There are hiking trails suited to every fitness and experiences level, every travel style, and every itinerary. Whether it is walking from hut to hut in the Alps, wild camping in Scotland, or staying in charming boutique hotels in Germany, there is a multi-day hike in Europe that fits your taste. Alta Via 1 takes you through the Dolomites mountain range. It is like a “greatest hits” nature tour of northeastern Italy. The rugged trail takes hikers from World War I battlefields at high altitude to limestone cliffs. It also passes by pristine lakes, meadows and craggy 10,000-foot peaks. Alta Via 1 is a backpacker’s dream, lined with rifugios (huts) that offer home-cooked meals as well as a clean bed.
Because of this surprise, the English name for this hike would be The Arctic Trail. The trail winds through Sweden and Norway, with a brief stop in Finland, ultimately crossing international borders a total of 15 times. There are plenty of huts along the route, and wild camping is legal in all three countries. The Nordkalottruta is best walked in the summer. However, cross-country skis are also possible during the winter.
Where do most hikers live?
Experience Swiss alpine hospitality in mountain huts in traditional villages and the famous ski resort of Grindelwald. Half-day to full-day hikes (3-6hrs) in rolling countryside most days, with occasional steep trails.
Thrilling heights, breathtaking scenery, challenging landscapes–the world’s best hiking trails have something for everyone. There is no better collection than the ones that weave their way through Europe, covering almost every terrain possible. None of these routes are necessarily easy to tackle, but the challenge of completing these iconic, dramatic, and beautiful hikes is part of the fun. The Bernese Oberland is dominated a few of the highest peaks of Switzerland, including the Jungfrau, Eiger and Finsteraarhorn.
The Dolomites, named after an 18th-century French mineralogist, are an Italian extension of the Alps that regularly pull in the Adriatic clouds to adorn their stunning peaks and rock formations. It can be done faster, but the terrain is tough – don’t underestimate it. You can include via ferrata, which are great fun. However, you will need a harness as well as a lanyard. The hike from Schynige Platte to Faulhorn to First is a big day hike. A scenic ride on a cogwheel train takes you high up into the mountains. For the next 6 hours, you hike past alpine lakes, rustic mountain huts, snow-covered trails, cows and their musical bells, and get to see some of the best views of Swiss Alps.