When temperatures reach 25° C and the sun’s appearance is more than a lucky accident that happens twice a month, that is the ideal time to go on a hiking adventure.

Out of all seasons, summer is the one that makes you want to leave your house, get out of the noisy and overcrowded city centre, and voluntarily submit yourself to hours of suffering consisting of scrambling up narrow hiking trails and getting bitten by mosquitoes.

The sun is out for anywhere between 14 and 24 hours (depending on where on the continent you are), promising the possibility of non-stop explorations. The only thing left to decide: where in Europe should your next hiking trip be? 

READ MORE | How to plan a hiking trip in Europe: a step-by-step guide

Luckily for you, the options are practically endless. From summiting the peaks of the Alps to hiking around volcanic islands in the Atlantic, Europe has a supply of outdoor adventures for a lifetime. Let’s look at some of the best ones.

The Italian Dolomites are the perfect place to go if you want to enjoy beautiful mountain lakes. Ranging from turquoise to aqua-blue, the lakes in the Dolomites are a spectacle of colour.

Their diverse shades of blues are so distinct that even a person who isn’t particularly perceptive to colour differences will marvel at how different each and every one of them is. Many have relatively flat hiking trails along their shores, easy enough for non-hikers to enjoy.

Paths with panoramic views such as the Adolf Munkel Trail or Panorama Trail in St. Maddalena take up no more than an afternoon and allow you to immerse yourself in the local landscape.

And for an extra hiking challenge? There is Seceda, looking like shark teeth piercing through the sky, the Three Peaks of Lavaredo (Tre Cime di Lavaredo) which offer an everchanging vantage point as you walk around them, or Europe’s largest high altitude meadow, Alpe di Siusi, from which you can walk up on some of the surrounding peaks and plateaus.

Slovenia is small but rich in natural beauty. Even though the country has just one national park, you can come up with hiking adventures that’ll take you at least a week to complete. 

The lakes of Bled and Bohinj are both a good base for explorations of Triglav National Park. While Bled has more of a former spa town charm, the vast Bohinj exudes a raw nature feeling.

The gorges of Mostar and Vintgar offer easy walking adventures where you can observe interesting rock formations. To escape the summer crowds, choose longer and more difficult hiking trails leading into the heart of Triglav National Park.

As much as Bled and Bohinj are both beautiful places to visit, neither is, by any means, a hidden treasure. The area of Soča River valley near Bovec to the west, or Kranjska Gora to the north, are interesting alternatives to their popular cousins.

Known by most Europeans as a great place for a skiing holiday, Austria is a paradise for a relaxed outdoor summer. There are hundreds — if not thousands — of lakes to bathe, sail, look at, and hike around.

For nature adventures not far from civilization, look into nature places around Innsbruck and Salzburg. Both offer wonderful hikes within a short driving distance and are nice places to see, should you need a quick city break.

My personal favourites include the area around Ehrwald, where you can challenge yourself to a day hike to the postcardlike lakes of Seebensee and Drachensee, and between Kufstein and Kitzbühl, where you can lounge all day long at Walchsee.

If the highest peak of the Alps is what you’re after, Switzerland is your best bet. Some of the many hiking options you can choose from include adventuring around Zermatt to see Matterhorn from all sides and angles, long-distance multi-day treks around the Swiss-Italian-French border, or admiring Jungfrau region’s 4000-metre-peaks on day hikes from Interlaken.

Whichever you choose, vast green meadows, blue lakes hiding between alpine peaks, and blocks of ice high up in the mountains will accompany you along the way. 

The country’s infrastructure is pretty great and you can reach many of the starting points of nice hikes by public transport.

The only downside of Switzerland is its relatively higher price tag. For the budget-conscious traveler, you can spend fewer days in Switzerland and combine them with a road trip through Austria.

Speaking of budgets, Iceland doesn’t exactly top the list of the most affordable destinations in Europe. But the natural beauty of the land of fire and ice is worth every penny. 

It’s a place where black sand beaches meet the rocky ocean, old volcano ashes sit on top of pristine glaciers, and waterfalls of all heights and widths reflect and refract light to create colourful rainbows. 

For shorter walking quests, discover spots on the Golden Circle or marvel at the many waterfalls on the south coast. For longer hikes, try the Laugavegur or the Fimmvörðuháls Trail.

Whichever one you choose, the weather in the north can be unpredictable, so come equipped with appropriate layers.

The Alps are an obvious choice for great summer hikes. But not looking beyond the confines of Western Europe would be a huge mistake. The Carpathians are the third longest mountain range in Europe and it is in Slovakia’s High Tatras where you can visit its highest peaks.

High Tatras are much more affordable than, say, Switzerland, making them a great option for those on a tight budget. Even better, there is no shortage of challenging hikes.

These two day hikes can be completed in an extended weekend and share a few sections with Tatranská Magistrála, Slovakia’s long-distance trail through the Tatra Mountains.

Prefer to hike in canyons and gorges? Head to Slovak Paradise. In both locations, you’ll likely be meeting more local tourists and those coming from the neighbouring countries of Poland and the Czech Republic.

While alpine landscapes dominate hikes in the heart of Europe, Madeira offers a completely different scenery. Thanks to its microclimates, the hiking experience on the “island of eternal spring” is truly versatile. 

You could be enjoying the warmth of the ocean one day and walking through lush greenery enveloped in magical mist or standing above clouds on top of a mountain the next.

Madeira has balmy weather all year round, making it a great hiking destination for every season. More often than not, the trails are relatively flat and only involve occasional stairs. Even the biggest couch potatoes have no excuse!

Some of the most popular (and easiest) hikes in Madeira are the so-called levada walks — narrow trails following irrigation channels built to distribute water from the top of the mountains to the valleys below.

To challenge yourself, opt for the famous Pico to Pico hike (both ways) or simply take a week or two to hike across the entire island! I met a girl who did that, so it’s definitely possible. 😉

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While Europe is often seen as a destination for cultural trips, the continent’s natural landscapes should not be overlooked. By visiting Europe’s best outdoor and hiking destinations you can truly appreciate the diversity of this small continent.

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Have you visited any of these hiking destinations? Which one is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the comments!