The 15 best multi-day hikes in Europe

Europe is perfect for long distance hiking. In this guide I share the best multi-day hikes in Europe I’ve walked and the trails still on my bucket list.

Why a multi-day hike is always a good idea

Hiking has played a big role in my life for years, and I’ve even made it my job. I go on short hikes almost every week, but a multi-day trek always feels extra special. Strapping on your backpack day after day, watching the scenery slowly change, and getting completely absorbed in the trail gives a very different experience than a single-day hike. You truly get to know a region when you walk through it for several days: the landscapes, but also the villages, the people, and the culture.

Multi-day hikes are also a perfect opportunity for reflection. Sometimes you walk in silence for hours, other times you share the trail with like-minded people and friendships form that you never expected. And of course, it’s also a healthy way to stay active.

I’ve hiked some incredible trails outside Europe, such as the Arizona Trail, the Inca Trail, and a good stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail. In recent years, though, I’ve focused more on Europe. That comes with clear advantages: it’s quicker to get to, the trails are often more accessible, and with towns along the way, resupplying is much easier. Plus, you don’t have to spend long hours on a plane to start a great hiking adventure. Plenty of reasons to share the best multi-day hikes in Europe.

The best multi-day hikes in Europe

In this list of the best multi-day hikes in Europe, I share not only my personal favorites but also trails I’ve heard great things about and the ones still on my wish list. In no particular order, these are some of the most beautiful long-distance hikes in Europe.

Fishermen’s Trail (Rota Vicentina).

• Country: Portugal
• Distance: 226 kilometers (140 miles)

The Fishermen’s Trail runs along Portugal’s rugged southwest coast and has been named one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. It is part of the Rota Vicentina, a network of hiking and cycling trails in the Alentejo and Algarve regions.

I visit Lagos, the end point of the trail, every year, which means I regularly hike sections of this route. Some stages I’ve walked more than ten times, and it never gets boring. It’s pure joy every single time.

The trail winds past dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and small fishing villages, with the sound of the ocean always in the background. Some stretches are physically demanding due to the soft sand, but the views more than make up for it. It’s a perfect trail for a two-week hiking holiday.

Read more: Fishermen’s Trail: the best coastal trail in Europe

West Highland Way

• Country: Scotland
• Distance: 154 kilometers (96 miles)

One of the hikes high on my bucket list is the West Highland Way. This true Scottish classic runs from the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William.

The trail passes lochs, winds through forests, and stretches across vast moorlands, with increasingly dramatic views of the Highlands. The Scottish atmosphere is everywhere: a pub in a small village, bagpipe music, and a pint after a long day on the trail. What holds me back a little is the unpredictable weather and the infamous midges, but perhaps that just adds to the adventure.

Drenthepad

• Country: Netherlands
• Distance: approximately 340 kilometers (211 miles)

Although I haven’t walked all the long-distance hiking trails in the Netherlands yet, I already have a favorite: the Drenthepad. The province of Drenthe is one of the most unspoiled areas in the country and it’s a beautiful place to hike.

The path takes you right across the province, passing megalithic tombs, heathlands, forests, and small villages along the way. You’ll even cross three different national parks, so there’s plenty of nature to enjoy. Because many stages end in a village or town with a train station or bus stop, it’s easy to walk the route in separate sections. Before you know it, you’ve walked all around Drenthe.

Tour du Mont Blanc

• Countries: France, Italy, Switzerland
• Distance: 170 kilometers (106 miles)

Another multi-day trek in Europe that I would love to do again is the Tour du Mont Blanc. In about ten days, you hike through three countries around the highest mountain in the Alps. The views of glaciers, green valleys, and snow-capped peaks must be absolutely breathtaking. The route is tough, with considerable elevation gain, but it’s also well organized with mountain huts where you can spend the night. To me, this looks like one of those treks you’ll never forget.

Camino Francés (Camino de Santiago).

• Country: Spain
• Distance: 800 kilometers (497 miles)

Of course, I can’t list the best multi-day hikes in Europe without mentioning at least one of the Camino routes. The Camino Francés is the most famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France and crossing varied Spanish landscapes all the way to Galicia.

You walk through mountains, forests, vineyards, and historic cities. There is a fair amount of asphalt, but what makes this trek truly special are the pilgrims from all over the world you meet along the way. The sense of togetherness on the Camino is unparalleled. For many, the Camino is a life-changing experience, and I too look back on it with warm memories.

Read more: Camino Francés Guide: practical tips and personal experiences

Laugavegur Trail

• Country: Iceland
• Distance: 55 kilometers (34 miles)

While researching for this article, I stumbled upon the Laugavegur Trail. And what a stunning sight it is! This long-distance hike in Iceland may be shorter than many others, but it’s absolutely spectacular. The trail takes you through a landscape that looks like another planet: colorful mountains, lava fields, hot springs, and glacial rivers.

The weather is unpredictable, and camping is often in rugged conditions, which only adds to the sense of adventure. This trail is high on many hikers’ bucket lists, and rightly so. You won’t find such a varied landscape anywhere else in Europe.

Alpe Adria Trail

• Countries: Austria, Slovenia, Italy
• Distance: 750 kilometers (466 miles)

The Alpe Adria Trail must be a stunning mountain hike, and it’s one that has been on my list for years (I know, I just need to schedule it sometime). The trail connects the Alps to the Adriatic Sea, taking you past mountain lakes and through green valleys toward the coast. What makes it even more fun is that you pass through three different countries, so you get to experience new cultures along the way. It looks like a wonderful and varied trek that I definitely want to do someday.

