10 Best Hiking Trails in Europe

Forget day hikes. The real magic happens when you keep walking.

There's nothing quite like waking up in the mountains, knowing the trail continues. Your legs might ache, but your soul? Fully recharged.

We've spent years chasing trails across this continent, and these ten? These are the trails we keep dreaming about, recommending, and happily returning to. 

1. Fishermens Trail (Portugal)

2. West Highland Way (Scotland)

3. Tour du Mont Blanc (Switzerland, Italy, France)

4. Alpe Adria Trail (Austria, Slovenia, Italy)

5. Pale di San Martino Traverse (Italy)

6. Kesch Trek (Switzerland)

7. GR10 (France)

8. Laugavegur Trail (Iceland)

9. Kungsleden Trail (Sweden)

10. Camino Frances (France, Spain)

11. Menalon Trail (Greece)

Ready to take a deep-dive into the best hikes in Europe? Let's go!

Top 10 Multi-Day Hikes in Europe

1. Fishermen's Trail (Portugal)

Type: Coastal

Distance: 230 km (143 miles)

Days to Complete: 11-13 days

Best Time to Hike: September – June

Part of the stunning Rota Vicentina network, the Fishermen's Trail is widely considered one of the most beautiful coastal trails in the world.

This dramatic route follows ancient fishermen's paths along Portugal's wild southwestern coast. You'll walk along rugged cliffs with jaw-dropping Atlantic views, discover secluded golden beaches perfect for a refreshing dip, and pass through charming whitewashed villages where time seems to stand still.

Fun fact: this is the only place on Earth where white storks nest on sea cliffs! The trail runs through the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park, one of Europe's most preserved coastal areas.

2. West Highland Way (Scotland)

Type: Highland/Wilderness

Distance: 154 km (96 miles)

Days to Complete: 6-8 days

Best Time to Hike: April – October

Scotland's first and most famous long-distance trail is an absolute classic for good reason.

Running from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis (the UK's highest peak), the West Highland Way takes you through some of Scotland's most dramatic landscapes.

The trail offers a perfect mix of gentle lowland walking and rugged highland terrain.

You'll walk along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, cross the wild and exposed Rannoch Moor, and traverse the legendary Glen Coe – a landscape so dramatic it was used as a filming location for James Bond's Skyfall.

3. Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland)

Type: Alpine

Distance: 170 km (105 miles)

Days to Complete: 7-11 days

Best Time to Hike: June – September

The Tour du Mont Blanc is the quintessential European hut-to-hut hiking experience and regularly appears on lists of the world's best treks.

This legendary circuit loops around the Mont Blanc massif – home to Western Europe's highest peak at 4,810m – passing through three countries and showcasing the very best of Alpine scenery.

With approximately 10,000 metres of cumulative elevation gain, you'll cross high mountain passes, walk past tumbling glaciers, and enjoy stunning views of granite spires and snow-capped peaks at every turn.

Keen to learn more? See the ultimate guide to hiking this legendary route.

4. Alpe Adria Trail (Austria, Slovenia, Italy)

Type: Alpine to Mediterranean

Distance: 750 km (466 miles)

Days to Complete: 37-43 days (full trail) or section hikes

Best Time to Hike: May – October

From glacier to sea – that's the magic of the Alpe Adria Trail.

This incredible long-distance route starts at the foot of Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner (3,798m), and ends at the Adriatic Sea in Muggia, Italy.

Along the way, you'll experience a stunning transformation of landscapes: from Alpine glaciers and emerald mountain lakes in Carinthia, through the dramatic Julian Alps and the famous turquoise Soča Valley in Slovenia, to the Mediterranean vineyards and karst landscapes of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Divided into 43 stages of approximately 20km each, the trail is designed with 'pleasure hikers' in mind – meaning you can take your time to soak in the culture, cuisine, and hospitality of three different countries.

Here's our favorite section, combined with Slovenia's Juliana Trail.

5. Pale di San Martino Traverse (the Dolomites, Italy)

Type: Alpine / Hut-to-Hut

Distance: 46 km (29 miles)

Days to Complete: 6 days

Best Time to Hike: July – September

This is the Dolomites at their most raw and dramatic.

The Pale di San Martino Traverse takes you across a lunar-like plateau of pale grey rock, past glacial remnants, and down into lush forested valleys.

You'll summit Cima Fradusta for jaw-dropping panoramic views, sleep in classic Italian rifugios perched on rocky outcrops, and finish at the emerald Laghi di Colbricon – mountain lakes so perfect they look photoshopped.

