Best Peaks to Climb in October
October brings autumn colour and the first snow up high. With most alpine huts closed, the best summits are day walks, the lower ranges and the Mediterranean.
These 40 peaks are rated in their best season in October, the classics first. Most are in the Alps, Apennines and Cantabrian Mountains. Each row shows the normal route, its grade, the usual best months and, where there is one, a note on conditions in October.
- Peaks
- 40
- Countries
- 11
The List
- Mount Ida, 2,456 m, Monti Psiloriti · GreeceMonti Psiloriti · GreeceHike2,456 m
From the Nida plateau via the Akolita saddle · T2 · 5h 15m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Often clear and cool; days shorter
- Pico Ruivo, 1,862 m, Madeira Island · PortugalMadeira Island · PortugalHike1,862 m
PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira · T2 · 1h 30m up · best Apr–Oct · GPX
October: Good conditions; first autumn storms
- Mount Parnassus, 2,457 m, Mount Parnassus massif · GreeceMount Parnassus massif · GreeceHike2,457 m
From the Kelaria ski centre via Profitis Ilias and Portes · T2 · 4h 30m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Clear days; first snow possible late in the month
- Moncayo, 2,314 m, Iberian System · SpainIberian System · SpainHike2,314 m
From the Santuario de la Virgen del Moncayo by trail AG-1 · T2 · 3h 15m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Autumn colours in the beech woods; busy weekends
- Rigi, 1,797 m, Schwyzer Voralpen · SwitzerlandSchwyzer Voralpen · SwitzerlandHike1,797 m
From Weggis via Felsentor, Rigi Kaltbad and Rigi Staffel · T2 · 6h up · best Jun–Oct · GPX
October: Often stable autumn weather, with valley fog below the summit
- Mount Etna, 3,403 m, Sicily · ItalySicily · ItalyMountain hike3,403 m
South side from Rifugio Sapienza via the Montagnola and Torre del Filosofo · T3 · 4h 30m up · best May–Jun · GPX
October: Often stable; first snow possible late in the month
- Teide, 3,715 m, Macaronesia · SpainMacaronesia · SpainEasy walk3,715 m
From Montaña Blanca via the Refugio de Altavista and La Rambleta · T2 · 5h 45m up · best May–Jun · GPX
October: Good conditions; cooler
- Stromboli, 924 m, Aeolian Islands · ItalyAeolian Islands · ItalyHike924 m
From San Vincenzo via the east flank to Pizzo Sopra la Fossa · T3 · 1h 45m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Mild; guided trips usually run until the end of October
- Gorbea, 1,481 m, Gorbeia mountain range · SpainGorbeia mountain range · SpainHike1,481 m
From Pagomakurre via the Arraba meadows, Egiriñao and the Aldaminoste col · T2 · 3h 15m up · best May–Oct · GPX
- Wendelstein, 1,838 m, Schliersee Mountains · GermanySchliersee Mountains · GermanyHike1,838 m
From Bayrischzell via the Wendelsteiner Almen and Zeller Scharte · T2 · 5h up · best Jun–Oct · GPX
October: Often clear; last lift descent around 16:00
- Traunstein, 1,691 m, Upper Austrian Prealps · AustriaUpper Austrian Prealps · AustriaMountain hike1,691 m
Mairalmsteig from the Umkehrplatz via the Kaisertisch · T3 · VF A/B · 5h 45m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Clear autumn days above the valley fog; huts close late October
- Pedraforca, 2,506 m, Cadí mountain range · SpainCadí mountain range · SpainMountain hike2,506 m
From the Mirador de Gresolet via the Tartera de Saldes and the Enforcadura · T3 · 3h 30m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Good in dry weather; shorter days
- Roque de los Muchachos, 2,426 m, Caldera de Taburiente · SpainCaldera de Taburiente · SpainHike2,426 m
