The 10 Best Hikes in Europe

Why go

The Tour du Mont Blanc circles the Mont Blanc massif through France, Italy and Switzerland, crossing seven valleys. Each night ends in a village or a staffed refuge, so you carry clothes and lunch rather than a tent, and the language and food change each time a col takes you into another country.

The route

Anticlockwise is the classic, best waymarked direction, and most walkers start at Les Houches. The path runs by Les Contamines and the Croix du Bonhomme to Les Chapieux, then over the Col de la Seigne into Italy's Val Veny. After Courmayeur it traverses above the Italian Val Ferret by Rifugio Bonatti, crosses the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland and drops through La Fouly to Champex. From the Col de la Forclaz it returns to France along the balconies above Chamonix by Tré-le-Champ and La Flégère.

When to go

The season runs from mid-June to mid-September, when the passes are clear and the refuges open. Old snow can hide waymarks in June and early July. The Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme closed in mid-August 2026 for renovation until spring 2029, so split the Les Contamines to Les Chapieux stage at Nant Borrant or La Balme.

Getting there

Geneva airport is 88 km from Chamonix, with daily coaches. By rail, the Léman Express runs from Geneva to Saint-Gervais-le-Fayet, where the Mont Blanc Express continues to Les Houches and Chamonix. Courmayeur, Les Contamines and Champex also work as starts.

Permits and booking

No permit or fee is needed. The refuge association calls advance booking essential in high season; bookings for summer 2027 opened on 15 October 2026. In August 2026 the French communes were reported to be drafting rules requiring every walker to book a refuge or authorised bivouac area from spring 2027, though nothing had been adopted when this was written. Since 11 July 2026 the path between Prayon and Branche near Orsières in Switzerland has been diverted because of rockfall, and the old line is closed.

How hard it is

Expect about 10,000 m of ascent in total and 5 to 8 hours of walking most days on good paths with no climbing. Parts of the stretch from Les Contamines to Courmayeur have no mobile signal; 112 works in all three countries.

Where to sleep

Refuges, gîtes and hotels line the route. Dormitory half board in a refuge costs about €65 to €95 a night, and member refuges of the Association des Gardiens du Tour du Mont-Blanc are booked on montourdumontblanc.com with a deposit.

Tips

• If anticlockwise refuges are full on your dates, try walking clockwise, as the refuge association suggests.
• Camping is banned in the Treutsebo sector of the Swiss diversion; use the campsites at La Fouly or Arpette.

Why go

Alta Via 1 is the classic Dolomite high route, laid out by Piero Rossi in 1969, crossing 11 Dolomite groups between a lake in South Tyrol and the city of Belluno. You walk from one staffed rifugio to the next among limestone towers, high pastures and First World War sites, and the southern stages run through the quieter Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park.

The route

The walk leaves Lago di Braies, 1,494 m, for Rifugio Biella and Rifugio Fanes, then climbs to Rifugio Lagazuoi, the highest point, where a cable car runs down to Passo Falzarego. The middle stages pass the Nuvolau, Croda da Lago and Monte Pelmo, then follow the Civetta to Rifugio Vazzoler. Further south the route crosses the Moiazza and Prampèr groups to Rifugio Pian de Fontana. The classic finish goes over the Schiara by the Ferrata del Màrmol to Rifugio 7° Alpini and down to Belluno; a gentler variant drops to Rifugio Bianchet instead.

When to go

The rifugi open from about 20 June to about 20 September, and the provincial route guide recommends the end of June to the end of September. After the huts close you need a tent or must rely on bivouacs and winter rooms.

Getting there

Bus 442 runs to Lago di Braies from Toblach (Dobbiaco) and Niederdorf (Villabassa). From 1 July to 15 September 2026, cars could only enter the valley between 9:00 and 16:00 with an online reservation, and the buses needed advance online booking and payment. Walking or cycling in is always allowed; check prags.bz for the 2027 rules. Belluno has trains to Venice via Conegliano and to Padua via Feltre.

