You don’t need to jet across the world to find a thrilling hike — Europe has some of the most dramatic and life-affirming landscapes on the planet, and well-marked trails that take you right to the heart of the action. Scale alpine heights with a trek up Mont Blanc, trace the line of the Amalfi coast past colourful fishing villages, experience epic canyons in Bosnia and waterfalls in Iceland, or follow in the footsteps of pilgrims across the ages along a Camino de Santiago trail. There are steep hikes that are a challenge of fitness and gentler paths that allow you to keep your head up and soak up your surroundings. Whatever you’re after, we’ve pulled together some of the best hiking holidays in Europe. So lace those boots, grab some walking poles and make the most of the great outdoors.
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1. The Picos de Europa, Spain
For a hike offering sheer drama in the landscape, you can’t get much better than the Picos de Europa. Spain’s third-highest mountain range (topping out at 2,650m) has been sculpted by ancient glaciers into a place of crenellated peaks and swooping valleys. Chamois forage on the slopes and griffon vultures — even golden eagles — hang in the skies above. Go in spring if you can, when wildflowers colour the region. Spend a week following shepherds’ paths and roads once used by the Romans as you go through the breathtaking Cares Gorge and trek up to three of the range’s peaks. Break up the hike with some kayaking or canyoning — or even an excursion to the coast. While this is a hike of moderate difficulty, the dizzying views require a head for heights.
Make it happen
Exodus has an eight-day hiking trip (group size 4-15) to Picos de Europa staying half-board in a family-run hotel and accompanied by a local guide. Tours typically run between April and October
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2. Albania
If Albania hasn’t been on your radar, now’s the time to put it there — this is “the new Greece”, but with fewer crowds and lower prices. The peaceful Albanian Alps make wonderful walking territory, with well-marked footpaths and mountain trails snaking through rugged passes and valleys. You’ll walk for between three and seven hours a day, covering a total distance of 50km, and taking in the wildflower meadows of Valbona and Thethi national parks. Also make room for an excursion on the dazzling Lake Koman. While this is a hike suitable for seasoned and first-time hikers, there are some steep sections that require a moderate level of fitness and fully functioning hips and knees.
Make it happen
Explore! offers a week-long trip (group size 6-16) between June and October, including guesthouse and hotel accommodation, some meals, a guide and local transport
3. The Tour du Mont Blanc, France/Switzerland/Italy
Put aside eight days and hike the Tour du Mont Blanc — one of Europe’s classic long-distance treks. As you strike out along this circular route, the Alps showboat alongside you, unfurling the bluest lakes, the greenest pastures and the most majestic of mountain peaks. You’ll begin and end in Chamonix in France, and loop through Switzerland and Italy, ending each day in accommodation that ranges from alpine huts to characterful historic hotels. This is a challenging trek — perhaps an eight-out-of-ten for difficulty — so it’s worth getting a little fit if you want to make the most of the experience. Note too that the trail goes above 2,500m, so mountain sickness is a possibility.
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Intrepid Travel runs this eight-day hike (group size 1-12) between June and September, including accommodation, most meals, luggage transfer (no need to lug those duffle bags!) and a highly qualified International Mountain Leader guide
• Best walking holidays in Europe
4. Bosnia Herzegovina
In the aftermath of the terrible, turbulent times of the 1990s, Sarajevo has become a city-break favourite. But only recently have hikers woken up to the glorious trails to be enjoyed in the countryside beyond. This nine-day tour guarantees you’ll experience some of the choicest cuts, with a challenging climb up Bosnia’s highest mountain (Maglic), a stop at the isolated Rakitnica Canyon, a trek along a section of the famous Via Dinarica — firm favourite of the European hiking community — as well as stops at Sarajevo and Mostar, with its flagship Ottoman bridge. While Bosnia Herzegovina is the main event, the linear route also dips into Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia (finishing at the wonderful city of Dubrovnik). You’ll walk six to eight hours a day for a total of 50km — but never fear, there’s plenty of burek and cevapi to keep you well fuelled along the way.
Make it happen
Exodus offers this tour (group size 5-15) between June and September, including flights, hotels, half-board, local guide and porterage. There’s also the option to travel there by rail
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5. Amalfi coast walking, Italy
Few places have such star appeal: from Elena Ferrante’s novels to blockbuster Hollywood films such as The Talented Mr Ripley, the Amalfi coast is a backdrop that steals the show. With sun-drenched cliffs, pastel-painted fishing villages and the echo of ancient footsteps in its mule tracks and stone stairways, this hike in southwest Italy is as evocative as it is picturesque. It includes the classic Walk of the Gods, an 11km stretch of particular prettiness, and leads you past the Bay of Salerno, the island of Capri, through the village of Nocelle and down to Positano. This is a fairly leisurely route covering a total of 50km, and should suit most nimble walkers.
