A long walk in the Alps

[goatpebble]

we want to escape the normal routes, so the Berner Oberland is forbidden!

two weeks of wild camping, and the most lonely trails possible!

I have looked to Ticino (Tessin) , and Graubunden, also the Silvretta and my favourite routes in the Valais.

Also the Hohe Tauern

Can you help?

[goatpebble]

I am sorry to bump this.

I have posted things on more specialist sites, asking for advice, but all the most popular, and hut dependent routes always come up.

We are trying to find a real escape, wild camping. My mind is going to explode if I have to trawl the internet, and my books, much further. The best idea I can think of is just to choose a range that has possibilities, and with maps, to explore without grand plans.

I really hope that someone out there has found a nice route, that escapes us from the crowded 'classic' paths. Last year we were horrified at the crowds that circuit Mont Blanc, the litter and trash, and the crowds of Americans, but we love the Alps, and again and again, we will explore.

[pcolbeck]

You could take a look in Nick Cranes book Clear Waters Rising which is about a walk across the watershed of Europe from the Atlantic to The Black Sea.
Not a detailed route map but it might give you some ideas.

[peliroja]

I would scrap the Alps and head for the Pyrenees... 

[bikenerd]

Has anyone suggested the Jotunheimen mountains in Norway?
As far as I know, you're allowed to wild camp anywhere in Norway! 
Edit: here's a link from someone who did a hike in 2001: hiking in Norway

[mark]

I would scrap the Alps and head for the Pyrenees... 

I cycled through the Pyrenees in 2001, very pretty country but very hot (July). I did not hear a word of English spoken for almost a week, which was a great way to improve my French. The GR 10 would be a possibility, although it might be a bit more hut dependent than you want.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haute_Randonn%C3%A9e_Pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9enne might be an option if the GR10 is too popular and hut dependant for your taste.

[goatpebble]

If it was high Summer, then Norway would be wonderful, but our start is the first week of September, and we want no more than a day on the train, from near Munich.

We want eight or nine days mountain walking, and then five or six days of cycling back in Germany, so we don't want to fly.

Next year, I would love to do a long (three or four week) trek in the Pryenees!

[cometworm]

If it was high Summer, then Norway would be wonderful, but our start is the first week of September, and we want no more than a day on the train, from near Munich.

We want eight or nine days mountain walking, and then five or six days of cycling back in Germany, so we don't want to fly.

Next year, I would love to do a long (three or four week) trek in the Pryenees!

Having just spent the week in the French Alps surrounded be French people rather than in zen-inducing solitude, I'd second Norway - first week of September would be fine in Jotunheimen, and if you pick your route right you can have some really nice remote hiking.

[goatpebble]

You have all suggested the places we want to visit, but they will have to wait until next year. This time, it really has to be reached by a relatively short train journey, and that does mean Alpine stuff.

Cometworm, I am sorry you had the bad luck to find yourself with crowds of people, but the Alps are huge, and I am sure that there are possibilities for us!

[bikenerd]

A bit of a thread hijack (sorry!)
Can anyone suggest a hiking route for 3-4 days that is close to Edinburgh (around 2-3hrs by train would be acceptable) for two reasonably fit and young chaps carrying lightweight gear, say 15 miles per day?  Thanks!

[cometworm]

Corrour to Ben Nevis is nice, and the trip from Ben Nevis over the Mamores towards Glencoe/Kinlochleven also. You could probably make a 3 or 4 day circuit of it.

[Tom B]

for two reasonably fit and young chaps carrying lightweight gear, say 15 miles per day?

Unless you're sticking to well-used paths or are unusually fit and experienced, 15 miles a day in the Highlands would be very good going.

[goatpebble]

Just to update, we are walking from the Rätikon to Lake Como!