The 20 best hikes in Europe for stunning views. We’ve included hiking trails for people of all fitness levels from moderate gorgeous coastal routes to more strenuous multi-day hikes in the Alps for all seasons.
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You’ll find thousands of the best hiking trails in Europe ranging from easy-going gorgeous coastal routes to rolling hills to challenging climbs in the Alps. That’s both good news and bad news but always with amazing views!
The good news is that there’s something for hikers of all fitness levels. The bad news is that with so much choice it can be mind-boggling.
Even if you know you want to hike in the Alps, for instance, they’re 1200 km (750 miles) long. And you have to choose which country you want to visit.
The Alps are found in seven different countries: France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Not to mention the thousands of amazing hikes filled with the natural beauty outside of the Alps!
That’s why I’ve created this guide to the best hikes in Europe along with the best times for hiking these trails.
I’ve lived in Germany for over 11 years and have hiked all over Europe. While I certainly haven’t been everywhere – it’s impossible there is just too much territory to cover.
I have hiked a LOT in Europe – almost every weekend for the past 11 years. And having grown up hiking in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I’m very picky about my hikes.
The Best Multi-Day Hike in Europe
Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Italy and Switzerland
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is consistently ranked as one of the best treks in the world and is one of the most popular hikes in Europe.
You circumnavigate glacier-covered Mont Blanc, the second-highest mountain in Europe. It’s strenuous but no mountaineering experience is required since you won’t actually be submitting Mont Blanc which is mountaineering.
What I love most about this 6 to 10-day hut-to-hut hike is that you see Mont Blanc from 360 degrees and all its spellbinding views. And this beautiful hike takes you through France, Italy and Switzerland. As a Canadian, it’s very cool to hike in three different countries.
The TMB was the first long-distance hike I’d done and was the inspiration for me to start a hiking tour company. You can see our guided and self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc tours here. Or read this practical guide for everything you need to know about planning your TMB Trek.
If you only want to do a day hike or a series of day hikes Chamonix, France or Courmayeur, Italy are good places to base yourself.
Best Time of Year: third week in June to mid-September. Before and after that there’s too much snow and many of the mountain huts are closed.
You can do easier hikes or day hikes in the Chamonix valley and the surrounding region at lower elevations all year round – as long as you don’t mind hiking in the snow.
Related Reading: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Staying in a Mountain Hut in the Alps.
Related Reading: Tour du Mont Blanc: How to Effortlessly Plan Your Epic Trek
Best Hikes in the Greek Islands
Crete White Mountains
Hiking the White Mountains in Crete should be on every hiker’s bucket list. This spectacular mountain range reaches heights of over 2000m (6562ft) and then the beautiful scenery of the mountain meets the sea is just an incredible view to behold. Its landscape is one of the most unique hikes in Europe.
Combined with a stay in the beautiful city of Chania, one of the longest continuously inhabited cities in the world, this incredible hiking trail is not to be missed.
You won’t only get your fill of beautiful mountain scenery, but you’ll also have plenty of time to discover Crete’s pristine beaches. After a day of hiking, there’s nothing better than a rejuvenating dip in the crystalline sea.
This tour is the perfect way to explore Crete. You’ll hike through Samaria Gorge, the longest gorge in Europe, a national park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
The hiking trail takes you through trickling streams and beautiful rock formations. One of the highlights of Samaria Gorge outdoor adventure is the narrowest part of the gorge, known as the “Iron Gates”.
If you choose to do the 8-day trek, you’ll be rewarded with a difficult hike up to Mt. Gigilos. You’ll find yourself at the 2080m high summit surrounded by fabulous views of the Aegean Sea.
Best Time of the Year: May to October. Crete gets really hot in summer so avoid the heat by going between mid-May and early June or mid-September to October.
Cyclades Islands
The beautiful Cyclades Islands are marvelous to explore. Besides being full of natural wonders, beautiful Greek medieval villages, and some of the best weather in Europe, they’re also a hiker’s paradise.
I recommend the Cyclades Islands Self-Guided Hiking Tour to explore the fantastic islands of Tinos and Naxos.
Hike from one medieval town to another as you take in the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Passing many historical monuments such as the Temple of Apollo and the gigantic Kouros statue.
On the days that you aren’t hiking ancient paths, take a dip in the clear turquoise waters of the Aegean and feast on authentic Greek cuisine.
This amazing tour ends with a trek up to the summit of Mt. Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades. At the top of this famous hike, you’ll see beautiful views of Naxos and the surrounding islands.
Best Time of the Year: April to November. Keep in mind that summers get quite hot and crowded, so go in spring or fall to avoid the crowds and the heat.
