The Best Hikes in Europe: Our Top 13 Picks for 2024

The 55-kilometer (34 miles) Laugavegur Trail is a multi-day hiking route in Iceland that takes hikers through a series of otherworldly landscapes which feature volcanic mountains, lava fields, glaciers, geysers, black sand desert, lakes, geothermal pools and so much more.

The hike starts in the Landmannalaugar area, known for its colorful rhyolite mountains, and ends in the Thórsmörk Valley. Along the way, you’ll experience some of Iceland’s most iconic sights, including the Hrafntinnusker geothermal area, the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, and the Eyjafjallajökull glacier.

The trail is well-marked with cairns and signs, and there are mountain huts and campsites along the way where hikers can rest and spend the night. Just be aware that the weather in Iceland can be extremely unpredictable, sometimes going through all four seasons in a single day, so always be prepared for sudden changes.

Kungsleden, meaning King’s Trail, is the longest and most popular hiking trail in Sweden. It stretches for 440 kilometers (273 miles) from the village of Abisko to the village of Hemavan in the Arctic wilderness. Along the way, the route passes through four national parks, vast expanses of wilderness (including Kebnekaise, the highest mountain in Sweden), and culminates in the northernmost province of Lapland.

The trail features remote and rugged terrain, with snowy mountains, dense birch forests, moorland, glaciers, lakes, and offers exhilarating views of Sweden’s wildest landscapes. Low altitudes and flat terrain coupled with well-maintained trails make Kungsleden suitable for all hikers, even kids. Every 10-20 kilometers you’ll find a mountain hut offering simple accommodation and respite for the night.

There’s plenty of flexibility here; the trail can be hiked both ways, all at once or in sections. If you’re looking for the classic approach, the northernmost section of the trek is the most popular, as it takes hikers through Abisko National Park—famous for its mountain scenery and the Aurora Sky Station, a prime location for viewing the Northern Lights.

Cinque Terre is a series of five colorful fishing villages perched on the cliffs above the Ligurian Sea in Italy. Most of the hikes here are relatively easy and can be done in a day, the Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) being no exception. This 12-kilometer (7.5 miles) point-to-point path connects all five communities into possibly the brightest jewel of Mediterranean hiking.

The Blue Trail takes 2-4 hours to complete, but we encourage you to take your time and give ample attention to each village, paying visits to local shops and restaurants to sample the delicious seafood and wine the region is known for. There are also plenty of rest stops and scenic viewpoints along the way.

Because of the Mediterranean climate, the trail is open year-round, but some sections may be closed due to landslides or other natural hazards, so it’s important to check the conditions before starting your hike.

The Alpe-Adria-Trail is one of the latest additions to Europe’s constellation of long-distance treks. Passing through Austria, Slovenia and Italy, the route consists of 43 stages, each around 20 kilometers long (6-8 hours of walking time). Its name comes from the fact the trail starts on Grossglockner (the tallest mountain in Austria) and ends in the seaside town of Muggia in Northeast Italy.

Contrary to what its name might suggest, the trek features few Alpine stages, with most of them winding through open countryside, along pristine lakes and rivers, through verdant forests and picturesque towns. Similar to how geographical features transcend borders on a map, here languages, traditions, and cuisine spill over national lines and create unique blends of influences.

Along the way, you’ll visit the sites of famous WW1 battles, historic castles and medieval churches, go wine tasting in local vineyards, and sunbathe on the Adriatic coast. Completing the entire 750-kilometer (466 miles) trek would take a month and a half, so most hikers opt for completing a section or two at a time.

We can’t talk about the best hiking in Europe without mentioning Alta Via 1. This long-distance hiking trail is located in the Dolomites, also known as the “Pale Mountains”, which occupy an area of around 16,000 km2 (6,177 sq mi) in Northeast Italy. The trail is considered to be one of the most beautiful and challenging hikes in Europe, offering hikers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and pristine alpine lakes.

Despite its difficulty, Alta Via I is still one the most approachable of all the high routes in the area. Starting from Lago di Braies in South Tyrol and ending in the province of Belluno, it covers a distance of approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) and takes between 7 to 14 days to complete. Sections of the trail are punctuated by quaint rifugios or huts where local delicacies are served.

The trek will take you through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Dolomites, including high-altitude meadows, deep valleys, and massive limestone formations. To complete it, you’ll need a good level of fitness and experience in mountain hiking, as there are some steep ascents and descents, as well as exposed sections that require careful attention.

Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is a pilgrimage route that leads to the city of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where the remains of the apostle St. James are believed to be buried. The route has been walked by pilgrims for over a thousand years, first by Christian pilgrims, then by the eager hikers of the modern world.

There are several ways to reach the terminus from various parts of Europe. The most popular route is Camino Francés, which starts in the French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and covers a distance of approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) over the course of several weeks.

The hike is both a cultural and historical experience, with diverse landscapes, medieval architecture, and charming communities strewn along the trail. Many hikers embark on the journey for spiritual reasons, while others do it for the physical challenge and sense of adventure.

The route is marked by yellow arrows and the famous scallop shells. You’ll never find yourself in the middle of nowhere as there are many albergues (hostels for pilgrims) where you can grab a bite and spend the night.

The Isle of Skye feels like a portal to another dimension where giants roam the land and dinosaurs lay their bones in misty lochs. This majestic Scottish island is home to the looping 6.8-kilometer (4.2 miles) Quiraing Walk, one of the most dramatic day hikes in the world.

The trail begins at a nearby car park and follows a path up the hillside towards the Quiraing plateau. As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Trotternish Ridge and the Inner Hebrides, an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. Some of the most famous features of the Quiraing are the Needle—a tall, narrow pinnacle of rock that juts out from the plateau—and the Prison—a jagged tower of grass and rock dominating the skyline.

Also notable is the Table, a flat-topped rock formation that offers a great spot to rest and take in the view. Once you reach the top of the hill, you’ll find yourself on the Quiraing plateau, which is a unique landscape of rocky outcrops, deep gullies, and steep cliffs. The trail follows the edge of the plateau, offering sweeping views of the surrounding terrain.

The Villingardalsfjall Peak Hike is a popular hiking trail on the Faroe Islands known for its scenic beauty and challenging terrain. The hike starts at Viðareiði, the northernmost settlement in the Faroe Islands, where you’ll follow a path that winds up the side of the mountain. As you ascend, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the vast landscape—deep fjords, smooth green-carpeted hillsides, and Viðareiði below.

The trail is quite steep in places, and you’ll need to scramble over rocks and boulders as you climb. Luckily, it’s also well-marked and maintained, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way. As you near the top of the mountain, the markings will become less clear. Don’t follow the cairns to the left, but rather continue pushing up towards the summit.

At the top of Villingardalsfjall Peak, you’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree view few hiking trails can match. The Faroe Islands are like an enchanted fairytale land hidden from the rest of the world, and its unique setting makes it one of the best places to hike in Europe.

Located on the Greek island of Crete, Samaria is the longest gorge in Europe, stretching for a whopping 16 kilometers (10 miles). As one of the biggest hiking attractions in a country filled with natural and historical wonders, it frequently sees hundreds, sometimes even thousands of visitors per day.

Hiking through the Samaria Gorge can be challenging, as it involves walking on rocky terrain and navigating steep descents and ascents. The trail gets quite narrow in some sections where the gorge cuts deep into Lefka Ori, the White Mountains of Crete.

This 5-7-hour hike begins at an altitude of 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) at the Omalos Plateau and descends towards the coast, where it ends at the village of Agia Roumeli. The whole way down, the trail is framed by rugged cliffs, pine forests, and the crystal-clear waters of the Samaria River. If you can handle the steepness, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best day hikes in Europe.

GR20, the twentieth “Grande Randonnée” or “great hike”, is a long-distance trail that crosses the French island of Corsica north to south. It’s considered by many to be the most challenging hike in Europe, with rugged terrain, steep ascents and descents, and narrow ridges which define the island’s jagged spine. Walking it is already challenging enough, but some hardcore athletes go as far as running it in hopes of breaking the speed record.

The trail covers approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) and can take up to two weeks to complete. Divided into 16 stages, it takes hikers through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Corsica, including snow-capped peaks, rocky ridgelines, dense forests, and crystal-clear lakes.

To complete the thru-hike, you’ll need a very high level of fitness and experience with hiking on mountainous terrain, as there are some technical sections that require a good deal of scrambling. The trail is well marked with red-and-white stripes and there are refuges and campgrounds along the way where you can rest and spend the night.

The 170-kilometer (105 miles) Tour du Mont Blanc, one of the most celebrated (and trafficked) long-distance trails in the world, circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif, passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Filled with iconic Alpine vistas and enough rustic charm to fill a dozen photo albums, it’s a staple of any self-respecting hiker’s bucket list.

