20 of the best trails in Europe

Our hand-picked selection of the best trails in Europe, from the snow-capped heights of the Alps to the volcanic coast of Madeira

The best trails in Europe take you through the soaring mountains of the Swiss Alps and around the dramatic volcanic coasts of the Canary Islands. They lead you through the boreal forests and glaciers of Sweden, and the windswept plains of the Scottish Highlands.

THE Europe is made up of more than 40 countries, each with its own unique culture and distinct and diverse landscape. Add to that its 10 major mountain ranges and 504 national parks, and you have a vast hiking territory to explore.

We've done the hard work for you and put together a list of the 20 best trails in Europe. For us, 'best' means something that will show you stunning scenery, take you off the beaten path, and challenge you in the best way possible. We also wanted to highlight some of the continent's diverse landscapes and open your eyes to some countries you might not have considered exploring…

THE BEST MULTIDIA WALKS IN EUROPE

1. THE CHALLENGE OF THE THREE MOUNTAINS OF THE BALKANS, ALBANIA, KOSOVO, MONTENEGRO AND NORTH MACEDONIA

• Perfect for: explore the wild peaks of the Balkans
• Countries: Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia
• Level: Difficult Duration: 5-6 days

A truly extraordinary route, taking you to three summits and four countries in the Balkans. You'll begin by climbing Mount Korab (2,764m), a peak shared by Albania and Macedonia. The day begins in the verdant valleys of Albania, and the climb is challenging but not technical, passing through lush pastures. After the descent, you'll drive to Europe's youngest country, Kosovo.

The next day, you'll climb the highest peak, Gjeravica (2,656m), passing boulder fields and a heart-shaped glacial lake to the imposing summit. Descend along the former Yugoslav border patrol route and spend the night in a shepherd's hut. From there, you'll hike through lush pastures and ancient forests of the Eastern Alps toward the Montenegrin border. Your final summit, the following day, is the rocky Zla Kolata (2,534m), Montenegro's highest peak.

This route is called the Three Mountains Challenge for a reason—you'll be hiking long distances on challenging days, climbing steep passes. But you'll also have the opportunity to experience mountain hiking in one of Europe's most underrated regions.

2. CLIMB MONTE ROSA, ITALY

• Perfect for: Experienced mountaineers in search of summits
• Country: Italy
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: Between 4-6 days

Monte Rosa (4554m), a massif on the border between Switzerland and Italy, is an immense mountain. It contains the largest expanse of land above 4000m in the Alps and boasts 18 true peaks (12 above 4000m). This means there's a huge variety of different hiking routes.

A popular option is "The Spaghetti Tour," a winding four- to six-day route through the massif, passing some of its highest peaks. You'll stay in some of Europe's highest mountain huts—on the Italian side of the mountain—which are known for their pasta (hence the name).

You can also use a mountain hut as a base and conquer multiple peaks. From the Mantova Hut, you can climb Vincent Pyramid (4,215m) in one day and the iconic Punta Gnifetti (4,554m) the next, which will involve crossing glaciers and navigating rocky ridges. For experienced hikers only!

3. THE RING OF PEAKS CHALLENGE, SPAIN

• Perfect for: Anyone who wants a difficult, under-the-radar hiking challenge
• Country: Spain
• Level: Difficult
• Duration: 4-5 days, walking 7-10 hours a day

THE National park The Picos de Europa range stretches across three provinces in northern Spain and consists of green hills and forests that are home to the brown bear and the Iberian wolf. The cliff-studded jewel in the crown is the jagged limestone peaks of the Picos de Europa, many of which you'll conquer on this challenging trekking circuit.

The Ring of Peaks Challenge is a 58km epic around the western Picos massif. You'll climb to the summits of Cotalba (2026m), Jario (1913m), Jultayu (1940m), and the Mirador de Ordiales (1750m), and descend into lush valleys and forests. One of the most challenging days on the trail takes you to the Cares Gorge and the Trea Canal, a steep gorge with a steady climb. The views are spectacular, and you'll barely see a soul.

4. CROSSING FROM COAST TO COAST IN MADEIRA, PORTUGAL

• Perfect for: Island lovers
• Country: Madeira, Portugal
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: 4-5 days

If you're looking for an easier island crossing than Corsica's iconic GR20 trail, but with equally beautiful views, consider exploring lesser-known trails in Madeira. There are many wonderful hikes that can be combined to create a coast-to-coast crossing.

Departing from the capital, Funchal, you'll follow a gentle trail along Madeira's traditional irrigation canals (levadas) and zigzag past vertical cliffs to Porto da Cruz, with views of the ocean, dense forest, wildflowers, and mountains. The next day, you'll traverse Madeira's UNESCO-designated laurel forest.

