IRISH HIKING CLUBS IN THE ALPS - FROM THE GREEN HILLS OF IRELAND TO ALPINE ADVENTURE
Planning a group hiking trip can feel complicated — flights, accommodation, routes, safety, and budgets all need to be aligned. This guide is designed specifically for hiking clubs, university groups and outdoor communities looking to organize a smooth and memorable trip to the Alps. This article will walk you through everything you need to know.
What to expect Irish hiking clubs in the Alps: Landscapes compared
Ireland is a beautiful country for hiking. It offers a great variety of terrain, national parks, and countless rivers and streams. The rest of the world can only look on in envy at the Green Hills of Ireland – a phrase that has even become an idiomatic expression in German for lush meadows and open, undulating landscapes, evoking a strong sense of tranquillity and personal freedom.
Compared to the typical Irish landscapes, the Alps offer a different kind of terrain. Due to their higher population density, they may not always feel quite as remote or lonely. But with nearly 65,000 km of hiking trails in Switzerland alone and around 40,000 km in Austria, you could spend almost a lifetime exploring the mountains on foot.
And that is without even mentioning the valleys, ravines and forests of the flatter areas in the Alpine foothills.
The most significant differences might be:
Higher peaks and more rugged, rocky terrain
A large network of well-managed mountain huts
Very well-marked hiking trails
Wildlife: Chamois and roe deer, as well as returning wolves and small bear populations in some regions
Traditional alpine farming: Cattle and other livestock still graze on high-altitude mountain pastures throughout the summer (mostly cows)
If the southern German Voralpenland, in regions such as Bavaria or the Allgäu, might still feel relatively familiar to Irish hikers, just a few kilometres further south, the mountains begin to rise significantly. The landscape can already be both intimidating and inspiring.
Altitudes increase rapidly, and once you leave the valleys and head towards the first peaks, the trails can become steep very quickly – and you will certainly know that you are going uphill!
Destinations exspecially in Austria, Italy and Switzerland are most popular due to their accessibility and well-developed trail systems.
Different Regions in the Alps
The Alps are the most extensive mountain range in Europe, stretching across eight countries: France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Austria has the highest proportion of mountainous terrain, while the highest peaks are found mainly in the western Alps.
The highest point is Mont Blanc (4,807 m), on the French-Italian border. Other legendary peaks include the Matterhorn (4,478 m) on the Swiss-Italian border and, further east, the Großglockner (3,798 m), Austria’s highest mountain. In Germany, the Zugspitze (2,962 m) is the highest peak, followed by the Watzmann Südspitze (2,713 m).
But beyond these famous peaks, there are hundreds of other mountains reaching similar heights, spread across the entire Alpine range.
However, a word of caution is important: many of the higher peaks require proper preparation, experience and appropriate equipment. Depending on the route and current conditions, some are best tackled with a local mountain guide who knows the terrain, weather patterns and current conditions. This is particularly important nowadays, as climate change is rapidly altering the conditions in the mountains.
As we have seen, talking about the Alps actually means talking about a huge and incredibly diverse area, with major differences in terrain, culture, language and local traditions. Planning a visit therefore requires more than simply choosing a mountain: distances can be considerable, borders may need to be crossed, and the available holiday time needs to be taken into account.
Step-by-Step: Organising a Group Hiking Trip from an Irish perspective
1. Choosing the Right Destination and Travel Time
Considering the introduction above, not all Alpine regions are equally suited to every group or individual hiking trip. The time of year also has a major impact on which areas and trails are suitable and accessible.
Until the end of June, you can still encounter considerable amounts of snow, even at lower altitudes. By this time of year, snow bridges may already be thin and unstable, making them particularly dangerous. In the height of summer, on the other hand, another challenge arises: finding a place to stay.
Most mountain huts open their booking schedules around a year in advance, and the most popular huts and routes can fill up very quickly. Planning ahead is therefore essential, especially for larger groups.
2. Hiking Regions with Good Flight Connections: via Munich, Memmingen and Innsbruck
East Tyrol (Osttirol) in the south-western part of the Austrian state of Tyrol and the Allgäu in southern Germany offer excellent hiking conditions, good infrastructure and well-developed public transport networks.
That said, always be prepared for unexpected train delays, cancellations and changes. By now, rumours about the state of German railways have probably spread across Europe!
