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Best hiking destinations in Europe

You like sport, nature and dream of new landscapes? This ranking is for you. Explore your best hiking destinations in Europe.

 

From the hardest to the easiest, discover exceptional landscapes and untouched nature and treat yourself to unforgettable moments. Alone or with friends, family, discover the best hikes in Europe.

 


Algarve - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Pawel Kazmierczak- European Best Destinations
Copyright Pawel Kazmierczak-

1. Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

Lagoa - Algarve - Portugal

 Difficulty level: easy
Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars 
Duration of the trip: 3-5 hours 

 

Lagoa is certainly the most beautiful municipality of Algarve. This little corner of paradise brings together exceptional sites such as the Chapel of Senhora da Rocha, the beach of Cova Redonda and the beach of Carvoeiro, elected most beautiful beaches in Europe, the fishing town of Ferragudo, the lighthouse of Alfanzina, the cliffs from Marinha, the Albandeira beach and the caves of Benagil .

 

This walk of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is breathtaking, unforgettable, one of the most beautiful hikes in Europe and accessible to all ages. You can start the walk at the chapel Senhora da Rocha and end at the Carvoeiro beach.

 

For occasional walkers you can start the walk to Marinha and end in Carvoeiro. An incredible and unspoilt nature awaits you. For the Lagoa municipality, respect for nature is a priority and they offers travellers from all over the world an unforgettable experience. The paths and beaches are very clean. You can observe the fauna and flora, beautiful birds and even little rabbits. You can also rest, throughout your walk, on the various beaches of Lagoa known to rank among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

 

Bring water, a little food and good shoes and, if possible, leave early in the morning to avoid walking during the hottest hours.

 

To discover all these emblematic tourist places in Algarve you can stay in exceptional hotels such as the Vila Vita Parc with its spa and its direct access to the beach; we advise you also to stay at Suites Alba Resort & Spa as well as in the affordable holiday village Rocha Brava Village Resort.

 

Book your accommodation in Lagoa as well as your best things to do such as a visit to the Benagil caves. 

 


Plitvice - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Mike Mareen  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Mike Mareen

2. Plitivice Lakes

Croatia

Level of difficulty: medium

 Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars 

Duration of the trip: 4-5 hours (route C)

 

This national park is classified by travellers from around the world as the most beautiful national park in Europe; 8 different trails are proposed, ranging from 3 to 18 kilometres. The best way to get there is to book your flight to Zadar airport, book your hotel at the best price in Zadar and take a rental car.

 

The Plitvice Lakes are a 1.5-hour drive from Zadar. Once there, choose your route. The longest courses are the B and C courses. We recommend that you do this trail in the spring or summer to make the most of the beauty of these landscapes.

 


El camino del Rey  - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Alvaro Trabazo Rivas - European Best Destinations
Copyright Alvaro Trabazo Rivas

3. El Camino del Rey

Malaga  - Spain

Level of difficulty: medium 

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 3-4 hours 

 

Located only 50 minutes’ drive from Malaga, "El Camino del Rey" is certainly one of the most beautiful and emblematic hikes in Europe. From Malaga you will take the A-357 which will take you in one hour to the start of the trail.

 

The road is 8 km but you can exit at different places and reduce the difficulty of the course.

 

Book your hotel at the best price guaranteed in Malaga and enjoy unforgettable sport holidays in Spain.

 


Kjerag in Norway  - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Kochneva Tetyana  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Kochneva Tetyana

4. The Kjeragbolten hike

Norway

Difficulty level: high 

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 6 hours 

 

Considered one of the most spectacular hikes in Europe, the Kjeragbolten hike is also one of hikers’ favourites. The nearest town is Lysebotn, a nice destination but it does not offer any accommodation. We therefore advise you to stay in Stavanger and book your flight and hotel at the best price guaranteed in Stavanger.

 

Once on site you can rent a car, Lysebotn is a 3.5 hour drive. The car park is located in Øygardstøl (around 20 euros for the day). This is where your adventure starts!

 

Enjoy this exceptional moment, take photos, open your eyes wide, breathe and let yourself be carried away by the beauty of these landscapes.

 

Book your hotel, guesthouse, B & B at the best price in Norway and your best things to do in Norway.

