Hiking holidays in Europe: tips for wonderful hiking tours

There are seemingly endless hiking trails in Switzerland. But hiking on holiday can also be worthwhile: unlike in the Alps, there are paths leading along the seashore, past cacti or up a volcano. Here you’ll find a variety of easily accessible one-day and multi-day hikes in Europe.

Azores – crater lake and volcano

The Azores are a paradise for hikers. Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, each island in the archipelago is unique: the main island of São Miguel, for example, is largely green and lush, while the neighbouring island of Pico is rocky and dry. Hiking offers a great way to explore the islands and often provides a completely new view of the surroundings.

On São Miguel, it’s worth hiking to the crater lake Lagoa do Fogo, or ‘Lake of Fire’. By car you drive almost to the crater rim, where there’s a signposted car park. From there, you continue on foot along the road to the Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo lookout point, where a hiking trail leads about 400 metres down to the lake. The view is staggering, with the crater lake getting closer and closer, while the sea in the background slowly disappears behind the crater rim.

A more challenging hike leads to the highest mountain in Portugal, the Pico: on the island of the same name, the cone rises from the Atlantic Ocean. By car you drive to the mountain lodge Casa da Montanha, where you have to register, pay a fee and receive a GPS wristband. Then it’s a question of climbing 1,100 metres in altitude. The volcano is considered dormant, but active. You can feel it right at the top of the summit: the rocks are warm, and you’ll see sulphurous smoke escaping from some of the crevices. The view of the sea of clouds lying below you, of the seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean and of the island itself is unique.

Montenegro: hiking through a canyon

The country is called Montenegro for good reason: dark, densely wooded mountains characterise the landscape. The ‘black mountains’ are also ideal for hiking holidays. However, this hike does not lead to a peak, but into a canyon. The Mrtvica Canyon is located in the middle of Montenegro. You should allow around six hours for the hike; in total it’s around 13 kilometres there and back. The starting point is just below the Danilov Most car park. Follow the path marked by a red and white circle. The route through the canyon is varied, sometimes along the water, sometimes over rocky ledges, over an old stone bridge or through a forest. Tip: pack plenty of drinking water – it can get very hot in the canyon.

Norway: a ridge hike through barren landscapes

Travel by bus or car to the ‘Vargebakkan’ stop. The hike starts right at the car park. The trail leads through the stark countryside to Knutshøe in Jotunheimen National Park. Along the way, there are several rest areas to relax and enjoy. At the 1,517-metre summit, the vast delta landscape stretches to the horizon. You’ll need around five hours for a total of 12 kilometres and almost 700 metres in altitude.

Greece: hiking holiday on the island of Corfu

When you think of Greece, you usually think of beach holidays. However, one of the southernmost countries of Europe is also worth visiting for a hiking holiday, for example on Corfu. The Ionian Sea island offers a varied long-distance hiking trail – the Corfu Trail – from Kavos in the south to Cape Agia Ekaterini in the north. The lowest point of the hike is at sea level, the highest at 950 metres. You should allow around eight days for the entire hike, but individual stages are also worthwhile.