3 month training plan

Need help to get strong, fit and prepared to hike in the Alps?

Download our purpose-built training plan that adjusts based on your current fitness and target hike statistics (including distance and number of days). Comes with a library of workout videos that include hiking-specific strength exercises.

 

SPEAK WITH A TRAIL EXPERT

Need help to plan and prepare for your upcoming hike in the Alps? We can help.

Book in a phone consultation with one of our trail experts to discuss your planned itinerary or chat about what the best plan would be for you. Topics could include: itinerary design, accommodation availability, trail conditions, when to hike, deciding between trails etc.

 
 

why use our products?

Personalized
Create a hiking plan that suits your hiking speed and preferences.

Data driven
Accurate and up-to-date trail data sourced from leading online map databases.

All-in-one
All the trail and service information you need to plan and book with confidence.

Authentic
Created by trail experts with years of experience hiking in the Alps.

Connected
Ensure the route you create is available on your smartphone to navigate on the trail.

Affordable
Keeping it cost-effective so you can hike more often.


Frequently asked questions:

What trails are supported?

We currently offer self-guided hiking packages for the following multi-day hikes in the Alps: Tour of Monte Rosa, Alta Via 1 (Dolomites), Walker’s Haute Route, Tour du Mont Blanc and Bernese Oberland Traverse.

What is the new planning app? Are all trails available for the app?

The Hiking Club planning app is the first purpose-built, all-in-one planning web app for multi-day hikers to create an itinerary that is achievable, inspiring and bookable!

Our planning web app now has modules for all of our trails.

 
What is the process for building my personalised itinerary using the new planning app?

Our new planning app allows you to create your own unique itinerary from scratch or start with an itinerary template.

You can choose your own adventure or change an existing template by selecting from different start/end locations, alternate routes, transport assistance, and accommodation along the trail. You can customise your itinerary to match your hiking speed (Elite, Speedy, Steady and Wanderer), accommodation preference and number of days.

Your estimated time, distance and elevation change are automatically calculated and displayed with every route, transport and accommodation decision.

 
How many itinerary versions can I create in the app?

Users can create up to 5 draft itineraries in the app for the trail they have purchased a package for.

What is included in the detailed Itinerary Document?

Click here to see a video about our the Detailed Itinerary Document you can download from our planning app. This itinerary document is personalised to the route created in the planning app, and includes your distance, elevation profile, estimated hiking time and information on your chosen route.

How long does it take to receive my itinerary and GPS map?

With our new planning app, you can instantly download your itinerary and GPS map file on demand. Final GPS map files are available by the end of May once all of the transport schedules are available for the upcoming season.

How do I book my consultation with a trail expert?

The Expert Access package comes with a 45 minute consultation with one of our trail experts so that you can discuss questions and queries you have about your trip, check availability and create your itinerary. Topics could include: route options, accomodation options, trail condition, when to hike etc. Upon purchase, you’ll receive instant access to a pdf with a link to our online calendar where you can book a convenient time for you or your hiking group. We’ll also send you an email with this link if we haven’t heard from you shortly after your purchase.

How are the accommodation bookings made?

Each customer makes their own accommodation bookings in line with their personalised hiking plan. We maintain an accommodation database for each trail to which our customers are given access. Once an itinerary is created, the customer receives a curated set of links for relevant accommodation locations and providers, which they can review. It is possible to check availability and reserve most accommodation online. Where an accommodation provider cannot be booked online (for example, some mountain huts and hotels), we provide the details of their preferred method for booking requests (email or website form before the season, phone during the season). Outside of the hiking season, it usually takes 1-2 weeks to receive a response on these bookings - some providers can take 1-2 months over winter. There is no harm in politely following up but you can rest assured that if you’re not being responded to, neither is anyone else at that time.

What file type do you provide the GPS mobile map?

You can download both gpx and kml map files from The Hiking Club app and load them into your navigation device or app. We recommend using the navigation app Organic Maps for the trail, as the files have been coded for their color scheme which you can see in all of the screenshots of the maps on our website. You can read more about why we partnered with Organic Maps here and also about how to use and download our GPS map files here.

Can I hike clockwise or counter clockwise? Do all packages allow these options?

Our planning app allows you to choose to hike in any direction. For a circular trail like the Tour du Mont Blanc or Tour of Monte Rosa, that means clockwise or counter-clockwise. For a thru-hike like the Walker’s Haute Route or Bernese Oberland Traverse, that means Eastbound/Westbound or Southbound/Northbound, respectively.

Can I start/end my hike from any trailhead?

Our new planning app allows you to select any popular start or end location along the trail.

I want to camp and/or bivouac, can I still plan my trip with The Hiking Club?

Yes! We provide bivouac/wild camping locations, as well as campgrounds with amenities in our planning app that you can add to your itinerary. See more details in our blogs about camping along the Walker’s Haute Route or Tour of Monte Rosa.

What happens if I have to cancel my trip?

Refer to our terms of service and refund policy for more details.

What happens if you don’t offer a route or accommodation location that I would like to include in my itinerary?

We offer all main and popular alternate routes for the legendary hikes we support. We have mapped over 1,200km / 765mi of trails and have 100+ accommodation options listed in our database. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer every route and accommodation location in the Alps. While we have worked hard to find the most exciting, inspiring and adventurous routes, as well as popular and practical accommodation options for our trails, we are unable to accomodate every single alternative route and accommodation option (there are an infinite number of possibilities in the Alps!) If there is a specific route or accommodation location you would like to include in your itinerary that we don’t offer, please email info@thehiking.club to check if/when it can be included.

I am a professional guide and/or tour operator, can I plan a hike with you?

Per our terms and conditions, the products offered on our website and planning app are currently for personal use only. Contact us at info@thehiking.club to discuss your needs.