Besseggen
One of the best-known ridge hikes in Norway: high above the lakes Gjende and Bessvatnet with strong views over Jotunheimen National Park. Scenically exceptional, but demanding in terms of fitness and only recommended in good conditions.
The most beautiful hiking trails in Europe
Discover selected hiking trails across Europe – from Nordic wilderness and rugged coastal paths to alpine high mountains, Mediterranean islands and lesser-known regions in eastern Europe.
Hiking regions in Europe
Europe offers a great variety of hiking landscapes. Between Scandinavia, the Atlantic coast, the British Isles, the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Balkans you will find very different routes – from short natural highlights to demanding day hikes with strong views. The following sections give you a quick overview of hiking ideas as inspiration for your next outdoor adventure.
Best time to go
Which season suits which region?
Europe stretches from Lapland to Crete – somewhere it is always hiking season. As a rule of thumb: head north and up high in summer, to the sea in the shoulder seasons and south in winter.
APR – JUN
Spring
The south starts first: Crete, Mallorca, Madeira and the Algarve are green, mild and still quiet now. Scandinavia and the high mountains are often still in snow and snowmelt.
JUN – SEP
Summer
The short window for the north: Norway, Iceland, Lapland and the high Alps are at their most accessible now – long days included. On the Mediterranean, by contrast, it is very hot.
SEP – OCT
Autumn
Ideal for the Atlantic coast, pilgrim routes and the British Isles: mild temperatures, clear air, fewer crowds. In the high mountains the season and hut service come to an end.
NOV – MAR
Winter
Madeira, the Canary Islands region and the Mediterranean remain walkable all year. Nordic routes and high mountain trails are only feasible with winter experience and equipment.
Jump to your region
Nordic wilderness & Scandinavia
Rugged, wide and unspoilt: Nordic hikes lead through fjords, mountains, lake landscapes and wild valleys. Norway, Sweden and Finland in particular offer impressive day hikes for anyone who wants to experience nature intensively.
Trollsjön / Kärkevagge
Through the wide Kärkevagge valley with rocks, mountain scenery and Nordic openness to Trollsjön – known for its exceptionally clear water and its wild, remote atmosphere.
Romsdalseggen
One of the most spectacular day hikes in Norway: from the ridge, wide views of the Romsdal valley, fjords, steep rock walls and peaks. Good fitness, sure-footedness and stable weather are important.
Pieni Karhunkierros
One of the most popular day hikes in Finland: rivers, rapids, forest sections and suspension bridges. Easily manageable and ideal for experiencing Nordic nature intensively – without a multi-day tour.
Atlantic coast & rugged coastal trails
Coastal hikes combine movement with openness, wind and sea views. Between the Atlantic, cliffs, dunes and white rocks, Europe offers some of the most beautiful trails right by the water.
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
One of the finest coastal routes on the Algarve: steep limestone cliffs, bays, rock arches and viewpoints over the Atlantic. Can be planned as a one-way route or a longer there-and-back tour.
Camiño dos Faros: Laxe–Arou
A fine day stage on the Galician coast: sea views, rocky bays, beaches and quiet coastal landscapes. For anyone who wants to experience the Atlantic coast, wind and a less crowded region.
Fishermen’s Trail: Porto Covo–Vila Nova de Milfontes
One of the wildest coastal landscapes in Portugal: sandy paths, dunes, cliffs and constant Atlantic views. The sandy sections make it more demanding than the ascent figures suggest.
Klintekongens Rige (Møns Klint)
White chalk cliffs, forest paths, viewpoints and Baltic Sea views. Surprisingly varied for Denmark – strong thanks to the combination of steep coast, sea and beech forest.
Iceland & the British Isles
Iceland, Scotland, England and Ireland offer rugged landscapes, green mountains, cliffs, moorland and ancient paths. These hikes often feel wild, weather-beaten and particularly atmospheric.
Fimmvörðuháls
One of the most spectacular day hikes in Iceland: waterfalls, lava fields, glaciers and volcanic landscape. Long, weather-sensitive and demanding – only for well-prepared hikers with suitable equipment.