 


Pico de Areeiro in Madeira - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Valery Balabukha - European Best Destinations
Copyright Valery Balabukha

5. Pico de Arieiro - Madeira

Portugal

Level of difficulty: medium 

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

 Duration of the trip: 5 hours

 

Madeira is one of the most beautiful islands in Europe. The most thrilling hike in Europe is for sure the one from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. The weather is always mild in Madeira. Nevertheless we advise you to wear a warm jacket as the temperature is always cooler on the summits.

 

The hike is safe and possible even for amateurs. A professional guide can help you if needed. The trip from Pico de Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is 2 kilometres, up and down. Wear good shoes and take some water with you. It may be cloudy in the morning but the fog often dissipates at the beginning of the afternoon.

 

We advise you to stay at the hotel Quinta do Furao with a breathtaking view of the cliffs and nature.

 


Besseggen Ridge in Norway - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright  dubasyk  - European Best Destinations
Copyright dubasyk

6. Besseggen Ridge Hike

Norway

Level of difficulty: very high

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 7-9 hours

 

The Besseggen Ridge hike is one of the most famous hikes in Europe but also one of the most feared.  A far cry from the little Sunday walk, this 13 km hike is for the fitest only.

 

Book your flight and hotel at the best price guaranteed in Bergen or Oslo. You can drive from Oslo or catch a bus to Oslo in the direction of Jotunheimen. We advise you to stay in the holiday house Lemonsjøen-Jotunheimen-Besseggen.

 

Book your hotel at the best price in Oslo and book your best activities in Norway such  as a 2-hour sightseeing cruise of the Fjord.

 


Rocky Town in Czech Republic - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Tomas Tichy- European Best Destinations
Copyright Tomas Tichy

7. Adrspach-Teplice Rock Towns – Bohemian Switzerland - Czech Republic 

Difficulty level: easy

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 3 hours

 

Have you ever thought of the Czech Republic as a must-see destination for hiking? You will change your mind when you see the exceptional beauty of this hike trail unique in the world. We advise you to program this hike in summer or fall to make the most of the beauty of these landscapes: 6 kilometres of rocks, caves, unique landscapes in the world. 

 

Book your flight to Prague or Wroclaw airports. The city of Wroclaw, Poland, is only an hour and a half’s drive from this park (a 2-hour drive from Prague).

 

Book your hotel at the best price guaranteed in Prague or Wroclaw and discover this incredible place. We advise you to leave your hotel around 10am and begin your walk in the early afternoon.

 


Skye Island - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright elxeneize - European Best Destinations
Copyright elxeneize

8. Skye Island

Scotland

There are dozens of amazing hikes on the Isle of Skye, we have selected for you the "Fairy Pools" that starts near Carbost. You will see a sign for "Sligachan".  We have not yet had the opportunity to do this hike and advise you to visit the site isleofskye.com to learn about the most beautiful hikes on the island.

 

Book your stay on the Isle of Skye at the best price in Skye. 

 


Bled - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Matej Kastelic - European Best Destinations
Copyright Matej Kastelic

9. Bled

Slovenia

Difficulty level: easy

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 1 hour 

 

From Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, you can rent a car or take a bus (12 euros) to reach one of the most important Slovenian attractions: Bled Lake. If you feel like it, you can add 14 euros to your budget and take a boat trip to reach the tiny island in the middle of the lake.

 

You will have to spend 6 euros more to visit the church on this small island and ring the bell of happiness. It's a bit of a tourist trap but it's fun and not expensive. Otherwise you can rent a bike in Bled or walk around and explore the forests of this beautiful destination in Slovenia.

 

It will not take you much more than an hour to reach the top of the hill facing Bled Island, the perfect place to take a breathtaking picture of this unique destination in the world. Feel free to ask for information at the Bled Tourist Information Centre located next to the Bled Casino on the lake shore.

 

We advise you to book your hotel in Ljubljana, you can also book a hotel for one or two nights in Bled at the best price guaranteed. Also book your best things to do in Slovenia, such as water rafting on the Sava River in Bled.

 


GR20 - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Blazej Lyjak - European Best Destinations
Copyright Blazej Lyjak

10. GR20

Corsica

Level of difficulty: Extreme

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 16 days

 

THE GR 20 is one of the most beautiful and long hiking trails in Europe. You can obviously do all or part of this 170-kilometer course. You can do it in weeks or even two days (if you run very fast).