Mullerthal Trail

• Country: Luxembourg
• Distance: 112 kilometers (70 miles)

One trail I got to experience this year is the Mullerthal Trail in Luxembourg, and it was truly awesome. The route is divided into three loops that you can hike separately or link together. It takes you right through the Mullerthal region, also known as Little Switzerland. Along the way you pass through a fairytale landscape of rock formations, gorges, forests, and streams. What makes this hike especially unique are the unusual rocks and caves you encounter.

Read more: Mullerthal Trail Route 2: an amazing hiking adventure in Luxembourg

Kungsleden

• Country: Sweden
• Distance: 440 kilometers (273 miles)

I’ve never hiked in Sweden, but the country has some wonderful long-distance trails. The Kungsleden (King’s Trail) is undoubtedly the most famous. It takes you through the unspoiled north, with tundra, forests, mountains, and endless lakes. Along the way, you may spot reindeer and experience an overwhelming sense of space. Thanks to the right to roam, you can camp almost anywhere, surrounded by silence and raw nature. This trek seems fantastic to me, and a chance to truly unwind in a vast and remote landscape.

National Park Trail

• Country: Belgium
• Distance: 110 kilometers (68 miles)

Want to test if long-distance hiking is for you without making it too difficult? Then the National Park Trail in Belgian Limburg is a great choice. This route of five stages takes you right through Hoge Kempen National Park.

The trail is varied: you walk through forests, across heathlands, past terhills (old mine hills), and over countless boardwalks. It’s still fairly new, but I already found it very well marked. This is an accessible long-distance hike, ideal for a long weekend or a short hiking holiday close to home.

Read more: Hike the National Park Trail: the best way to discover Hoge Kempen!

GR20

• Country: France (Corsica)
• Distance: 200 kilometers (124 miles)

All across Europe you’ll find GR trails, long-distance hiking routes marked with red and white blazes. The one I’d most like to hike is the GR20 in Corsica. This trail is often called the toughest long-distance hike in Europe, and yes, I do enjoy a challenge.

The route crosses the island, leading past rugged peaks, steep cliffs, and crystal-clear mountain lakes. The terrain is technical and demanding at times, but the reward is immense: sweeping views across Corsica and the feeling of being on a true expedition. I’m already looking forward to it.

Croatian Long Distance Trail

• Country: Croatia
• Distance: 2109 kilometers (1310 miles)

If you’re in the mood for a really long hike, the Croatian Long Distance Trail might be the one. As the name suggests, this trail runs the entire length of Croatia, from the far north to the coast near Dubrovnik. It’s a relatively new and little-traveled route, created by passionate hikers who wanted to build a European alternative to famous American trails such as the Appalachian Trail.

Along the way you hike across countryside, through forests and national parks, climb mountains, and follow the azure Adriatic coast for miles on end. The variety of landscapes is enormous. Because the trail is still young, it requires more preparation and flexibility, but that’s exactly what makes it such a unique adventure. If you love undiscovered trails, this is a challenge worth considering.

GR10 (Pyrenees)

• Country: France
• Distance: approximately 950 kilometers (590 miles)

My little brother recently walked a section of the GR10, and thanks to his enthusiasm and photos, this Grande Randonnée immediately climbed up my bucket list. The GR10 runs right across the French Pyrenees, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s a demanding trek with significant elevation gain and rugged terrain, but also one of the most beautiful long-distance hikes in Europe. You pass remote valleys, mountain villages, and glacial lakes, always surrounded by the imposing Pyrenees. The route requires good preparation and plenty of time, but it should undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. For many hikers this is the ultimate dream trek, and by now, for me too.

Camino del Norte

• Country: Spain
• Distance: 830 kilometers (516 miles)

Yes, another Camino on this list, because when it comes to beauty, the Camino del Norte might be the most stunning of all. It was also my very first introduction to the Camino. A few years ago I just wanted to see if it was for me, so I walked the first 150 kilometers to Bilbao.

The Camino del Norte follows Spain’s rugged northern coast and feels very different from the more famous Camino Francés. You often walk close to the sea, with views of cliffs, beaches, and the Cantabrian mountains. It’s a tough route with many elevation changes, but it’s less crowded and wonderfully varied. Along the way you pass through beautiful coastal towns and historic cities such as San Sebastián, Bilbao, and Santander. The mix of nature, culture, and gastronomy makes this Camino truly special.

Also read: Hiking the Camino del Norte | The Ultimate Guide

HexaTrek

• Country: France
• Distance: 3034 kilometers (1884 miles)

I end this list with one of the newest and most ambitious hiking trails in Europe: the HexaTrek. The route crosses all of France, from the Vosges Mountains to the Pyrenees, taking you through several major mountain ranges. It’s a trek that takes months to complete, making it feel like a true thru-hike, similar to the famous long-distance trails in the United States.

Along the way you pass countless villages, mountain passes, and national parks. This is the trail to choose if you want to get the most out of a hike and fully immerse yourself in France’s rugged landscapes. To me it feels quite daunting, but I think it would be amazing to walk at least part of it, or maybe even all of it one day.

This was it, a list full of hiking inspiration! For me, the choice remains difficult, but one thing is certain: there is always a new trail to explore. Which of these multi-day hikes in Europe is at the top of your list?