Here is a comprehensive list of Europe’s best hikes to try for those chasing an adventure of a lifetime.
Europe is not only a historical and cultural hub that shaped modern civilization but also an ecological wonderland with a stunning diversity of natural attractions to explore. No wonder many European countries are fast becoming popular for hiking aficionados.
Without further ado, here are some of the best places to hike in Europe, including the most challenging hiking trails. Here we go.
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Top 16 Europe’s Best Hikes To Try
Mount Triglav, Slovenia
Considered the reigning symbol of Slovenia, Mount Triglav is a stunning beauty to behold, standing at 2864 meters above sea level. That makes it the highest mountain in the Julian Alps. Climbing to the peak of Mount Triglav typically entails two days though others who choose the easier path can make it in a day.
The route for the one-day package starts at Pokljuka Plateau. Atop the mountain, one can view jaw-dropping views of Slovenia, including its natural attractions such as Lake Bled and other peaks of the Julian Alps.
Expect hurdles and challenges along the way, but the memories and sceneries along the trail are priceless! It is one of the most rewarding Europe hiking trips.
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🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.
Related reads to help you plan your trip:
- Top 15 Places to Visit in Slovenia
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Switzerland’s Engelberg Valley
Engelberg Valley offers a trek of endless possibilities as it runs for hundreds of kilometers, leading to different natural wonders. It is one of the best-hiking destinations Europe has to offer, and it caters to visitors chasing relaxed hiking options and those who opt for the more adventurous and challenging type.
Regardless of choice, they can enjoy the superb views of a lifetime. One popular package is the Brunni Trail which covers seven kilometers and starts with a Brunni cable car ride leading to the Ristis station. From here, one can see the flowering Alpine pastures and the snow-capped mountains.
🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!
🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.
Related reads to help you plan your trip:
Oulanka National Park, Finland
Finland is one of the world’s most iconic destinations for natural attractions, being home to the most lakes.
One of its emerging attractions is the Oulanka National Park, an ecological wonderland. It is one of the most pristine natural ecosystems in the country, and ecotourism is helping in the preservation efforts. Hikes, in particular, love coming here to view Finland’s most impressive waterfalls.
Other natural spectacles to see are the dives of European dippers, the jumps of wild brown trout, and the endless beauty of the aapa mires. There is so much more to the place than meets the eye. Thus it is recommended to spend days of exploration to witness most of the park’s picturesque attractions.
Plan your trip with my top post about Finland :
- 11 Best Cities in Finland that are Worth a Visit
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Caucasus Mountains, Georgia
The Caucasus mountains are among the most famous ranges in the world, playing a significant role in decisive battles that shaped world history.
It witnessed the Mongol invasion of Europe and the Ottoman’s vast conquests. One of the must-try hikes is the Transcaucasian Trail which starts in Georgia and ends in Armenia. The total distance of the hike is 3,000 kilometers.
Plan your trip with my top post about Georgia:
Corsica’s GR20 Trail, France
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea that is part of France. It is known for many things, such as beautiful coastlines, olden ports, and medieval structures. It also hosts one of the tough long-distance hikes in Europe.
The trail covers more than 180 kilometers which is almost the entire length of Corsica Island. It also features steep descents and jagged and rocky landscapes, making it ideal for hardened hikers.
Plan your trip with my top post about France:
- Top 10 Places to Visit in France
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Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Saalbach to Schimittenhohe Hike, Austria
This trail covers 17 kilometers and runs from the Alpine resort town of Saalbach to Schimittenhohe and takes at least five hours to finish. Note that the trail entails high endurance and agility; thus, it is fit for seasoned or adventurous hikers.
It is dubbed as one of the most-beautiful high-altitude treks in the Eastern Alps. Upon reaching Schmittenhohe, visitors can relish stunning views of Zell am See town using the Gipfelwelt 3000, a viewing platform that oversees a lake below.
Plan your trip with my top post about Austria:
- Top 11 BEST Places to Visit in Austria
- Top 15 Pretty Castles in Austria to Visit
- Christmas in Austria: 15 Best Christmas Markets in Austria
Norwegian Fjords, Norway
The Norwegian fjords are among the most extreme options for hiking in Europe, showcasing thousands of trails for all kinds of hikers.
Families can view the narrow fjords or trek over blue glaciers, and they can also hike across natural parks that offer a stunning diversity of lush forests and barren glaciers. For a more challenging expedition, visitors can try the Preikestolen, Trolltunga, Langfossen, and Himakana.
Plan your trip with my top post about Norway:
- Best Time to Visit Norway: 12 Months Ultimate Travel Guide
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- Top 10 STUNNING Castles in Norway to Visit
The West Highland Way, Scotland
The West Highland Way is acclaimed as one of the best hiking destinations in the world, offering iconic multi-day hikes.