Helvellyn via Striding Edge
One of the best-known mountain tours in England: along an exposed ridge with wide views over the Lake District. In wind, wet conditions or poor visibility only for sure-footed hikers.
Old Man of Storr
Short but very impressive: striking rock formations and wide views over the north of the island. One of the best-known natural highlights in Scotland.
Slieve League Pilgrim Path
One of the most impressive cliff landscapes in Ireland: a historic route, wide Atlantic views and the steep coastal slopes of Donegal.
Alps & high mountains
The Alps offer some of the most impressive day hikes in Europe. Here it is about mountain panoramas, glaciers, rock faces, huts and trails that convey a real high mountain feeling.
Seceda circular hike
One of the most impressive viewpoints in the Dolomites: the Geisler group, striking rock edges and open alpine meadows. Thanks to the cable cars it can be adapted well to your own fitness.
Valley of the Seven Lakes
One of the finest alpine tours in Slovenia: wild high mountain landscape with lakes, rocks and huts. Demanding in terms of fitness, scenically exceptional – a good alternative to the classic alpine regions.
Aletsch panorama trail
Impressive views of the largest glacier in the Alps: alpine paths and wide panoramas over the Valais.
5-Huts Trail
Alpine pasture paths, huts, forest sections and views of the Dachstein south face. Long, but technically manageable for the most part – a classic Austrian mountain feeling with places to stop for refreshments.
Mediterranean islands & gorges
Mediterranean hikes combine mountains, sea, warmth and special landscapes. Between Crete, Madeira, Mallorca and Sardinia you will find strong day hikes with very different characters.
Samaria Gorge
One of the best-known hikes in Greece: a long, impressive gorge with high rock walls leading down to the sea. Physically demanding because of its length, the heat and the long descent.
Torrent de Pareis
A wild gorge with large boulders, narrow passages and rugged Tramuntana scenery. A sporty tour for experienced hikers – only in dry weather.
Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo
One of the most spectacular routes on Madeira: stairs, tunnels, ridges and viewpoints in rugged mountains – with a sea of clouds in the right conditions.
Cala Goloritzè
One of the most beautiful bays in Sardinia: from the Golgo plateau down through rocky terrain to the sea. The way back is considerably more demanding because of the ascent.
Balkans, Tatras & eastern Europe
Eastern Europe and the Balkans offer many strong hiking regions that are less well known than the Alps or the Mediterranean. Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Poland in particular have impressive mountains, lakes and national parks.
Theth to Valbona
One of the best-known tours in the Albanian Alps: valleys, forests and the Valbona pass. Scenically strong – requires good planning because of the start and end points.
Seven Rila Lakes
The best-known natural highlight in Bulgaria: several mountain lakes in an open alpine landscape. With a chairlift start, yet still a proper day hike.
Morskie Oko & Czarny Staw
The best-known route in the Polish Tatras: the main path is technically easy but long – with the ascent to Czarny Staw the tour becomes considerably more alpine.
Bobotov Kuk
One of the most impressive summits in the Durmitor: rock landscapes, wide mountain views and a strong high mountain feeling – only with sure-footedness.
Historic routes & pilgrim stages
Historic routes do not always have to be walked in full. Many well-known long-distance and pilgrim routes offer individual day stages that combine culture, landscape and history.
O Cebreiro – Triacastela (Camino Francés)
Pilgrim tradition, mountain villages and wide views: a day stage with the typical Camino character – a changing profile with a lot of descent.
Steel Rigg – Housesteads (Hadrian’s Wall Path)
Along the Roman wall through rolling countryside: a special combination of history, rugged landscape and visible remains of the wall.
Zumaia – Deba (Camino del Norte)
The Camino del Norte meets the flysch coast: cliffs, green slopes and striking rock formations right by the sea.
Hjerkinn – Kongsvold (St. Olav Ways)
A quiet day stage through open fjell landscape: pilgrim history meets Nordic openness.
Well prepared
To the outdoor guides Check the guides before you set off
Practical tips on gear, packing lists and how to use trekking poles correctly can be found in the BERGBOUND outdoor guides.
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