Best Hikes In Europe – The Definitive Guide

Flowing over the peaks and valleys of the Western Alps through the stunning landscapes of France, Italy and Switzerland, The Tour du Mont Blanc definitely deserves the crown as one the best hikes in Europe and in the world.

And not only because it provides the finest views of the tallest mountain in the region!

Although physically challenging, it allows you to experience the most picturesque parts of the continent in less than 2 weeks. The hike will take you all the way from Chamonix in southeastern France, and through several famous villages like Courmayeur in Northern Italy.

However, the hike’s 11-day duration allows for route customisation – usually an anti-clockwise trek around the whole Mount Blanc Massif, it provides plenty of route variations to satisfy even the pickiest hikers.

And as if this wasn’t enough, the Tour du Mont Blanc offers a treat with its accommodation options, varying from boutique hostels and luxury ski resorts to rustic mountain huts.

Ready to book a trip? Check prices and availability for the Tour du Mont Blanc or other hikes in Switzerland.

With its contrast landscapes and passing a few 4,000-meter glaciers along the way, the Walkers Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, also known as Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn or La Haute Route, astounds everybody embarking on this two-week journey.

Peppering France and Switzerland, the snow peaks, lush green valleys and European villages lifted straight from the fairy tails, offer constant eye rest on this very demanding and challenging hike.

A real mountaineering crew from England initially walked and skied the route in mid-19^th century, creating the path for the modern-day challenge, best undertaken in summer.

Study our route variations well, to select the right one for your level of hiking experience and physical fitness.

And the last Alps’ trail on our top 20 list is Tour de Monte Rosa. As the other two hikes, it takes you through unforgettable scenery of the most popular European mountain range.

Taking you up and down the Renaissance paths, it provides the best views of the magnifico 4-thousanders.

Concurred in early 1500s by none the other but Leonardo da Vinci himself, the Monte Rosa (meaning ‘Glacier’) provides an unforgettable backdrop to the hike.

It truly is a hike across a magical Snow Kingdom, which is safer to admire in summer, preferably not earlier than in July.

Set in the powerful and scenic Scottish Highlands, the West Highland Way Hike seems to be getting even trendier than before. It is fast becoming one of the best thru-hikes in the world.

Connecting Milngavie outside Glasgow and Fort William - home to the highest mountain in Britain, the infamous Ben Nevis - the trail offers some of the harshest and refreshing views.

You will be treated to the Scotland’s best natural beauties – mysterious lochs (like Loch Lomond), sumptuous heights and glens, serene moors and magnificent woodlands.

Highlights worth researching in advance include: Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, and Glen Nevis.

Since you are hiking towards a fort, don’t forget to read up on the 18^th century military history of the region, as most of the roads around the area will be a real testament to some great historical events.

At the end of the path you will be in for a delightful ride on the Jacobite Steam Train, nicknamed the Hogwarts Express after featuring in the Harry Potter movies.

It’s no secret that this part of the country gets rather wet and hostile around fall and winter time, so it is advisable to embark on the journey between May and October. Avoid mid-summer also due to awfully annoying and blood-thirsty midges!

Not ready for this hike? Why not try the 3 Peaks Challenge instead or even this awesome canoeing trip in Scotland.

If you are after the untouched truly Nordic natural beauty with barren tundra plains and local mountains, harsh Artic summers, miniature dwarf pine trees, birch forests and endless valleys, rivers, lakes and ponds accompanied by massive glaciers, than the Kungsleden Trail is definitely for you.

If you aren’t as keen on the northern winds and Lapland sceneries during virtually non-existent summers, you might still find the experience rewarding and manageable.

Although the only true wilderness of the Western Europe, the trail offers some camping comforts in many rustic huts along all of the four 110km hikes.

One of which takes you from Abisko to Nikkaluokta, providing a view of the highest peak in Sweden, the stark Mount Kebnekaise.

We recommend choosing your hike according to climate zones you’d like to explore, or based on your preferences of nature reserves, of which there will be four on the entire journey, with Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, peppered with several Scandinavian Mountains, being one the most popular and definitely the largest.

