Where do the Alps start in Italy?

The Italian Alps stretch from the border with France where the highest peak of Monte Bianco spills over into the region of Valle d'Aosta, just above Piedmont.



Geographically, the Italian Alps begin in the northwest of the country at the border with France. The mountain chain forms a massive "arch" across northern Italy, spanning the provinces of Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The westernmost starting point is often considered the Col de Tende or the Cottian Alps near the French border. From there, the range progresses through the Graian Alps (home to the highest peaks like Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn) into the Central Alps of Lombardy, and finally into the Eastern Alps, which include the iconic Dolomites—a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic limestone spires. In 2026, the Italian Alpine region remains a premier destination for skiing, hiking, and mountaineering, with the city of Aosta serving as one of the most historic "gateways" to the range. The Alps act as a natural northern border, separating Italy from France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.

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The straightest line runs from Calais past Reims, Metz, Strasbourg, Lucerne, through the Gotthard Tunnel, past Milan, down to Bologna and then across the Apennines to Florence. The Basel, Lucerne, Gotthard, Como route is probable the best route through the alps to Italy.

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The Dolomites are farther east and slightly north, concentrated around Trento/Bolzano. The mountains surrounding Lake Como are the Pre-alps or Alpine foothills. Looking north, up toward Colico from Bellagio, you can see part of the Bernina Range of the Alps. In a word no.

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Beautiful village carved into the mountain Castelmezzano is one of Italy's most unique ancient villages, with most of its building and interconnecting pathways fused into the mountain's contours and rocky terrain.

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The mountains are often located around the border between Italy and Switzerland, so the mountains are very identical looking but each have their own special characteristics that make them beautiful. If you are looking for somewhere to stay near the Italian Alps, check out Albergo Miramonti.

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THE DOLOMITES ARE EXPENSIVE BUT ALSO AFFORDABLE WITH THESE TIPS. We're not going to lie, the Dolomites can be very expensive, and for many travellers, prohibitively so. Accommodation, especially in popular areas, can exceed €200 per night and will likely be your largest cost.

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Bolzano (Bozen) is a beautiful city often referred to as the “Gateway to the Dolomites”, which is comprised of a lovely mixture of cultural displays, open air markets, restaurants and high end shops.

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Because these train trips are all about the view, cars with wrap-around windows are common. Perhaps the most popular scenic train route in Italy is the Bernina Express, which connects Tirano in Italy to St. Moritz in the Swiss Alps.

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While the entire length of the Bernina Express is an exceptionally scenic ride through Alpine landscape, there are a few extraordinary highlights along the way. Brusio Viaduct. From the town center of Tirano, Italy, the train quickly starts climbing and within a few minutes, crosses the border into Switzerland.

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