Summer often means vacation. While some prefer soaking up the sun by the pool, others choose to use their free time to recharge by reconnecting with nature through hiking. These active holidays are appealing to more travelers, but you still need to find the ideal place to indulge in this small pleasure. Fortunately for you, The Guardian recently highlighted six hiking trails across Europe that are worth a detour. All that remains is to pick your favourite.
Jungfrau, a mythical summit of the Swiss Alps
If you decide to tackle this hike, plan between 3 and 9 days to cover up to 119 km. Along the way you will encounter sparkling lakes, waterfalls cascading from fairy-tale valleys, and picturesque villages perched at dizzying heights. Another advantage: the entire route is served by an efficient network of postal buses, cable cars, mountain trains, and of course clearly marked trails, making progress stress-free and free to roam.
Summer is the best season to embark on a hike there, especially since trails are snow-free, huts are open, and the weather is typically stable. The new Cicerone hiking guide, The Bernese Oberland, recommends a 119 km circuit (in nine stages in the Jungfrau region, a stunning intermediate-level loop starting from the village of Grindelwald). Lodging is plentiful, and it is even possible to reserve hut spaces in advance.
Alpe Adria, a perfect blend of the Austrian Alps and Italian charm
To complete this hike of over 725 kilometers, plan between 7 and 9 days, or more. It begins at the foot of Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, and stretches to the Adriatic shores. If you don’t have enough time to finish it in full, a week in the Slovenian Julian Alps is an excellent alternative.
Despite breathtaking landscapes and more affordable prices than those in Switzerland or France, the Slovenian mountains tend to be quieter than other summer hotspots. It’s time to lace up your hiking boots and discover these marvelous vistas.
The Portuguese Way, ideal for reaching Santiago de Compostela
It’s wise to budget around two weeks to complete this trek and fully savor it. This coastal route leads all the way to Santiago de Compostela. The Portuguese Way to the tomb of Saint James is the third most frequented, offering a friendly atmosphere among pilgrims while remaining less crowded than the French Way. Atlantic breezes keep the air fresh, and there are plenty of chances to swim.
It crosses fishing villages and expansive stretches of golden sand, all the way to Caminha, where a boat can cross the Minho River to reach Spain. However, pilgrim inns in town cannot be booked in advance, so it’s wise to reserve hostels and private hotels ahead of time, especially in summer.
Along the Lech, a wild Alpine river between Austria and Germany
Plan between 7 and 10 days to complete this hike. This trail, rated easy to moderate, is the first to have earned the Leading Quality Trail label from the European Ramblers Association, guaranteeing the quality of its infrastructure and waymarking.
It follows the Lech from its source in the mountains, at 1,793 meters above sea level, near the Formarinsee lake in Austria, to the Lechfall waterfall in Füssen, in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, and is fully accessible from mid-June to early October. Along the way, numerous facilities line the route, including mountain villages offering comfortable accommodations, as well as historic churches and local artisans who keep traditions alive, from beer to cheese.
The Beara Way, a particularly immersive Irish hiking route
If the heat is hard to take, this hike is for you. The Beara Peninsula, in the southwest of Ireland, offers a true refuge from summer temperatures, softened by Atlantic breezes that bring a welcome natural coolness. Moreover, located below the more famous Dingle and Iveragh peninsulas, Beara partly escapes the crowds. The full Beara Way, starting and ending in Glengarriff, can be completed in about ten days.
You can also dedicate a few days to exploring a selection of the 15 circular hikes that make up the route. Among them, Ireland’s only cable car that crosses the sea to Dursey Island, for a 14.5 km loop around this largely desolate island, or the ferry crossing from Castletownbere to Bere Island, an open-air museum island housing Martello towers, cannon batteries, a lighthouse and a Viking-fortified harbor.
The impressive Kuststigen coastal trail in Sweden
A hike that will reveal Sweden like never before. The Kuststigen isn’t a continuous route along Bohuslän’s coast in western Sweden, but a collection of 44 well-marked stages, some linked together, others not, and most are easily reachable by ferry or bus.
The route highlights sapphire waters, pink granite outcrops, fishing villages with colorful façades, and part of the roughly 8,000 islands and reefs that make up this exceptional coastline. To enjoy a touch more serenity, it’s best to visit at the end of August or the beginning of September, or even in June, when temperatures stay mild and the coast is less crowded.