The typical route starts from a small town near Glasgow called Milngavie and headed towards Ben Nevis, United Kingdom’s highest peak. Visitors can opt for cabins, hotels, or mountain huts along the way.
Plan your trip with my top post about Scotland :
- Top 13 Beautiful Islands in Scotland to Visit (The UK)
- Top 10 Stunning Castles in Scotland to Visit (The UK)
Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre offers one of the best hiking trails in Europe, taking visitors to five fishing villages with scenic ocean views. The trail runs through steeply terraced cliffs and dramatic coastal sceneries and takes around five to six hours to complete. There are two directions to choose from, namely, Riomaggiore and Monterosso.
On all parts of the trail, one will enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Of course, visitors can also interact with the locals to feel community belongingness and experience the simple and rustic life of the locals.
Matterhorn Base Camp, Switzerland
Matterhorn Base Camp offers an unforgettable hiking experience on one of the highest mountains in the Alps. One of the popular hiking options is the Hornlihutte trail which kicks off via a cable ride from Zermatt Bergbahn.
Those who wish for a more adventurous sprint can hike instead of using the cable car. But expect to trail on a very steep and rocky uphill terrain. From here, one can catch a stunning view of the blue mountains.
Plan your trip with my top post about Switzerland
🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!
🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.
Related reads to help you plan your trip:
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Laugavegurinn, Iceland
Laugavegurinn in Iceland is a place like no other. Seeing the place would make one feel like standing on another planet. After all, the area features a multi-colored landscape with neon green valleys, steamy black volcanic rocks, and hot springs. The trek runs across a 55-kilometer route and comes with various magical stories and folklore.
🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!
🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.
Related reads to help you plan your trip:
High Tatras, Slovakia
The High Tatras mountains lie on Slovakia’s oldest national park at the heart of the country. The park offers an amazing diversity of attractions, including wildlife and many natural features, thus, fit for those who want to escape urban hustles and bustles.
It is one of Europe’s best hikes in terms of natural offerings. Here, hikers can enjoy rugged mountaintops and alpine lakes. For the more adventurous souls, a good spot to hike here is Green Lake, which offers stunning attractions in a day.
🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!
🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.
Related reads to help you plan your trip:
The Dolomites, Italy
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Dolomites are among the most impressive natural attractions in the world, owing to their bizarre features. The Dolomites feature spiky pinnacles, crags, and peaks resembling the moon’s landscapes.
For those who love history, there are historical trails named after World War I and come with abandoned bunkers. Looking for an off-beaten destination?
Check out the isolated villages nearby, including the Ladin shepherds. Expect to see numerous wildflowers and listen to the echoes of various languages occupying the Italian Alps.
Plan your trip with my top post about Italy
- Top 14 Places to Visit in Italy
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Samaria Gorge, Greece
Tourists who are eager to explore Byzantine ruins and fascinating cliffside vistas can try the Samaria Gorge trail. It runs for sixteen kilometers on winding terrains and takes one from an elevation of 1,230 meters down to the Libyan Sea, which boasts amazing beaches and sunset views.
One can also spot makeshift wooden bridges and old village ruins along the trail, including a famous landmark dubbed the Gate. The trail will also lead to a national park where tourists can experience rustic settings and witness natural attractions.
Plan your trip with my top post about Greece
Tour de Mont Blanc, France
Tour de Mont Blanc features a 170-kilometer system of hiking trails on and around Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe. It ranks top among Europe’s best hikes and fares high worldwide.
Although France is the main jump-off point to the mountain, tourists can also reach it via Italy or Switzerland. Hiking across this trail will lead one into deep valleys, flowering meadows, and scenic Alpine villages. Hikers can also witness lush forests, beautiful frozen rivers, and a panoramic view of surrounding snow-capped mountains.
🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!
🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.
Related reads to help you plan your trip:
- Top 10 Places to Visit in France
- Chateaux in France: Top 10 Best Castles in France to Visit!
- Paris Itinerary: How to Spend Three Days in Paris (France)
- Top 22 Things to do in Paris (France)
- Is Paris Worth Visiting? 20 Reasons Why You Should!
- Is Paris Safe for Travel in 2023? And Safety Tips to Follow!
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most popular attractions in Croatia and one of the world’s most beautiful wonderlands. Many describe it as a magical destination, like fairy tale scenes. In fact, it is one of the best places to hike in Europe.
Newbie hikers can take the 3.5-kilometer package, while the more experienced hikers can opt for the 18.3-kilometer option, which takes at least eight hours to complete. This trail leads to cascading waterfalls and wooden bridges.
The park also boasts lush forests with rich biodiversity, including wildlife species. The highlight of both treks is the cobalt-blue lakes that are alluring as the heavens.
Plan your trip with my top post about Croatia
- Top 10 Beautiful Places to Visit in Croatia
- Top 10 Stunning Castles in Croatia to Visit
- Top 10 Day Trips from Zagreb (Croatia)
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