Whether you prefer sea cliffs or mountains, Roman history or Arctic wilderness, there is a route to suit your taste.
Europe’s first long-distance footpath was opened 124 years ago, and since then, the continent’s network of waymarked trails has steadily expanded. There are paths of varying lengths and difficulty levels to suit everyone. If you need more convincing, you can usually try out a single stage of the longer trails. With a few exceptions, you can explore almost any route for just a single day’s hike.
However, there’s an important caveat—if you plan to hike in high summer, avoid Southern Europe due to its intense heat. That’s why, for this guide, we’ve focused on higher elevations or northern regions.
- Hadrian’s Wall Path, England
Hadrian’s Wall stands as Britain’s most impressive Roman monument, and to truly grasp the iron-willed achievement it represents, you need to experience the same hills and crags the Roman legionaries once traversed. This 84-mile footpath follows the wall’s entire length.
You might want to bypass the Newcastle section at the start to avoid a lengthy urban detour, but the walk will still take six or seven days. Be sure to take a break midway to explore the world-class archaeology at Vindolanda.
Bowness on Solway is the ideal place to finish. As the site of the wall’s westernmost fortress, it is now a peaceful spot where you might share the beach with a herd of cows lounging on the sands. It’s likely that local cattle did the same thing 1,900 years ago when the wall was first built.
- The Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Wales
Pembrokeshire’s 186-mile seaside hike offers the same mix of cliff tops, expansive beaches, and hidden coves as England’s famous 630-mile South West Coast Path. However, it’s less crowded in summer, the food and accommodations are more affordable, and it’s not nearly as daunting a challenge.Explore the wonders of Pembrokeshire’s coastline on this 186-mile seaside hike. PHOTOGRAPH BY ASHLEY COOPER, GETTY The wildlife is perhaps the most memorable aspect of the path, often easily spotted from the trail. You might see pods of dolphins off Strumble Head, puffins and Manx shearwater on Skomer and Skokholm, and the first seal pups in August. Spend a couple of weeks walking the full length of the route, and you’ll return with a keen appreciation for the vibrancy of Britain’s coastline.
- The Tour du Mont Blanc, France
Indeed, Mont Blanc is high, standing at 15,766 feet as western Europe’s tallest mountain. But what truly impresses upon first sight is its immense scale. Walking the 103-mile route around it only emphasizes this grandeur. The Tour du Mont Blanc reveals a variety of breathtaking landscapes, but Mont Blanc remains the dominant feature from every viewpoint. At a leisurely pace with a few rest days, it will take nearly two weeks to complete.
The route is conveniently divided into 11 sections, each manageable in a day, and you can use public transport and cable cars to bypass certain sections for a shorter hike.
Given its popularity, the mountain huts along the way often book up months in advance. If you’re planning a last-minute hike, consider using the Hiking Club app to find alternative accommodations (€79/£67, thehiking.club) or join a guided tour organized by operators like Exodus. You’ll also benefit from a ready-made group of companions to share the journey with.
- The Kungsleden, Sweden
If you’re accustomed to the landscapes of Western Europe, Swedish Lapland will be a striking contrast. Instead of villages, towns, and farmhouses, you’ll find an expanse of dwarf birch trees and rocky, dome-shaped mountains. This eerie and exhilarating environment is a true call to adventure.
Path leading through empty countryside and mountains
The Kungsleden (King’s Trail) takes you into this vast emptiness. This 290-mile route traverses the passes and valleys of the Scandinavian Mountains and typically requires about a month to complete, whether you choose to walk from hut to hut or camp along the way. For a shorter adventure, you can tackle the northern section from Abisko to Kebnekaise in about a week and then detour to Nikkaluokta.
Be sure to bring plenty of bug spray. When the wind dies down, midges and mosquitoes will be eager to find a meal.
- Kaiserkrone, Austria
While many of the most popular Alpine hikes involve high altitudes and treeless landscapes that leave you breathless, the Kaiserkrone offers a more accessible experience.
Hiking trail with hikers on a green mountain
Circling the jagged Wilder Kaiser massif, the Kaiserkrone provides stunning scenery without the extreme elevation. As you complete its five stages—totaling 36 miles—you’ll traverse fragrant pine forests and Alpine meadows. Despite some elevation changes, the highest point you’ll reach is 5,940 feet. This makes it a lush and welcoming introduction to the Alps, while still offering a genuine hiking experience. Accommodation is varied and memorable, ranging from the mid-mountain Gruttenhütte, perched with a breathtaking view, to the flower-decked balconies of Gasthof Griesenau in the Kaiserbach Valley.
- Fjordruta, Norway
The ‘fjord route’ starts at Kristiansund Airport, located 200 miles north of Bergen. From the airport terminal, you’ll walk to the Seivika Ferry pier, take a boat to Tømmervåg, and then embark on a 100-mile horseshoe trail to Halsa, circling the stunning Vinjefjorden.
Along the way, you’ll find 13 self-serviced, fully furnished huts that feel remarkably isolated. You can purchase a key in advance from turist@c2i.net and pay for your food on a trust-based system. The fjordland scenery transitions from watery expanses to rugged mountains and back again. Although the trail is well-marked (allowing for navigation even in fog), it remains rugged and far from tourist spots like the Troll’s Tongue.