The 16 Best Hikes in Europe You Need to Explore

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Outdoor activities such as hiking and trekking have boomed in recent years. There has been a shift in a lot of people’s travel priorities towards making the world a more eco-friendly place. Naturally, this has steered activities closer to the great outdoors and towards some of the best hikes in Europe.

When people think of hiking, they typically think of famous places like the Andes, Everest Base Camp (definitely on my bucket list for one day!) or the Inca Trail in Peru. 

However, there are so many beautiful towns, cities, and natural environments in Europe. Many of these are beautiful places for hiking in Europe, and they’re much less touristy!

Which country has the best hikes in Europe?

When it comes to the best hikes in Europe, there are so many wonderful trails, that it is hard to limit it to just one place. However, Norway has some utterly stunning hikes such as the Trollheimen triangle; breathtaking scenery with fjords, glaciers and the famous Arctic Circle. 

Sweden also has some wonderful opportunities for hiking in Europe with some of the best wilderness hikes across Lapland. Lastly, Switzerland is also a worthy mention with the Alps and over 40,000 miles of waymarked trekking trails.

For even more hikes in Europe check out these posts:

What are the best hikes in Europe?

So, whether you want to rediscover nature, push yourself to the limit with some challenging uphill climbs or simply reap the benefits of some well-needed fresh air and vitamin D, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking in Europe. Here are the 16 best European hiking trails to inspire you to explore the great outdoors!

1. Avakus Gorge, Cyprus

One of my all-time favourite and best hikes in Europe, I found Avakus Gorge by complete accident. It popped up when I was researching some of the best things to do in Cyprus. As I had a little bit of time free towards the end of my trip, I decided to visit Avakus. 

We were staying in Paphos at the time and the best way to reach the gorge was to drive there. It’s 16km west of Paphos in the Akamas Peninsula.

You can use public transport but it involves quite a few changes and takes an unnecessary amount of time. Driving is easier and it’s a pretty simple drive – until you reach the end of the track. 

The final part of the journey, towards the entrance to the gorge, is better suited for a dirt bike than a car. It’s quite windy and there are no barriers between the road and the end of a cliff. It was honestly quite a scary drive, but worth it when we reached the gorge.

Created by a raging stream that carved the breathtaking hiking trail into the limestone, Avakus is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Cyprus. 

It’s full of beautiful wildflowers and there’s a good chance of seeing wild animals. We saw a herd of mountain goats while we were there, but you might also see foxes, reptiles, and birds like falcons, crows and owls.

In terms of the hike itself, the gorge can be difficult to navigate. The entire hike is 3km long and will take around 3 hours from start to finish. The walls are 30 meters high on either side.

However, it gets quite thin in parts, the path can be slippery, it involves a certain amount of clambering over rocks and some of the trail is submerged in shallow water. I recommend wearing a pair of comfortable, waterproof shoes and bringing a bottle of water because it can get quite hot.

All of this is entirely worth it though, as some of the rock formations are incredible. It offers magnificent views, is incredibly enjoyable and is one of the best hikes in Europe. 

2. Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic

Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic is a paradise for any outdoors enthusiast. The park offers rock-climbing opportunities and hiking experiences for all levels.

The trail to Pravcicka Gate is the most popular one among visitors hiking in Europe. It’s an easy enough trail that most people can go through, but the rewards will far exceed your expectations from a trail more on the relaxing side.

The starting point of the trail is in Hrensko. The village is less than two hours by car from Prague, making it an amazing day trip. 

Going up from Hotel Mezni Louka to the 16-meter sandstone arch and back takes more or less three hours. Most of the trail is easy, but the last part is a bit steeper. Beautiful flowers, strange sandstone formations and amazing viewpoints will make for pleasant stops on the way up.

Pravčická brána, the target of the hiking trail, is the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe. Thanks to this record and its picturesque views, the arch became the symbol of Bohemian Switzerland Park. 

