Overtourism in the mountains is a choice
Strange but true. If you make a small effort, you will easily avoid overtourism in the mountains. Let’s see how.
How to Avoid the Crowds and Find Hidden Gems in the Alps
Overtourism has become one of the hottest travel topics in recent years. Overtourism in the mountains is also unfortunately happening. With millions of people eager to travel again after the COVID-19 pandemic, popular destinations around the world are struggling to cope with overwhelming numbers of visitors. Especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast, I am sure you are now a fan of the masses of people in the mountains.
If you’ve ever found yourself surrounded by crowds when all you wanted was peace and nature, you’ve experienced the downside of overtourism. Luckily, there are ways to avoid it—especially in Italy!
Hike the Alps in Low Season!
The easiest way to avoid overtourism in the Alps is to avoid the summer. In Spring and Fall you will have the full mountains for yourself. Of course, the weather can be rougher and maybe you will probably need a guide:) But here I am, and believe me that you will never be disappointed. Check my reviews here.
Overtourism in Italy: The Hotspots
Italy is the 5th most visited country in the world, and it’s no surprise that overtourism is a growing issue here.
Venice has long been under pressure, with daily visitor numbers often higher than the resident population.
Rome and Florence are always packed, leaving many travelers frustrated.
The irony? Tourists often complain about overtourism in the mountains while being part of the crowds themselves! The solution is simple: choose destinations off the beaten path. I understand why people visit these places as they are unique and amazing… But if you don’t want your holidays to be surrounded by other people, in Italy, you can easily be in amazing places completely by yourself or at least in a less crowded situation.
Also, we must say there where there is overtourism, the local people see you just as a number, and it is very rarely you will have a deep meeting with them. So, in order to have real experience with gentle and nice people, the solution is just do NOT go where everybody goes!
Why You Shouldn’t Rely Only on AI Travel Planning
Artificial Intelligence is becoming a popular tool for planning trips, but here’s the problem: AI recommends the most popular destinations because it gathers information from the internet.
That means:
More online buzz = more AI recommendations.
More AI recommendations = more tourists.
For example, if you ask AI where to go in the Italian Alps, chances are it will suggest the Dolomites or Mont Blanc. These are beautiful areas, but also the most crowded, making them prime examples of overtourism in Italy. So if you want to avoid overtourism in the mountains the first action you can take is NOT to go where everybody goes. And I can assure you that there are tens of valleys where only local people are and few tourists and hikers are spotted. And because you will be one of the few hikers, you will also be treated as a special person… not necessarily because you are special:) but because you will be seen as a human being and not as a number and a walking wallet.
Hidden Gems in the Italian Alps: Where to Escape the Crowds
If your goal is to hike in peace, connect with nature, and avoid mass tourism, the good news is that you can. The Alps are vast, and only a few areas are overrun by visitors.
Here is my post in Instagram dedicated to Overtourism. I swear is all real:)
As a local guide in the Western Alps, I can guarantee:
Just a few kilometers away from Mont Blanc, there are valleys with one-tenth of the tourists.
Sometimes, you won’t meet anyone at all during your hike.
Trails are just as stunning, but far more peaceful.
By contrast, on the Tour of Mont Blanc, you’ll likely encounter hundreds of hikers daily. Great if you want company, not so great if you’re chasing solitude.
👉 Pro tip: Skip the Dolomites and Mont Blanc if you want quiet trails. Explore the lesser-known valleys of the Western Alps for a more authentic experience.
Final Thoughts: Smart Travel = Better Travel
Overtourism in Italy is real, but it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. By looking beyond the obvious choices and not relying solely on AI-generated itineraries, you can discover incredible landscapes without the crowds. If you come in non-summer, it will be easy to be alone in Nature. You will need a guide unless you are a super expert or you can do a day hike from a nice location in the mountains. We can help you in a fully guided hike or assist you with a consultancy, giving you some tips about a very beautiful area in the Alps to go in different months of the year.
Especially hiking in May and Hiking in June is just stunning. Huge waterfalls, flowers blooming, no people and Wildlife. How can you expect to see wildlife if there are hundreds of people in the path.
Wildlife can’t match with overtourism in the mountains
And it is very easy to be alone in those months.
If you’re heading to the Italian Alps, remember this: the most famous places are not always the best. Sometimes, the real magic is hidden just around the corner. And well, Trekking Alps is here to help you to find the best Hiking tour in the Alps, depending on when you want to come!