Permits and booking

No permit or trail fee is needed, but book rifugi well ahead for high summer, and cancel early if plans change. Many huts can be booked through the Italian Alpine Club's Prenota Rifugi website. Camping along the route is not allowed.

How hard it is

The route totals about 7,300 m of ascent and 8,400 m of descent, around 57 hours of walking. The basic route suits a good hiker and grows rougher towards the south. The Màrmol section includes a short stretch of easy climbing, so carry via ferrata kit for the Schiara finish, and the last day descends about 1,900 m.

Where to sleep

The main route has 15 rifugi, most offering dormitories and half board, plus the unstaffed Bivacco del Màrmol with 9 bunks, which is always open.

Tips

• Arriving at Lago di Braies before 9:00 during the summer restriction needs no reservation, but parking is not guaranteed.
• From the Bivacco del Màrmol, the summit of the Schiara, 2,565 m, is about an hour away and makes a fine early start to the final day.

Why go

The Laugavegur crosses Iceland's Southern Highlands from the hot springs of Landmannalaugar to the green valley of Þórsmörk. The ground changes again and again: coloured rhyolite hills and snowfields give way to lakes, black sand deserts and river gorges before the birch woods of Þórsmörk. Huts run by Ferðafélag Íslands, the Touring Association of Iceland, sit along the way, so you can walk it with a light pack and a booked bunk each night.

The route

The trail is walked north to south, and the huts are only booked in that direction. Ferðafélag Íslands sets out four stages: Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker (12 km, with 470 m of climbing), Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn (12 km, mostly downhill), Álftavatn to Emstrur (16 km) and Emstrur to Þórsmörk (15 km). Fit walkers shorten it to three days, or to two by stopping at Hvanngil. Some continue over the Fimmvörðuháls pass to Skógar on the south coast, which adds about 27 km.

When to go

The trail is usually open from about 25 June to 15 September, but the date depends on snow and on when the Icelandic Road Administration opens the mountain roads to Landmannalaugar. July and August are the most reliable months. Weather turns quickly in any month, and fog, rain, snow and strong wind are common.

Getting there

Buses from Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar run from late June to early September, operated by several companies, and buses return to Reykjavík from Þórsmörk. Driving to Landmannalaugar needs a 4x4 approved by your rental company for F-roads, and between 20 June and 13 September a parking space must be reserved for daytime arrivals.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed, but Ferðafélag Íslands expects every hiker to set out with confirmed hut or campsite bookings. Bookings are made online through its own system and cannot be made by email, and summer dates fill early. If the roads to Landmannalaugar are closed, Laugavegur bookings are refunded in full.

How hard it is

The paths are well marked but the conditions are serious. The first two stages are the most prone to fog and snow, so follow the markers closely, and snow bridges over ravines can be unstable. At least three rivers must be waded, including Bláfjallakvísl and Þröngá, and both can be hard after rain.

Where to sleep

Ferðafélag Íslands runs huts at Landmannalaugar, Hrafntinnusker, Álftavatn, Hvanngil, Emstrur and Þórsmörk, with bunks, gas cookers and wardens who assign beds. Camping is possible at every hut. Hrafntinnusker has no showers and only a latrine, and no hut has electricity or wifi.

Tips

• Leave a travel plan on safetravel.is and talk to the hut wardens about the weather and rivers before each stage.
• Wade rivers in sandals or old trainers, loosen your pack straps, and cross in the morning when water is often lower.

Why go

The GR20 crosses Corsica from Calenzana in the north to Conca in the south, keeping to the granite spine of the island for almost its whole length. It is often called the hardest long-distance path in France, and perhaps in Europe, and much of it runs close to 2,000 m. Most of it lies in the Parc naturel régional de Corse, and the nights are spent in park refuges and sheepfolds rather than villages.

The route

The path is split into 16 stages between refuges. The northern half, from Calenzana to Vizzavona, is the rockier and more technical. The classic crossing of the Cirque de la Solitude, between Ascu Stagnu and Tighjettu, has been closed since a rockfall on 10 June 2015 killed several walkers. Access is banned by prefectoral and municipal decree, and the diversion, which climbs past the Pointe des Éboulis towards Bocca Crucetta, is now the official GR20. The southern half runs by Prati, Usciolu and Asinao, then past the Bavella needles to Paliri and down to Conca.

