7 most beautiful trekking routes in Europe

Trekking tour in Europe is an excellent option that will provide both vivid impressions, and will please with the beauty of wild and not so wild nature, and at the same time will allow you to relax. It is not necessary to be an athlete, because trekking in Europe is available to almost any tourist. Our mini cheat sheet will help you to choose the best route:

1. Sentiero Adzurro (Azure Trail), Cinque Terre, Italy

Perhaps one of the easiest and most comfortable routes, which is suitable even for tourists with children: the whole way runs along the "civilized" coast, if you get tired (or if the children get tired), at any time you can take a train to return home.

The trail is 12 kilometers long, starting in the town of Riomaggiore and finishing in Monterosso. The Azure Trail winds along the coastline, crossing towns and villages such as Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. There are a few ups and downs along the way, but in general the road is very easy and can be handled by anyone with a little bit of training. The route is also good because you can stop in each of the towns along the way for as long as you like to explore them better, or go off the main route and climb up the slopes for some quiet time.

You can walk the Sentiero Azzurro any time of year, but we'd recommend fall or, at the very least, spring - minimum tourists and not as hot as summer.

Tip: the most difficult part of the route is at Monterosso, so it makes sense to save your energy for the "final rush" at the end. You can also split the hike into two stages and take a break in Corniglia, which is just halfway along the route.

You can get to the starting point of the trip - Riomaggiore - from Milan, Bologna, Florence or other nearby Italian cities by train.

2. Grande Randonnay (GR 20), Corsica, France

This crossing will be more difficult than the previous one, if only because of its length (180 km, divided into 15 sections of 4-8 hours each).

You can book a hotel in Corsica with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

It is best to go here either in June or September. Firstly, the influx of trekkers is much lower than in July-August. However, there will be fewer working hotels at this time. Secondly, convenient weather conditions, thanks to which even beginners can feel confident on the route. But from October to May the weather conditions worsen. In winter it is snowy here, and even in May on the passes the abundance of snow is not rare, which requires certain skills from travelers. In addition, not all passes are safe, so it is desirable to have some experience when going on a hike.

The route starts in Calenzana, in the north of the island, 12 km from the town of Calvi, and in Conca (in the south). You can walk the whole route in either direction, but it is easier to do it from south to north. If you are not going to walk the whole route, there are numerous exits all along the trail, so you can find the best length of the trip for you. Or you can, as many European tourists do, walk only halfway to Visavona and from there continue your journey around the island by train.

3. The Laugavegur route (Fimmvörðuháls Pass), Iceland

The entire round trip crossing is 80 kilometers long. On the entire route there are lodges where travelers can rest (they are open from late June to mid-September). Well, for those who do not want to pass it all, there is a shortened version: to pass 20-25 kilometers on the pass Fimmvörðuháls, cross the park Toursmerk and finish the way at the waterfall Skougafoss. It will take you one day to do all of this.

As a side note, although the trail is a decent distance from the big cities, there are regular buses from Reykjavík to the start of the trail, Landmannalaugar Hut.

4. The Way of St. James/French Kings Road, Spain

This road is very well equipped with everything you need for travelers, and there are regularly rest houses along the way, where you can spend the night and have a snack. However, for unprepared beginners, the route can be quite difficult. That is why many people do not walk the whole way to begin with, but "join" the flow of pilgrims on one of its sections or choose one of the shortened routes. The most popular is the Way of the French Kings/French Way, which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, passes through the Pyrenees and leads to Galicia (Spain) with stops in Leon and Pamplona.

The best time for a hike is spring and fall, when the heat subsides and there will be fewer people on the route.

On a side note: if you are going to overcome this path not just as a tourist, but for religious reasons, you need to get a pilgrim's passport, which will allow you to pay less for accommodation and food on the way. This can be done at the starting point of the route in a special office for pilgrims.

You will have to get to the starting point — Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — in stages: first to Paris, and then you can take a train to Bayonne, and from there to the place of departure (the whole journey will take about 7.5 hours).

5. South West Coast Path (UK)

Exploring Foggy Albion is best done here, as this route offers some of Britain's most beautiful scenery.