Fair warning: this is a challenging route with some technical sections and big elevation days. But for experienced hikers craving something wild and off the beaten path? Pure magic.

Want to see more of the Dolomites? Explore all hiking tours in this stunning region in Northern Italy. Or, if you already know where you're heading, don't miss the ultimate guide on hiking in the Dolomites.

6. GR10 (French Pyrenees)

Type: Mountain/Long-distance

Distance: 866 km (538 miles)

Days to Complete: 45-55 days (full traverse) or section hikes

Best Time to Hike: June – September

The GR10 is one of Europe's great long-distance trails – an epic coast-to-coast traverse of the French Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

You'll trek through the rolling green hills of the Basque Country, past the dramatic peaks of the High Pyrenees, through wild forests and remote valleys, and into the sun-drenched landscapes of Catalonia.

The most popular section? A 9-day adventure starting in Cauterets – jaw-dropping Alpine scenery, glacial lakes, and charming mountain villages.

The Pyrenees remain Europe's hidden gem. Less frequented trails to the more popular Alps, but trust us, the views and the hiking opportunities here are just as (if not more) spectacular.

Need more inspiration? See the rest of the hiking tours in the Pyrenees or browse this ultimate guide.

7. Laugavegur Trail (Iceland)

Type: Volcanic/Geothermal

Distance: 55 km (34 miles)

Days to Complete: 3-4 days

Best Time to Hike: Late June – Early September

If you want to feel like you've landed on another planet, the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland is calling!

Recognised by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful trails in the world, this otherworldly route takes you through Iceland's Southern Highlands from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk (the Valley of Thor).

Prepare for sensory overload: rainbow-coloured rhyolite mountains, steaming geothermal vents, black volcanic deserts, turquoise hot springs, river crossings, and lush green valleys.

8. Kungsleden Trail (Sweden)

Type: Arctic/Wilderness

Distance: 440 km (273 miles)

Days to Complete: 3-4 weeks (full trail) or 6-7 days (popular Abisko-Nikkaluokta section)

Best Time to Hike: Late June – September

Welcome to the 'King's Trail' – Sweden's most famous hiking route and one of Europe's last great wilderness areas.

The trail passes through Swedish Lapland's Arctic landscapes, including four national parks.

The trail offers endless summer days under the midnight sun, vast treeless plateaus, pristine glacial lakes, rushing rivers, and views of Sweden's highest peak, Kebnekaise (2,097m).

The most popular section runs from Abisko to Nikkaluokta (about 105km), which takes approximately one week and showcases the trail's highlights including the dramatic Tjäktja Pass (1,141m).

9. Camino Frances (France, Spain)

Type: Pilgrimage/Cultural

Distance: 790 km (490 miles)

Days to Complete: 30-35 days (full route) or 5-6 days (last 100km from Sarria)

Best Time to Hike: April – June, September – October

This legendary pilgrimage route has been walked for over 1,000 years by pilgrims seeking the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela.

Starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, the trail crosses the Pyrenees and traverses the varied landscapes of northern Spain: the rolling vineyards of La Rioja, the vast plains of the Meseta in Castilla y León, and the lush green hills of Galicia.

Along the way, you'll pass through historic cities like Pamplona (famous for its Running of the Bulls), Burgos with its magnificent Gothic cathedral, and León with its stunning medieval architecture.

There's a variety of Camino pilgrimage routes across Spain and Portugal. Whichever you'll take, you'll notice that what makes the Camino truly special is the incredible community – pilgrims from all over the world walking together, sharing meals, stories, and experiences. Whether you walk for religious reasons, personal reflection, or simply adventure, the Camino will change you.

Curious to learn more? Here, you'll find everything you need to know about Camino.

10. Menalon Trail (Greece)

Type: Mountain/Cultural

Distance: 75 km (47 miles)

Days to Complete: 5-7 days

Best Time to Hike: April – June, September – October

Greece might not be the first country that comes to mind for hiking, but the Menalon Trail in Arcadia will quickly change that!

This stunning trail in the heart of the Peloponnese was the first in Greece to be certified by the European Ramblers Association, and it absolutely deserves the recognition.

Following ancient mule paths and kalderimi (traditional stone-paved trails), the route winds through the Lousios River gorge, past Byzantine monasteries clinging to cliff faces, through dense fir forests, and connects a string of beautiful stone-built mountain villages.

The Greek hospitality is legendary – expect warm welcomes, delicious cuisine, and cosy guesthouses.