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6 Great Places to Hike in Europe

Guest post by Nem, editor at TheGearHunt.com.

Packed with hidden gems, the Old Continent is a real treat for avid hikers! Europe is the home to some of the most amazing hikes on the planet. From historical sights to natural scenery, there is something for every hiker out there. 

If you are on the lookout for new exciting treks, make sure not to miss the six hiking areas listed below!

Caucasus Mountains, Georgia: Breath-taking Trails Few Have Explored

Georgia and the Caucasus mountains are full of hidden treasures, and what’s even more exciting is that few others have been wondering these stunning places. The country is opening up to the world lately after a period of instability.

While traversing the trails, you will enjoy passing through medieval towns and villages, spotting wildlife like deer, marmot, and chamois, viewing turquoise, white, and green lakes, while surrounded by scenic peaks. 

Mestia to Ushguli is one of the best trails this country has to offer. This accessible trek connects a remote mountain village of Ushguli with Mestia, the center of the Svaneti region while offering amazing natural and historical sights.

Caucasus Mountains, Telavi, Georgia

Westweg Trail, Germany: A Magical Hiking Experience

Avid hikers from all over the world are rushing to explore the ancient Black Forest. Westweg trail, the oldest and most famous long-distance hiking trail in Germany, provides a magical experience. 

Green meadows, ancient forests, quiet mountain lakes, glacial valleys, panoramic rock crests, and mountains make this trail so unique. 

Leading through quiet forests and over lonely plateaus, Westweg is ideal for more experienced hikers.

Before hitting the outdoors and exploring the trails, it is always advisable to learn to signal SOS and other necessary survival skills, as you may find yourself in an emergency. You’ll feel more confident, and if you are in a sticky situation, you will know exactly what to do to stay safe.

Dolomites High Route Alta Via 1: Beautiful Nature Tour of Northeastern Italy

With their unique geology and stunning rock formations, The Dolomites are trekkers’ paradise. While exploring the Alta Via 1 trail, you will see incredibly beautiful surroundings, from spiky peaks, lush forests, vast pastel meadows, to pristine alpine lakes, limestone cliffs, and even old battle sites from World War I!

You can explore steep rocky hillsides and tunnels, like famous Galleria Lagazuoi, or visit the Ladin shepherds in their villages. 

With so much diversity, it is no wonder this entire picturesque area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And as a bonus, when you get tired or need refreshment, there are rifugios with home-cooked meals and a clean bed. 

Dolomites, Obereggen, Italy

Tara Mountain, Serbia: One of the Best Kept Secrets in the Balkans

If going off the beaten path excites you, then Carpathian trails are the perfect fit. Located in Western Serbia, Tara Mountain offers incredible landscapes, especially the popular Zaovine triptych route. 

Diverse topographical makeup of Dinarides with striking and deep gorges between mountain peaks makes this region particularly exquisite. Drina Gorge is one of the most beautiful ones, offering views of western Serbia and nearby Bosnia. 

One of the five official lookouts, Banjska Stena, provides spectacular views of the Drina canyon, Lake Perućac, and mountain ranges. The mountain’s slopes are covered with dense forests and numerous meadows with cliffs and limestone caves. 

Tara Mountain, Serbia

Alpe Adria Trail Spanning Through Austria, Slovenia, and Italy: Hiking in the Garden of Eden

The entire Alpe Adria trail usually takes over a month to hike, since it is a 466 miles long, 43-stage trail. Ever walked through the Garden of Eden? Well, here’s your chance. 

A route from Carinthia’s mountain lakes to the Dolomites Mountains has been described just like that. The trail runs through non-alpine terrain most of the time, and the landscape is sure to capture your heart. 

You will experience the Southern Alps’ beauty while enjoying views of sheer cliffs and vertical walls of Friuli-Venezia Giulia’portion of the Dolomites, charming villages, and breathtaking waterfalls. 

Lousios Gorge Monasteries Hike in Greece: Peloponnese Peninsula Hike Into Untouched Nature

If you are looking for seldom traveled routes, start your adventure in Karytaina, and continue north to Dimitsana. Babbling streams, an abundance of wildflowers, and meadows with olive groves and cypress trees will sweep you off your feet.

The unpaved trail will get you to stunning mountaintop monasteries while walking parallel to the rushing Lousios River. The impressive and well preserved Prodromou monastery built on the cliffs of the gorge is not far from the church of Saint Athanasios. 

When you get to the church, a panoramic view of the spectacular gorge and the Byzantine monasteries of Philosophou (the oldest monastery in Arcadia) emerges. 

Whichever trail you choose to take, there is a fantastic adventure waiting for you! Pack your backpack, and off you go to explore the best hiking treks in Europe!

 

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Pileated woodpecker, Vancouver Island

The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is native to North America.

The term “pileated” refers to the bird’s prominent red crest, with the term from the Latin pileatus meaning “capped”.

These birds mainly eat insects, especially carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae.

A pileated woodpecker pair stays together on its territory all year round and is not migratory.

The are often brazenly tolerant of people.

Click PLAY or watch one brazenly ignoring me on YouTube.

 

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Mt Robson – Berg Lake & Snowbird Pass

Our friends at travel2walk post some of the best trip report online.

August 2019 they hiked the classic at Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Colombia – Berg Lake & Snowbird Pass.

Mount Robson is the highest point in the Canadian Rockies 12972 ft (3954 m).

