9 Mesmerizing Adventure Tours In The Alps: France, Italy, Switzerland - Updated 2024

Hiking and adventure tours in the Alpes
Félix
Félix 
Updated
| 6 min read

The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) across eight alpine countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, and Switzerland. Featuring incredibly high mountain peaks such as Mont Blanc (spanning the French-Italian border, with a height of 4,810 m (15,781 feet)) and the Matterhorn, the alpine region contains about a hundred peaks higher than 4,000 metres (just over 13,000 feet) and is primarily attractive for outdoor activities, such as alpine skiing, mountaineering, mountain biking (cross-country, downhill), white water rafting, and paragliding. Well, being outdoors in the mountains is definitely the place to be! The choice of activities is continuously evolving as people come up with new ideas but it’s sometimes difficult to make your way through so many choices. In this article, we’ll look at 9 great adventure tours in the Alps for a lifetime experience!

Map location

Sightseeing tours

1. Helicopter Skydive in Interlaken (from USD 599.0)

Mannlichen
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kevin Boniface used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Life time adventure! Riding a helicopter to 4,260 meters (14,000 feet), you’ll be blown away by the breathtaking view of the famous Swiss Alps Eiger Mönch Jungfrau before skydiving into the open space in front of the wonderful Swiss Alps. After about 45 seconds of a thrilling free fall at 190 kilometers (120 miles) an hour, you’ll glide the parachute to a safe landing in Interlaken. Safely trained by a professional bringing you few practical ground exercises, a jump suit, googles, and harness, you will be all secured and will be able to enjoy, without worrying about anything else, the fantastic and unique view of the snowy Swiss Alps with glaciers and deep valleys from above. This is something to do at least once a lifetime!

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Helicopter Skydiving in Interlaken

Duration: 3 hours

213 reviews

2. Interlaken 3-Hour Guided E-Bike Tour with a Farm and Ancient Villages Visit (from USD 164.0)

1008L Brienzersee Brienzer Rothorn
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gabrielle Merk used under CC BY-SA 4.0

With this 3-hour easy-to-ride electric bike tour from Interlaken, you’ll get a different point of view of the beautiful alpine countryside in Switzerland. From the banks of the shimmering Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, from the views of the mountain tracks, passing by the River Aare to Unterseen, you’ll be full of wonderful memories and images. Furthermore, you’ll also get close to the traditional Swiss life, visiting a traditional farm, old villages, and more Covering a good 15 kilometers (9 miles) easily (thanks to your comfortable ebikes) you’ll love gazing at the idyllic surroundings!

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Interlaken 3-Hour E-Bike Tour with Farm, Ancient Village Visit

Duration: 3 hours

49 reviews

Interlaken Tour Guide

Iuliia Solodenko

Iuliia Solodenko

Learned to read at the age of five. Loved fairy tales.For 11 years I studied the cello at the school that Oistrakh graduated from ( I am from Ukraine).My favorite lesson at school is history, it is my only passion.I dreamed to became an archaeologist, but I graduated from the acting faculty and worked as an actress in the theater.In 2008 I moved to Venice. Experience since 2011 in travel companies hosting tourists throughout Italy, as well as France and Switzerland. Thats why even before I moved in Lucerne, I knew Switzerland very well!In 2015, in Venice, I received a guide license.In 2020 I moved again, this time and Switzerland and now is my home: here I have my family and I continue to work as a guide.I promise not to torment you too much with dates and names.See you!

3. Swiss Alps Beginner Canyoning Experience from Interlaken (from USD 176.0)

Jungfrau1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Johannes D used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This 3.5-hour canyoning tour will blow your mind, pleasing to outdoor sports lovers and adventurers, but also will introduce beginners to the sport near Interlaken. Beneath the soaring peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger Mountains (safely prepared with a wetsuit, safety gear, a hot drink, and showers) your small-group will start with a great slide into a local canyon to continue further down the rocky natural river. Leap and splash through the water, rappelling 10 meters (33 feet) into the canyon, slide through a series of chutes into plunge pools … in short, you’ll be wet but more than pleased!

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Swiss Alps Beginner Canyoning Experience from Interlaken

Duration: 3 hours

90 reviews

4. Snowshoe and Sled Adventure in the Swiss Alps from Interlaken (from USD 212.0)

Eiger, Mönch und Jungfrau
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Steinmann used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

This 6-hour snowshoe and sled adventure from Interlaken explores the majesty of the Swiss Alps! The mountain of Sulwald, the Grindlewald Valley, the snow-covered forests beneath the soaring peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Mountains … you’ll see many mesmerizing things. Furthermore, your outdoor adventure in the heart of the Swiss Alps will end with a mulled wine and traditional Swiss cheese fondue lunch. After lunch, jump into your sled and speed down the winding mountainside trail back to Isenfluh riding your sled for 45 minutes. This is a great experience that will truly make you love the area!

