Alp Mountains are probably the most photographed and popular mountains. Hundreds of cable cars, trains and Refugio’s make them very accessible throughout the year. Numerous winter Olympics have been hosted in Alps.
Home to famous Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Eiger and many more. Mont Blanc is highest peak in Alp Mountains but contrary to popular belief, Mont Blanc is not the tallest mountain in Europe, that distinction goes to Mt. Elbrus in the Caucasus range.
Alp Mountains are home to Mer de Glace and the Miage Glacier – the longest glaciers in France and Italy, respectively.
Range details
Location on Map:
Countries: Monaco, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Slovenia
Length: 1,200 km (750 mi)
Area: 200,000 km2 (77,000 sq mi)
Compare key features with other mountain ranges here.
Elevation
The highest point is Mont Blanc at 4,810 m (15,780 ft). Below chart displays the relative elevation of Alps compared to Himalayas, Andes and Rockies.
One can visualize elevation differences with other ranges with this tool.
Highest peaks in Alps
| Name | Elevation m (ft) | Prominence m (ft) | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mont Blanc | 4,810 (15,780) | 4,697 (15,410) | France & Italy |
| Dufourspitze (Monte Rosa) | 4,634 (15,203) | 2,165 (7,103) | Switzerland & Italy |
| Grand Combin | 4,314 (14,153) | 1,517 (4,977) | Switzerland |
Subranges in Alps
Bernese Alps
Bernese Alps are what you think about when someone say Alps. It’s the location of many Bollywood and Korean movies which are great drivers of tourism in the region. It is a great place to visit all year long with many activities in winter as well as summer. Also home to the Top of Europe rail to Jungfrau, which is misnomer since Jungfrau is neither the tallest mountain nor the highest railway station any longer.
Highest peaks in Bernese Alps
| Name | Elevation m (ft) | Prominence m (ft) | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finsteraarhorn | 4,274 (14,022) | 2,280 (7,480) | Switzerland |
| Aletschhorn | 4,182 (13,720) | 1,041 (3,415) | Switzerland |
| Jungfrau | 4,166 (13,668) | 695 (2,280) | Switzerland |
Dolomites
Dolomite Mountains are a mountain range in northeastern Italy and segment of Alps. They form part of the Southern Limestone Alps which make up the eastern side of Alps. Marmolada is the highest peak in Dolomites, only large glacier in the range.
Dolomites is also known for picturesque valleys and mountains. Val Fiscalina, Ampezzo Valley, Alpe di Siusi, Val Badia, Val de Fassa are among the popular places to experience the scenic mountains. These mountains have very well connect trails, gandolas and refugios making it very accessible thought out the year. They can be explored on foot, bike and climbs. Austria and Italy fought in these mountains during World War One and built climbing routes to move army through the mountains that led to the creation of via ferratas.
Highest peaks in Dolomites
| Name | Elevation m (ft) | Prominence m (ft) | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marmolada | 3,343 (10,968) | 2,131 (6,991) | Italy |
| Antelao | 3,264 (10,706) | 1,734 (5,689) | Italy |
| Tofana di Mezzo | 3,241 (10,633) | 1,369 (4,491) | Italy |
Mont Blanc Massif
Mont Blanc massif is segment of the Alps mountain located mostly in France. It is named after the Mont Blanc, highest peak is western Europe. Mont Blanc is part of seven summits (highest point on each of the seven continents) if one considers Mt Elbrus to be in Asia instead of Europe since it’s on the cusp. The Mont Blanc massif also includes the Mer de Glace and the Miage Glacier – the longest glaciers in France and Italy, respectively.
This region is very popular among hikers, climbers, cyclist and adventure seekers. The route of the famous Tour de France race passes through here.
There maybe other sub ranges that are not listed here.
Cities
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France: Situated near the junction of France, Switzerland, and Italy, Chamonix is famous for its skiing and mountaineering, with Mont Blanc as a prominent backdrop.
Innsbruck, Austria: Nestled in the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck is known for its picturesque landscapes and is a popular destination for winter sports.
Interlaken, Switzerland: Charming town nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Bernese Alps and serving as a popular gateway to outdoor adventures in the region.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy: Situated in the heart of the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy, is renowned for its picturesque alpine landscapes, world-class ski resorts, making it a year round destination.