Recommended Reading: The Top 9 Places to Hike in Greece.
Best Hikes in Italy
Alta Via 1
The Dolomites are a dramatic mountain range in northeastern Italy. They’re well known in Europe but I confess that I hadn’t heard of them until I moved to Germany.
They offer a TON of hiking opportunities. I’ve hiked in four different locations in the Dolomites and liked all of them. But there is something special about the Alta Via 1 trail, the most famous trail in Italy.
What I love about this mountain trail is that you can choose between three routes: the 11-day complete Alta Via Route, the 8-day Southern Alta Via Trek and the 8-day Northern Alta Via Trek.
Each of the routes offers you beautiful landscapes that are constantly changing. While hiking you can enjoy panoramic views from the famous Lagazuoi massif and the 11-day trek gives you a special opportunity to walk along the impressive 5-km long west face of Civetta.
Before and after that there’s too much snow and many of the mountain huts are closed. You can do easier hikes or day hikes at lower elevations all year round as long as you don’t mind hiking in the snow.
Related Reading: The 9 Best Hikes in Greece
Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO site famed for its five medieval fishing villages. It’s easy to see the appeal that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Most of whom miss out on the gems just outside of the Cinque Terre. That’s why I recommend staying a few days longer with our Cinque Terre+ Hiking and Walking Tour.
I love knowing that almost every hike will lead to a medieval village where delicious fresh-caught seafood and gelato are waiting for me. It’s easy to moderate hiking so anyone that has a reasonable fitness level can do it.
If you only have a day it’s possible to do the well-marked Cinque Terre Coastal Walk, one of the most popular hiking trails in Europe.
Note: parts of it are closed so you won’t be able to do all of it until the trails are prepared from storm damage. But again, some of my favourite parts of the region are the lesser-known ones. You can read about hiking in Cinque Terre here.
Best Time of Year: March to November but I’d avoid July and August which is peak season. Cinque Terre is really crowded then and gets really hot.
Related Reading: How to Get to Cinque Terre
Path of Gods, Bologna to Florence
On this trail, you’re literally following in the footsteps of Romans as you make your way from Bologna to Florence on this ancient 135 km route, one of the oldest hiking trails in Europe.
What I love about this hike is that it’s still undiscovered. Most Italians haven’t even heard of it. It’s also a very cool way to experience a side of Italy that most visitors miss.
And it promotes rural tourism, which provides locals with jobs. The guest house owners that you’ll meet along the way are some of the loveliest people you’ll meet.
You can hike the entire route in six days, or do a shortened version in just three days.
Note: The Path of Gods, Bologna to Florence shares the same name with another popular day hike on the Amalfi Coast. These are two very different hikes.
Best Time of Year: April, May, June, September, and October. I did it at the end of September and thought it was a great time to do it.
While it’s possible to do it year-round July and August are very hot. In winter it can be rainy and sometimes even snowy.
Recommended Reading: Best Walking Holidays in Italy
Best Hikes in Portugal
Peneda – Gerês National Park
Portugal is the perfect trail since it’s a mix of culture, cuisine, and hiking. The Peneda – Gerês National Park is the only national park in Portugal. Needless to say, an attraction that every hiker should aim to discover.
This 8-day trek comes with two distance options on selected days so you can tailor the tour to fit your needs. This self-guided tour combines medieval villages, delicious foods, wine and natural wonders to create the perfect luxury hiking experience.
Peneda-Gerês National Park Self-Guided Hike offers you great opportunities to see wild mountain horses known as “Garannos” which roam freely in some parts. You may even come across free-roaming “Cachena cows” and Castro Laboreiro sheepdogs.
The area is diverse and will have you moving through forests, fields of wildflowers, and mountainous regions. It offers an unforgettable adventure filled with picturesque views of an untouched wilderness.
Each day you’ll indulge in local cuisine, traditional Gerês honey, and famed local wines from the Vinho Verde vineyards.
Best Time of Year: May to October but it gets very hot mid-June – August.
Related Reading: 22 Facts That Will Make You Want to Visit the Meteora Monasteries in Greece
Algarve Province
For those that love village to village hiking, as I do, the Algarve Self-Guided Hike is a great option. It’s an easy to moderate 8-day trip. You’ll have plenty of time to hike and still enjoy the local attractions and beautiful beaches.
From your very first day in Tavira, a city that was once the gateway to Northern Africa, you’ll be enchanted by this beautiful region filled with remarkable sceneries.
Throughout the trip, you’ll find yourself passing sandy beaches, picturesque countrysides and even an estuary before ending your day with a dip in the sea and feasting scrumptious Mediterranean meals.