The next day, you'll hike Madeira's PR1 trail, which takes in the island's three highest peaks—Pico do Arieiro (1,817m), Pico das Torres (1,851m), and Pico Ruivo (1,862m). Afterward, there's a steep descent from the highlands to Madeira's pristine north coast, all the way to Seixal Beach, a dramatic beach with black volcanic sand and thundering waterfalls.

5. TOUR OF MONT BLANC, FRANCE

• Perfect for: Classic alpine views, no mountaineering experience necessary
• Countries: France, Italy and Switzerland
• Level: Challenging – steep climbs and descents daily
• Duration: 9 to 11 days, 5 to 7 hours per day

When it comes to hiking in Europe, this mother of all hikes circles the steep slopes of the highest mountain in the Alps: Mont Blanc. Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) presents the ambitious hiker with some of the most dramatic and versatile scenery in the world. It's one of Europe's most famous hikes, comparable to the Camino de Santiago, and one of the best walking holidays in Europe. At 170 kilometers, it's certainly a long-distance trail—and you'll be hiking high-altitude trails with significant elevation gain (about 10,600m/35,000ft) over the 11-day hike.

THE history of the Tour de Mont Blanc is also very interesting – it was originally traveled by the Genevan geologist Horace Benedict de Saussure in the 1700s. He intended to find a way up to Mont Blanc, but failing to do so, he ended up turning around. complete on the mountain.

6. THE SELVAGGIO BLU TRAIL, SARDINIA

• Perfect for: Anyone who can't choose between the sea and the mountains
• Country: Italy
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: 4-5 days

Known as the most difficult trail in Italy, it takes place on the peaceful and sunny island of Sardinia. The Selvaggio Blu trail is an epic 40-kilometer route that includes 4,200 meters of vertical gain, five rappels, and two via ferratas. You'll hike through stone arches, narrow gorges, and forests.

However, it's possible to avoid or bypass some of these more challenging climbs, as the Selvaggio Blu has several slightly easier variations—a guide (at least an accurate map) is highly recommended for navigating it. Beyond these challenging climbs and ascents, you can relax with a swim at some of Sardinia's most beautiful beaches.

7. MOUNT TRIGLAV, SLOVENIA

• Perfect for: An Introduction to Via Ferrata
• Country: Slovenia
• Level: Average
• Duration: 2 days

Climbing Mount Triglav is a rite of passage for Slovenian hikers and mountaineers visiting the country. There are two ways to access the 2,864-meter summit, both challenging and both relying on via ferrata routes or fixed cables to help climbers negotiate the scree and narrow trails.

You'll begin your hike in the verdant Krma Valley, before ascending through pine forest to a high plateau and reaching the Kredarica hut. Summit day is an 8- to 9-hour hike along a rocky path and 400 meters of via ferrata. Because of this, only very experienced climbers should summit Triglav without a guide. There are many other incredible trails in Slovenia as well.

8. THE TRANSCAUCASIAN TRAIL, GEORGIA

• Perfect for: wild peaks and high-altitude passes
• Country: Georgia
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: 10 days

When you hike in Georgia, you're exploring where few have gone before. Georgia's arid Caucasus Mountains have only opened up to tourism in recent years. The Transcaucasian Trail is a new initiative—the creation of a 3,000-km trail following the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains and connecting 24 national parks and reserves in the region, which is one of the most biologically, culturally, and linguistically diverse areas in the world.

You'll likely have time to hike the entire trail, but the Georgia section is an intrepid 10-day adventure, completely doable with your annual vacation. It takes you through the Svaneti region, crossing five major mountain passes, and through rapidly changing landscapes, from dense forests to the jagged glacial peaks of the Caucasus. You'll spot wildlife like deer, chamois, and marmots along the way.

There are many other trails in Georgia if you are interested in explore this destination underrated hiking destination. The country's third-highest peak, Mount Kazbek (5,054 m), can also be climbed.

9. THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY, SCOTLAND

• Perfect for: Explore the Scottish Highlands
• Country: Scotland
• Level: Moderate
• Duration: 5-10 days

The West Highland Way is one of the world's most iconic multi-day hikes. The same can be said of the Scottish Highlands in general, making it one of the world's favorite hiking destinations.

The West Highland Way has everything you need. Starting from Milngavie, a small town near Glasgow, you head 95 miles north to Fort William—near Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain. Along the way, you'll walk along the beautiful shores of Loch Lomond and climb Conic Hill for stunning views over the lake. You'll pass through Glencoe, near the famous Buachaille Etive Mor, across Rannoch Moor, and eventually reach Glen Nevis and Fort William.

There are hotels, mountain huts, or chalets to stay in along the way, though many people choose to camp. This is the oldest trail in the UK and remains one of the best hiking trails in the world.

