10 Top European Hikes

Europe is full of great landscapes, and there’s no better way to experience its variety of natural attractions than to hike some of the long distance paths that stitch the continent together. Hikers will always debate which are the greatest hikes, of course, but these ten routes are classics and ideal for fall weather trekking.

- Andrea Kirkby

1. ENGLAND/SCOTLAND 

Pennine Way starts just outside the busy industrial city of Sheffield, but within a few miles it’s crossing bleak wild peat moors and striding gritstone cliffs. The route follows the watershed up the backbone of England, finally crossing Hadrian’s wall and the border into Scotland and the Cheviot hills.

267 miles (430km)

2. FRANCE/SPAIN 

Camino de Santiago, also known as GR 65 or Chemin de Saint-Jacques follows the medieval pilgrimage path from Le Puy in the center of France to Santiago de Compostela at the western edge of Spain, though many hikers only walk the Spanish stretch. The full route takes a couple of months. This hike is fascinating as it has both cultural and natural attractions; the cathedrals of Le Puy, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Astorga are all visited en route, while there are many ancient pilgrim hospices and monasteries, and even Roman bridges to be crossed.

Way of St. James: 500 miles (804km)

3. FRANCE/ITALY 

Via Francigena is another medieval route, but it’s less well known than the Camino de Santiago. It was the route pilgrims took from northern France to Rome, and the stretch from Lucca to Rome runs through remote Tuscan hill towns, past Romanesque churches, Etruscan monuments, and bubbling hot springs. Most of the route is fairly gentle, running through vineyards and farmland until it reaches the suburbs of Rome.

270 miles (780km)

4. ITALY