Europe offers a wealth of long-distance hiking trails perfect for summer exploration. From the iconic peaks of the Swiss Alps to the rugged coastlines of Ireland and Sweden, these six routes provide diverse landscapes, well-marked paths, and ample amenities for trekkers of all levels.
Switzerland's Epic Jungfrau Region
The Bernese Oberland in Switzerland is arguably the Swiss Alps at their best. The Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger loom together, lakes dazzle, waterfalls tumble, and picturesque villages perch at dizzying heights. Summer is prime trekking season with snow-free trails and open mountain huts. Cicerone's new guide recommends a nine-stage, 74-mile tour of the Jungfrau region, a moderate-grade hut-to-hut loop from Grindelwald. For shorter trips, walk between car-free Mürren and Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg (where the Jungfraubahn railway climbs to 3,454m), Grindelwald, and Schynige Platte. The hike to Schynige Platte offers views of snowy peaks and Lakes Thun and Brienz, arguably Europe's finest day walk. Accommodation is plentiful; berths in Swiss Alpine Club huts can be booked at sac-cas.ch. Macs Adventure offers an eight-day Grindelwald Trail trip from £1,510 per person.
The Alpe Adria Trail: Slovenia and Italy
The Alpe Adria trail stretches over 450 miles from Austria's Grossglockner to the Adriatic Sea. For a one-week chunk, hike Slovenia's Julian Alps. The section from Kranjska Gora to Cividale del Friuli, Italy, covers 80 miles in six days, passing Triglav National Park, the emerald Soča River, mountain villages, and World War I sites with old bunkers. The final ascent over the Kolovrat ridge offers views of both Alpine peaks and the Adriatic. The trail is moderate to challenging. See alpe-adria-trail.com. The Natural Adventure offers an eight-day self-guided trip from £1,095 per person.
A Coastal Camino in Portugal and Spain
The coastal Camino from Porto to Santiago de Compostela is the third most popular route, offering camaraderie with less crowding than the Camino Francés. Atlantic breezes keep it cooler, with swimming opportunities. Starting in Porto, the trail follows the coast through fishing villages and beaches to Caminha, then a boat crosses the River Minho to Spain. It continues to Vigo, the 100km mark where many pilgrims start to earn a completion certificate. The route then leaves the sea, passing hot springs in Caldas de Reis and peppers in Padrón. Municipal hostels are first-come, first-served; private hostels should be booked ahead. Exodus offers a 15-day self-guided trip from £1,839 per person.
Along the Lech: An Untamed Alpine River
The Lechweg trail follows the River Lech from its source at 1,793m near Formarinsee lake in Austria to the Lechfall waterfall in Füssen, Germany, covering 78 miles. It is the first trail designated a Leading Quality Trail by the European Hiking Federation. The Lech is one of Europe's last wild rivers, with turquoise waters braiding over gravel plains before being dammed near Füssen. The trail is easy to moderate, open from mid-June to early October. Facilities include mountain towns with lodging, churches, and local artisans. See lechweg.com. Walkers' Britain offers an eight-day self-guided trip from £990 per person.
The Beara Way: Quieter Side of Southwest Ireland
The Beara Peninsula in southwest Ireland offers cooler Atlantic breezes and fewer crowds than Dingle or Iveragh. The Beara Way loops 128 miles around this rugged finger of land, using tracks, bog roads, and boreens, passing ancient stone circles, early Christian churches, 19th-century copper mines, and a Tibetan Buddhist retreat. The full loop takes about 10 days, starting and ending in Glengarriff. Shorter options include a nine-mile loop on Dursey Island (via Ireland's only cable car) or a circuit of Bere Island with Martello towers and a Viking harbour. See bearatourism.com/beara-way. Hillwalk Tours offers a 10-day full loop from £935 per person.
Sweden's Stunning Coastal Kuststigen Trail
The Kuststigen trail in West Sweden's Bohuslän coast comprises 44 well-marked stages showcasing sapphire seas, pink granite, fishing villages, and 8,000 islands. It's easy to dip into for a few days. The Swedish holiday season runs July to mid-August, so late August or early September offers mild weather and fewer crowds. Recommended stages include Stage 22 (7 miles) looping Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, Stage 24 (10 miles) from Kungshamn to Tullboden, and Stage 25 (6 miles) on Bohus-Malmön via ferry. For city access, take the free ferry from Gothenburg to Hönö for Stages 1-3 (17 miles total) through meadows, beaches, and swim spots. See kuststigen.westswedentrails.se. For camping, see campingvastkust.se; for buses, vasttrafik.se.