10. CROSSING GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN

• Perfect for: New perspectives on familiar destinations
• Country: Spain
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: 5-6 days

To the Canary Islands Gran Canaria is known for its winter sun and resort tourism. However, it's also a fantastic hiking destination year-round, with peaceful trails crisscrossing its pristine interiors. Gran Canaria is known as a 'miniature continent' due to the diversity of its landscapes and microclimates. There are numerous routes throughout the island, many of them passing through its ravines.

Our favorite option is to start your hike inland, at Barranco de Guayadeque—a gorge inhabited by pre-Hispanic Canarians in intriguing cave dwellings. You'll pass through a pine forest and climb to the summit of Pico de Las Nieves (1,950m), the highest mountain in Gran Canaria. The next day, you'll traverse the rocky highlands to the famous Roque Nublo, an 80-meter monolith shrouded in myth and mystery.

From there, you'll pass cave villages and mountain viewpoints, descending into a rare subtropical laurel forest. Then, you'll slowly descend through the Agaete Valley, the island's most fertile valley, until you reach the coastal village of Agaete. And yes, it's time to swim and relax now.

Although the hike doesn't take place at high altitudes, we classify it as challenging because you'll be hiking for up to 10 hours a day, and the heat can make the hike difficult for some.

11. THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, ICELAND

• Perfect for: Fire and ice
• Country: Iceland
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: Approximately 4-5 days

This 55-km trail has been ranked as one of the best in the world by National Geographic, and it's easy to see why. The Laugavegur Trail takes you through rainbow-colored mountains, past hot springs, glaciers, and volcanic slopes.

The trail begins in the colorful, geothermal Landmannalaugar Nature Reserve. You'll climb the obsidian-black slopes of Hrafntinnusker and cross the sparse black ash field of Mælifellssandur. From there, you'll pass through Þórsmörk, "Thor's Valley," a surprisingly green area nestled between three glaciers.

You can choose to stay in rustic mountain cabins or camp outside. We recommend the latter, as the weather on the trail is very unpredictable!

12. HAUTE ROUTE, FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND

• Perfect for: Classic views of the Alps
• Countries: France/Switzerland
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: Approximately 10-12 days, 6-8 hours per day

The Haute Route begins at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest massif in Western Europe, and ends on the slopes of the most famous, if not the most elegant and instantly recognizable mountain of all, the Matterhorn.

Although it has become known as one of the best winter ski hikes, the 200-km summer version of this trail is certainly no less interesting or challenging. On this hike, you'll cross 11 passes, accumulate over 12,000 meters of ascent, and pass beneath ten of the twelve highest mountains in the Alps.

13. TATRANSKÁ MAGISTRÁLA, SLOVAKIA

• Perfect for: Relaxed alpine adventures
• Country: Slovakia
• Level: Moderate
• Duration: 4 days

Hike through the High Tatras, Eastern Europe's only alpine mountain range, along the Tatranská Magistrala Trail. It takes you through epic landscapes, from fir forests and rocky ridges to mirror-like lakes. This 42-kilometer trail begins in the remote village of Podbanské, on the slopes of the Western Tatras, and ends at the even more remote lake of Vel'ké Biely Pleso (although many people continue hiking to the picturesque village of Ždiar).

The trail is relatively easy and mostly stays at altitudes between 1200m and 1800m. However, there are a few mountains over 2000m that you'll have to climb, including Sedlo pod Svišt'ovkou (2023m) and Vel'ka Svit'ovka (2037m). The gravel on the trails can be slippery, but there are chains to help with support. You can rest in mountain huts along the trail.

14. HIGH ROUTE OF THE DOLOMITES, ITALY

• Perfect for: Majestic mountains, delicious pasta
• Country: Italy
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: 10-14 days

The jagged mountains, cliffs, and pinnacles of the Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for many reasons. There's history, with trails named after World War I, passing abandoned shelters along the way. There's culture: visit Ladino shepherds in their ancient, isolated villages. There's also diversity in beauty and language. Traverse pastel meadows of wildflowers and hear whispers of different languages inhabiting the Italian Alps.

There are plenty of hikes throughout this glorious region of Italy as well. Alta Via I and Alta Via II are two of the best long-distance routes—Alta Via II is a bit longer and more challenging, but you can also do a mix of the two, choosing the most scenic sections of each route. These include the Van de Zita, with its high-altitude valleys and rock needles, and the majestic rock formations of Cinque Torri, which are surrounded by alpine meadows. Rest in cozy mountain huts and enjoy rustic Italian food after a long day of hiking.