Next to the gate stands a rustic chateau built in the 19th century, Falcon’s Nest. Keep in mind that to enjoy the breathtaking views from beneath the arch, you’ll have to pay a small fee of around €3, which is the last thing you’d usually think of when going on a hike!

3. Karkonosze Mountains, Czech Republic / Poland

If you would like to see the beauty of the Karkonosze Mountains but are not a very fit or experienced hiker, then the trail from Szrenica Mountain (1361 meters above sea level) to Sniezne Kotly (1490 meters above sea level) is a perfect option. 

You can walk all the way up from Szklarska Poręba town to Szrenica. It’s some 6 km and around 700 meters of elevation gain, so you should spend around 3 hours on this hike. Alternatively, you can also take the chair lift (or actually two of them) from the town to Szrenica and start your hike already up there. 

One of the best hikes in Europe is the most popular trail – the one going directly on the Polish-Czech border. It’s called the Polish–Czech Friendship Trail. On the left side of the trail, you have Poland and on the right side, the Czech Republic.

If you would like a slightly easier walk up, with only a few people around, you can make a small detour to the Czech side and walk on the trail there. Either way, along the way you will be able to admire some amazing views of both countries. 

Your final destination, Sniezne Kotly (literally “Snowy Pits”) is one of the most picturesque places you can see in the Karkonosze Mountains, with a dramatic rocky wall right in front of you and small lakes down below.

The hike from Szrenica is around 5 km one-way (a bit more if you go via the Czech trail) and really easy, perfect for everyone. 

On the way back you can either return to Szrenica and take the chair lift down or walk down towards Szklarska Poreba and catch the chair lift in the middle station.

Szklarska Poreba is an easy place to reach, with numerous daily connections from Jelenia Gora, Wroclaw (both in Poland), and Liberec (Czech Republic).

4. Fürstensteig Trail, Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a tiny country known as a popular retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. A perfect day hike in Liechtenstein is the Fürstensteig-Alpspitz Loop. It’s a moderate 4-mile, 3-hour hike that can be enjoyed by hikers of all levels, who do not have a fear of heights. 

The trailhead parking lot is located in Gaflei and can be reached by driving or taking the public bus. This loop trail will lead you from the Fürstensteig trail (aka Prince’s Way) to Kamin (Chemi) to the summit of Alpspitz and then circle back to the parking lot. 

Be sure to follow the loop in this direction and only go up the Fürstensteig trail. 

This trail can be narrow in sections, but you will be fine if you take it slow and watch your footing. One of the top places for hiking in Europe, the views along the entire trail are stunning, but after 1,600ft of elevation gain, the highest point of the hike will be at the summit of Alpspitz (6,377ft). 

With any hike, be sure to hike safely and bring plenty of water and food. Pick up a hiking map and learn more about this unique country at the information centre in Liechtenstein’s capital Vaduz. 

5. Tamar Valley, Julian Alps, Slovenia

Tucked away in between the craggy mountains of the Julian Alps in Slovenia lies the Tamar Valley. It is a real treat for the eyes. 

Starting from the enormous ski jumps in Planica, where many Ski Jumping World Championships have been held, a four-kilometre one-way hiking trail leads into the valley to an extremely picturesque mountain lodge. 

Any time of year you’ll get stunning views of the surrounding mountains like Mangart and Jalovec. But the area is especially magical in winter when it is covered in a thick, white blanket of snow. 

The hike itself isn’t hard and takes 45 to 60 minutes one way, depending on the time and conditions. As it’s one of the best hikes in Europe, on a nice day, you’ll see whole families making their way to the hut for a warm lunch or a cup of tea.

You’ll probably even see kids dragging sledges behind them on the way to the lodge so that they can sledge downhill on the way back (try it yourself, it is loads of fun!).