When to go

The park refuges were staffed from 16 May to 4 October in 2026, and A Sega opened on 2 May. Snow can linger on the high passes into late May, and July and August bring heat and thunderstorms. Outside the staffed season the refuges cannot be booked.

Getting there

For the northern start, trains run from Bastia to Calvi, and a bus links Calvi with Calenzana, though it runs less often after early September. Vizzavona is on the Bastia to Ajaccio railway. At the southern end, coaches between Bastia and Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio stop about 6 km from Conca, an hour or so on foot.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed, but every night in a park refuge must be booked online in advance on the park's platform, pnr-resa.corsica, and paid by card. This applies to bivouac pitches as well as beds. Wild camping is banned along the whole route, so tents may only go up in the zones beside the refuges. Bookings for 2026 opened on 20 January, and popular refuges fill early.

How hard it is

This is a serious mountain route, with steep rocky climbs and descents, stages of up to 8 hours and well over 10,000 m of ascent in total. Fog, wind and rain on the rock slabs make it harder, and you need to be sure-footed.

Where to sleep

The park refuges offer dormitory places, tents for hire and pitches for your own tent; a dormitory place cost 20 euros a night in 2026. Wardens sell meals and basic food. Private sheepfolds and hotels fill the gaps, notably at Vizzavona, which has no park refuge.

Tips

• Carry enough water for stage 3, Carrozzu to Ascu Stagnu, which has none along the way.
• Bring cash for meals and supplies at the refuges, since many cannot take cards.
• If you only have a week, walk one half and break at Vizzavona, which has a railway station.

Why go

The Samaria Gorge cuts south through the White Mountains of western Crete to the Libyan Sea, inside a national park created in 1962. The walk starts in forest near the Omalos plateau and ends at Agia Roumeli, a village reached only by boat. On the way you pass the abandoned village of Samaria and the Portes, where the walls close to about 4 m apart and rise close to 300 m.

The route

The usual direction is downhill, from Xyloskalo at 1,227 m to the sea. The first 7 km drop through forest to the old settlement of Samaria. Below it the route follows the riverbed over rocks, with several crossings on stones or small wooden bridges. The main path inside the park is about 13 km, and another 2 km brings you from the southern gate to Agia Roumeli. Walking is allowed only on the main path, and you can also walk it uphill or go a short way in from either end.

When to go

The rules allow the gorge to open from 10 April to 31 October, but the park authority, NECCA, sets each year's opening once maintenance is done. In 2026 winter storm damage delayed it to 19 May. It also closes at short notice when the forecast exceeds set weather limits. As of mid-October 2026 it was closed from both entrances pending inspections, with no reopening date given, so the 2026 season may already be over.

Getting there

Public buses run from the KTEL station in Chania to Omalos, about an hour. At the end, ANENDYK ferries leave Agia Roumeli for Hora Sfakion and Loutro, and at 17:30 for Sougia and Palaiochora, where buses connect to Chania. High winds can stop the boats even when the gorge is open.

Permits and booking

A ticket is compulsory: 10 euros for an individual, free for under 18s and over 65s with ID. Buy it online at samaria-tickets.necca.gov.gr or at either entrance, and keep the slip you are given on entry for the check at the exit.

How hard it is

The path is rocky for most of its length, but it is not reserved for experienced hikers. Walkers on the full route must enter between 07:00 and 13:00 and be out of the park by 18:00. Rockfall is a real hazard, so do not stop where signs warn of it.

Where to sleep

Camping and staying overnight inside the park are banned. Chania is the usual base, but the park suggests a night in Agia Roumeli rather than a day trip.

Tips

• Free helmets are offered at both entrances; wearing one is optional but strongly advised.
• There are springs and toilets along the path but no shops, so carry food.
• Check the ticket site for closure notices the evening before and again in the morning.

