The Italian Alps
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 26 February 2022
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Covering the six northernmost regions of Italy, hemmed in by international the borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia, The Italian Alps show nature at its most potent.
Stretching almost 5 kilometres skywards and a mighty 200,000 km² across eight countries, the Alps have always played an important role in marking boundaries between nations, ever since Hannibal did the unthinkable and marched his elephants across them in order to fight the Romans. Now, in more sedate times, they offer a range of holiday options from skiing to hiking. |
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The Italian Alps stretch from the border with France where the highest peak of Monte Bianco spills over into the region of Valle d'Aosta, just above Piedmont. The mountain range continues west to Lombardy, before reaching Trentino Alto-Adige, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia where they become the sub-range of the Dolomites.
Within this vast area of northern Italy there's a wealth of magnificent sights from glacial lakes to world-class ski resorts and cities with outstanding architecture. There's also a significant mixture of cultures with French, Germanic and Slavic influences in the various international border regions.
During the winter when the mountains are fully covered in snow, Italy's ski resorts are a magnet for visitors tempted by the excellent facilities and unmistakeable Italian hospitality. Among the most popular are Cortina d'Ampezzo, Madonna di Campiglio, Canazei and Sestriere, each of which are still full of life in the summer when tourism turns towards activity holidays such as walking and cycling.
Italy's biggest park, the Stelvio National Park which is split between Lombardy and Trentino Alto-Adige, is one of four vast parks that cover the Alps along with the Gran Paradiso, Val Grande and Bellunesi Dolomites National Park.
The Alps are also home to some of Italy's most spectacular lakes; so many are there that it would be impossible to list them all but among the highlights are the likes of Lake Molveno, Lake Braies, Lake Carezza, Lake Landro and the Lakes of Fusine on the Slovenian border.
From Piedmont's capital Turin you can see the Alps looming in the distance behind the city, while smaller cities such as Bolzano, Trento, Belluno, Asiago and Bressanone are nestled right in and amongst them.
Travelling around the Alps by car is easy during the summer months, especially after the middle of April when you're not obliged to carry snow chains in certain areas. The steep mountain roads, particularly those of the Stelvio National Park have the potential to expose any deficiency your car's engine may have and you should only countenance bringing your own car if you're fully confident of its roadworthiness.
Generally-speaking, rental cars are the better option in order to avoid any damage to your own car. In the winter, the roads can become quite hazardous and during these times, the worst roads are closed.
The major cities of the Alps are all accessible by train, often with spectacular scenery to carry you along the way such as with the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Among the most convenient international airports to reach the Alps in Italy are Turin, the three around Milan and several in the east of the country such as Verona, Treviso, Venice and Trieste.
Within this vast area of northern Italy there's a wealth of magnificent sights from glacial lakes to world-class ski resorts and cities with outstanding architecture. There's also a significant mixture of cultures with French, Germanic and Slavic influences in the various international border regions.
During the winter when the mountains are fully covered in snow, Italy's ski resorts are a magnet for visitors tempted by the excellent facilities and unmistakeable Italian hospitality. Among the most popular are Cortina d'Ampezzo, Madonna di Campiglio, Canazei and Sestriere, each of which are still full of life in the summer when tourism turns towards activity holidays such as walking and cycling.
Italy's biggest park, the Stelvio National Park which is split between Lombardy and Trentino Alto-Adige, is one of four vast parks that cover the Alps along with the Gran Paradiso, Val Grande and Bellunesi Dolomites National Park.
The Alps are also home to some of Italy's most spectacular lakes; so many are there that it would be impossible to list them all but among the highlights are the likes of Lake Molveno, Lake Braies, Lake Carezza, Lake Landro and the Lakes of Fusine on the Slovenian border.
From Piedmont's capital Turin you can see the Alps looming in the distance behind the city, while smaller cities such as Bolzano, Trento, Belluno, Asiago and Bressanone are nestled right in and amongst them.
Travelling around the Alps by car is easy during the summer months, especially after the middle of April when you're not obliged to carry snow chains in certain areas. The steep mountain roads, particularly those of the Stelvio National Park have the potential to expose any deficiency your car's engine may have and you should only countenance bringing your own car if you're fully confident of its roadworthiness.
Generally-speaking, rental cars are the better option in order to avoid any damage to your own car. In the winter, the roads can become quite hazardous and during these times, the worst roads are closed.
The major cities of the Alps are all accessible by train, often with spectacular scenery to carry you along the way such as with the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Among the most convenient international airports to reach the Alps in Italy are Turin, the three around Milan and several in the east of the country such as Verona, Treviso, Venice and Trieste.
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Regions: FVG, Trentino, Veneto, Piedmont, Lombardy, VDA
Elevation: 4,810 metres Highest peak: Monte Bianco Highlights: Stelvio National Park, Gran Paradiso National Park Ski resorts: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Sestriere, Breuil-Cervinia |
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