The Best Hikes in Europe

Located in Samaria National Park on the Greek island of Crete, Samaria Gorge is one of the country’s most impressive natural wonders. Spanning 16 kilometres (10 miles), it’s Europe’s longest gorge and a hiker’s dream. The full route takes around four to six hours and ends on a beautiful beach, where you can cool off with a swim and then continue your journey by sailboat. 

Need to know: Although the Samaria Gorge hike is fairly long, it doesn’t require a high fitness level. Just keep in mind that there are some steep downhill portions which can be tough on the knees if you’re not used to this type of activity.

For many, hiking in Europe immediately calls to mind the Camino de Santiago. This legendary trek started out as a religious pilgrimage to reach the supposed burial site of Saint James (Santiago in Spanish) at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. These days, however, many ‘pilgrims’ embark on it for an athletic challenge, a personal journey or simply an active holiday.

Need to know: While the most traditional route is the 770-kilometre (480-mile) Camino Francés, beginning in southwestern France, there are also several alternative paths that start throughout Spain and Portugal – all of which can also be broken up into smaller chunks. 

Renowned as one of the top trails in Iceland and even the world, the Laugavegur Trek is a multi-day hike covering 56 kilometres (35 miles). Along the way you’ll encounter glaciers, lava fields, craters and other leftovers from past volcanic eruptions. The usual endpoint is Thórsmörk, but you can also continue on to the small village of Skógar and Skógafoss waterfall.

Need to know: It takes four to five days of challenging hiking to complete the whole trek, with nights spent at simple huts along the path. The trail is open seasonally, from around the end of June to the middle of September, so plan your trip accordingly if you’re hoping to hike.

The West Highland Way is a long-distance route that wends its way through the lochs, mountains and moors of western Scotland. Considered one of the best hiking trails in the world, it connects Milngavie (near Glasgow) and Fort William (in the Scottish Highlands) via 154 kilometres (96 miles) of gloriously scenic walking paths.

Need to know: If you don’t have a whole week to walk the trail, certain sections are especially worthwhile. For example, the 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) between Kingshouse and Kinlochleven include views of Glen Coe and Buachaille Etive Mòr, as well as the trail’s highest point.

You might have spotted the rainbow-hued towns of Cinque Terre on postcards and guidebook covers, but nothing beats seeing them in person – ideally from the hiking trails that connect them. Located on the northwestern coast of Italy, these five fishing villages are surrounded by vineyards and sweeping sea views, offering some of the prettiest scenery anywhere in Europe.

Need to know: The main route connecting the villages is called the Sentiero Azzuro (Blue Trail), but there’s a whole network of trails in the surrounding national park. You can even walk to the nearby town of Porto Venere and then take a scenic boat trip back to Cinque Terre.

The Alpe Adria Trail invites you to traverse some 750 kilometres (466 miles) of trails through three different countries. Designed to be accessible to hikers of all experience levels, the route starts at the foot of Austria’s highest mountain and then crisscrosses the border between Slovenia and Italy, ending in the Italian port town of Muggia on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.

Need to know: We often recommend hiking a section of the Alpe Adria Trail in Slovenia’s Soca Valley, an outdoor adventure paradise where you can also go whitewater rafting, mountain biking, bouldering or even zip lining through the treetops.

It should come as no surprise that some of the best trekking in Europe can be found among the jagged and snowy peaks of Switzerland. The Aletsch Glacier Hike is especially awe–inspiring, boasting a one–way trail that only takes a few hours to complete. It’s a moderately difficult route – but well worth the effort, as it’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland.

Need to know: The best time to embark on the Aletsch Glacier Hike is summer or early autumn (June–October). There are plenty of other shorter trails and multi-day treks in the surrounding area, which also boasts the staggering viewpoint of Jungfraujoch.

Amid the endless wonders of the Norwegian fjords, Trolltunga (‘Troll’s Tongue’) has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s top hiking destinations. This dramatic rock formation extends into the empty air above the Ringedalsvatnet lake – almost as if the mountain is sticking out its tongue (hence the name) – inviting intrepid hikers to venture all the way out to its dizzying edge.

Need to know: The hike to Trolltunga is fairly difficult and should be undertaken with an experienced guide. We can arrange a guided overnight expedition that allows you to visit the site at both sunset and sunrise, when it’s least crowded.