Ruta de la Crestería from Pico de la Nieve · T2 · 4h 30m up · best Apr–Jun · GPX
October: Clear, cooler days
- Niesen, 2,362 m, Albristhorn-Männliflue-Niesengrat Group · SwitzerlandAlbristhorn-Männliflue-Niesengrat Group · SwitzerlandHike2,362 m
From Schwandegg via the Niesenalp · T2 · 3h 15m up · best Jun–Oct · GPX
October: Short days; check the last funicular descent
- Mount Kyllini, 2,374 m, Peloponnese · GreecePeloponnese · GreeceHike2,374 m
From the Ziria plateau via Refuge B · T2 · 3h 30m up · best May–Jun · GPX
October: Clear autumn days
- Punta La Marmora, 1,834 m, Gennargentu · ItalyGennargentu · ItalyHike1,834 m
From S'Arena via Arcu Artilai and Arcu Gennargentu · T2 · 2h 30m up · best May–Jun · GPX
October: Cooler, clear days
- Mount Vesuvius, 1,281 m, Somma-Vesuvius complex · ItalySomma-Vesuvius complex · ItalyEasy walk1,281 m
Trail 5 "Il Gran Cono" from Piazzale di Quota 1000 · T1 · 45m up · best Apr–May · GPX
October: Open 09:00–16:00 (last entry); often clear
- Sveti Jure, 1,762 m, Biokovo · CroatiaBiokovo · CroatiaMountain hike1,762 m
From Makar via Vošac · T3 · 7h 30m up · best May · GPX
October: Cool, clear days; park open 08:00–18:00
- Mont Ventoux, 1,910 m, Vaucluse Mountains · FranceVaucluse Mountains · FranceHike1,910 m
North side from Mont Serein by the GR4 · T2 · 2h 15m up · best May–Jun · GPX
October: Clear air and autumn colours; cold wind at the top
- Turó de l'Home, 1,706 m, Montseny Massif · SpainMontseny Massif · SpainHike1,706 m
PR-C 208 from Santa Fe del Montseny · T2 · 2h 30m up · best Apr–Jun · GPX
October: Autumn colours; access regulated at weekends from 10 October
- Anboto, 1,333 m, Anboto mountain range · SpainAnboto mountain range · SpainAlpine hike1,333 m
From Urkiola via Asuntze, Pagozelai and the Agindi gap · T4 · 3h 15m up · best May–Jun · GPX
- Mont Aigoual, 1,567 m, Cévennes · FranceCévennes · FranceHike1,567 m
Sentier des 4000 marches from Valleraugue · T2 · 5h up · best Apr–May · GPX
October: Autumn colours; Cévennes downpours possible
- Larrun, 905 m, Larrun mountain range · France, SpainLarrun mountain range · France, SpainHike905 m
From the Col de Saint-Ignace via Les Trois Fontaines · T2 · 3h 15m up · best Apr–Jun · GPX
October: Clear autumn days; train until early November
- Puig de Massanella, 1,364 m, Serra de Tramuntana · SpainSerra de Tramuntana · SpainMountain hike1,364 m
From the Coll de sa Batalla via the Comafreda estate and the Font de s'Avenc · T3 · 5h 15m up · best Mar–May · GPX
- Mount Athos, 2,033 m, Athos peninsula · GreeceAthos peninsula · GreeceMountain hike2,033 m
South slope from the Skete of Agia Anna via Stavros and Panagia · T3 · 8h up · 2 days · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Clear, cool mornings; refuge may be full with pilgrim groups
- Cima Valdritta, 2,218 m, Garda Mountains · ItalyGarda Mountains · ItalyMountain hike2,218 m
From Chalet Novezza via path 66 and Forcella Valdritta · T3 · 3h 30m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Good in dry weather; check cable car and hut opening
- Mount Ossa, 1,978 m, Thessalian Mountains · GreeceThessalian Mountains · GreeceHike1,978 m
From the Kanalos refuge · T2 · 2h up · best May–Oct · GPX
October: Autumn colours in the forest
- Papingu, 2,482 m, Mount Nemërçkë · AlbaniaMount Nemërçkë · AlbaniaMountain hike2,482 m
From the Zagoria side up the west slope · T3 · 5h 45m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Cool and often clear
- Serra Dolcedorme, 2,267 m, Pollino · ItalyPollino · ItalyMountain hike2,267 m