Although there are many different starting points you can choose from, the trek traditionally begins and ends in Chamonix. Every day of the Tour is a new feast for the senses—from the cold granite spires of the Aiguilles to the sun-kissed slopes of Les Contamines; from the whistling of high winds above Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France, to the jingle of cow bells in Val Ferret.

Throughout these 6-12 days, you’ll pass through picturesque villages and mountain huts, where you can rest and recharge with local delicacies belonging to three different cultures. The trail involves some steep ascents and descents, so you should have a reasonable level of fitness and endurance to complete it.

Stretching from the base of Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France, to the striking fin of Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland, the Walker’s Haute Route combines rolling pastures and high mountain passes to form one of the best multi-day treks in the world. With only a fixed starting and ending point, it can take anywhere between 7 to 14 days to complete the trek.

The hike takes you through both serene and dramatic Alpine landscapes, stringing together massive glaciers, verdant meadows, and picturesque villages. Along the way, you’ll encounter challenging terrain, including steep ascents and descents, snowfields, and exposed ridges. The reward for this challenge is access to unparalleled views of some of the tallest mountains in the world.

Along with other determined hikers, cows, ibex, and chamois will keep you company throughout your trek. To successfully complete the Walker’s Haute Route, you’ll need plenty of energy, which is where the hotels and huts come in. Do yourself a favor and try the local delicacies—this is also a culinary journey!

When it comes to trekking in Europe, the Trolltunga trail in Western Norway stands with the best of them. This scenic 28-kilometer (17.4 miles) out-and-back trail will take you through the Nordic wilderness and up to a majestic cliff jutting out 700 meters (2,300 feet) above Ringedalsvatnet Lake.

The trail can be challenging, especially during bad weather, as it involves some steep climbs and river crossings. However, most of the difficulty stems from the length of the trail. If you’re planning on doing it one day, make sure to start early. But if you’d like to immerse yourself in the untouched nature, consider camping under the northern sky.

The name Trolltunga translates to Troll’s tongue. Why, you ask? According to legend, there once was a troll who, thinking himself immortal, stuck out his tongue to mock the sun and was in turn petrified. As you journey through Norway’s vast landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers, you will be humbled just the same. Deep fjords, valleys, and waterfalls—this unique hike has them in spades.

When traveling to a different continent for outdoor adventures, there’s a lot of different factors to consider: available budget, destinations, what your goal is, season and weather, accommodation… But as we all know, preparation is the key to success—so you want to do it well. To help you plan your trip to Europe, here’s some information you might find useful before booking your flight.

What’s the best season for hiking in Europe?

The answer to this question, of course, depends on where you’re going. There are beautiful hiking destinations around Europe available at any time of the year. Come springtime, the hidden trails of Tuscany are in full bloom. In summer, we love hiking the Via Dinarica, which runs from Slovenia to Albania. The mild temperatures of Portugal’s fall season are perfect for hiking the Rota Vicentina. And don’t get us started on winter hiking in Iceland under the northern lights!

As you can see, there’s no shortage of options. As a rule of thumb, however, try to aim for summer if you’re going to hike in Northern Europe or in the Alps. In Mediterranean countries, where summers get prohibitively hot, spring and fall are your best bet. Winter months are great for scenic lakeside hikes, snowshoeing tours in the mountains, and trips to sunny islands such as Malta, Madeira, or the Canaries for rejuvenating walks without crowds or scorching heat.

What’s the best country for hiking in Europe?

It’s impossible to pick the best country for hiking in Europe. However, strong cases could be made for Italy, France, and Iceland, which all appear on our list and include many other world-class trails that deserve honorable mentions. Too many to count!

What are some cheap hiking destinations in Europe?

If you’re hiking in Europe on a budget but still want to experience a first-class adventure, some destinations you should definitely check out are Georgia’s Caucasus mountains, the Tatra Mountains between Slovakia and Poland, or the Julian Alps in Slovenia—recently we fell in love with hiking the Juliana Trail. Whichever one you choose, you can’t go wrong!

The Best Hikes in Europe At Your Fingertips

There we go, the hardest part of the job is done. The list of the best hikes in Europe is finally in your hands—now it’s your turn to go out and enjoy what many consider to be hikes of a lifetime. Start with our suggestions and curate your own best-of list. We can’t wait to hear what you come up with.

Psssst, by the way… If you happen to see someone wearing a red hoodie with “57hours” emblazoned on their back out there in the great outdoors, don’t be shy, give us a holler! You never know, we might just let you in on what’s the next big thing in the hiking world.