The stunning beauty of the Alps

2023-08-01 18:41:00, Blog CNA

The Alps span eight European countries: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Italy and Slovenia. They are a popular holiday destination for hikers during the summer months and for skiers and snowboarders in the winter. The Alps stand out with their stunning peaks, crystal clear mountain lakes, blooming meadows and beautiful surrounding towns.

Zugspitze, Germany

The stunning beauty of the Alps

What comes to mind when you mention the Alps are probably mountain peaks and panoramic images. The Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain at 2,962 meters, meets both criteria. A viewing platform awaits you at the top, easily accessible by cable car. The Zugspitze is located in southern Germany, right next to the Austrian border.

Lake Konigssee, Germany

The stunning beauty of the Alps

Lake Konigssee lies at the foot of the impressive Watzmann mountain in southwestern Germany. Take an eco-friendly electric boat to explore this tranquil expanse of water and visit the church of St. Bartholomew on the Hirschau peninsula. All in all, you can find around 4000 crystal clear mountain lakes throughout the Alps.

Breitachklamm, Germany

The stunning beauty of the Alps

The Alps offer not only magnificent mountains and beautiful lakes, but also many impressive gorges that are worth visiting. A notable example is the Breitachklamm canyon in Oberstdorf, southern Germany, which can be explored via footbridges leading over the roaring Breitach River below.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

The stunning beauty of the Alps

Germany's iconic Neuschwanstein Castle is a must-see. It was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria at the end of the 19th century. However, the royal family only spent a few days there. Today, Neuschwanstein attracts millions of visitors who are captivated by its fairytale castle and epic mountain setting.

Krimml Falls, Austria

The stunning beauty of the Alps

And now in neighboring Austria. At 380 meters, the Krimml Falls in the Hohe Tauern National Park rank among the highest in Europe. The hike to the top takes about an hour and is well worth the effort! The waterfall mist is also said to have various beneficial health effects.

Ice cave, Eisriesenwelt, Austria

The stunning beauty of the Alps

The Eisriesenwelt Werfen ice cave near Salzburg, which stretches for 42 kilometers, is considered the largest of its kind in the world. Guided tours, lasting 75 minutes, are available from May to the end of October. Exploring the cave on foot requires a reasonable level of fitness and warm clothing is mandatory as temperatures are usually below freezing.

Charles Kuonen Bridge, Switzerland

The stunning beauty of the Alps

The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge near Randa, Switzerland, is the longest of its kind in the Alps, stretching some 500 meters across the Grabengufer valley in the Mattertal valley. However, the pass is not for the faint of heart as you can look straight down into the valley some 80 meters below! The bridge is open from May to October and free of charge.

Lucerne, Switzerland

The stunning beauty of the Alps

In the Alps, you will find not only stunning landscapes, but also incredibly idyllic villages and towns. The Swiss city of Lucerne, for example, boasts a lot of historic architecture and an attractive historic town, perfect for a stroll. If you spend a few days here, you will also have time to explore the surrounding mountains.

Matterhorn, Switzerland

The stunning beauty of the Alps

The majestic Matterhorn is located not far from Lucerne. Although the Alps are full of impressive peaks, the Matterhorn ranks among the most famous and most photographed mountains in Europe, due to its iconic pyramidal shape. The region also boasts a summer ski area, although it was temporarily closed last year due to insufficient snowfall.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy

The stunning beauty of the Alps

Italy's most famous mountain group, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, is found in the Dolomites. The peaks are one of the most spectacular climbing spots in South Tyrol and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This part of northern Italy is known to tourists for its nature, as well as for its culinary offer.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

The stunning beauty of the Alps

Lake Bled is probably one of the most romantic places in all of Slovenia. This rather small lake in the Julian Alps in northern Slovenia stands out with a truly picturesque setting, with a small island and mountains rising behind. No wonder this place is so popular for couples in love.

Les Trois Vallees, France

The stunning beauty of the Alps

There are over 600 ski resorts in the Alps! The largest of these is in France, where the Les Trois Vallees ski area boasts no less than 600 kilometers of slopes, connected by 180 lifts! In addition to endless trails, there are also many luxury hotels and restaurants to enjoy. / DW