Whether it’s a day hike, a weekend walk or a more extended trip, we always look for new routes and adventures. Hiking improves physical and mental health and allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world. Whatever your level of experience, there is a trail for you.
In this guide, we explore some of the best hiking routes in Europe and give you ideas for your next trip. You’ll find something for your next adventure covering different durations, difficulty levels and hiking categories.
Our top ten recommendations are listed below. Read on for detailed information about our recommendations:
1 Tour de Mont Blanc, France
2 Matterhorn Base Camp, Switzerland
3 Camino de Santiago, Spain
4 West Highland Way, Scotland
5 Seven Hanging Valley Trail, Portugal
6 Helvellyn, England
7 Cinque Terre, Italy
8 Norwegian Fjords
9 Laugavegur, Iceland
10 Caucasus Mountains, Georgia
The best hikes in Europe vary in length, difficulty, route type and how far you want to travel. From the breathtaking and long-distance Tour de Mont Blanc to the beauty of the Portuguese coast, you can find a route to suit your tastes.
Our list of the best hiking trails includes inspiring suggestions for experienced hikers and beginners. We’ve included popular routes as well as hidden gems.
BEST MOUNTAIN HIKES
MONT BLANC, FRANCE
– 170km
– 10-11 days
– challenging
The Tour du Mont Blanc is arguably Europe’s most famous hiking route, circumnavigating the highest peak in the Alps. On this long-distance hiking route, you’ll encounter some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. You’ll need to make ascents and descents throughout the day, so you’ll need to be in good shape, although climbing experience is optional. Passing through France, Switzerland and Italy, the Tour du Mont Blanc is best walked in summer to avoid snow.
MATTERHORN BASE CAMP, SWITZERLAND
– 17km
– 1 day
– medium difficulty
You’ll encounter stunning views on the Hornlihutte trail, which takes hikers on a winding route along the foot of the Matterhorn. The base camp, set on a rocky path with a gentle slope, can be reached in a few hours. You will need climbing equipment and an overnight stay to reach the summit. Alternatively, you can follow the glacier trail down from base camp. Bring your binoculars to see the climbers on the northeast ridge of the Matterhorn.
You can combine our two suggestions by using the Haute Route, which covers 180 km between Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. The original high-level route is a technical route that takes 12 days at high altitudes, but the alternative Haute Route, which requires no special equipment and is below 3000 meters, can be hiked on well-marked trails.
Also worth a look:
Julian Alps
– stunning mountain ranges stretching from Northeast Italy to Slovenia through the Mount Triglav National Park.
Trolltunga, Norway
– a rock formation jutting into the void 700 meters above the Ringedalsvatnet Lake, Trolltunga offers views that must be seen to be believed. The 8-12 hour hike comprises 28 km of high mountain trails.
THE BEST LONG HIKES IN EUROPE
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO, SPAIN
– 100-780km
– up to 30 days!
– moderate to challenging, depending on the route
The ancient Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) encompasses multiple routes in France, Spain and Portugal, along which hundreds of thousands of people have walked on pilgrimage. The most popular route is the Camino Frances, about 800 kilometres long. Alternative routes from Spain and Portugal all end at the same destination in Santiago. The walk is mostly on flat paths, but the difficulty comes from walking long distances daily. Since it’s one of the must-do hikes before you die, find a suitable route and start training.
WEST HIGHLAND WAY, SCOTLAND
– 154km
– 5-8 days
– medium difficulty
Northern Scotland is home to an iconic walking route, the West Highland Way, which deserves to be called one of the world’s best one-day-plus hikes. Starting near Glasgow, you’ll pass Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, and walk along the famous shores of Loch Lomond. Hotels and huts offer accommodation options along the way, although many walkers choose to camp along the route during the summer months.
It’s also worth checking out these:
Alta Via
– a high-level mountain trail in Italy. This 150-kilometer hike passes through the eastern Dolomites and offers jaw-dropping views.
Kamnik-Savinja, Slovenia
– Hike from hut to hut along the Slovenian Mountain Trail. It takes 28 days to complete the entire trail, but shorter sections can be chosen depending on the difficulty and length of the trip.
GR20, Corsica
—A 180km rugged trail winding along the mountainous spine of Corsica, the GR20 takes between 7 and 14 days, depending on pace. The well-marked route starts in Calenzana. You can camp along the route or stay in mountain huts.
Kungsleden, Sweden
– Sweden’s most famous hiking trail, the King’s Way, takes a month to walk in its entirety but is easy to break down into sections. The low altitude and flat terrain make it a route for people of all experience levels. The most popular part of the trail is the 105 km route connecting Abisko and Nikkaluokta. You should allow 10-12 days for this hike, which also offers accommodation in a mountain hut with stunning views.
When planning a multi-day hike, the choice of clothing is critical. It would help to prepare for changing weather conditions without weighing yourself down with unnecessary equipment. If you choose matching clothes, you can add or remove layers depending on the conditions. Choose lightweight, technical fabrics that will keep you dry when you start to sweat and keep you warm when the temperature drops.
THE BEST DAY HIKES IN EUROPE
SEVEN HANGING VALLEY PATIOS, PORTUGAL
– 11km
– 5-6 hours
– easy
One of Europe’s most beautiful hiking routes, the Seven Hanging Valley Trail, is unforgettable along the Algarve coast. Suitable for hikers of all abilities, the trail offers spectacular views of stunning cliffs and sandy beaches across the turquoise ocean.