The best time to visit is either during the popular summer season – from June to early September, or mid-September, when most European hikers are gone and mosquitoes have died out.

The Camino De Santiago trails take you through the majestic Pyrenees, short but unforgettable mountain range dividing Northern Spain and France with a tiny country of Andorra in-between. 

Originally the most famous route for Catholic pilgrims, it is today a well-mapped trail for any culture-driven hiker.

The most picturesque route of Camino de Santiago Trail, meaning the Way of Saint James, is called The French Way. It takes your across the valleys with powerful rivers, roaring alongside majestic summits. 

Thanks to its heritage, the trail is packed with major cultural sites of the region, including a very impressive Cathedral at Santiago built in infamous Gothic Baroque style.

If you were to take the route from St Jean Pied de Port and walk through a legendary town of Pampolona in July, you’d be greeted by the fearless Running of the Bulls Festival, which worthy of a pilgrimage on its own! 

From here you can take a trip to the coast, but this could add another 3 days to the trek.

If you are ready to test your mountain hiking skills, fly out to Corsica for the epic GR20 Hike.

From Calenzana (near Calvi to Conca) the route is a chain of seemingly never-ending climbs up and down very steep and spiky footpaths.

You might find it a relief to learn that the start of the trek – Northern part of the island – will pack your hardest days, and it gets a bit less gruelling as the days progress.

Although, be prepared for a toughest section where you will have to rely on bolted chains to climb over.

But it all becomes worth it! Winding from North to South of Corsica, this covered in pine trees hike penetrates the very spine of the island – its single mountain range.

It provides the best views of the rocky walls protecting the warm valleys, lush meadows and sparking lakes.

As the heat can add even more pain to the journey, try hiking either in June, September or even October, to save yourself from a pounding sun.

The entire classic GR10 Hike through the French Pyrenean Mountains would take two months to walk, but it is conveniently broken down into many varied routes, which you can do in one or two weeks.

The difficulty of the hike is determined by its tiresome and continuous accent, so if you are not prepared to be climbing for days on end, then select a shorter version with more rest days for your comfort.

While hiking in the Central Pyrenees, you will discover some landscape landmarks like the Gaube Lake, Cirque de Gavarnie (UNESCO Heritage Site) and the Vignemale (highest peak in the area).

With breathtaking valleys and fascinating peaks, the views on the trek are simply unbeatable. But unlike many other hikes in Europe, this section of GR10 also offers some bird watching and wildlife spotting opportunities.

But as you are taking pictures of brown vultures and griffons beware of being spotted by the golden eagle from above!

If you would like to see these majestic kings of the sky, make sure to walk through the Néouvielle National Reserve.

Additionally, one of the central routes will take you through spa towns – Cauterets and Bagnères-de-Luchon – to give you time to rejuvenate your aching muscles.

The El Caminito del Rey hike will offer a glimpse into the region of Spain called Andalucía. It is a land of mounting summits, enormous basilicas, whitewashed villages, blooming orchids and ancient mountain towns that outlived the rises and falls of the three major European and Eastern empires.

Considered the most dangerous hike in the world, it requires mental stoicism and some bravery. Due to landfalls the path was closed and only reopened recently, so safety is definitely a number one priority.

However, don't forget to look around and take in the views of the canyon, the gorge and the quite sublime river running only 100 metres below the path, curving the sides of the gorge.

It is likely you will never see this kind of beauty again!

Mostly known for a variety of unforgettable and even frightening landscapes spiced up with volcanoes, multi-coloured mountains, ice caves, lava fields, canyons and black arctic deserts the Laugavegur Hiking Trail is made for those who prefer to see all the planet Earth has on offer.

And the views could be completely out of this world!

Walking from North to South, through the South-West of Iceland, you will also be treated to some hot springs in Landmannalaugar, before enjoying the fascinating beauty of the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve (Thórsmörk) and it its glacial valley. 

The Hot Spring Route (translation) takes you through the scenery fit for fairy tails and fantasy movies.

Don’t be afraid of hoping for some magic, and perhaps you’d be rewarded with the fascinated light show that is the Northern Lights.

