The great thing about hiking in Europe is that you won’t run out of new terrains and sights to roam. From the desert-like shores of southern Spain to the frosty, rugged mountains and fjords of Norway, there’s just such a vast array of walking challenges. And you don’t even have to jump on a long-haul flight to get there.
Here are a few of the many memorable places you can visit on your European adventures:
The Via Francigena, Italy
This route begins in Canterbury, Kent and then, once you’ve crossed the Channel, it starts in earnest from Northern France. It’s actually one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in Europe and it ends in Rome. Now we’re not suggesting you do the whole route unless you’re really after a mammoth challenge, but the Italian stretch is especially worthwhile.
On a walking holiday in Italy, you can see several pints of interest on the Via Francigena. Traverse the Italian Wine Region of Umbria and see the spectacular Gothic cathedral in the ancient walled city of Orvieto. The path leads you through enchanting oak forests and ruined abbeys. To finish, it winds up in Rome, which is not a bad finale at all!
Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Hopping to the other side of the Adriatic Sea, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is well-loved by walkers. The UNESCO-listed town of Split is the perfect place to start. It’s an island town connected to the mainland by a bridge and boasts much ancient Greek, Habsburg and Venetian history. You can break up your adventures along Croatia’s beautiful coastline with ferry trips to islands such as Šolta, Vis and Korčula, Croatia. All are stunning spots for hikers in their own right.
Mount Halti, Finland
Taking it right up to the Arctic Circle, Mount Halti is Finland’s highest peak. It sits on the northwestern tip of Finnish Lapland, right on the Norwegian border and it’s 1,328 metres high.
This is one for advanced hikers, and it’s important to note that it’s only safe to climb it between June and October when most of the snow has melted. The route is challenging, but it’s worth it for glimpses of curious reindeer and foxes, as well as sub-arctic plants and birds of prey.
The Transcaucasian Trail, Georgia
Georgia is a small but mighty country packed with mountainous regions to explore. The capital city of Tbilisi is also something of a hub for foodies and wine lovers, the ideal place to start or end any walking holiday.
The Transcaucasian Trail takes you over mountain passes, along rivers, through sweeping forests and past medieval tower houses. The country has seen its fair share of invasions across history, and the landscape bears witness to this.
With all these new corners of Europe to explore, where will your walking boots take you first.
