The landscape on this continent is so varied and rich, that European walks are among the very best in the world.
From relaxed seaside strolls to dense wood trails and sweeping meadows, there’s hikes for all levels of fitness. It’s time to ditch the car and get out on foot and really enjoy the local landscape. Breath in the fresh air and enjoy the spectacular scenery that Europe has to offer.
These are the walks and hikes in Europe that are so pretty and so rewarding that you could plan an entire holiday around them.
Be prepared to be wowed by the wonder of nature with our pick of the 50 best European walks…
Why is it special? It’s in one of the great European forests and the source of the Danube. There’s lots of great scenery as well as food and drink spots along the way.
Is it difficult? Medium. There are some steep ascents.
How long does it take? At 285km you can choose to do the whole thing, or pick smaller pieces of the walk. So it really is up to you. The entire route takes between 13-14 days.
Why is it special? The views along the way are absolutely breathtaking. It is also relatively quiet so you will have plenty of peace and quiet along the way.
Is it difficult? Yes! If you go all the way to the top it is 2868m.
How long does it take? About 12 hours for an experienced hiker with good fitness.
Why is it special? A stunning 175km hike across the southern islands of Møn, Nyord and Bogø that lets you become one with nature
Is it difficult? If you do the entire hike it is challenging in parts. The terrain is relatively forgiving however, if you want to break it into smaller parts.
How long does it take? Anywhere between 8-10 days if you are experienced and want to complete the entire trail.
Why is it special? The scenery and the fact that it feels like you could be on another planet. The feeling of complete escape from the real world is superb. One of the all time great European walks.
Is it difficult? Yes, because the weather is a big factor.
Why is it special? One of the most famous volcanoes in the world located just outside the town of Naples in Italy. It is steeped in history and offers stunning vistas of the area.
Is it difficult? Getting here is not especially hard. You can choose to just do a smaller portion if you prefer.
How long does it take? A maximum of 30 minutes up and 20 minutes down.
Why is it special? The views out along the Cote D’azur are absolutely breathtaking. There are great restaurants and bars at the top where you can reward yourself for the climb.
Is it difficult? It is steep, but manageable for nearly all levels of fitness if you take your time.
How long does it take? Between 15 minutes and an hour depending on how hard you push it.
Why is it special? You’ll be crossing the alps between the French and Swiss sides from Chamonix to Zermatt. The route traverses below the summits of 10 out of the 12 of the highest peaks in the Alps so the views are spectacular. European walks don’t come much prettier than this.
Why is it special? The national park is in the south-east of the Principality of Andorra and occupies 10% of the country’s territory, spanning 4,247 hectares. The rock formations and natural beauty will take your breath away.
Is it difficult? There are hikes for all levels.
How long does it take? It really depends on how long you want to stay and enjoy the beauty. Anywhere from 20 minutes to 4 hours is possible.
Why is it special? Everybody thinks of the alps in Europe, but this mountain range spread between Poland and Slovakia offers stunning beauty and is less crowded.
Is it difficult? There are a huge range of hikes. From the incredibly easy and flat to peaks that are 2,500m high.
How long does it take? Anywhere between 20 minutes and 2-3 days depending on what route you take.
Why is it special? Breathtaking shoreline in a gorgeous part of the world. The landscape that comes down to meet the water is gorgeous. A far as European walks go this is as good as it gets.
Is it difficult? Not especially although the tides can make some parts impassable.
How long does it take? 21km long so a full day if you do the entire route
Why is it special? Thin gorges with spots that you can barely squeeze between. This is a photographers dream spot and is one of the best hikes in Europe.
Is it difficult? Medium to hard.
How long does it take? This walk usually takes between 5-7 hours.
Why is it special? A long distance trail that crossed this majestic island from North to South. Beautiful rugged landscape, quality views of the sea and gorgeous peaks.
Is it difficult? It varies. If you do the whole thing you will need to be very experienced.
How long does it take? 2 weeks if you complete it all, but you can easily dip in and out.
Why is it special? Seven lakes in close proximity that were formed by glaciers and which are surrounded by stunning peaks.
Is it difficult? You can take a cable car to the top, so it’s not hard. Hiking it on the other hand is medium to hard depending on the routes you select.
How long does it take? 2-3 hours will give you a good overview.
Why is it special? El Caminito del Rey Path is placed in the middle of multi-layered natural surroundings that consist of reservoirs, mountains, gorges and valleys. There is something for everybody on this hike. One of the truly great European walks.
Is it difficult? Medium to hard.
How long does it take? A total length of the route is 7.7 km, divided into 4.8 km long access ways and 2.9 km long boardwalks
Why is it special? Discover breathtaking Iceland during a multi-day trek. Hike from shelter to shelter past volcanos, hot springs and geysers on one of the most beautiful walking routes in the world and end your trip at the famous “Blue Lagoon”.