HELVELLYN, ENGLAND
– 1.5-14km
– 3-6 hours
– challenging
The climb to Helvellyn in the Lake District always tops lists of the UK’s best hiking routes. The summit has multiple routes, with its five ridges offering unparalleled views of the surrounding area. Experienced climbers are rewarded with spectacular views after walking the steep 1.5km ridge along Striding Edge. Alternatively, the 11.5km route from Patterdale to the south ridge of Helvellyn offers a safer and easier route to the summit, but whichever route you choose, you should be prepared for some climbing.
CINQUE TERRE, ITALY
– 11km
– 5-6 hours
– from easy to intermediate
The most picturesque trail in Italy, this hiking route connects the five fishing villages that make up the Cinque Terre. With pastel-coloured buildings high above the Mediterranean coast, you’ll want to take extra time to explore each town you pass. The easier trails connecting Riomaggiore to Monterosso are found on the Riomaggiore side. To choose your starting point, decide whether you want to take the more hilly sections at the beginning or end of your trip.
It’s also worth taking a look at these:
Fimmvörðuháls, Iceland
– Also known as the Fimm hike, this trail offers the best views of Iceland on a day-long hike. Passing 26 waterfalls and two volcanoes and climbing some of the youngest mountains in the world, this challenging hike is awe-inspiring.
Samaria Gorge, Crete
– A spectacular hike that cuts 16 kilometres through the White Mountains of Crete, the second-largest canyon in Europe. Accessible in spring and summer.
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, Madeira
– A day hike through different places along narrow paths, rugged stairs and tunnels. This 11-kilometer challenging but safe route can be completed in a day hike.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop, Italy
– A 10 km circular route around three iconic Dolomite peaks, consisting of Rifugio Auronzo, Rifugio Lavaredo and Rifugio Locatelli. This hike is an easy route and is preferred by families.
For day hikes, you will need a backpack to carry water, food and spare layers of clothing, such as waterproof raincoats. Backpacks with a capacity of under 30 litres are often called daypacks and are ideal for hikes of this length.
THE BEST WINTER HIKES IN EUROPE
INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA
Nestled in a broad valley between high, snow-capped mountain peaks, the flight to Innsbruck airport is spectacular. Once on the ground, there are different trails for hikers who want to explore the area around this vibrant winter sports city. There are plenty of opportunities to try snowshoeing, which involves attaching a wide frame to your hiking shoes or boots to make walking in the snow on high mountain trails easier.
NORWEGIAN SHORTS
The Norwegian fjords offer thousands of options for hikers with different interests and ability levels. The landscapes are stunning, ranging from dense forests to vast glaciers. A fjord is a deep and narrow indentation of water made by the sea inland. There are more than 1,000 of these fjords around Norway, shaped by glaciers and slowly making their way inland. Popular all year round, the fjords also offer the chance to see the Northern Lights when visited in winter—make sure you pack warm clothes.
It would help to stay warm without compromising mobility when hiking in low temperatures. For effective insulation, your clothing should reduce heat loss, protect against wind chill and not restrict movement. High insulation levels can make clothing heavy, and thick coats are not ideal for outdoor activities and sports. You need effective insulation that doesn’t compromise comfort or flexibility to maintain performance.
The combination of air temperature and wind chill determines how cold you feel. Thermal energy is transferred from your body to the environment, which causes you to feel cold. Wind accelerates the cooling process by moving air at a more incredible speed. Wind chill makes you feel colder than the ambient temperature. A practical winter coat uses insulating materials to trap body heat close to the skin and slow heat transfer.
Thermal clothing traps air close to the skin to create a warm microclimate around your body. Thermal leggings for your legs (also known as underwear) help maintain a comfortable temperature.
THE BEST HIKING VACATIONS IN EUROPE
LAUGAVEGUR, ICELAND
– 55km
– 4-5 days
– challenging
Also known as Laugavegurinn, this route is one of the wealthiest hiking routes in Europe. You’ll feel like you’re on a different planet as you encounter hot springs, glaciers, vividly coloured hills, valleys, and black volcanic rocks. A circular route will allow you to enjoy the area in one day. The 55 km main trail takes 4-5 days to complete in rugged terrain. Optionally, a two-day extension to Skogar takes you between two enormous glaciers for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS, GEORGIA
A little-known route, the barren Caucasus mountain range in Georgia offers a series of fascinating hikes between the peaks. Hikers can observe the Upper Svaneti region’s medieval villages and rich wildlife. With less hiking-related tourist infrastructure in the area, there is a chance to experience something new. Between snow and midsummer heat, late spring to early summer is the ideal time to visit. Start by trying the route from Mestia to Ushguli.
It’s also worth checking out.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
– This UNESCO World Heritage site, covering 300 square kilometres, has 16 interconnected lakes with stunning waterfalls, wildlife and rare birds. You can choose from a variety of trails running through the park.
Durmitor National Park, Montenegro – A popular ski resort in winter, canyons, limestone peaks and glacial lakes are popular hiking routes in summer.
The right backpack is essential for every hiking trip. Consider the clothes you need to pack, the length of your trip and the weather conditions you expect to encounter. Choose the capacity of your backpack according to the clothing, food, water and additional equipment you will need on the trail.
Backpacks between 30 and 50 litres are usually suitable for trips lasting longer than a day. However, a single night in cold weather may require a larger capacity than three nights in summer. Extra climbing or camping equipment will also affect the bag size needed. You may need a high-capacity backpack for longer camping or winter adventures. When packing a larger bag, consider the items you need carefully. Pack lightweight and versatile clothing that will offer practicality without taking up unnecessary space.