 

This course, created in 1952, is considered to be the most difficult hiking trail in Europe. It is long, with steep slopes and it often rains. You can cross from north to south or from south to north and rest at night in the various shelters.

 

To start this exceptional hike, we advise you to book your accommodation in Calenzana or Vizzavona. Plan a few days to rest and discover other beautiful places of Corsica by booking your holidays in Bonifacio.

 


Mullerthal - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright  r.classen - European Best Destinations
Copyright r.classen

11. Mullerthal Region

Luxembourg

Difficulty level: Medium

 Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars 

Duration of the trip: 8-10 days 

 

The Mullerthal trail is composed of three roads. The number 1 route is perfect for those wishing to wander through forests and fields. The number two route is ideal for those wishing to see incredible rock formations and the number 3 route for those who want to marvel at the romantic castles. You can choose your route or do the three routes.

 

You can find more information on this trail on the website of the regional tourist office. Book your stay in Mullerthal and enjoy an unforgettable sporting holiday in one of the most beautiful regions in Europe. 

 


Dolomites - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright danm12 - European Best Destinations
Copyright danm12

12. Three peaks hiking trail 

Dolomites - Italy

Difficulty level: Easy

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 5-6 hours

 

There are dozens of possible trails in the Dolomites, 4-hour trails or 3-week trails. For beginners, a 5-6 hour trail is already a good start. We recommend you to do the "Three Peaks Hiking Trail" to discover some of the most emblematic places of this national park classified World Heritage by UNESCO.

 

Book your accommodation at the best price in the Dolomites for a 5-star stay to discover the most beautiful hiking trails in Europe.

 

 


Ostrog - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Mila Atkovska - European Best Destinations
Copyright Mila Atkovska

13. Ostrog

Montenegro

Difficulty level: easy

Beauty of landscapes: 4 stars

Duration of the trip: 2-3 hours

 

This monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church, excavated inside the mountain of Ostrog in Montenegro, is one of the emblematic places of this country. This hike is not only for pilgrims and will also appeal to lovers of beautiful landscapes.

 

A moment of peace and serenity in the middle of nature. We advise you to book your flight to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro and to take a rental car. You can stay in Kotor or Budva, two beautiful coastal towns two hours from the Ostrog Monastery.

 

Book your accommodation at the best price in Kotor as well as your best things to do in Montenegro.

 


Trolltunga in Norway  - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Simon Dannhauer - European Best Destinations
Copyright Simon Dannhauer

14. Trolltunga

Norway

 Difficulty level: Medium

 Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 10-12 hours

 

We advise you to program this hiking trail between mid-June and mid-September, the best time of the year to enjoy good visibility and a good climate. Trolltunga is the most famous cliff in Norway and certainly one of the most photographed cliffs in Europe.

 

28 km of trail (round trip) that starts at the Skjeggedal car park and ends in Trolltunga. There is no accommodation, no shelter, along the way, if you want to sleep you will have to bring your own equipment. Check the weather conditions the night before your departure and adapt your equipment to the weather forecast.

 

Book your accommodation at the best price guaranteed as well as your best things to do in Norway such as a 2-hour sightseeing cruise to Oslo's Fjords. We advise you to stay at the "Trolltunga Guesthouse" with a perfect location and equipped rooms, perfect for hikers.

 


Svartissen Glacier in Norway - Best trekking destinations in Europe - Copyright Andrey Armyagov - European Best Destinations
Copyright Andrey Armyagov

15. Svartisen Glacier

Norway

Difficulty level: Easy

Beauty of landscapes: 5 stars

Duration of the trip: 8 hours (with the boat trip, round trip)

 

Pack your bags, book your flight to Bodo Airport in Norway and rent a car and hotel at the best price. We recommend the hotel Scandic Havet with its fitness centre and bicycles available for those wishing to discover the city of Bodo.

 

Take your tickets for a boat trip (2h30 to reach Svartisen from Bodo). You can climb on the glacier alone or accompanied by a guide. Let yourself be dazzled by the beauty of this glacier, Norway's second largest glacier with its 372 square kilometres and treat yourself to a break in the heart of Norway's nature.

 


 

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