15. MONT BLANC, FRANCE

• Perfect for: Aspiring mountaineers
• Country: France
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: 2-3 days

Well, this is a bit more than a hike. Climbing Mont Blanc is a physical challenge, reaching the peak of Western Europe's highest mountain at 4,810 meters. You'll need proficient use of crampons and an ice axe to navigate the rocks and ice, and you'll need an experienced guide.

There are several ways to reach the summit, the easiest being the Mont Blanc Tramway to Nid d'Aigle, then ascending Aiguille Gouter and the crest of La Bosse. Along the way, stay in refuges, which must be booked in advance. Try an extended 7-day experience, starting with a stunning training climb on Gran Paradiso.

16. HUT-TO-HUTTLE TRAIL IN GRAN PARADISO, ITALY

• Country: Italy
• Levell: Challenging
• Duration: 3-4 days

Gran Paradiso is located in the Aosta Valley, in the northwestern Italian Alps. Originally created to preserve the ibex, the focus on flora and fauna remains a key attraction of this vast park. Its exceptional trails are also a highlight—there are some great short hikes and multi-day epics throughout the park.

Start in the mountain village of Pravieux, climbing the east side of the valley to Rifugio Tetras Lyre (1,996m). As you climb, you'll enjoy views of glaciers and mountains, including the north face of Gran Paradiso peak (4,061m). Next, there's a day of high-altitude alpine pastures and the stunning lakes of the Col Nivolet Plateau. Afterward, you'll reach Col Rosset (3,024m), one of the highest passes in the Alps.

The final day's hike passes Goletta Lake at the foot of the Goletta Glacier. You'll continue with a steady ascent to Col Bassac Derè—the highest point of the hike at 3,082m—and enjoy some of the wildest scenery yet, with towering peaks and glaciers. The trail ends in the small village of Surrier—you'll be exhausted after three full days of hiking.

17. THE KING'S TRAIL (KUNGSLEDEN), SWEDEN

• Perfect for: An Introduction to Arctic Trekking
• Country: Sweden
• Level: Moderate
• Duration: 25-35 days

The Kungsleden is Sweden's most famous trekking trail, and with good reason. Located above the Arctic Circle, this 450-kilometer trail takes you through the green valleys, sweeping vistas, and soaring peaks of the Abisko region. You'll pass through the snow-capped mountains and spruce forests of Lapland's UNESCO World Heritage Site, four national parks, and some of Sweden's wildest landscapes.

Despite the trail's length, it's very accessible, traversing low-lying terrain along well-defined trails (and, of course, you don't have to hike the entire route). There are plenty of cabins along the way for rest, or you can try camping and roaming freely in this Arctic playground.

18. THE MATTERHORN TRAIL, SWITZERLAND

• Countries: Switzerland and Italy
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: 6-10 days

The Matterhorn Trail has been described as one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, following many ancient paths that have connected the Swiss Alps and Italian valleys for centuries. The 150-km route offers an experience multicultural, crossing from the unspoiled surroundings of Switzerland to Italy via the Matterhorn Valley and staying in remote mountain huts along the way.

You'll hike through alpine meadows and climb high passes, surrounded by mountains and glaciers on either side. One of the hike's most iconic views is the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn reflected in the mirror-like waters of Lake Stellisee.

If you have limited time, you can always do a shortened version of the Matterhorn trail, which incorporates some of the most scenic parts of the route with some challenging climbs, such as Mount Pfulwe (3313m).

19. VIKOS GORGE AND BEYOND, GREECE

• Perfect for: Explore the remote corners of Greece
• Country: Greece
• Level: Easy.
• Duration: 2-3 days

THE National park Vikos Aoos, in northwestern Greece, is a natural playground of deep gorges, green valleys, lush forests, and fast-flowing rivers. One of the park's most popular day hikes takes you through the Vikos Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. Or you can continue hiking the park's trails for a glorious multi-day hike.

Begin in the Zagori region, known for its 46 traditional stone villages (zagorohoria) surrounded by the Pindos Mountains and connected by ancient hiking trails. Start in the village of Vradeto and hike to Kapesovo via the famous Vradeto Stairs (an ornate construction with 1,200 stone steps and 39 curves). You'll pass through several villages before crossing the Misios Bridge.

20. THE 15 MOUNTAINS OF WALES CHALLENGE, WALES

• Perfect for: Rocky ridges and steep climbs
• Country: Wales, United Kingdom
• Level: Challenging
• Duration: 2-3 days

Fifteen mountains. Four thousand meters of elevation gain. All the mountains over 3,000 feet in Wales. And you can do it all in one incredible weekend. To tackle the Welsh 3,000s, head to Snowdonia, home to the highest mountains in Wales.

Hike and climb the Carneddau, Glyderau, and Snowdon mountain ranges, ascending ridges and connecting peaks in quick succession. Add to that the stellar views and natural beauty of Snowdonia, and you've got a tiring but memorable weekend.