The Ria Formosa Natural Park is an unforgettable highlight of this trip. The park is a stop for migrating birds, including the bright and beautiful flamingo. You’ll have time to appreciate each area’s rare beauty before moving on to the next amazing stop.
One of the many great things about hiking in the Algarve is the daily fresh fish that is available. The cuisine is unrivaled and is well-worth your daily treks.
Best Time of the Year: April to November. This hike is great for most parts of the year but do avoid June – August if you want to avoid the heat and the crowds.
Related Reading: How Changing Your Thoughts Will Make You Happier + A Technique to Try While Hiking.
Best Coastal Hike in Croatia
Split to Dubrovnik
Hiking the Dalmation coast is an experience that you should not miss. The hiking destinations of Split and Dubrovnik are two of the most popular places to visit in Croatia.
So why not combine them into one unforgettable self-guided hiking experience?
Our Split to Dubrovnik hiking tour gives you opportunities to visit towns and sights that are not on normal itineraries. Plus you’ll get 2-3 options for day hikes each day that differ in difficulty. This way you can tailor every part of the tour to suit your fitness level.
Best Time of the Year: April to October. Croatia has notoriously great weather but also gets very busy during the summer peak season. If you prefer hiking during a quieter season, you should consider April to early June or between August and October.
Related Reading: Muottas Muragl: Some of the Most Beautiful Day Hikes in Europe
Best Hikes in Spain
Coastal Hike from Catalonia to France
I love the culture on this self-guided hiking tour from Spain to France. Salvador Dali’s house is right on the way and on another day you hike to Sant Pere de Rodes Cloister, one of the most important monasteries in Spain.
Here you can get the time to explore the sights, experience a part of Catalonia and France in a unique way and eat delicious seafood.
This is also a good choice if you want to escape the crowds. Most days I only saw a few other hikers.
Best Time of Year to Hike: March to October but I’d avoid July and August as it gets really hot. I did it at the end of October and it was very quiet. Late spring and early fall are great times to do it.
Camino de Santiago, the Last 100 km
The Camino de Santiago is the most popular hiking trail in all of Europe. The pilgrimage rout attracts hundreds of thousands of walkers each year.
It’s a good choice if you want to meet people. Due to its popularity, you can always find someone to walk with if you choose to do so.
Unlike the others, this one wasn’t my favorite hike. I think the scenery is OK, but nothing special – at least the last 100 km. Having said that, everyone else I met walking really enjoyed it. That’s why I’ve decided to include it.
I also like that you can hike the full route. It takes a month or if you don’t have that long, you can just hike the last 100 km as I did.
The easiest way to organize it is with a self-guided tour with CaminoWays.com. Use the code ‘MONKEYSCAMINO’ and you’ll get €20 off. They’ll book all your accommodations, arrange luggage transfer and provide you with a map and an itinerary. You just need to show up.
Best Time of Year: May and June and September and October. I did it in October and loved doing it then. The days were still warm but not too hot and there were still enough walkers to keep it interesting. July and August are the most popular months but can also be very hot.
It’s possible to walk the last 100 km of the Camino during winter as well. However, be aware that the days are shorter. There’s also a higher chance that you’ll have more rain.
There are also fewer pilgrims during the winter months. That’s good if this is a personal journey for you. However, it’s negative, if you’re looking to socialize with other pilgrims.
Tenerife, Spain
Located off the west coast of Africa, but belonging to Spain’s Canary Islands, Tenerife is the largest. What I love about hiking here is the variety of day trips.
Teide National Park is a volcanic lunar landscape that will make you question whether you’re hiking on earth. There are also some excellent coastal walks where you can walk to beaches only accessible by foot.
And I loved hiking in Anaga, located in the north. This is the greenest part of Tenerife. I felt like I was hiking in Southeast Asia with its dramatic green lush mountains that plunged into the ocean.
The best way to experience hiking in Tenerife is to do a hiking tour that explores the diversity of this island. Without a car, it’s difficult since some of the best hikes have different start and endpoints. That’s why I recommend going on a self-guided tour.
CanariaWays has six tours to choose from. I’m personally a fan of the 12-night Grand Walking Tour of Tenerife since you’ll get to experience all the diversity that Tenerife offers as mentioned above.
Travel Tip: Use the code “MONKEYS” when you book and you’ll get €20 off your trip with CanariaWays.
You can find lots of easy day hikes in Teide National Park for a lunar landscape experience or in Anaga. I think it offers some of the most gorgeous hiking in all of Europe.