One highlight is Emperor Falls.

This part of the Canadian Rockies is wild and challenging. Yet the excellent Park infrastructure make it accessible to all.

trip report: Mount Robson Provincial Park – Berg Lake & Snowbird Pass, August 2019

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Meet hiker Kraig Adams

I’m following everything Kraig does.

His YouTube channel. His podcast.

Though young and fairly new to hiking, Kraig impresses me most with his videos.

His hike in Iceland last year, for example, has over 3.3 million views on YouTube.

Stark. Quiet. Elegant simplicity.

Instead of famed Laugavegur, he hiked remote Hornstrandir solo instead.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

One of his personal favourite hikes was Picos De Europa in Northern Spain.

I agree enjoy it immensely in 2009.  And got lost, as did Kraig.

Kraig had planned to do the PCT in 2020.  That was cancelled due to COVID-19.  Like many of us he’s coming up with alternative adventures legal and ethical.

Read a recent interview on hiiker.

 

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Juan de Fuca Trail, Canada

The West Coast Trail is the best hike in the world. Right?

But we recommend neighbouring Juan de Fuca Marine Trail precisely because it is not the WCT. 🙂

AT A GLANCE

  • it’s the West Coast Trail ‘alternative’ that does not cost money nor require a permit
  • coastal hike of 47km (29mi) sharing one of the WCT trailheads – Port Renfrew
  • no reservations needed
  • no quota on number of hikers
  • plenty of bears

Click PLAY or watch an August 2012 hike on YouTube. (2min)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.  Aug. 2016. Great weather.

Check out out our Juan de Fuca information page.

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Dientes Circuit, Patagonia

Last year I tried and failed to complete the Dientes Circuit on Isla Navarino, Chile.

The trail was covered over with snow, and I had no guide to lead the way. I only tented one night. Then turned back.

AT A GLANCE

  • world’s most southerly major hike?
  • circumambulate the jagged spires of Cordon de los Dientes
  • out of Puerto Williams, Chile, on Isla Navarino (pop. 2,262 last time we counted)
  • recommended 5 days, 4 nights in the past. Most hikers are doing it in 4 days, 3 nights now as the route is better cairned and signed.

This guided group had far worse weather than me. And still made it.

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

To find out how to do this trip yourself, click over to our Dientes Circuit information page.

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#BlackLivesMatter

This campaign is against violence and systemic racism towards black people.

And broader issues such as racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequality.

Those are part of the bigger issue – human rights regardless of age, ethnic origin, location, language, religion, ethnicity, or any other status.

Out in the wilds it’s easy to see we are all created equal.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA54MksFZWK/?igshid=pxopxum47b6n

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Hubba NX, UberLite & Corus Down Quilt

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles 

I updated my sleeping system for summer 2020.

  • Therm-a-Rest Corus 0C Down Quilt CAD $260 (US $186)
  • Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite WV Sleeping Pad – Unisex CAD $254 (US $181.50)
    Hubba NX 2020 tent CAD $479 (US $342)
  • Nemo Switchback Foam Sleeping Pad – Unisex CAD $49.95 (US $35.70)

I bought everything from Mountain Equipment Co-op in Canada, trying to support companies other than Amazon during COVID-19.

I’ve spent hundreds of nights in Hubba and Hubba NX tents. Never a complaint aside from pole failures.

Happily, the latest edition has new composite poles. They look stronger.  Especially the hubs.

OLD poles on top, new on the bottom

NX weight is listed at 1.29 kg (about 2.84 lbs). 

My pillow is a partially inflated Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® XLite (small) wrapped in a shirt — which I love.

In fact the XLite  is the sleeping pad I normally use so it is also my back-up in case the somewhat fragile UberLite gets punctured.

When I want to carry the extra weight (415 gm)  and bulk, I’m bringing along the orange Nemo foam pad to protect the UberLite from the ground. And to keep my tent a little cleaner.

For bikepacking I’m also using the Nemo folded as a flat platform across my rear panniers.  Happy to have it.

The Therm-a-Rest Corus is my first quilt.

Read the cleverhiker review.

 I actually am happy with sleeping bags, never feeling claustrophobic in the past.  On my recent 6 day bikepacking trip I carried both the Corus as well as a down bag.  Both were fine for me.  In fact, after the test I used both — not for warmth, but for coziness.

I’ll carry the Corus for hikes and bikepacking where weight and volume is an important factor.

Here I am setting up my previous system earlier in the spring.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Ursack Quick Release Knot

I recall being reluctant to buy an Ursack to protect my food from bears and other critters — but finally got one in 2011.

This was the first time I used it, on the Howe Sound Crest Trail out of Vancouver.

2011

I was won over instantly.

Though I own two Bear Vaults, I always carry the Ursack instead if it’s allowed where I’m hiking.

It’s much less bulky.

Though my old white one is going strong, Ursack has newer models in black . And a quicker way of tying the bag to the tree.

Ursack AllMitey bear bag

I’ll probably get the larger capacity URSACK MAJOR XL when I eventually have to replace my old white one.

On my recent cycling / hiking trip through Vancouver Island I tented 6 nights.

There are PLENTY of black bears. I’d never seen so much scat anywhere as on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, for example.

You absolutely MUST PROTECT YOUR SMELLIES in this part of the world.

For the first time I used the new recommended quick release knot to attach the Ursack to a tree.  It is a big improvement.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.