The Best Hikes in Europe

Lifts in the Alps

Many Alpine routes begin with a lift. The Klingenstock–Fronalpstock Ridge above Stoos in Switzerland is reached by funicular and chairlifts, the Pizol Five Lakes Hike by three lifts from Wangs, and Saxer Lücke in the Alpstein by cable car. The Seven Rila Lakes in Bulgaria start with a chairlift. The last lift down from Gaffia on the Pizol leaves at 16:30, and weekend queues for the Saxer Lücke cable car can reach two hours. La Jonction above Chamonix is climbed on foot, 1,500 m or more up from the valley floor.

Gorges

Samaria Gorge on Crete is about 16 km downhill to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, with the return by ferry and bus. Patsos Gorge, also on Crete, uses ladders and ropes and involves wading in spring. Congost de Mont-rebei in Catalonia runs along walkways cut into the rock walls, and Jánošíkove diery in Slovakia climbs ladders and bridges past waterfalls on the way up Veľký Rozsutec.

Volcanic islands

The island routes in Spain and Greece cross volcanic ground with almost no shade. Ruta de los Volcanes on La Palma follows the Cumbre Vieja ridge over craters and ash for 17 to 18 km without a refreshment stop. Caldera Blanca on Lanzarote circles a wide crater rim above lava fields. Fira to Oia on Santorini keeps to the caldera rim for about 10 km, on loose gravel beside cliff edges without railings.

Britain and Ireland

Hill paths in Britain and Ireland are often unmarked, and the weather turns quickly. The return leg of the Quiraing loop on Skye crosses a boggy plateau with no waymarks, the path on Tryfan North Ridge in Snowdonia fades early, and the routes up Carrauntoohil in Kerry are largely unsigned. Old Man of Storr on Skye and Seven Sisters on the South Downs are both exposed to wind.