Europe is crammed with culture-filled walkable cities, but sometimes you really, really want to stretch those legs and a hike is the only thing that’ll scratch that walking itch. Thankfully, Europe’s got plenty of those too, and the options are only growing – check out this brand new hiking route or this island offering hikers free accommodation.
However, if you’re keen to avoid particularly well-trodden paths and prefer options that are quite literally off the beaten track, listen up. Much Better Adventures has compiled some research based on hiking routes which are at least 20km long and have very few reviews but a high average rating to give us a list of the most underrated paths in Europe.
Striding ahead into first place is the Laugavegur trail in Thórsmörk, Iceland, in the country’s southern Highlands. The 52.9km hike journeys through colourful rhyolite mountains, thermal pools, glaciers and volcanic slopes, so it’s definitely one for those of us who love a bit of variety and drama from our landscapes.
The Edelweiss Höhbalmen Trail in Switzerland claimed second place and a walk along here will offer you knockout views of the Matterhorn, and the Palenica Białczańska trail in Rysy, Poland claimed third, where you’ll see more mountains and striking blue lakes. Check out the rest of the list below.
These are the best hiking trails in 2024
- Laugavegur in Thórsmörk, Landmannalaugar, Iceland
- Edelweiss Höhbalmen Trail, Stafelalp, Switzerland
- Palenica Białczańska, Morskie Oko, Rysy, Poland
- Ehrwald, Coburger Hütte, Austria
- Val Ferret, Les Ars Dessous, Italy
- Fimmvörðuháls Trail, Skógar, Þórsmörk, Iceland
- PR17, Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal, Bica da Cana, Portugal
- French Way, Melide, O Pino, Spain
- Pradera de Ordesa, Cola de Caballo, Refugio de Goriz, Spain and France
- Palenica Białczańska, Five Polish Ponds Valley, Morskie Oko, Poland
Take a hike
When it comes to hiking, we know the way – check out our roundups of the best hikes in the UK and the world.
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