Why go

Trolltunga is a thin shelf of rock that juts straight out from a cliff at 1,180 m, about 700 m above the lake Ringedalsvatnet in Hardanger. The walk crosses a bare, lake-dotted plateau high above the fjord country, and stepping out onto the tongue, with the water far below, is why people make the long day.

The route

Most hikers start at P2 Skjeggedal, above Tyssedal, for a 27 km round trip of 8 to 12 hours. The first 4.3 km climb a steep road to P3 Mågelitopp, which sits 400 m higher, and a shuttle can take you up that stretch so the round trip drops to 20 km and 7 to 10 hours. From Mågelitopp the marked trail climbs through the steep Gryteskar section, the hardest part of the day, then Trombeskar, to reach a plateau at around 900 m. The last part is uneven, and four steel steps lead down onto the rock itself.

When to go

The summer season runs from 1 June to 30 September, when experienced hikers may go without a guide. Snow often covers the trail into May or June and can settle again from mid-October. From October to May the official advice is to go only with a guide.

Getting there

Odda is the base. Shuttle buses run from Odda via P1 Tyssedal to P2 Skjeggedal, about 30 minutes, from mid-May to late September. The Trolltunga-Road Bus runs from P2 up to P3 between 8 June and 27 September 2026. In 2026 the Skjeggedalsvegen road between P1 and P2 reopened after rockslide protection work and is open from 06:00 to 21:00, but fully closed overnight while work continues, so plan to be back down in time.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed to hike. Parking is paid at the machine before you set off: in 2026, NOK 330 a day at P1 and NOK 550 a day at P2, which includes the road toll. P3 has only 30 spaces at NOK 600 a day plus a NOK 220 toll, pre-booking is required through August, and you may not drive up just to drop off or collect passengers.

How hard it is

This is graded as an expert route. The trail is well marked, but the climbs are steep and the day is long, so start early to finish before dark. Three stocked emergency shelters stand along the route.

Where to sleep

Odda has hotels and Trolltunga Camping, 2 km from the town centre. Camping on the plateau is possible at the spots marked on the official map, and the local guiding companies run overnight trips with tents or domes near the rock.

Tips

• Carry windproof and waterproof clothing, enough food and water, and boots, since snow can linger into late June.
• The last shuttle down from P3 can fill up and Odda has few evening taxis, so leave early.
• Stay a couple of metres back from the cliff edge everywhere except on the tongue itself.

Why go

The northern end of the Kungsleden, Sweden's 450 km King's Trail, runs through wide treeless valleys above the Arctic Circle. This route follows it south from Abisko, then turns off at Singi to the foot of Kebnekaise, the country's highest mountain, and out to the road at Nikkaluokta. The Svenska Turistföreningen keeps a cabin at the end of every stage, so you walk in open mountains with a bunk and a kitchen waiting each night.

The route

The Swedish Tourist Association splits the walk into seven stages of 12 to 21 km. From Abisko it is 15 km to Abiskojaure and 21 km to Alesjaure, where a boat across the lake can save 6 km. Next come Tjäktja (13 km) and the climb over the Tjäktja pass to Sälka (12 km), then Singi (12 km), where the route leaves the official Kungsleden. It runs 15 km to the Kebnekaise mountain station and a final 19 km to Nikkaluokta, with a summer boat on Láddjujávri that cuts 6 km.

When to go

The cabins open for summer in mid to late June and close in mid to late September. For 2027 STF lists both Alesjaure and the Kebnekaise mountain station as open from 18 June to 19 September.

Getting there

Trains stop daily opposite STF Abisko Turiststation, the start. Night trains between Stockholm and Norrbotten were halved in April 2026, so check the current timetable and any change of train. From Nikkaluokta, buses run daily to Kiruna railway station; the Nikkaluoktaexpressen is cheapest booked online.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed. Sweden's right of public access lets you camp along most of the trail, but inside Abisko National Park tents are only allowed at three sites: Abisko Turiststation, the Nissonjåhka bridge and Abiskojaure. Camping beside an STF cabin and using its kitchen or sauna costs a fee.

