Hiking in Europe is a way of seeing the Old Country that’s just a little bit different and one that will really immerse you in the continent. Hiking through Europe, rather than driving or traveling by train, brings you closer to the people and the countryside that you came to see. Planning such a trip will take some research, but the end result will be a unique and memorable vacation.
The first decision you have to make is whether to hike independently, or as part of a tour group. There are many companies that specialize in what might be described as ‘organized hiking’ in which you hike with a small group of people for a predetermined distance each day, and your accommodation is pre-booked for you and waiting at the end of each day’s hike. Your luggage is usually transported to your hotel by the tour company and is waiting for you in your room. Meals each day are arranged, and there may be a ‘rest day’ built into the itinerary. The advantages of this are clear: You instantly have some companions to hike with, your day’s hiking distance is usually a manageable length, and you don’t have the problem of trying to find places to eat or sleep at the end of each day. And of course, you don’t have to carry a heavy pack. On the other hand, you must maintain the pace of the group and there is little chance for spontaneity, which after all, is one of the joys of travel. For a more adventurous and personal experience, you may want to consider planning your own itinerary and hiking independently. This allows you the freedom to plan your own day’s hiking, to change your itinerary if and when you feel like it, and to determine yourself the distance you will hike each day. Hiking in Europe is generally safe and convenient, and most European countries have a well developed infrastructure of facilities and accommodation along or near your hiking route.
The next big decision is which country to hike in. Europe covers a huge area, from the pine forests of Scandinavia to the beaches of the Mediterranean, to the hill towns of Tuscany. Every country in Europe offers some wonderful hiking options, although generally, the facilities for walkers in Eastern Europe are less developed. If you are a first time hiker, or out of shape, you may want to keep to the more established destinations of the UK, France, and Switzerland. Take time to research your route, keeping in mind such factors as the distance each day you may want to walk, weather conditions, daily costs, what type of accommodation you would need. As far as scenery goes, Switzerland is justifiably one of the most popular destinations for hiking and offers 30,000 mile of well marked and well maintained trails, suitable for both the beginner and experienced hiker. Even in the remoter areas of the Alps, you are never more than a day’s hike from a town or village. Many hotels in Switzerland offer daily walking excursions, and the local tourist office will sometimes arrange group hikes. Any walk in Switzerland will offer the most spectacular mountain scenery, but one of the best hiking trails is considered to be between the villages of Meiringen and Grindelwald in the Jungfrau region.
Great Britain also offers 15 National Trails, ranging from the relatively easy Thames walk, to the most famous and challenging, the Pennine Way. The Pennine Way is 268 miles long and passes through several scenic National Parks. Most walkers usually take about 2 weeks to walk its length, although you can divide it into shorter sections. Great Britain is a small and densely populated country, and you are never too far from a pub or a farmhouse offering inexpensive bed and breakfast. The UK based Ramblers’ Association offers information on accommodation within 2 miles of most of the footpaths. France also has a system of walking trails – at over 100,000 miles it is one of the most comprehensive in Europe. The French system ranges from long National Paths – by which you can walk across the entire country on country trails - to shorter, local paths. Many of the shorter trails offer the opportunity to be based in a town or village and take a different walking tour each day.
Packing light and the equipment you take with you are going to be important. If you are hiking independently, invest in a good quality lightweight and weatherproof backpack. Try walking around your hometown or somewhere close to home to get the feel of it. After your backpack, the next most important thing is a good pair of hiking boots. Make sure your boots have good ankle supports and try to ‘break them in’ over a period of several weeks prior to your trip – this will help to avoid blisters. You may want to consider carrying a basic first aid kit, flashlight and emergency supplies. Any specialist map or travel bookshop should be able to supply detailed small-scale maps of the area you are visiting; otherwise the tourist office for that country will also have up to date information on your route. In Great Britain, the maps published by the Ordnance Survey Company are incredibly detailed and show every hiking trail and country footpath. It’s also a good idea to take a transparent waterproof pocket for your maps and other important documents, such as passport and plane ticket. Check that your travel insurance will cover you while overseas.
But for the ultimate European hiking experience – and if you have the time at your disposal – you may want to consider hiking one of Europe’s truly long distance footpaths. There are a dozen or so hiking trails in Europe that stretch across several countries and run for hundreds of miles. These trails are promoted by the European Ramblers’ Association, a society dedicated to not only promoting hiking – but playing their small part in helping to create a truly unified Europe.