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Swiss Alps Snowshoe and Sled Tour from Interlaken

Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes

9 reviews

Outdoor activities

5. Beginners Ski Day Trip to Jungfrau Ski Region from Zurich (from USD 358.0)

Mannlichen
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kevin Boniface used under CC BY-SA 4.0

With this 12-hour beginners’ ski trip in Switzerland’s Jungfrau region, you’ll master your first turns on the snow and enjoy panoramic views over Jungfrau’s peaks and valleys from the ski resort in Grindelwald. You’ll learn ski techniques, tips, and tricks accompanied by your qualified instructor before starting skiing on your own and enjoying riding around the beautiful area! If there’s one place to make your first go into skying, this is it!

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Jungfrau Ski Region Beginners' Ski Tour from Zurich

Duration: 12 hours

5 reviews

6. Swiss Alps Small Group Day Tour from Zurich (from USD 184.0)

Rhonegletscher
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ikiwaner used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This full-day high-altitude adventure from Zurich will introduce you to the natural splendor of the Swiss Alps. Your small group will marvel at the beautiful scenery of the Bernese Oberland, the Aare Gorge footbridge, the shimmering Lake Toten, the Rhône Glacier, and the colossal Gotthard Massif. There are plenty of things to do! You’ll enjoy your ultra-scenic small-group expedition with which you’ll discover the fascinating legends and stories of the different places you’ll walk through. This is a full day-trip of adventure and discoveries that most outdoor lovers and hikers will love!

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Zurich to Swiss Alps Day Tour with Aare Gorge, Rhone Glacier

Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes

10 reviews

7. Independent Chamonix and Mont Blanc Tour from Geneva (from USD 97.0)

Alpinistes Aiguille du Midi 03
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Benh LIEU SONG used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Nestled at the foot of the magnificent Mont Blanc (the highest peak in Europe: 4,800-meters (15,780-feet)), this full-day tour from Geneva will lead you to the lovely picturesque village of Chamonix. After crossing the border between Switzerland and France, travelers will explore the beautiful village of Chamonix and its many points of interests (Parc Loisir, Musée Alpin, Lac Gaillands, and Atelier Les Racines, etc.), ascend to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi entertaining your eyes with the breathtaking landscapes around (of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps). Additionally, you can go to enjoy the famous Mer de Glace glacier where you can walk through ice caves that are carved out into the heart of the ice to make the most out of this incredible experience. A truly valued tour.

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Geneva to Chamonix and Mont Blanc Full-Day Independent Tour

Duration: 6 hours

195 reviews

8. Glacier 3,000 Gold Tour, Aperitif, and Montreux Day Trip From Geneva (from USD 293.0)

Glacier 3000 in Verbier, Switzerland
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user SSZ used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This day trip to Glacier 3,000 and Montreux will lead you up to the glacier area from the Quille du Diable, a peak high above Les Diablerets ski resort. More than simply enjoying the panoramic views of the surroundings (peaks of Mont Blanc, Jungfrau, and the Matterhorn etc.), you’ll also taste traditional sparkling wine and cheese and travel to the lakeside town of Montreux. Full of many different activities to please everyone, this day-tour is a great way to experience the many faces of the Alps.

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Glacier 3000 and Montreux Sightseeing Tour from Geneva

Duration: 10 hours

4 reviews

9. Full-Day Swiss Alps Glacier Adventure Tour from Montreux (from USD 272.0)

2007-12-28 DSC 0143 La Quille du Diable
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Campiana used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Another tour in the area is a great one for adventurers, outdoor sports lovers, and hikers! This exploration of one of the Swiss Alps’ best-known glaciers is a 7-hour trip from Montreux to the famous Glacier 3,000. This snowy wonderland embraces the mountain tops and you’ll be able to experience many outdoor activities, including the Peak Walk, a 108-meters (354-feet) walkway suspended between two peaks, a ride over the ice to the Space Refuge (a panoramic restaurant nestled below the pillar-shaped Quille du Diable), rides on the slopes at the Glacier Fun Park, walks through glacier hiking trails, and much more. While staying around the area, make sure to fully enjoy the mind blowing view of the surroundings including the the Eiger, Mont Blanc, Jungfrau, and Matterhorn peaks.

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GOLD experience - Swiss Alps Glacier Adventure tour from Montreux

Duration: 6 hours

4 reviews

Enjoy the greatness of the Alps!

Full of adventures and wonders, the Alps are one of the best places to go in Europe for those looking for exciting hikes, outdoor sports, and wonderful scenery. With these 9 tours around the mountainous area, you’ll get more than you expect and will be blown away by the diversity of experiences you will find there.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Felix Brassier is a French digital filmmaker / visual storyteller for the web and digital nomad traveling all over the place. Crazy about videography, photography, he's also writing for the web and...Read more

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