Book a hotel in the UK with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

The path runs from Minehead (Somerset) to Poole Harbour in Dorset and stretches for a total of 1,016 kilometers. The trail completely skirts the southwest coast of the UK, passing through the westernmost point of the island, and connects the towns of Minehead and Poole. The route also crosses the county of Cornwall, where you can admire the colorful scenery. The route runs mainly along the coast, only occasionally venturing inland.

Travelers should keep in mind the main feature of the route - bays. They appear one after another on the way, leading to a constant difference in altitude - frequent ascents and descents can lead to knee pain (especially for unprepared tourists). Therefore, we advise you to stock up on painkillers just in case. And, of course, the notorious English weather: changeable, with frequent rain and strong winds. So a raincoat, warm clothes and a windproof jacket will come in handy.

To get to the starting point of the route - Minehead - it is most convenient to fly to Bristol, and from there from Bristol Temple Meads station (with a bus transfer in Taunton) to Minehead.

6. Tour around Mont Blanc (Italy, Switzerland, France)

This tour is universal in that it passes through the territory of three countries at once: Italy, France and Switzerland. Only here you will have the opportunity to enjoy the views of the highest range of mountains in Europe with glaciers, cliffs, green pastures and steppes.

The hike around Mont Blanc starts in Valle d'Aosta and along the way you will descend to Lake Combal, pass through high altitude pastures with stunning views to Lake Checruite and on to the valley floor at Dologne and Courmayeur.

The best time to climb Mont Blanc is between June 15 and mid-September. Of course, you can do it earlier or later, but keep in mind that then almost all mountain shelters may be closed, and do not forget about the unpredictability of the weather.

The traditional route starts and ends in Les Houches, it is about 170 kilometers long and takes 7-11 days to complete. You will have to get to Les Houches by car, as the commune is quite far from major cities. The fastest option is to fly to Geneva or Bern, and from there - by car to the place where the route starts.

7. Tatras, Slovakia

The Tatras are a great choice for those who are still gaining experience in hiking tours. Here you can easily find a simple and scenic route that will make you feel like a real adventurer.

For example, in the High Tatras, head to the beautiful glacial lake Zelené Pleso, a three-hour walk from Tatranská Lomnica. The route is very easy, but you can enjoy the magnificent nature and walk through the forest without any hindrance. If you have enough energy, continue on to the Jagnjaci Štít (2229 meters). There is a campground near the lake, where you can have a rest and a snack, which is especially convenient if you go out with children.

The Lesser Tatras are not to be overlooked either. Choose the Janoszokowy Lazy trail near the town of Terchowa. Its convenient trails are marked (so you can find a more difficult route) and perfectly organized, and the most difficult and longest hike will take no more than 3 hours. So feel free to go there with kids. It is recommended to bring something to eat, as you can only eat before the hike, at the foot, and in Terchov.

The easiest way to get to Tatranská Lomnica is to go to Košice and from there to your destination by car.

How to prepare for trekking?

Trekking can vary in difficulty, and some of the routes we have suggested (e.g. St. James' Way or Cinque Terre) always have overnight stays or transportation if you wish. Even for the easiest option, you should be in good physical shape - it will be easier to walk and you will be able to enjoy the trekking itself. Therefore, study the complexity of the chosen route, assess your strength and listen to the advice of experienced travelers.

Your main task is to strengthen your legs and develop endurance. Pay special attention to cardio exercises. Consult with a trainer, which leg exercises are most effective for strengthening muscles. Excellent develops endurance running, especially on rough terrain. This not only strengthens muscles, but also develops habituation to uneven ground, reducing the chances of injury. For those who work out in the gym, we advise you to pay attention to the step machine. On a treadmill, alternate between running and walking, change the speed and angle of inclination.

If you choose a more challenging program, you should also prepare your back and shoulders for the backpack - wear a backpack whenever possible, gradually increasing its weight.

Before the trip we advise you to take care of your health: crepature after active training, bruises from a fall from the bike, under-treated sore throat - not the best thing you can take with you on a trip.

It is essential to take care of your own first aid kit. If you usually take a minimum of medicines, this time bring more plasters, tourniquets, ointment for injuries and other products used for bruises, abrasions and sprains.