Italian Alps - page 2

Italy’s Eastern Alps

The Eastern Alps comprise, in the south, the Dolomites, the Carnic Alps, and the Julian Alps; and, in the north, the Hohe Tauern and Niedere Tauern; the principal eastern peak is Grossglockner. Most major routes across the E Alps follow the Brenner and Semmering passes. As most of the mountains in this part of the Alps are more than a day’s return journey for us, we have not yet explored this region well (we have explored the dolomites and can report fantastic via faretta routes). We suggest therefore that you use some of these links provided if you want to find more information on the Eastern Alps

Eastern Alps information (link) Eastern Alps - more information (link)

Italy’s Western Alps

The Italian Western Alps can be subdivided into 8 specific zones as follows:

Ligurian Alps (from Savona to Colle di Tenda)

The Ligurian Alps form the south-western extremity of the Alps, separated from the Apennines by the Colle di Cadibona and from the Maritime Alps by the Col de Tende. They form the border Piedmont and Liguria, are drained by the river Tanaro and other tributaries of the Po on the Piedmontese side and by several smaller rivers flowing into the Mediterranean on the Ligurian side.

Main peaks of the Ligurian Alps are Punta Marguareis (2650 m) and Monte Mongioie (2630 m). There are several other peaks over 2000 m. Passes in the Ligurian Alps are listed here.

Maritime Alps (from Colle di Tenda to Colle de la Maddalena)

The Maritime Alps in the south-western part of the Alps borders France and the Italian province of Cuneo. The Col de Tende separates them from the Ligurian Alps and the Maddalena Pass separates them from the Cottian Alps. The Maritime Alps is home to the Maritime Alps Natural Park the largest of the Piedmont nature parts and one of the biggest in Italy. Since 1987 the park has been twinned with the French Mercantour National Park thereby preserving an alpine area of over 100,000 hectares. Important peaks include Punta dell’Argentera, Cime du Gelas and Monte Matto all towering over 3000m high.

For information on the peaks and passes of the Maritime Alps use this link.

Cottian Alps (from Colle de la Maddalena to Col du Mont Genevre)

The Cottian Alps (Italian: Alpi Cozie) are the south-western part of the Western Alps. They border between France (Hautes-Alpes and Savoie) and Piedmont in Italy. The Maddalena Pass separates them from the Maritime Alp; the Col du Mont Cenis separates them from the Graian Alp; and the Col du Galibier separates them from the Dauphiné Alps. The Fréjus Road Tunnel and Fréjus Rail Tunnel between Modane and Susa are important transportation arteries between France (Lyon, Grenoble) and Turin in Italy. Famous peaks include Monte Viso and many other impressive peaks with higher than 3000m elevations.

For information on the peaks and passes of the Cottian Alps use this link

Graian Alps (from Col du Mont Cenis to the Little Saint Bernard Pass)

The Graian Alps (Italian: Alpi Graie) are in the western part of the Western Alp. They are located in France and Italy (Piedmont and the Aosta Valley), and Switzerland (western Valais). The Col Ferret and the Dora Baltea valley separate them from the Pennine Alps; the Col du Mont Cenis separates them from the Cottian Alps; and the Arc valley separates them from the French Dauphiné Alps.

The Graian Alps are often subdivided into four groups:
Mont Blanc group (north of the Little St Bernard Pass)
Central group (the watershed between the Little St Bernard Pass and the Col du Mont Cenis) Includes the famous Rochemelon peak
Western or French group. Includes the Vanoise National Park
Eastern or Italian group. Which contains the Gran Paradiso National Park

For information on the peaks and passes of the Graian Alps use this link

Pennine Alps (from the Little St. Bernard Pass to the Saint Gotthard Pass

The Pennine Alps (also called Valais Alps) are located in Switzerland and Italy (Piedmont and Aosta). The Col Ferret and the Dora Baltea valley separate them from the Graian Alps; the Simplon Pass separates them from the Lepontine Alps; the Rhône valley separates them from the Bernese Alps. The famous Great St Bernard Tunnel, runs under the Great St. Bernard Pass and leads from Martigny in Switzerland to Aosta in Italy. Famous peaks include the Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn.

For information on the peaks and passes of the Pennine Alps use this link

Bernese Alps (to the north-west of the Furka Pass)

The Bernese Alps are in Switzerland. The Rhone valley separates it from the Pennine Alps and the Furka Pass, St Gotthard Pass and the upper Rhône valley separate it from the Lepontine Alps in the south-east; the Reuss valley separates it from the Glarus Alps in the east; the northern edge is not so well defined, roughly a line from Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne.

For information on the peaks and passes of the Bernese Alps use this link

Lepontine Alps (from Saint Gotthard Pass to Splügen Pass)

The Lepontine are located in Switzerland and Piedmont Italy. They are separated from the Bernese Alps by the Furks Pass, Gotthard Pass and the upper Rhone valley. The Simplon Pass separates them from the Pennine Alps and the Voederrhein valley together with the Oberalp Pass separates them from the Glarus Alps. The Splugen Pass is the separation point from the Oberhalbstein range of the Central Eastern Alps. The Simplon rail tunnel from Brig to Domodossola, the St Gotthard rail and road tunnels (from Andermatt to Airolo) and the San Bernardino Tunnel are important transport arteries.

The eastern portion of the Lepontine Alps, from the St Gotthard Pass to the Splugen Pass, is sometimes called the Adula Alps.

For information on the peaks and passes of the Lepontine Alps use this link

Glarus Alps

The Swiss Alps that run north-east of the Oberalp Pass to the Klausen Pass.

For information on the peaks and passes of the Glarus Alps use this link

Italian Alps - page 2

Italy’s Eastern Alps

Italy’s Western Alps

Ligurian Alps (from Savona to Colle di Tenda)

Maritime Alps (from Colle di Tenda to Colle de la Maddalena)

Cottian Alps (from Colle de la Maddalena to Col du Mont Genevre)

Graian Alps (from Col du Mont Cenis to the Little Saint Bernard Pass)

Pennine Alps (from the Little St. Bernard Pass to the Saint Gotthard Pass

Bernese Alps (to the north-west of the Furka Pass)

Lepontine Alps (from Saint Gotthard Pass to Splügen Pass)

Glarus Alps

Go to the Peaks In Piedmont page

Go to Introduction to Italian Mountains page

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