If you do want to make this hike a bit more challenging, we suggest attempting the hike not on foot, but in another popular way: on cross-country skis. Or if you’re feeling extremely lazy, see if you can hitch a ride on one of the snowmobiles that supply the lodge. 

No matter your level of fitness and no matter the time of the year, you certainly won’t regret walking from Planica to Tamar.

6. Lake Bled, Slovenia

The infamous Lake Bled with the church on a small, central island is a Slovenian touristic icon. However, a castle on the cliff and a town with a Krešnita dessert are all additional things that can be experienced on the hiking trail around the lake. 

The trail is 6 kilometres long, mostly on pavement and partially on the macadam and wooden footbridges above the water. It is flat and undemanding. 

It’ll take you about an hour to circle the lake at a reasonable pace. But, if you are in no hurry, you can stop on your way to take photos or relax on one of the many benches. 

You can start wherever you choose as it’s a circular track. But, I would suggest finding the cheapest parking lot as prices can go up to €3 per hour. 

If you enjoy more difficult hiking trails, you could also hike to one of the hills surrounding the lake. For example to Ojstrica, Osojnica or castle. It’s a lot of uphill walking but you will be rewarded with a perfect view. 

Other options for a detour would be visiting the island on a boat (usually a special kind of boat called a Pletna), stopping for Kremšnita dessert (cream cheesecake), or taking a swim in the lake.

7. Ushguli, Georgia

Ushguli in northern Georgia is one of Europe’s highest villages at an altitude of 2100 meters. The setting is truly breathtaking. 

As to be expected of a village in the Caucasus mountains, Ushguli has some of the most incredible opportunities for hiking in Europe. Adventurous trekkers can tackle the popular 3 to 4-day trek between the town of Mestia and Ushguli. 

Hikers who are short on time (or breath) should not miss the spectacular day hike from the village of Ushguli to the Shkhara glacier. This easy hike follows a flat, dirt track along the Enguri River to its source: the Shkhara glacier.

The return trek is about 17 km long and should take about 6 hours. The stunning walk through unreal green pastures, seas of wildflowers and grazing cows is suitable for all able-bodied people, and no special gear is needed. 

You’ll need to walk across narrow plank bridges a few times, but it is nothing serious. At the end of the trail, you’ll find a few benches and a guy selling ice-cold drinks (and wine) soaking in a tub filled with glacial water at the end of the trail before starting the return journey.  

The mountains around Ushguli are some of the best European hikes; great for several day-hikes short walks or simply for enjoying the crisp air and scenery. Ushguli should be on an yCaucasus itinerary.

8. Plitvice Lake National Park, Croatia

When it comes to the best hikes in Europe, Plitvice Lake National Park, the place with the highest footfall in Croatia, is a natural wonder. It consists of 16 interconnected lakes and waterfalls. The lakes are laid in a terraced fashion in two sections, upper and lower.

There are two entrances and 8 hiking trails (4 from each entrance) ranging from 3 to 19 km. You might need 2 – 8 hours based on the trail you choose.

All of them are easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level and suitable for everyone. If you have time, choose Trail K from Entrance 1 or Trail K2 from Entrance 2 to explore the whole park. They include a boat ride.

The park is open all year round. However, the upper lakes will be closed during the winter. The park gets super crowded during the peak summer months. To avoid the rush, visit during spring or fall.

Plitvice is conveniently located on the highway from Zagreb to Zadar and easily accessible by road. The public buses between these two cities stop right in front the entrance 1.

Put on your hiking boots and start early to enjoy the view without the crowd. Carry enough water and a packed lunch if you plan to stay longer.

9. Parc National des Calanques Marseille Cassis, France

The Parc National des Calanques Marseille Cassis is one of the best hikes in Europe. It’s a coastal park located in Southern France, between the towns of Marseille and Cassis. 

This is a park made of limestone cliffs, creeks, secluded beaches, and islets bordered by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Calanques of Marseille – Cassis is the perfect place in Provence for hiking, rock climbing, swimming, and diving!

