UKH

We fancy a walking holiday in the Alps next July. We have plenty of walking/alpine experience but not been for a few years. We would probably drive over and sort out our own self catering accommodation.

My partner is not so keen on doing big ascents now, so we are looking for somewhere that has lift access to higher up. Somewhere that would have enough walking to keep us busy for a couple of weeks.

Any suggestions welcome

Where have you been already, do you like it busy or quiet, day walks or hut to hut?  I'd dis-count Slovenia, there's a lack of lift infrastructure compared to other parts of the alps and you'd be doing massive days.

Crucial to your best choice is whether its early July or mid July onwards. Post Bastille Day your options are fewer and busier from our experience.

If you can go early July we had some great trips to Chamonix area, also to Les Carroz. The uplift available near the latter is a bit more limited but its drop dead lovely for walking.

One of us is suffering badly in the knees, so "finally" appreciate all the lifts around the Chamonix valley that we once used to shun.  It's great to get up to the good stuff, then take off away from the crowds.  Getting down with less pain is even better.

But if you haven't been for a few years you will be surprised by the increased crowds in the valley.  Not nice.  Also town is now like Oxford Street, London, rather than an alpine village.

But loads of walking, as you probably know.  Also, since you will be driving, you have neighbouring valleys.

Or drive to the Briançon region.  Few lifts, but you can just drive up and walk off from the tops of passes...  Loads, and loads, and loads to do.  3 months per year worth for us.

Been to Cham, Ailfroide, Celiac area and Brenta Dolomites. 
Mainly after an area for Day walks. 
Wondering about Austria?

Check out the Dolomites - lots of lifts and opportunities for plateau level walks - or lift up and walk down. We had a very pleasant fortnight in Campitello in August - it was sufficiently far north to get out of the Southern European heat and escaped the rain in the North - very interesting 1st WW heritage too.

Much of Austria is limestone like the dolomites, definitely some good walking but I've not done enough to recommend an area over any other - I've done a few day walks/snowshoe trips and VFs around the German border in the Karwendel / Allgau region.  The main bit of the Dolomites is different to the Brenta again. The good thing about Austria and the main Dolomites is that there's plenty of ,000m summits and good lift infrastructure so you can get up above the treeline with little effort and get summits in without worrying about glaciers and the like. There's often contoury paths like in the Brenta. If you didn't fancy driving, then flying to Munich and taking the train down to Garmisch / Reutte / Innsbruck would be an option for that part of the world, as would flying to Innsbruck.  Maybe look at doing a section of one of the long distance paths (Alta Via / E4 etc.)?  They tend to be doable for a wide range of abilities.

See if you can pick up a copy of 'Walking in the alps' by Kev Reynolds, that gives a good overview of the whole alps.

Had a brilliant week walking around Niederau and Auffach, the alpine meadow feel of the region is very pleasant and you can ride the lifts up many of the mountains. The food is brilliant on the mountains compared to most of the stuff you get these days in the French Alps.  

Fly to Nice, get train/bus up to Casterino and walk the GR towards Madone de fenestre, borean etc.  stay in the mountain huts, its a lovely area outstanding flora and fauna, easy footpaths. 

but no/very few lifts. Its is a great place though...

You might want to look at the Saastal in the Valais. Surrounded by 4000m peaks, it can get overlooked as a walking destination, really varied - from pretty green valleys to very doable glacier crossings. Excellent uplift included - with post buses - in the Saastal card. Less busy than Cham. In our experience, weather much more reliable than the Dollies (which are also great). Swiss prices tho! DM me if you need any specifics but they have an excellent walking section on their website. 

That should read < 3,000m

Saalbach and Hinterglemm a good location in Austria, if you stay in most recognised accommodation you also get a Joker Card which gives free lift access and a load of other stuff 

https://www.saalbach.com/en/summer

Without the card the lifts are very expensive