Especially when travelling with hiking clubs or small groups, being able to get around easily and reliably is important. Have a look at the transport links listed below the article for some helpful information.
East Tyrol is best reached via Innsbruck Airport. During the summer season, there are usually several flights from Dublin, with return fares sometimes available for around €500.
The Allgäu is best reached via Munich or Memmingen Airport, although getting to the specific hiking areas usually requires an additional train journey. Several trains leave Munich Central Station every day. Oberstdorf, for example, is a popular starting point for many hiking routes and can be reached from Munich in around three hours, with connections available almost every hour.
3. Public transport
Traveling by train in Germany
The German railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) offers the "Deutschlandticket", which is a great option if you are planning to make several train journeys in Germany. It is not valid for travel in Austria, although some cross-border connections may offer discounts or special arrangements for Deutschlandticket holders.
The ticket can be purchased online or through the Deutsche Bahn mobile app, which, surprisingly, works very well! It is a monthly subscription: you buy it for the month you need and can then cancel it, provided you meet the relevant cancellation deadline. At €63 per person in 2026, it is often the cheapest option if you are planning several train journeys within Germany. See our useful links at the end of this article below for current information.
However, sometimes the “Bavaria Ticket” can be a better option if you only need one or two train journeys, or if your trip crosses two different calendar months. In these cases, buying a Deutschlandticket for a whole month can actually be more expensive. It is therefore worth comparing the two options before booking.
If you are planning to travel by train, which we highly recommend, downloading the Deutsche Bahn app is a good idea anyway. It is useful for checking connections, delays and last-minute changes.
Travelling by Train in Austria
Train travel in Austria is generally a little more expensive. Besides the national railway company ÖBB, you can also use the private railway company WESTbahn. When it comes to pricing, the two are often fairly similar – but with both companies, booking early can make a significant difference.
4. Accommodation Options
On your hikes, you may want to stay in mountain huts, as wild camping is strictly regulated and often prohibited in the Alps. In some particularly popular areas, authorities have even started using drones to monitor illegal camping. Emergency bivouacking in connection with mountaineering or climbing may be tolerated under certain circumstances, but the rules vary between regions and you don't want to get involved with the authorities.
There is also a practical reason behind these restrictions: in heavily frequented mountain areas, unrestricted camping simply isn't sustainable. The impact on nature would quickly become significant.
Alpine Huts and Mountain Accommodation
Fortunately, the Alps have a long and excellent tradition of mountain huts. Many of them are run by the German Alpine Club (DAV) or the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV), which cooperate closely. The DAV also operates a number of huts in Austria, and over the past century has built many mountain huts across the Alps.
Staying in mountain huts means that you remain in the mountains and can start your hike directly from there. Staying in small hotels or guesthouses, on the other hand, usually means descending to a village at the end of the day and climbing back up again the following morning.
Many hikers therefore choose a combination of both: a few nights in mountain huts, followed by a night in a village hotel for a shower, a proper bed and a good night's sleep.
Keep in mind that mountain huts are generally much more basic than hotels. Dormitories with shared sleeping areas are common, although some huts also offer smaller rooms for four or six people. In larger huts, you may find yourself sharing a dormitory with dozens of other hikers.
Mountain huts
- authentic and social atmosphere; can become tiring after several nights, especially when sharing a dormitory with snoring hikers
Small hotels and guesthouses
- more comfort; ideal for mixed groups; higher costs; less of a mountain feeling
Holiday apartments
- usually located in villages; good for groups travelling together; can be expensive and are not always easy to find for short or flexible stays)
Whatever type of accommodation you choose, booking well in advance is essential, especially during the summer season.
Memminger Mountain Hut
The German and Austrian Alpine Clubs
Membership in either association comes with significant benefits, including reduced prices at mountain huts, access to useful information and, depending on the membership, mountain rescue insurance. Annual membership fees are relatively low, at around €70 per person, so even for a single trip, joining can be worthwhile.
The Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) even has a British section with a website fully available in English, making it particularly accessible for international hikers.
The German Alpine Club (DAV) is the largest organisation of its kind worldwide. Surprisingly, however, English is still not quite its strongest point: while basic membership information is available in English, the membership application form is currently only available in German. You can nevertheless become a DAV member even if you live outside Germany.
Guided vs. Self-Organised Trips
This is one of the biggest decisions, especially for hiking clubs and small groups, as the logistics can quickly become complicated. Organising everything yourself is certainly possible — but it can also be very time-consuming.
