Ideal places for trekking in Europe – our TOP5!

Spring is the perfect time to pack your backpack and go to an interesting place for an active holiday. During this period, first of all, the weather is conducive to outdoor activity, and secondly, there are not yet crowds of people on trails or routes. In this article, we want to recommend our TOP 5 places in Europe for trekking and hiking enthusiasts, perfect for long trips! We will also recommend what is worth taking with you on such a trip 🙂

TOP 5 Trekking Destinations in Europe

The first of our proposals, for the brave ;-), is the GR20 route in Corsica (France), which is considered one of the most difficult long-distance routes in Europe. It offers trekkers not only a physical challenge but also unique views of the emerald coast of the island from an altitude of almost 2000 meters above sea level. The entire route is 180 kilometers long, and it usually takes 12 to 15 days of intense marching. However, all your efforts are rewarded by the opportunity to experience the wild and unspoiled nature of the Mediterranean.

Next is the Picos de Europa National Park, located in northern Spain. Its vast territory covers three provinces – Asturias, Cantabria, and León. Here we can admire deep ravines, crystalline rivers, alpine meadows, and a world of animals, including the endangered Cantabrian bear and Pyrenean chamois. A network of well-marked trails of varying degrees of difficulty allows you to reach both popular and legendary places such as Lake Enol or the peak of Naranjo de Bulnes. You can certainly feel here that time passes slower.

We were already in France and Spain, now a proposal for a trekking route in Italy;-), and more specifically the High Mountain Road in the Dolomites (Alta Via). The Alta Via offers many picturesque trails that provide trekkers with views of characteristic rock formations. Hiking along the trails, we can admire the limestone peaks on one hand and alpine meadows on the other. On the trails, you will also encounter historical shelters that remind you of the dramatic events of World War I, whose traces can still be found along some sections of the route.

Now we are moving north to Scandinavia, and more specifically to Norway and Sweden. When it comes to Norway, for trekkers we recommend the Jotunheimen National Park – called “The House of the Giants”. Here lie the highest peaks of Scandinavia, including the legendary Galdhøpiggen (2469 m above sea level) surrounded by glaciers, lakes, and valleys. The extensive network of trails offers both one-day hikes for beginners and demanding multi-day routes for experienced trekkers. The most famous trail is Besseggen, which rises between two lakes: the dark blue Gjende and the emerald Bessvatnet.

In Sweden, the ideal place for trekking is Kungsleden (Royal Path). It is a famous long-distance trail running through Swedish Lapland, offering beautiful views of the wild Scandinavian mountains, extensive valleys, crystalline lakes, and forests. Here we have the opportunity to stay overnight in well-maintained hostels located along the entire route.