Best Time of Year: September to May. As Tenerife is located off the west coast of Africa it’s warmer than continental Europe. There can be snow in January and February but this usually doesn’t last long. June, July, and August are usually considered too hot for hiking.
Hiking Teide
Teide is the highest mountain in Spain at 3718 m and the third highest volcano in the world!
You have two hiking route options. 1) Advanced hikers can do it as a very long day hike and take the cable car down or 2) break it into two days spending one night at a hut.
You can find more info on climbing Teide here: https://www.volcanoteide.com/en/complete-guide-on-how-to-get-up-mount-teide-peak.
Best Time of Year: April to May and September and October. While it can be possible to hike Teide all year long, snow can make it difficult in winter and the summer months are too hot.
La Gomera
La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary Islands. It belongs to Spain but is located 100 km off the northwestern African coast. You can easily reach it with a ferry from Tenerife. There’s also an airport.
The volcanic island has so much diversity with many endemic plants. You’ll find everything from lush green forests, the largest and best-preserved Laurel Forest in the world, to succulents.
The island is comprised of valleys and steep hills that rise dramatically from the sea. You’ll hike along coastal paths, in lush green forests, through red rock, the largest banana plantation in La Gomera and drought-resistant succulents in drier parts.
You’ll never be bored when hiking in La Gomera.
I arranged mine through CanariaWays.com. They take care of booking all your accommodations, arranging the transfers and luggage transfer and provide you with an itinerary.
They also offer GPS instructions which you should receive before you start hiking. These are invaluable as some trails aren’t well marked. I’m a BIG fan of self-guided tours and do many of my hiking tours in this way.
Travel Tip: Interested in doing it? Use the code “MONKEYS” when you book and receive €20 off.
Best Time Of Year: La Gomera has a subtropical climate with welcome winds from the Atlantic and a mild climate most of the year. That means the hiking season is almost the entire year – September to the end of May.
It’s possible to hike in June, July, and August although it will be hot.
Related Reading: Best Hikes in Spain.
The Best Hike in Scotland
West Highland Way, Scotland
Scotland’s first official long-distance hiking trail, this route is beautiful and a great way to experience Scotland. It’s not as strenuous as the tours in the Alps mentioned but you’ll still feel challenged.
It starts off relatively flat and gradually progresses into steeper terrain so you have a chance to get your hiking legs.
What I love most about hiking the West Highland Way are the ever-changing scenery and the warm Scottish hospitality. It’s also really easy to meet people while hiking since it’s a popular hike.
If you want to do a day hike from the West Highland Way there are numerous starting points. But I’d recommend staying in Fort William, known as the adventure capital of Scotland.
It also makes a good base if you’re an experienced hiker wanting to reach Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland.
Be forewarned, it’s a steep climb and your view of and from Ben Nevis is likely to be fleeting at best. It’s often shrouded in cloud as it was when I did it.
But if you want bragging rights of climbing the highest mountain in the UK, you gotta do it. I’d also recommend doing another hike that might not earn you bragging rights but will likely provide you with better views of the stunning Scottish Highlands.
Best Time of Year: April to October. In spring and fall, there’s a higher chance of rain and near the end of October, the days are getting shorter. However, in summer you’ll have midges to deal with. I hiked it the third week of September and loved it, so I think fall is a great time to do it.
The Best Hike in Ireland
Wicklow Way, Ireland
This route takes you through what’s known as the Garden of Ireland. The entire hike takes seven days but I’d recommend skipping the first few days which take you through farmland.
Instead, start in Wicklow Mountains National Park and get gorgeous views. Plus, you’ll get a unique experience of finishing your hike in Dublin where you can celebrate with a pint.
I love the trails in the Wicklow Mountains, the views of the Valley of the Two Lakes and walking through the Monastic City, which is one of the most important monastic sites in all of Ireland.
Best Time of Year: March to October. I did it in March and although I had a couple of rainy days, really enjoyed it. In winter it’s too rainy.
Best Hikes in Switzerland
This is cheating but I don’t have one favorite hike in Switzerland. If you could only visit the Alps in one country, I’d say visit Switzerland. The WOW factor in Switzerland is very high.
That is as long as you’re not on a budget. It’s really expensive, unfortunately, which keeps me from returning as often as I’d like.
While I don’t think you can go wrong hiking anywhere in Switzerland, here are a few of my favorite regions: The Engadin Mountains for their lunar-like landscapes, and the Jungfrau Region for stunning Alps scenery.