How hard it is

Most of the walking is easy on a clear path, with daily stages of roughly 6 to 8 hours. There are steep, rocky sections, such as the last kilometres into Tjäktja, and boardwalks over wet ground on the way to Nikkaluokta.

Where to sleep

STF runs mountain cabins at Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, Tjäktja, Sälka and Singi, plus the Kebnekaise mountain station, which has 100 beds and a restaurant. Shops are at Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, Sälka and Kebnekaise, but not at Tjäktja or Singi. Nikkaluokta is not run by STF and is booked separately.

Tips

• Carry food for the Tjäktja and Singi nights, since neither cabin has a shop.
• Kebnekaise mountain station is cash free, and the cabins have no electricity, so bring a power bank.
• Carry a paper map such as Lantmäteriet's BD6 and a compass; phones rarely have signal in the mountains.

Why go

The Ruta del Cares follows a gorge cut by the Cares river through the limestone of the Picos de Europa, on a path carved into the cliff wall. It runs beside a water canal built from 1916 for the hydroelectric plant at Poncebos, through rock tunnels and over bridges high above the river. The walls rise more than 2,000 m above the floor of the gorge.

The route

The trail links Poncebos in Asturias with Caín de Valdeón in León. From Poncebos it starts beside the Bulnes funicular car park and climbs for about 2 km to Los Collados, the highest point, before levelling out along the canal. From there you follow the canal up the gorge, crossing the Bolín bridge and the Los Rebecos bridge. Most people walk there and back, which Spain's tourism board puts at about 6 hours 15 minutes; starting in Caín is the easier direction.

When to go

Spring, when snowmelt fills the waterfalls, and early autumn miss the winter cold and the summer crowds. The gorge is subject to rockfall: in 2026 the park closed the route on 31 July after falling rock seriously injured two hikers near La Raya, and reopened it on 2 August once inspectors found no immediate further risk. Check the route status before you go, and avoid it in rain or strong wind.

Getting there

Poncebos is reached from Arenas de Cabrales; Caín from León through Posada de Valdeón, on a narrow mountain road. By road the two ends are more than 100 km apart, so a one-way walk needs a car at each end or a pre-booked taxi or 4x4 transfer. During the summer access plan, buses run roughly hourly from Arenas to Poncebos in about 15 minutes, at EUR 1.55 each way, stopping at the Ovar car park.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed to walk the trail. While the access plan runs (in 2026, from late March over Easter and other holidays, then daily from 1 June to mid-October), the funicular car park at Poncebos is kept for Bulnes residents and bus boarding. Park in Arenas de Cabrales or at Ovar, which has about 146 spaces 1.2 km from Poncebos but no guaranteed space.

How hard it is

The path is technically easy but uneven and long, and the climb out of Poncebos is the hardest part. It is narrow in places above a long drop, it is not recommended for children under 12, and bicycles are not allowed.

Where to sleep

Turismo Asturias lists a hotel and guesthouses at Poncebos, and Arenas de Cabrales, where the buses start, is another base. On the León side, Posada de Valdeón, on the road to Caín, serves the same purpose.

Tips

• There are no shops on the trail, so carry all your food and water.
• Buy bus tickets in advance on the ALSA website; seats on board are sold only if any remain.

Why go

The Peaks of the Balkans Trail is a waymarked loop through the Accursed Mountains, the high limestone ranges where Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro meet. Roughly a third of it lies in each country, and it crosses their borders on mountain paths over high passes rather than at road checkpoints. You walk between remote villages and sleep and eat in family guesthouses, which makes the trek as much about the people of these valleys as the peaks above them.

The route

The trail is signposted in ten sections. Most people start in Theth in Albania and walk to Valbona over the Valbona pass, a climb of about 1,000 m with a descent on loose scree. From Valbona it continues to Çerem and Dobërdol, crosses into Kosovo for Milishevc, Reka e Allagës and Kuçishte, then enters Montenegro at Babino Polje. It passes Hrid lake on the way to Plav, goes on to Vusanje and returns over the border to Theth. Parts of the Kosovo stretch follow roads.