Being one of the most popular trail's in Iceland, it is better undertaken at the beginning or end of the summer months.

The Westweg, or the West Way, is the most famous trail in Germany. Running all the way from Pforzheim to Basel, it is practically the birthplace of the entire concept of hiking itself.

Established in 1900, it is still frequented by Germans and the international hikers alike.

It runs from North to South of the country, but if you are familiar with the Nordic European forests you might find the North section a bit tiresome on the eye, so it could be better to start the hike in Schonach, a small idyllic village.

Continue in the Southern parts of the trail, you will pass primordial forests, emerald seas of meadows, lakes, and be happily reminded of the majestic spikes of the Alps and the peaks of the Black Forest Mountains on the way.

The area is packed with trails running through the dark forests that inspired brothers Grimm, across muttering creeks and through rolling pastures surrounding.

Small guest houses that serve local cuisine are dotted all around, so you will score some traditionally German food. 

If you have long been trying to convince somebody to get into hiking with you, the Alta Via 1  is a great trek to start.

And not only because by being in Italy it allows room for a more relaxing cultural or even a beach holiday afterwards!

The ragged summits with their grand splendour of the Dolomite Mountains can inspire the least outdoorsy hikers. To make it awe-inspiring, you could choose any of the trails that connect various local villages and pearls of nature.

Interlacing through North East of Italy, it will take you past limestone cliffs, various 3-thousanders, generous meadows dotted with sheep, unspoiled lakes and even the historical World War I battlegrounds located at high altitude.

Although these mountains are usually outshone by the Alps in terms of tourist popularity, we believe them to be the most dramatic and compelling on the continent, or at least in the West of Europe.

With their pictorial rock formations and quite distinctive geology, it’s no wonder the UNESCO listed them as its World Heritage Site.

Although the trail might pose some physical challenges, you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the homemade food and tidiness of the beds in the huts along the way. More experienced hikers would know that that is a very-very rare treat on a remote trail. 

The best time to hike is from late June to September, as the summer should save you from dealing with the snow.

But whatever you do, avoid hiking in August, as during this time, it seems, you are likely to meet all hikers in Italy taking on the challenge.

Another hike in Italy to check out: Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek

Although a very popular hike in Norway, with thousands of people visiting the area every year, we couldn’t ignore the North Cape's (or Nordkapp's) Arctic beauty and, unlike many other destinations, its popularity actually translates into its worth. 

Mid-hike you will see the two mighty bodies of water – the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Sea – fearlessly collide in front of you.

Although most hikers would only attempt the trail in the slightly less wet summer months, if you brave it out in winter you'd be able to ski over instead.

But at the end you can experience the North, as it should be experienced - with a number of wonderful winter activities, including dog sledding, and visiting the colourful fishing villages like Skarsvåg, which is the world’s northernmost fishing village, and Gjesvær with its amazing views of the Gjesværstappan Archipelago.

And if you are up for it, you could extend the hike to the Cape Knivskjellodden on Magerøya, which is a more challenging trek and is the actual most northern point of Europe.

Its name is a quite obscure and unpronounceable, and perhaps is to blame for the fact that tourists overlooked the place for years, regardless of the wide understanding that this is, in fact, the true north of Europe. So to make it stick - try to remember it by its rough but powerful translation as the Knife Shield.

Here you will enjoy the cliff face of the North Cape Plateau – the most iconic of them all. It’s a good idea to camp in Knivskjellodden overnight to amplify your experience of this iconic place, before walking back the next morning.

Although not very famous among hikes outside Europe, Slovenia is a paradise of hiking.

The renowned Slovenian Mountain Trail also known as Transverzala will take you to and from some of the best natural pearls.

With mountains like Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Julian Alps, some of the sharpest climbs characterise the trail, so you’d need to do some preparation before the trip.

Along the Kamnik-Savinja trail, you’ll see simple examples of traditional alpine architecture in a shape of chapels made of wood and huts nestled in the scrumptiously green meadows cuddled by some dense pine forests.

The Logarska Dolina is a glacier formed valley, notable for its numerous waterfalls cascading down the mountains.