Why is it special? Standing tall over the village of Llanberis, Snowdon is a part of a close-knit family of jagged peaks and can offer views of Snowdonia, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and Ireland.
Why is it special? Stunning views, coves, geology and sunsets. The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is not to be missed, Here, the turquoise ocean has conspired with the warm-coloured cliffs to create the quintessential Algarvian seascape.
Is it difficult? Medium.
How long does it take? 4-6 hours to do it in full.
Why is it special?As soon as the distinctive profile of Roseberry Topping appears on the horizon, your eye can’t help but be drawn to it. A perfectly manageable hike for people of all levels.
Why is it special? The smaller island to Malta is a quiet and quaint spot where time has stood still to create a charming atmosphere. Stunning scenery and turquoise water helps the look.
Is it difficult? Not for the most part.
How long does it take? 50km over 2-3 days but most people choose to do smaller chunks of it.
Why is it special? Lush landscape in the summer with ample tracks, trails and landscape for walking and biking. A peaceful place to get away from it all. One of the epic European walks.
Is it difficult? There are many trails and they all vary in levels of difficulty.
How long does it take? Anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 day.
Why is it special? Everything is stunning in this northern Spanish landscape: the rocky peaks, the gorges, the valleys, the vast glacial lakes, the leafy forests… and the best way to see them is on foot. You can rest assured that you’ll be absolutely amazed at everything you see. European walks don’t get much better than this.
Is it difficult? It varies from easy to expert.
How long does it take? 30 short hikes. Two long ones. There are also 4 mountain climbs.
Why is it special? Sörmlandsleden is 1000 kilometres of beautiful rambling and hiking through the cultural landscape of Sörmland, full of history, deep forests, rugged rocky knolls and dark glittering lakes.
Is it difficult? Easy to hard, depending on what you choose.
How long does it take? Anywhere from 1 hour to 10 days.
Why is it special?As the eagle flies, the Eagle Walk runs through Tirol – the whole length of the country, from east to west. Viewing the map you will realise that the walk symbolizes a proud eagle spreading its wings all over Tirol.
Is it difficult? Yes. It’s long, and steep.
How long does it take? The 413-kilometre trail is broken up into 33 stages with a total elevation gain of 31,000 meters.
Why is it special? These internationally famous five cliffside villages are among the prettiest in the world, and a beacon for tourists from around the world.
Is it difficult? Easy to medium.
How long does it take? There are several different trails but the main one is 40-60 minutes.
Why is it special? The route meanders through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland, traversing over farm tracks, boardwalk and mountain path. A steep climb is required to reach the 666 metre summit of Cuilcagh Mountain.
Is it difficult? Medium.
How long does it take? 8km, so several hours depending on your fitness.
Why is it special? A hike that gives you a real insight into the real Portugal, with some stunning scenery and great stops for food and drink along the way.
Is it difficult? Easy to hard depending on the route you choose.
How long does it take? With 750km of trails, the choice is yours.
Why is it special? The perfect balance between local German culture and nature, all within a hike that is perfect for a one day activity. European walks don’t get much better than this.
Is it difficult? Medium to hard.
How long does it take? 20km so the best part of a full day.
Why is it special? An epic multi-day hike in the Austrian Alps. The trail runs along the summits and ridgelines of the Schladminger Tauern mountains and drops into idyllic valleys and alpine cirques.
Is it difficult? Very!
How long does it take? Usually a 5-day hike is best.
Why is it special? Scafell Pike, at 978 metres, is England’s highest mountain and war memorial, cared for by the National Trust as a result of a gift after the war.
Is it difficult? Medium.
How long does it take? Anywhere from 1 – 4 hours depending on how much of it you take on.
Why is it special? The Dolomites are like an endless canvass painting with sweeping valleys, big jagged peaks and big skies that will take your breath away.
Is it difficult? Yes. It’s one of the most famous hikes in Europe for a reason.
Why is it special? One of the most famous mountains in the world and you get you take in 3 countries and 10.000 meters in altitude over the course of the hike.
Why is it special? A gorgeous walk through the Wicklow mountains that starts just outside the capital Dublin and which is very accessible. The perfect way to see the patchwork green beauty of the lush Irish countryside.
Is it difficult? Medium.
How long does it take? 132km so about a week for the full loop, but you can dip in and out for smaller bite-sized walks.
Why is it special? The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. One of the all time great European walks.
Is it difficult? Medium – you can go at your own pace but the route is lengthy.
How long does it take? 780km is the most popular route, which takes several weeks.
Why is it special? You can walk it in the summer or ski it in the winter. An epic journey through the super rural Scandinavian Mountain Range that will move you in ever way imaginable. One of the most epic European walks you will ever take on.
Is it difficult? Yes.
How long does it take? 400km, so several weeks if you do the whole thing.
