Europe's Top Five Hikes

Europe has some of the best countrysides in the world and has inspired hikers from across the globe. In this post, we will look at five different hikes from five different countries across the continent that see tourists flock by the thousands to enjoy them each year.

West Highland Way, Scotland

Scotland is home to some of the most beautiful countryside and scenery in Europe. This 96-mile hike is the most popular long-distance walk in Scotland, according to Undiscovered Scotland. The traditional route to take is south to the north ending up in Fort William, which sits under the shadow of the mountain Ben Nevis. The walk can be completed in a week and there is accommodation along the way or the more adventurous can even camp under the stars.

El Camino Del Rey, Spain

The walk is 300 feet high and crosses the Guadalhorce River in the Garganta del Chorro gorge. The Guardian reports that the El Camino Del Rey used to be dubbed “one of the world’s scariest hikes” and was closed for fifteen years after four adventurers died trying to cross it. Last year the refurbished trail was re-opened with a new wooden walkway. The walkway offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, which is why it has to be included in Europe’s top five hikes.

Kungsleden, Sweden

This hiking trail in north Sweden is 270 miles long and can only be hiked in the summer. The starting points are Abisko in the north and Nikkaluokta in the south. The best time to complete the trail is in September when there are fewer fellow hikers on the trail. The trail offers a variety of different landscapes from forests to glaciers and goes across Mount Kebnekaise. National Geographic recommends completing the trip north to south as it will keep the sun out of your face for the duration of your trek.

Laugavegurinn, Iceland

Leading travel site Fodor’s Travel states that the name translates as “Hot Spring Route”. The route is 34-miles across Iceland’s volcanoes, snowfields, and mountains. The route is divided up by six huts on the trail, which makes it ideal for backpackers. Laugavegurinn is recommended for more experienced hikers as the temperature can plummet even during the summer months.

Tour Du Mount Blanc, France, Italy and Switzerland

The Tour Du Mount Blanc often referred to as TMB, is considered the best hiking trek in Europe. This particular trail is a circular route around Europe’s highest peak Mount Blanc. Adventure Junkies inform us that the trail is 110 miles long, goes through France, Italy, and Switzerland, and can be completed over 11 days. It also goes through the Alpine countryside and will pass through several mountain towns where hikers can find accommodation.

Traveling in Europe

Travelling around Europe is very simple. The best way to travel is using budget airlines, which will go to most airports in each country. Industry experts Parking4Less recommend being careful when booking budget flights in their blog post ‘Beware of the Cheap Flights Extra Costs’. The post states that some airlines include extra booking fees when using a credit or debit card. Hikers should also be aware of the various baggage allowances of each airline.