And for a unique combination of hiking and adventure, take the Gelmer Funicular, the second-highest steepest in Europe in the Hasital Region up to Gelmer Lake. It’s an easy mostly flat walk around the lake, which makes for a great day trip. Experienced hikers can continue on to one of the longer and harder hikes from the lake.
Best Time of Year: the third week in June to mid-September for higher elevations and year-round for day hikes at lower elevations.
The Haute Route
The Haute Route is a wonderful moderate to difficult multi-day hike that takes you past two of the most iconic peaks in the Alps, Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. The hike starts in Chamonix, France and finishes in Zermatt, Switzerland.
This hike will have you climbing up dramatic mountain passes and passing through alpine meadows filled with wildflowers. The Haute Route offers you stunning views and amazing landscapes. This hut-to-hut hike is an amazing opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the explorers of old.
This iconic hike can be done over 7,11 or 14 days, depending on whether you want to do the entire circuit or skip sections with transfers. This is one of the most exciting multi-day hikes out there that experienced hikers will love. Find out more about our Haute Route Self-Guided Hiking Tour.
Best Time of Year: July until mid-September. In the colder months, the area is more suitable for skiing and snowshoeing.
Related Reading: 16 Best Things to Do in Chamonix
Best Hikes in Germany
Partnachklamm
If you could only do one day hike in Germany that was reasonably easy and offered views that far outweigh the effort, it would be this one.
I’d recommend hiking from Garmisch-Partenkirchen through the gorgeous Partnachklamm (gorge) up to the Berggasthof Eckbauer, a mountain guest house where you can eat lunch and enjoy gorgeous views into the Austrian Alps.
You can also stay overnight there. If you take that option you may want to take the cable car.
It’s a good choice if you’re looking for an easy hike arranged for you.
Best Time of Year to Hike: You can do this hike year-round but check that the Partnachklamm is open. It periodically closes if the icicles get too big and become dangerous, or sometimes for maintenance. Check their website before going. Having said that, it’s absolutely stunning in winter, especially when it’s really cold. The icicles get huge. It will be slippery then so be forewarned.
Schachenhaus: The King’s Mountain Hut
If you’re looking for something a bit more strenuous then I’d recommend starting again in the Partnachklamm and then going to the Schachenhaus. This was King Ludwig II’s mountain hut.
While not nearly as opulent as his castles, like Neuschwanstein, Herrenchiemsee, or Linderhof the second floor will surprise you. It was an important place for the king who spent most of his birthdays here celebrating with his servants.
Entrance is by tour only and tours are available at 11.00, 13.00, 14.00 and at 15.00. There’s also a botanical garden and a mountain hut where you can have lunch nearby.
Best Time of Year: The King’s Mountain Hut, Schachenhaus is open from the beginning of June to the beginning of October so I’d recommend hiking it then since the hut is a highlight of this day trip.
Höllentalklamm
In Grainau, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I also love the Höllentalklamm (Hell’s Valley Gorge). It’s another gorgeous gorge hike. You can either hike it up to the Höllentalangerhütte, a mountain hut and return the same way. Or for a more difficult option, experienced hikers can take the Alpspitzbahn cable car or hike up, then make your way over the Osterfelderkopf, then to the hut and descent down the Höllentalklamm.
Admission is €5.
Best Time of Year: It’s open from mid-May or the end of May (depending on the year) until the end of October. Check the website for specific dates. There’s a gate that makes it inaccessible when it’s closed.
Best Hikes in Austria
Similar to Switzerland, I’m hard-pressed to name a favorite hike in Austria but if you’re looking for a day hike then I’d recommend visiting Krimml Waterfall, in Hohe Tauern National Park.
It’s the largest waterfall in Europe and is accessible by an easy hike which makes for a great day trip.
Best Time of Year: The hiking trail is open from mid-April to the end of October.
I’m also a fan of hiking in Hohe Tauern National Park, Wilder Kaiser, Zillertal, and Grossarl. There are a TON of hikes you can do in these regions.
Best Time of Year: Summer if you want to go to higher elevations. However, it’s possible to hike (or snowshoe in winter) in these regions any time of year.
The Best Place to Hike in Fall in Austria
By far THE best place to hike in all of Austria, in my opinion, is the Großer Ahornboden (Big Maple Plain) in the Karwendel Alps. There are 2000 maple trees, some of them 600 years old.
The colors are spectacular. There are a variety of hikes you can in the area. The road is only open from May to October. But in winter you can cross country ski the road.
Related Reading: The 7 Best Places to Visit in the Austrian Alps.
These are some of the best hikes in Europe in my opinion, but as you can see from the variety, there is no shortage of hiking trails in Europe.
Let me know your favorites as my list is always growing.