From Colle dell'Impiso via the Piani di Pollino and the Sella del Dolcedorme · T3 · 4h 15m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Autumn beech woods; shorter days
- Maja e Këndrevicës, 2,122 m, Southern Albanian Highlands · AlbaniaSouthern Albanian Highlands · AlbaniaMountain hike2,122 m
From the road end beyond Nivicë via the south slopes · T3 · 4h 15m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Often clear and cooler (Bjørstad climbed on 5 October)
- Radomir, 2,029 m, Belasica · Bulgaria, GreeceBelasica · Bulgaria, GreeceHike2,029 m
From the Belasitsa and Kongur huts via Kongur peak · T2 · 6h 45m up · 2 days · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Good conditions; autumn colours
- Monte Togano, 2,301 m, Catena Togano-Laurasca-Limidario · ItalyCatena Togano-Laurasca-Limidario · ItalyAlpine hike2,301 m
From Trontano via Rifugio Parpinasca and Passo di Basagrana · T4 · 5h 45m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Clear autumn days; dry grass can be slippery
- Raucheck, 2,430 m, Tennen Mountains · AustriaTennen Mountains · AustriaMountain hike2,430 m
From Unterholz via the Mahdeggalm, Eiskeller and Griesscharte · I · T3 · 5h 30m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Good on cool, dry days; avoid after fresh snow
- Monte Viglio, 2,156 m, Monti Cantari · ItalyMonti Cantari · ItalyMountain hike2,156 m
From the Valico di Serra Sant'Antonio via Monte Piano · T3 · 2h 45m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Beech woods in autumn colour
- Chamitis, 2,065 m, Vermio · GreeceVermio · GreeceHike2,065 m
From the 3-5 Pigadia ski centre via the EOS Naoussa refuge · T2 · 2h 45m up · best Jun–Oct · GPX
October: Autumn beech colours
- Mali i Lunxhërisë, 2,155 m, Shëndelli–Lunxhëri–Bureto · AlbaniaShëndelli–Lunxhëri–Bureto · AlbaniaMountain hike2,155 m
From Saraqinishtë by the north trail · T3 · 5h 45m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Cooler, clear days
- Monte Miletto, 2,050 m, Matese · ItalyMatese · ItalyHike2,050 m
From Campitello Matese via Colle del Caprio and the east ridge · T2 · 2h 45m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Clear views; beech woods in autumn colour
- Pic de Bure, 2,709 m, Dévoluy Mountains · FranceDévoluy Mountains · FranceMountain hike2,709 m
Via the Combe Ratin and the Plateau de Bure · T3 · 5h 15m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Ideal: cooler, clear autumn days
- Crêt de la Neige, 1,721 m, Jura Mountains · FranceJura Mountains · FranceHike1,721 m
From Le Tiocan via Narderans and the Reculet · T2 · 4h 15m up · best Jun–Oct · GPX
October: Autumn colours; often above the valley fog
- Tschirgant, 2,370 m, Mieminger Kette · AustriaMieminger Kette · AustriaMountain hike2,370 m
From Karrösten via the Karröster Alm and the Sattele · T3 · 5h 15m up · best Sep–Oct · GPX
October: Good in dry weather; alm open until late October
Questions
- What mountains can you climb in October?
- Mount Ida (2,456 m), Pico Ruivo (1,862 m), Mount Parnassus (2,457 m), Moncayo (2,314 m) and Rigi (1,797 m) are among the 40 peaks in their best season in October. October brings autumn colour and the first snow up high. With most alpine huts closed, the best summits are day walks, the lower ranges and the Mediterranean.
- What is an easy mountain to climb in October?
- Pico Ruivo (1,862 m): the normal route, the PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira, graded T2, about 1h 30m up. It is in the Madeira Island, Portugal.