Even many local hikers today choose guided Alpine crossings or day tours led by a professional mountain guide. There are several good reasons for working with a local partner:
The main advantages of a guided trip are:
Logistics are taken care of
Certified and experienced mountain guides
Itineraries can be customised to your group
Local rates and contacts
Greater safety in alpine terrain
No need to spend weeks planning the trip
Local knowledge and insights into the region
Often surprisingly competitive prices due to the high level of competition in the travel industry
Self-organised trips:
Potentially lower costs
More flexibility with travel dates and itinerary
Complete freedom to make your own decisions
But: requires an experienced and confident group leaders (read above: risks in high altitude mountain terain)
👉 A hybrid approach can be the best of both worlds: many hiking clubs and small groups combine guided hiking days with free or self-organised days.
And of course, if you want to organise everything yourself, you absolutely can. There is plenty of information available and experienced hikers will find their way. But considering the relatively low cost of guided multi-day hiking experiences, having a professional mountain guide take care of the logistics and guiding can be well worth it — especially when travelling as a group.
How Much Does a Group Hiking Trip Cost?
As you have probably realised by now, there are many factors to consider, so it is difficult to give a single price.
As a rough guide, however, for a one-week guided hiking trip for a small group of four or more people – a common minimum group size for this type of trip – you should expect to pay around €900–€1,500 per person.
This would typically include a combination of accommodation in small guesthouses and mountain huts, the services of a mountain guide and transfers during the hiking trip (but not airport transfers). If you organise the trip yourself, you should roughly budget for:
Flights: €400–€500 return
Accommodation: €40–€90 per night, from mountain huts to hotels
Optional mountain guide: around €300 per day
Transfers: €50–€150 for the week
👉 Costs depend heavily on group size, season and level of comfort. Also keep in mind that food can be relatively expensive in the Alps, especially in high mountain areas.
Final Thoughts
For Irish hiking clubs, a trip to the Alps can be a truly rewarding group experience. The variety of landscapes, cultures and hiking opportunities is enormous – and with the right planning, it can be surprisingly straightforward and affordable to organise.
Whether you choose to organise the trip yourself, work with a local partner, or combine both approaches, starting early and choosing the right region and season will make a big difference.
Plan smart, leave some room for adventure – and enjoy the Alps!
FAQ: Group Hiking Trips from Ireland
How far in advance should we book?
Ideally, 6-10 months in advance, especially for larger groups. During the summer season, popular mountain huts and accommodation can fill up much earlier.
What group size works best?
For organised hiking trips, groups of around 8–16 people often work particularly well, offering a good balance between group dynamics, logistics and pricing.
Is it better to book a guided or self-organised hiking trip?
Both options are possible. Self-organising gives you more flexibility and can be slightly cheaper, but requires more time, planning and experience. A local mountain guide can take care of logistics, adapt the itinerary to the group and provide local knowledge and safety support.B
Which Alpine region is best for hiking from Ireland?
There is no single answer. The best destination depends on the season, your group's hiking experience, preferred terrain and how easily you want to travel by public transport. Regions around Innsbruck, Munich and Memmingen offer particularly good connections from Ireland and access to a wide range of Alpine hiking areas.
Do we need travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance and appropriate mountain rescue insurance are strongly recommended when hiking in the Alps. Check carefully what your existing insurance covers before travelling. If in doubt, consider annual membership in the DAV or ÖAV. These organisations are widely used by German and Austrian mountaineers and hikers and have decades of experience in providing support and mountain rescue cover.
Can we combine guided and self-organised hiking days?
Absolutely. A hybrid approach can be a great solution for hiking clubs and small groups: you can combine guided hiking days with free or self-organised days, giving you both local expertise and flexibility.
Is hiking in the Alps suitable for beginners?
Yes, but the Alps offer a huge range of terrain and difficulty levels. Choosing the right region, season and routes is essential. Beginners should start with suitable lower-altitude routes and consider local guidance when moving into more demanding Alpine terrain.
Useful Links
• Deutsche Bahn (DB) – Train connections, timetables and tickets – English version
• Deutschland-Ticket – Information and booking – English version
• ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) – Train connections, timetables and tickets – English version
• WESTbahn – Private railway connecting Germany and Austria – English version
• FlixBus – Long-distance bus connections across Germany and Europe – English version
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