A strange and unsettling term has been gaining traction across social media: “Alpine divorces.” What began as a handful of scattered posts has quickly snowballed into a viral trend, with users sharing bizarre and troubling personal stories tied to the phrase.
What are Alpine divorces?
There is no formal or legal definition of an Alpine divorce. The term is used online to describe a disturbing way of ending a relationship — allegedly by abandoning a partner in a remote or dangerous mountainous area, often during a hike. The person left behind is said to face harsh, potentially life-threatening conditions such as freezing temperatures, isolation, or treacherous terrain.
The phrase evokes imagery of isolated alpine regions where survival can be difficult. Online, it is largely discussed as a grim, fictional concept rather than a legitimate or recognized form of separation.
The idea itself is not new. It traces back to the 1893 short story by , in which an unhappy husband plots to kill his wife during a trip to the Swiss Alps. This fictional tale is believed to have inspired the modern slang term.
Viral stories about “Alpine divorces”
Numerous social media users claim to have experienced or witnessed similar situations, sharing stories about partners abandoning them during hikes or wilderness trips.
“Just saw a Tiktok of a girl whose boyfriend abandoned her during a hike in the woods. The comments were all about how this is a thing multiple men do. It’s so common it’s called Alpine Divorce and there are support groups for it….All I can say is wtf is wrong with men??? Why would you ever consider abandoning someone that way? I’m mortified.” wrote a user.
“Apparently men abandoning their partners on a hike or in the wilderness is so common it has a name: alpine divorce. Comments are filled with stories.” wrote another.
And another user described her experience of an alpine divorce on X, “This is a video of me hiking in the Scottish Highlands trying to make the best out of my trip while the guy I was in a situationship with was miles ahead of me.”