200–2820 m, 1620 m vertical.

Booking notes

Mountain hotels & trail-side chalets. Compare both hotels and apartments, then check transfer distance before booking — a resort that looks cheaper can lose its value if airport access is awkward during school-holiday weeks.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best resort in this guide for 2026?

Kranjska Gora currently ranks first for best resorts for hiking thanks to its mix of 7 summer activities and strong access from Ljubljana (LJU).

How does AlpineSwitch rank best resorts for hiking?

Resorts are ranked by the relevant summer activity mix, lift-served access, trail variety, family/adventure facilities, altitude range and how easy it is to build a multi-day mountain holiday around the village.

Should I book early for these resorts?

Yes. For peak 2026 weeks, book accommodation three to five months ahead. Smaller resorts often have fewer beds, while headline resorts sell the best-value apartments and hotels first.