Hiking in Europe is a great experience because you’ll get to see some of the most varied landscapes on earth. From the ruggedness of the trails in the European Alps to the coastal paths that teeter over the water at the Mediterranean, and from the Fjords to one of the many GR paths in France and Spain, Europe is a destination for all hikers. One of the other best things about hiking in Europe (other than the beauty of the trails themselves) is the significant history that is woven through most of the regions. You’ll literally hike through time here! Whether you’re looking for a day hike or a long-distance trail, Europe has it all. There are even some famous thru-hiking trails and of course the many camino’s like the Camino de Santiago, an extensive network of pilgrim trails to Santiago de Compostela.
Europe has so much to offer as a hiking destination, from popular trails to hidden gems where you won’t see many hikers. You’ll find it all here, including long-distance trails, pilgrim paths, and day hikes. While we try to feature as many hidden gems as possible, there are still the undeniably popular trails that Europe is known for as well.
Below is a list of the most popular hiking trails in Europe, from the Tour du Mont Blanc, circling around the Mont Blanc Massif, to wild camping at the Kungsleden in Sweden, the West Highland Way in Scotland, the Via Alpina in Switzerland, the Alta Via 1 in the Italian Dolomites, the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, the challenging GR20 in Corsica, the Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal, the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland, and hiking along the coastline in Cinque Terre.
The Kungsleden (The King’s Trail) is a trail in Sweden which stretches 440 kilometers through the Arctic wilderness. You’ll trek past glaciers, through classic Scandinavian scenery, and can choose to wild camp anywhere here because of the Allemansrätten, the right to roam.
Or, you could discover the Scottish hills on the West Highland Way in Scotland, covering 154 kilometers from Milngavie to Fort William. The trail takes you through the moody landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, including Loch Lomond and the views on Glencoe and the Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain.
Of course, the Tour du Mont Blanc is the most popular hiking trail in Europe. It circles the Mont Blanc Massif for about 170 kilometers, passing through three countries (France, Italy, and Switzerland), providing the best views of some of the Alps’ highest peaks, and sleeping in iconic mountain huts.
The Via Alpina is a trail network that runs across the eight countries of the Alps (Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, and France), showing off the diversity of the Alpine region so you can see the European Alps at their best.
Hut-to-hut hiking on the Alta Via 1 is an unforgettable experience through the Italian Dolomites, Europe’s most beloved hiking area. Covering around 120 kilometers and with sharp limestone peaks, old mountain huts, and delicious cuisine, this is one of the best trails in Europe.
Another hut-to-hut hike, the Haute Route, can be hiked or skied linking the two major outdoor cities in Europe, Chamonix in France with Zermatt in Switzerland. It offers some of the best views of the Alps, with 10 out of the 12 of the highest peaks in the mountain range nearby.
The GR20 in Corsica is one of Europe’s most difficult hiking trails but will reward you with beautiful landscapes of the ¨Isle of Beauty.¨ You can choose to sleep in the mountain huts or pitch your tent at the campsites for one of the best (and potentially toughest) adventures of your life.
Further north, the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland is known for its diverse landscapes that range from black lava fields and rhyolite mountains to multi-colored valleys and geothermal hot springs. Only 55 kilometers, this trail connects Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk and is best hiked in the short Icelandic summer from July to August.
If you’re looking for a bit warmer time, you can enjoy the European coast fully on the Fishermen’s Trail along Portugal’s southwest coastline, part of the Rota Vicentina. This long-distance trail has stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean’s cliffs and white sand beaches.
Finally, another popular coastal trail can be found at Cinque Terre in Italy with a network of trails connecting five villages along the Ligurian coast. The trails weave through the vineyards and olive groves and along steep cliffs, constantly giving you views of the Mediterranean Sea.
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