All the way, you will be hiking past 2-thousanders, while enjoying the welcoming chirping of the meadows and forests.

The most notorious mountain passes in the north of Slovenia include the Jezersko Sedlo between Carinthia in Austria and the Jezersko in Slovenia, and the Pavlič Pass.

Another Slovenia hike for your radar: Hike Mt Triglav (2,863m) - the Highest Point in Slovenia

On the intersection between Europe and Asia, high in the Caucasus Mountains, you will most likely be left alone for most part of your trekking adventure.

The Mestia to Ushguli is a perfect trail if you would like to experience a country not popular with the Western tourists.

Surrounded by the verdant valleys, impressive glaciers covering pointy peaks and aquamarine lakes, you will most certainly immerse in nature at its purest.

The beauty of the hike is that it takes you from one ancient stone village to another (called Savan), some of which are famous for their UNESCO World Heritage guard towers.

Unlike anywhere else in Europe, people still travel by horse and keep the traditional mountain lifestyle here.

Svaneti is a very easily trekked area, so you can extend your trail from 4 to 7 or even 14 days if you continue to wonder around the region.

Attempt to plan a hike from the beginning of June till late September, but avoid the busiest months of July and August, as it is more difficult to find a place in the guest houses.

Famous for their abrupt limestone walls, the Carpathian Mountains, also known as the Transylvanian Alps, offer some of the truly of-the-beaten-path hiking experiences.

Although they are popular with European hikers, Americans are rarely seen around for miles.

Many take on the challenge of hiking the Transylvanian Alps Trail to see the notorious Bran Castle suspended on a rocky cliff.

Built in the 14th century, it has been widely associated with infamous Dracula, although it is unclear why, since an inspiration for the book, Wallachian prince Vlad Tepeş, isn’t directly affiliated with the place, as long as we know.

You will most likely take the trail that leads along the main range of the Făgăraş Mountains and climb over the three of Romania's highest peaks.

On the way you can visit one of the medieval towns called Sighisoara and see a few monasteries and fortified Saxon churches and local castles.

With the largest number of glacier lakes and streams, the Retezat National Park is another treasure not to be missed.

The best time to hike is from May to October, but note that accommodation on the trail is very basic, so it is safer to bring a good sleeping bag with you.

The name of the Eagle Walk says it all – the hike gives you not less and not more than a view of the most popular and familiar regal Alpine scenery.

Just as the eagle, the trail travels through Tirol – from east to west, the whole length of Austria. Viewing the map you will realize that the walk symbolizes a proud eagle spreading its wings all over Tirol.

Divided into multiple sections between Kaiser Mountain Range and Arlberg, it comprises 9 stages between Venediger and Grossglockner Mountains in East Tirol.

Any of the routes on the Eagle Walk offer superb opportunity to explore the nature. From simple walks through stunning scenery to vigorous hikes over various summits, we are sure you’ll find a hike that is just right for you.

There is probably no person online who hasn’t seen the iconic images of the rugged Italian Riviera coastline - Cinque Terre (or 5 Earths) - hanging off the cliffs above the turquoise waters glistening in the sun.

But such postcard images of the five towns the area in coastal Italy connects aren’t everything.

To avoid the crowds, ignore the most popular Trail 2 (the Sentiero Azzurro, or Blue Trail), which you can do later by train or by bus, and ask your guide to take you on the more challenging Trails 1, 4, 6, 9 and 10.

The guide is a good idea as these hikes have little room for purchasing water, so you need a local with you to make sure you don’t inadvertently compromise your safety and ruin your entire experience.

Trail 1 is called the High Path of the Cinque Terre Moutain Trail, taking your from the charming Portovenere and to the luxurious area of Levanto alongside the beautiful coastline.

There are two major benefits to this trail: it’s less frequented by the tourists and takes you through all five towns of the Cinque Terre.

See more mountain and hiking guides including:

• Hiking In Gran Paradiso National Park
• Mount Olympus
• Best Thru-Hikes In The Wold
• Most Dangerous Hikes In The World
• Fitz Roy