Limited information is available on the isomerization of alpha-pinene proceeding on zeolites and related desilicated materials. We wish therefore to report on the title reaction proceeding over ZSM-5, ZSM-12 and MCM-22 type zeolites, parent and modified by the sodium hydroxide treatment. The NaOH solutions of various concentrations (0.05-1 M) were used as a desilicating agent. Such treatments with basic solutions were applied: (i) under atmospheric pressure, and (ii) under hydrothermal conditions. It was shown that ZSM-12 was more resistant towards the basic solutions treatment, and its structure was retained over a whole range of NaOH concentrations studied. Nitrogen sorption revealed strong influence of the desilication process on the pore structure of modified materials-the mesopores system was formed in the zeolite crystals. Finally, catalytic studies were carried out using ZSM-5, ZSM-12, MCM-22, their desilicated derivatives and a ZSM-12/MCM-41 composite material. Catalytic properties of the samples studied were affected to a large extent by the NaOH treatment.