The National Park Calanques of Marseille Cassis has many trails, all well-marked, but the most popular one is the GR hike that borders the coast.

There are many points of access to the trail and they are all served by local buses from Marseille or Cassis. So, you can make the hike longer or shorter depending on the time available and your mood for walking. 

The whole hike between the two towns following the Calanques would take two days, more than a 5-hour and 30-minute walk (1300 m).

Hiking here is not for beginners as there are constant ups and downs, and usually, the Mistral wind in this area is strong. However, if you are fit, used to hiking in Europe, and wearing sturdy shoes, it should not be a problem.

We recommend visiting the National Park Calanques of Marseilles – Cassis during spring or early fall. Summers are very hot here, and there are few or no parts in the shade.

10. GR34 Sentier des Douaniers, Brittany, France

The GR34 Sentier des Douaniers is one of the things to do in France for nature lovers. This multi-day, 2,000km hike follows Brittany’s coast in France, from Saint-Nazaire in Pays-de-la-Loire to the bay of Saint-Michel in Normandy.

This Sentier des Douaniers has existed for a long time. Initially, the path was used by the customs officers to patrol the area and prevent smuggling.

The hike is easy, well-marked, and suitable for everybody used to walking long distances. It is possible to join the hike from different points other than the start and finish points so people can walk as much as they like.

Along the way, expect beautiful nature, picturesque fishing villages, secluded beaches, and beautiful lighthouses.

The hike is not well served by public transportation, so most people rely on their cars or hitchhike. It is easy to find accommodation in the villages along the way either, and camping is always the best option.

The best time to walk the Sentier des Douaniers is in spring or early fall. Summers will have many days without rain, but it can also be hot, so pack a hat, sunscreen, and enough water. Trekking poles are also a good idea, especially for hikers with heavy backpacks.

11. Blanc-Martel trail, Verdon Gorge, France

The Blanc-Martel trail in the Verdon Gorge (South France) is perhaps one of the most popular and best hikes in Europe. 

The trail is 16 km long and it takes about 7 hours to complete it. The difficulty is low to moderate, but if you are afraid of heights, it’s not advisable to hike it. Dogs are also not allowed, and the trail is not suitable for kids younger than 8 years.

All you need is good walking shoes, enough water, a few sandwiches and a torch and you are good to go. Don’t forget your camera, as you will be witnessing some seriously breathtaking views.

The Verdon Gorge (or Gorges du Verdon in French) is one of the largest canyons in Europe. The trail will take you from the top of the north rim all the way down and along the emerald-green waters of the Verdon River.

The recommended direction for doing the hike is to depart from Chalet de la Maline and finish at Point Sublime. If you are travelling by car, you can leave it either at Point Sublime or at the village of Castellane and take the shuttle from either point to Chalet de la Maline.

The shuttle bus, however, operates only in the summer months.

12. Calimani Mountains, Romania

There is a 45-minute drive from Vatra Dornei to Gura Haitii. Here you can park your car and then take the 12 Apostoli path. You will find this trail marked on the road with a blue circle.

This is an easy hike that can be done by anyone without requiring any special training. It starts with an easy hike through the deciduous forest, then is followed by some alpine pastures and in the end, coniferous forest. The total length of the trail is about 14km. The trekking time is about 5-6 hours.

You need to bring as much water as you can because there isn’t a water source on the trail. Be sure to bring some food as well for snacks and lunch along the way. Also, depending on the time of the year, it can get very hot and there’s no shade for most of the trail.

Even though it’s a fairly easy trail, it’s not a good fit for older people because of the length. If you are not quick enough, or you don’t start in the very morning, you may end up hiking in the dark.

13. Sbrinz Route, Switzerland

Switzerland is home to more than 65,000 kilometres of well-marked hiking trails. The Via Sbrinz or Sbrinz Route is a centuries-old trading route between Switzerland and Italy.