When to go

June to September is the usual window, when the high passes are normally clear of snow. Patches can linger into June or July, and July and August are the driest and busiest months.

Getting there

Theth is the most common start. Minibuses run from Shkodër in Albania and take about two and a half hours. Plav in Montenegro, another starting point, has buses from Podgorica several times a day, a ride of 3 to 4 hours. Reka e Allagës in Kosovo can be reached by car from Peja.

Permits and booking

No trail permit is needed, but crossing the green borders on foot requires a border permit from the police of each country, naming the date and place of every crossing. You can apply to the police yourself, but most walkers use a local agency, sending a passport copy and the itinerary at least a few weeks ahead, longer for July and August. Montenegro charges a fee. Carry printed and digital copies; checks are irregular, but walkers found without a permit can be taken to a police station and fined.

How hard it is

The route needs no technical skill, but stages run from 10 to 28 km with long climbs and descents on rough ground, and the trail reaches about 2,300 m. Summer storms can arrive quickly and make the paths slippery.

Where to sleep

Every night is in a village guesthouse, a home stay or occasionally a mountain hut, and meals are served, so there is no need to carry a tent or stove. Guesthouses in Theth, Valbona and Plav can be booked online; elsewhere a phone call or message usually works.

Tips

• Bring enough cash for the whole trek and buy snacks before you set off, as shops are scarce between the villages.
• Download offline maps before you start, as phone signal is patchy in the mountains.
• Carry plenty of water on the climb from Valbona to Çerem, which has no springs.

Why go

The PR1 links Pico do Arieiro (spelt Areeiro on official signs) with Pico Ruivo, the highest point on Madeira, along the spine of the island's central mountain massif. The path is cut into volcanic rock, with tunnels, ledges and long stairways, and on many mornings it runs above a sea of cloud. After a wildfire closed it in August 2024, the trail was rebuilt and reopened in stages from 1 May 2026.

The route

The trail leaves the viewpoint at Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 m, and follows the ridge to the Miradouro da Pedra Rija at km 1.2. Beyond Pedra Rija it is one way only, towards Pico Ruivo, a safety rule kept since a rockfall. It passes through tunnels in the volcanic tuff, climbs a steep rock staircase around Pico das Torres (1,851 m) and finishes past the Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo shelter at the 1,862 m summit. You then leave by PR1.2 to the road end at Achada do Teixeira, 2.8 km away, or by PR1.1, the Vereda da Ilha.

When to go

Since 26 June 2026 the full route has been open every day, with entry in 30 minute slots between sunrise and sunset; the earliest slots start at 7:00. The IFCN closes trails without long notice when weather warnings are in force, as it did with the PR1 in March 2026, so check the status on the morning of your walk.

Getting there

Funchal is the base for most walkers. Horários do Funchal runs a bus from Praça da Autonomia to Pico do Arieiro; check its website for current times. The walk ends at Achada do Teixeira above Santana, so arrange a taxi or a booked transfer back, or leave a car at one end.

Permits and booking

Booking is compulsory on the regional government's SIMplifica portal, and every walker must be registered, whatever their age. The full route costs €10.50 for visitors over 12; a cheaper €4.50 ticket covers only the return walk to Pedra Rija. Under 12s pay nothing, and walkers with a tour operator that has an agreement with the IFCN pay €7. The IFCN only refunds or reschedules when it restricts access itself, and fines for breaking trail rules can reach €10,000.

How hard it is

The official grading is moderate. The path is well made but exposed in places, with steep steps around Pico das Torres, and the altitude brings cold wind and quickly changing weather.

Where to sleep

There is nowhere to stay on the route. Most walkers sleep in Funchal and come up early for the first entry slots.

Tips

• Book as soon as you know your dates: in the first weekends after reopening the daily quota for non-residents sold out.
• There are no toilets on the trail, so use the facilities at Pico do Arieiro first, and wear hiking shoes with good grip.