The Alps offer some of the best hiking trails in the world and the best hiking trails for eloping couples. At every ability level, you’ll find breathtaking vistas, dramatic peaks, and more. Whether you want to elope on a hiking trail with wildflowers, a crystal clear mountain lake, or even a glacier, you can make that happen in the alps. Below, you’ll find my top 5 picks for the best hiking trails to get married on in the alps.
Eloping in the Alps: 5 of the Best Hiking Trails to Get Married On
How to Plan a Hiking Elopement in the Alps
To get started planning your hiking elopement in the alps, here are the top 4 things you’ll want to consider:
- How far do you want to hike on your wedding day?
- How much elevation gain do you want to hike for your elopement?
- Your ideal elopement location Scenery
- What time of year should you plan your hiking wedding?
For more information on the logistics you should know about planning a hiking elopement in the alps, don’t miss my step-by-step guide: How to Plan a Hiking Elopement in the Alps. In it, you’ll find everything you need to know, based on my experience documenting countless couples’ adventure weddings.
The Best Places to Plan a Hiking Elopement in the Alps
Want a quick breakdown of the best places to plan a hiking elopement in the alps? Here are a few of my favorite regions:
- Appenzell, Switzerland
- Bernese Alps, Switzerland
- Chamonix, France
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- Tannheimer Tal, Austria
- Ehrwald, Austria
- Aosta, Italy
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italian Dolomites
For details on the best hiking trails to get married on, keep reading for my top 5 adventure wedding locations in the alps.
Seebensee, Austria Hiking Elopement
If you’re hoping to plan a hiking elopement in Austria, then don’t miss the Seebensee! Situated in the Northwest part of the Austrian Alps, the Seebensee makes one of the most dramatic alpine lake elopement locations.
Why the Seebensee is a great wedding location
The Seebensee makes a great wedding location due to its breathtaking views, crystal clear waters, and beautiful hiking trails. If you dare, you can even take a dip in the icy waters! Hiking weddings at the Seebensee start out by taking a cable car above alpine meadows. From there, you hike through meandering forests, and eventually, reach a jaw-dropping cirque where the lake sits.
Due to the length of the trail, the Seebensee is an especially enticing option if you want to stay overnight in a mountain hut, which gives you time to also explore an additional alpine lake.
How to Elope at the Seebensee
You can elope at the Seebensee by taking a short cable car ride, and then embark on a moderate hike of a few miles each way.
When to Elope at the Seebensee
Eloping at the Seebensee is best done from late-June to mid-October. I especially love October at the Seebensee, due to its golden larch trees, which change around this time.
Adventure Elopement in the Italian Dolomites – Lagazuoi
Adventure elopements in the Italian Dolomites involve lots of unbelievable mountain views. One of the best hiking trails to get married on in the Dolomites is Lagazuoi. Located on Passo di Falzarego, near Cortina d’Ampezzo, this peak offers an awe-inspiring panorama.
Why Lagazuoi is the perfect elopement location
Lagazuoi makes the perfect elopement location for couples who love the feel of rocky, high-alpine terrain, and want wide open views in every direction. Due to its popularity, Lagazuoi is the ideal adventure elopement location for couples hoping to either stay overnight in a mountain hut, or want to do a strenuous sunrise or sunset hike. This way, you can get one of the best views in the Dolomites, and have some privacy.
How to Elope at Lagazuoi
You can elope at Lagazuoi by taking a short cable car ride, or hiking up and down the mountain from Falzarego Pass. If you plan on taking the cable car, I suggest staying overnight at the hut for a sunset/sunrise adventure, since the mountain can be very crowded during the cable car operating hours.
When to Elope at Lagazuoi
The best time to elope at Lagazuoi runs from late June through mid-September.
Eloping in the German Alps on the Jochberg
One of my favorite elopement locations in the German Alps is the Jochberg. Many people don’t realize that the German Alps is the ideal place to plan a hiking elopement. The beautiful alpine lakes, wild-flower filled meadows, and idyllic villages make the perfect place for an adventure wedding.
Why the Jochberg is the ideal elopement location
The Jochberg makes the ideal hiking elopement location due to its moderate approach and unbelievable views in all directions. My favorite part of this location is the panorama over two, deep blue lakes.
