Top 6 Hiking Trails in Europe for Summer Adventures
Whether your taste is for sea cliffs or mountains, Roman history or Arctic wilderness, there’s a route to suit you. Europe’s network of waymarked trails has been expanding since the first long-distance footpath opened 124 years ago. You can sample a single stage of longer trails or dive into a full adventure. If you’re planning to hike in high summer, avoid Southern Europe due to the heat. Instead, aim for the north or higher altitudes.
1. Hadrian’s Wall Path, England
Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s finest Roman monument, offers an 84-mile footpath that shadows its entire length. The walk, which takes six to seven days, allows you to experience the same hills and crags as the Roman legionaries. While the Newcastle section can be skipped to avoid urban areas, the rest of the route includes the world-class archaeology of Vindolanda. Ending at Bowness on Solway, you might even share the beach with cows, just as it was 1,900 years ago.
2. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Wales
Pembrokeshire’s 186-mile seaside hike features cliff tops, beaches, and coves. It’s less busy in summer compared to England’s South West Coast Path, with cheaper food and lodging. The wildlife, including dolphins, puffins, and seal pups, is a highlight. Walking the entire path takes about two weeks and offers a vibrant coastal experience.
3. The Tour du Mont Blanc, France
Circling Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s tallest mountain at 15,766 feet, this 103-mile route reveals breathtaking landscapes. Divided into 11 sections, each hikeable in a day, the full tour takes nearly two weeks at a measured pace. Public transport and cable-cars are available to skip sections for a shorter adventure. Popular mountain huts book up early, so consider joining a guided group or using the Hiking Club app for off-route accommodations.
4. The Kungsleden, Sweden
Swedish Lapland’s King’s Trail (Kungsleden) offers a stark contrast to Western Europe’s landscapes, with its dwarf birch trees and rocky mountains. The 290-mile route, taking a month to complete, leads through the Scandinavian Mountains. A shorter, one-week section from Abisko to Kebnekaise is also possible. Don’t forget bug spray, as midges and mosquitoes are common when the wind drops.
5. Kaiserkrone, Austria
Circling the Wilder Kaiser massif, the 36-mile Kaiserkrone trail offers a more gentle introduction to Alpine hiking. The five-stage route dips in and out of pine forests and crosses Alpine meadows, with the highest altitude at 5,940 feet. Accommodation ranges from the mid-mountain Gruttenhütte to the flower-bedecked Gasthof Griesenau in the Kaiserbach Valley.
6. Fjordruta, Norway
Starting at Kristiansund Airport, 200 miles north of Bergen, the 100-mile Fjordruta (fjord route) circumnavigates the Vinjefjorden. The trail’s 13 self-serviced huts provide remote accommodations. The scenic path transitions from watery fjordland to mountainous terrain and back, offering a rugged and waymarked trail even in fog. The route avoids tourist hotspots like the Troll’s Tongue, offering a more secluded experience.