The best walking holidays in Europe
Getty ImagesJersey, Channel Islands
The best walking destination in Europe for: quiet coastal hikes and fabulous food
Just a one-hour flight from London, Jersey, with its narrow winding roads, pretty villages, friendly locals and incredible scenery around every turn is a mere hop from the mainland, but with a vibe all its own. This tiny island (it would take a matter of hours to drive the full circle of its coast) is fringed on all sides with near-deserted beaches and cliffside walking trails that wind their way through the hills above. Head here for a long weekend and hire a car to make the most of exploring every corner – base yourself at one of the island’s loveliest boutique hotels, Longueville Manor, with spacious, comfy rooms and a woodland walk of its own in the grounds. Different coasts have different characters. To the north there are adventurous towering cliffs and hidden bays; to the west, surf-friendly waves and never-ending stretches of sand; to the east, green rolling hills; and to the south, historical harbours and sheltered bays. If you’re short on time don’t miss Plémont Beach. It’s a hidden gem with a golden shore, tucked away in a crescent of soaring cliffs and with a network of caves and waterfalls to explore at low tide. Jersey is a wonderful destination for foodies too. Seafood is, unsurprisingly, the order of the day. Find some of the best at Faulkner Fisheries, where fresh catches of local scallops, prawns and lobster are simply barbecued and served with a hunk of soft bread and all-encompassing coastal views; or at Rozel Bay’s candy-striped kiosk, The Hungry Man. Jersey Uncovered offers guided tours that finish up with a picnic of some of the island’s best produce (home-grown tomatoes, lobster, Jersey cheeses and chutneys) in a secret garden spot with ocean views that stretch out towards France.
Who’s it for: foodies looking for an uncrowded, off-the-beaten-track escape and a range of coastal day walks
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Distance: varies depending on walk
Getty ImagesThe Dolomites, Italy
The best walking destination in Europe for: escaping into a mountain wilderness
The Dolomites are a rugged, imposing mountain range in north-eastern Italy, and threading its way through them for 75 miles, the Alta Via 1 is a challenging multi-day trek that begins at the striking Lago di Braies and ends in the lovely town of Belluno. It typically takes around 10 days to complete and is widely regarded as one of the best long-distance hikes in the world. Its tracks lead intrepid walkers through soaring mountain ranges, across the green open spaces of wildflower meadows and past hidden mirrored lakes. Along the way you’ll stay at a series of mountain refuges. Accommodation is fairly basic but they all offer showers and home-cooked meals. Some, such as Rifugio Lagazuoi, are precariously perched amongst the clouds, on the very top of peaks with formidable views across the mountain range. History buffs will find this a particularly rewarding destination. The Dolomites were a WWI battlefield and the remaining tunnels, trenches and via ferrata ‘(iron roads’ – networks of fixed metal ladders and lines that make it possible to scramble across precipitous mountainsides) can be explored along the way. For those less keen on such a lengthy adventure, a series of cable cars makes it possible to base yourself in nearby villages and set off on day walks too.
Who’s it for: intrepid adventurers
Difficulty: challenging
Distance: 75 miles/10 days
Getty ImagesThe Alps, France/Italy/Switzerland
The best walking destination in Europe for: wide green valleys and big blue skies
The Alps may generally be considered a winter destination, but the time they truly shine is summer, when they shed their mantle of snow with its accompanying shenanigans and the landscape transforms into a walkers’ playground. One of the best routes through Europe’s most extensive mountain range is the Tour du Mont Blanc. Starting and ending in picturesque Chamonix this 110-mile, 11-day hike loops around the imposing Mont Blanc massif and crosses through France, Italy and Switzerland along the way. It’s a walk characterised by Toblerone skylines and Milka flower meadows, with plenty of options to take the high or the low road along the way, depending on what takes your fancy (or on what the weather’s doing). Up high you’ll bed down in simple mountain huts where thick cups of hot chocolate are accompanied by conversation-quieting views, but dip down and you’ll come across villages with hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and spas along the way. The trail is at its busiest in July and August so consider booking your accommodation ahead for these months.
Who’s it for: those who prefer their adventures with the occasional dose of comfort
Difficulty: challenging
Distance: 110 miles/11 days
Getty ImagesThe Highlands, Scotland
The best walking destination in Europe for: otherworldly scenery
The Scottish Highlands are home to some of the best UK walks. There’s the famed West Highland Way – a 96-mile long-distance trek that takes walkers through varied landscapes from Milngavie to Fort William – but for a shorter, concentrated hit of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery hikers should make a beeline for Glen Coe. This volcanic valley has an otherworldly beauty that will be familiar to many, since it played host to James Bond’s family home Skyfall in the film of the same name. Many travellers merely pass by on a quick but incredible drive to other destinations, but it’s a more-than-worthy place to base yourself for several days. Book in at Isles of Glencoe Hotel on the shores of Loch Leven, and head out for a series of day walks. For a taster of the West Highland Way don’t miss the Devil’s Staircase, a meandering track that leads up to the route’s highest point and offers some of its best views. A walk through the ‘lost valley’ of Coire Gabhail involves some challenging terrain but rewards walkers with seriously stunning vistas.
Who’s it for: those who like to head out on their own and get away from it all
Difficulty: moderate to challenging
Distance: varies depending on walk
Getty ImagesLake Constance, Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Liechtenstein
The best walking destination in Europe for: a varied walking road trip crossing four countries
Lake Constance is a long stretch of blue that sits in the middle of the borders of Germany, Switzerland and Austria and close to the principality of Liechtenstein. A trip around its shores offers a huge variety of scenery, culture, activities and walks. Start off in fairy-tale-pretty Liechtenstein with the newly opened 46-mile Liechtenstein Trail. It can be completed in a couple of days (or just one if you’re really fit) and passes through mountains, pastures and vineyards, past castles and rivers. Celebrate its completion with dinner at Restaurant Marée, which plates up Michelin-star meals at its sensational setting overlooking the verdant Rhine valley. Next, move on to Austria. Base yourself in Dornbirn (Hotel Bar10Zimmer has smart, modern rooms) and head out on the day-long Karren circular route, which winds along mountain paths and through green fields. You can skip the steepest part of the hike by whizzing up a cable car with panoramic views of the Swiss mountains. Visit the city of Bregenz for a hit of culture with art galleries, some great little cafés and a not-to-be-missed lakeside opera stage that’s given a dramatic makeover every two years. Then make your way to Germany and the picturesque old town of Lindau ( Hotel Helvetia has an excellent waterside vantage point), which has a walking trail that leads along the shores of the lake and through gardens and vineyards. Further west in the Hegau region you’ll find a rolling volcanic landscape that can be explored along the gentle Hohentwiel hike. Wine-lovers should base themselves at Wienvilla Vollmayer, set in the steep fields of one of Germany’s highest vineyards and run by several generations of a family whose enthusiasm makes every element of a stay here stand out. Finally, in Switzerland Kartause Ittingen, a former monastery, is worth a visit for a wander around its thickly flowered gardens and lunch at Restaurant Mühle, which has a menu with dishes made using fruit, vegetables, cheeses and other food produced on its land.
Who’s it for: those with a taste for variety – culture, vineyards, historic cities, Michelin-starred dining, mountain trails and, of course, the lake can all be experienced here
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Distance: varies depending on walkLike this? Now read:
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