Make it happen
Explore! hosts a week-long Amalfi Coast trip (group size 6-16) between March and November (peak season July-September). Tour includes accommodation in comfortable family-run agriturismo properties, most meals, local transport and guide, but not international flights
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6. Eastern Iceland
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Iceland has rocketed up the bucket lists of travellers seeking a destination with adventure galore and landscapes to knock your socks off. Eastern Iceland has fairytale scenery: quaint fishing villages, gin-clear waterfalls and picture-perfect fjords. Experience it on a 60km, six-day linear trek beginning in Egilsstaoir. This route is demanding in parts, but views of the Dettifoss Waterfall alone make it all worthwhile. And the cherry on top are those moments at the end of each day when you can indulge in the freshest farm-to-table dinners while listening to local tales of elves and magic.
Make it happen
G Adventures offers this six-day trek (average group size 12) between May and September, which includes most meals, guesthouse accommodation in Egilsstaoir, a local guide and transport via private minivan
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7. Camino del Norte, Spain
Fancy following in the footsteps of pilgrims since the Middle Ages? The most dashing of the ancient Camino trails to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela — because it hugs the northern tip of Spain, with its expansive coastal views — is the Camino del Norte (or Northern Way). It’s also one of the lesser-walked routes, which means you won’t be tripping on the heels of others as you go. Comfortable hiking boots are a must; you’ll walk up to 28km a day on a hike covering 190km across 11 days, starting at Ribadeo, dropping in at historic monasteries and churches, and spending nights in characterful village guesthouses. The Unesco-listed Camino de Santiago trails have become a rite of passage for pilgrims and hikers alike, and the Northern Way is as good as it gets.
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Intrepid Travel is the first operator to offer a Camino del Norte hiking tour (group size 1-12), featuring hotel and pension accommodation, most meals, a local guide, local cheese and almond-cake tasting experiences and portage of luggage between stops. Departures in June, August and October
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8. Carpathian Mountains, Romania
If Dracula were a hiker, this is where he’d come to get his teeth into one of Europe’s last surviving areas of wilderness. Transylvanian Romania has mountain trails, patches of thick forest and fragrant meadows, and is home to populations of lynx, wolves and brown bears. An eight-day trek in the Carpathian Mountains will take you through the majestic Zarnesti Gorge, past traditional Kalibash villages and to the walls of Bran Castle (said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel), while you can break the journey for a stroll around the city of Brasov or some sunset bear-spotting from a specially built hide. This is a leisurely route that would suit seasoned and novice walkers alike. The views are to die for.
Make it happen
Exodus organises a Carpathian hike on dates between April and October (group size 4-16), which includes flights, accommodation in a family-run guesthouse, local guide and most meals. Travel by train is also an option
9. Portugal’s remote coastal trails
Portugal is better known for its Algarve beaches than its hiking trails, but the country’s southern tip has outstanding routes through the heart of some of Europe’s most unspoilt landscapes. Coastal paths trace towering cliffs, and wind down to sandy spots where waterside restaurants serve delicious seafood. There are gravity-defying rock formations to admire at Ponta da Piedade and limestone caves at Benagil beach on the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, while Rota Vicentina path culminates at the photogenic Cabo de Sao Vicente lighthouse. An eight-day tour is time enough to cover around 60km of the choicest paths — and still leave space to explore the historic town of Lagos or steal a cooling dip in the sea.
Make it happen
Explore runs an eight-day tour (group size 6-16) between March and November. This includes hotel accommodation in Sagres, breakfast, local transport and a guide
• Best things to do in Porto
• Best tours of Portugal
10. The Corfu Trail (North), Greece
There are challenging sections along the Corfu Trail in the north of the island, but by Zeus — or whatever Greek god you swear by — the views are heavenly enough to put a spring in your step and some puff in your lungs. Look out from the karstic highlands across the channel and you can see as far as the mountains of Albania. You’ll trek for 80km, the landscape shifting between olive groves, sandy beaches, craggy cliffs and verdant valleys. Highlights include the Donkey Path, sashaying its way down to the breathtaking Agios Georgios bay; more gorgeous vistas to soak up from the village of Lakones; and the ascent to the monastery at the summit of Pantokrator Mountain. And, of course, you’ll find top-quality food, drink and hospitality at Corfu’s traditional tavernas.
Make it happen
Explore has a week-long Corfu Trail tour (group size 6-16) that runs between May and October, including basic hotel accommodation, some meals, local guide and transport
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