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An alpine route () or high alpine route () is a trail or climbing route through difficult terrain in high mountains such as the Alps, sometimes with no obvious path. In the Alps, the various define and mark an alpine route, also called alpinweg or alpinwanderweg (alpine hiking trail). More generally, the term is used for routes of crossing the Alps, such as Roman crossings and Napoleon crossing the Alps. It is also used to describe routes (trails, roads, and railroads) in other mountains with alpine conditions.
In the Alps, the mark their designated "Alpine Routes" in blue and white. In Austria and Germany the signs are blue-white-blue, in Switzerland the signs for the so-called "Alpinwanderwege" are marked white-blue-white signs. Sometimes the routes have no signs, only ("Steinmandl", little stone man) or poles marking the way. Some routes require climbing skills of minor levels of difficulty (I and II according to UIAA).
To hike Alpine routes, climbers need physical fitness and good equipment, sure-footedness, and on some routes also a head for heights. They also need a good sense of direction, and know how to use maps and a compass. If they don't have alpine experience, they should use a mountain guide. Clothing has to be weatherproof. Some routes require climbing equipment such as climbing rope and , some even need crampons. It is of prime importance to check weather and route conditions beforehand.
Alpine routes are graded according to different systems. In Switzerland, an Alpinwanderweg is a marked hiking trail of the highest grade in difficulty according to the Swiss Alpine Club's hiking grades.
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