How to Elope at Jochberg
The Jochberg is accessed via a steep (although technically family friendly) hike, a couple of miles each way.
When to Elope at the Jochberg
The Jochberg is an extremely popular mountain, and therefore, best visited at sunrise. I suggest getting married at the Jochberg between late May and early October.
Oeschinensee, Switzerland Adventure Elopement
Adventure elopements at the Oeschinensee, in Switzerland, have to be some of my favorites. Located near the quaint village of Kandersteg, the Oeschinensee is a glittering blue alpine lake surrounded by peaceful wooded areas, high alpine meadows, massive mountains, and glaciers tumbling down steep cliffsides.
Why the Oeschinensee is a great elopement location
The Oeschinensee makes one of the best hiking trails to get married on because simply put, this location isn’t hard to get to, but offers just about every type of scenery you could ask for. You can access the Oeschinensee via a cable car. From the lake, you have numerous options to explore further if you’d like to hike longer, or hang out at the lake and enjoy the views. The Oeschinensee also makes a great spot for a hiking micro wedding in Switzerland.
How to Elope at the Oeschinensee
You elope at the Oeschinensee by visiting via cable car and a short hike, or by hiking a few miles from the valley to the lake.
When to Elope at the Oeschinensee
You can elope at the Oeschinensee in all four seasons. During the winter, I suggest going during January or February when the cable car is operating, and you’re most likely to experience a snowy wonderland. In Spring, the Oeschinensee becomes accessible again toward the end of May. From spring onward, you can easily elope at the Oeschinensee anytime through mid-October.
Important Update: Couples cannot get married at the Oeschinensee as of 2024 onward. The Oeschinensee is dealing with mass overtourism, leading to environmental degradation. The cable car operators and local landowners request that couples and photographers respect these rules, the community, and the environment by getting married elsewhere. Yes, even elopements are currently banned at Oeschinensee, even if it is only the couple without guests.
On the Oeschinensee FAQ page you can also find the following information under these two section, ”Are events such as weddings or similar permitted in the Oeschinensee area? No, Oeschinensee is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by various protected areas, including plant conservation areas, dry meadows and wildlife rest areas. Due to these special protective measures, all (commercial) events and drone flights are prohibited by law. Compliance with these rules is monitored by rangers.”; and ‘‘What outdoor guidelines apply when dealing with social media? Only post activities that are permitted. Publishing prohibited activities can have legal consequences. Remember that content on the internet remains visible for a long time. Only publish photos, videos or quotes on websites and social media from people who have expressly given you their consent to do so (personal rights). Commercial photo shoots are also not permitted at Oeschinensee .’‘ Please note, any type of photo sessions including influencing, couples photography, elopements, weddings, or other paid work, is considered commercial work.
Switzerland Hiking Elopement at Kleine Scheidegg
For some of the most dramatic mountain views out there, be sure to consider planning a Switzerland hiking elopement at Kleine Scheidegg. Kleine Scheidegg is an iconic destination to visit in Switzerland and boasts some of the best hiking trails in the world.
Why Kleine Scheidegg is a great elopement location
Kleine Scheidegg makes one of the best hiking elopement locations because of its epic views, and extensive network of trails that allow you to explore on foot as much (or as little) as you’d like. It also has options, so you can stay overnight in a mountain hotel to catch sunrise or sunset. Additionally, you can even level up your hike by climbing a via-Ferrata. Kleine Scheidegg has sprawling wild-flower-filled meadows, and one-of-a-kind views of glacially carved cliffsides.
For an overview of 25 of the best places to best places to get married and elope in Switzerland, check out this blog I’ve written.
How to Elope at Kleine Scheidegg
You can elope at Kleine Scheidegg by either taking a cogwheel train up to the plateau, or a cable car. From there, you can explore one of the dozens of hiking trails.
When to Elope at Kleine Scheidegg
Kleine Scheidegg is open both winter and summer, but the best time to elope at Kleine Scheidegg is late-June through mid-September.
Alps Hiking Elopement Packages
Ready to get started planning the trail you’ll get married on for your alps hiking wedding? Then check out my alps hiking elopement packages here, and contact me.