The route is named after sbrinz, a hard cheese that can be grated, rolled or flaked, and is similar in consistency to Italian parmesan cheese.

Sbrinz was once a major Swiss export, carried by mules through the valleys and mountain passes of Central Switzerland to the markets of Domodossola in northern Italy. Today, adventurous hikers can follow in the footsteps of muleteers along an excellent marked multi-day hiking trail over five to seven days.

The full Sbrinz route runs for around 150 km from Lucerne into northern Italy, though a shorter 70 km version starts in the alpine village of Grindelwald. 

Marked as a difficult hike due to the various passes included along the route, including the Grimsel and Griespasses, the Sbrinz route is suited to hikers of above-average fitness levels.

As the route passes through several towns and villages such as Meiringen, Innertkirchen, Guttannen and Ulrichen, hikers can easily find comfortable hotel lodgings and dining options along the way.

The Sbrinz Route is one of the best hikes in Europe; an unforgettable hiking experience that combines the incredible alpine landscapes of two countries.

14. Theth to Valbona Trail, Albania

This hike calls for an adventure in a rather underrated country in Europe: Albania.

The Albanian Alps are in the north of the country and the mountain village Theth is the starting point. Theth is traceable from Shkoder by an off-road vehicle, a half-day journey, that is already an adventure in itself.

The Theth to Valbona track is perfect for hiking in Europe. It has a distance of 17 kilometres and requires a moderate level of fitness. At 7-8 hours it is a full day hike. The track starts leisurely but gets steeper over time.

Until just before the Valbona Pass, the highest point of the route, from which you have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains. 

From here you can see the valley of Valbona and the path that lies ahead of you. Although it’s all downhill and the first part is pretty steep too, it takes longer than it looks. 

All over the path are small huts where you can get refreshments, fill up water bottles or use the restroom. From Valbona, it is easy to travel to Kosovo or check out Lake Komani.

15. Bieszczady Mountains, Poland

When most people think about the Polish mountains, they probably think about Tatra. Although they are undoubtedly beautiful, Bieszczady is equally so, less popular and one of the best hikes in Europe. 

The Bieszczady Mountains are located in southeast Poland on the Polish, Ukrainian and Slovak border. The highest hiking trail on the mountains is Tarnica at 1346 meters. 

Take the blue trail; it snakes up the mountain, from Wołosate to the top. It should take you about 3.5-4 hours round trip there and back.

Part of the trail runs through the forest, and part through open meadows – Połoniny. At the top, there is a wonderful panorama of the surrounding area. Tarnica is different every month but autumn is the best time to visit it because of the beautiful foliage.

Compared to some of the other hikes in Europe, it is not a particularly difficult trail. However, make sure to wear warm clothes, bring a supply of water with you and watch out for mud on the trail after rain.

16. Lake Schrecksee, Germany

If you’re looking for a challenging day hike with the opportunity to go for a swim in Germany’s highest alpine lake, you should consider hiking to Lake Schrecksee. The trail has a length of 15 kilometres.

However, you should plan to be outside for around 8 hours, so you have enough time to admire the landscape along the way. Plus, the area around the lake is perfect for a picnic.

To hike to Lake Schrecksee, you need to first get to Hinterstein. You can find this village in the German Alps, near the famous Neuschwanstein fairytale castle. From here, you can follow the signs along the trail that will take you up to Lake Schrecksee.

As you need to climb around 1000 metres in altitude, you will be walking uphill for most of the hike. While beginners can complete the trek, they will find it challenging, and we recommend that you have at least some experience with hiking already.

Just before reaching the top, make sure to turn around and admire the view behind you. You’ll definitely be able to appreciate how this is one of the best hikes in Europe.

Then it’s time to relax by Lake Schrecksee. In summer, take a swimsuit with you so you can cool down while having your lunch break on the shore of the lake.

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