While some people tend to be instantly drawn to cities and beaches when they think of Europe, there is in fact far more on offer on the continent that most of us realise. Sightseeing aside, it should not be forgotten that there are just as many remote and fascinating mountain ranges and hiking trails in Europe as there are in other parts of the world which tend to get more publicity on the subject. If you are looking to try your hand at hiking for the very first time or are a seasoned hiker looking for a new place to test your skills, check out the following top European hiking trails:
The Kings Trail
Kungslen, also known as The Kings Trail, is 270 miles long as passed along the Vindelfjallens Nature Reserve in Sweden. The Swedish nature reserve that this trail passes through is one of the most protected areas in the whole of Europe and most hikers tend to only complete one section of it. Take your pick from hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter- either way you can rest assured that there are plenty of mountain huts to get some rest in along the way.
Hot Spring Route
The Hot Spring hiking route in Iceland takes you through 34 miles of some of the most unique parts of Iceland. The trail is typically completed between 2 and 4 days and links the hot springs of Landmannalaugar with the glaciers in Porsmork valley.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
The Tour Du Mont Blanc takes you through France, Italy and Switzerland and is considered by many hiking enthusiasts as being one of the best hiking trails in Europe. This hiking route takes you through 110 miles of pathway and allows you to make your way around Mount Blanc Massif in the Western Alps. This route it normally travelled over the course of 11 days in an anticlockwise direction. To experience the very best of Europe, this route is a must!
Alta Via 1
The Alta Via route connects Dobbiaco town in the north of Italy with Belluno in the south. This hiking route covers an impressive 75 miles and reaches the impressive height of 9029 feet above sea level! The route normally takes about 10 days to complete and gives you a fantastic opportunity to see many beautiful and famous mountain peaks that Italy has to offer.
Cinque Terre Coastal Trail
The five stunning towns that make up the Cinque Terre are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore and are equally pretty and picturesque in their own individual ways. The Cinque Terre Coastal trail takes you through all five along a 6.8 mile coastal route where you will be able to take in their splendour!
GR20 Corsica
The GR20 hiking route is a diagonal journey from the north to the south of the island. This route is considered to the most challenging but offers the reward of unparalleled natural beauty. While you should not require any climbing equipment to complete this journey, it does take 15 days to complete and means that a high level of physical fitness is a must!
It is imperative that you take both sufficient travel insurance and European Health Insurance Card with you when you hike. Apply for your EHIC here: https://www.ehicuk.co.uk/
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