The Trinity Alps Wilderness, about three hours north of Sacramento, offers hiking trails, waterfalls, alpine lakes and smaller crowds than at popular national parks.

A practical guide to exploring the Alps' classic highlights. These mountains have long been winter favourites, and they’re now becoming increasingly popular in the summer, too.

The Alps: High Mountains in Motion, by Andreas Fischer (teNeues Verlag, £29.95) The Alps are a place of high drama — extreme weather, shifting seasons, the freeze and melt of ice, avalanches ...

Picturesque panoramic view of the snowy Alps mountains and meadows while hiking Tour du Mont Blanc. Popular hiking route. Alps, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc region, France, Europe.