Hikers from all over the globe are drawn to world-famous Europe’s national parks like Plitvice National Park in Croatia or Dolomites National Park in Italy. But many of the best known parks tend to be overcrowded, making the experience of visiting them less enjoyable, especially during summer months.
Moreover, Europe has so many more beautiful, some lesser-known national parks, which are fantastic adventure gateway for hikers and wanderers alike.
So, whether you seek rocky mountains, rolling hills, calm lakes, or beautiful coasts you will find it across Europe. In this article, we aim to inspire you to visit national parks which offer plenty of trails with stunning scenery, rich wildlife, and sure to make your legs tired.
The list is not exhaustive, but the parks listed are recommended for their beauty and fine hiking trails to satisfy both beginners and seasoned walkers.
15 best national parks in Europe for hiking
1.Sierra Nevada National Park, Spain
2.Rago National Park, Norway
3.Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scotland
4.Teide National Park, Canary Islands, Spain
5.Danube-Ipoly National Park, Hungary
6.Peak District National Park, England
7.Asinara National Park, Sardinia, Italy
8.Vikos Aoos National Park, Greece
9.Valbona Valley National Park, Albania
10.Wicklow National Park, Ireland
11.Karkonosze National Park, Poland
12.Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Netherlands
13.Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
14.Calanques National Park, France
15. Rila National Park, Bulgaria
1.Sierra Nevada National Park, Spain
Sierra Nevada, located in Andalucia – Southern Spain, is a paradise for hikers of all types. You don’t have to be a professional hiker or have a lot of hiking experience in order to enjoy the stunning nature Sierra Nevada National Park has to offer.
When it comes to scenery, the park has everything, from mighty peaks to dreamy valleys filled with flowers, from pine forests to gorgeous lakes and rivers!
Sierra Nevada is home to unique fauna and flora, with over 2,100 plant species and many wild animals. Hence along the trail one can spot Iberian ibex (mountain goat), rabbits, foxes, the native Golden Eagle, or the Little Owl.
There are plenty of accessible hiking trails in Sierra Nevada region.
You can find easy hikes, accessible for the entire family, around the Lecrín Valley which makes a lovely day trip from Granada. Local trails are quite flat and pass through beautiful white villages and citrus tree orchards, alongside the Béznar reservoir.
Ruta los Cahorros in Monachil is considered a moderate hike. The first part of this trail is a proper adventure, with 4 hanging bridges (the longest one being 55 meters long!), waterfalls, caves, and a narrow canyon which will raise your ‘Indiana Jones’ spirit. Some people choose to return midway, others continue going up the mountain to complete the circle.
Peak Mulhacén, at 3478 masl makes Sierra Nevada the highest mountain range in the Iberic Peninsula, and the highest in Western Europe outside of the Alps.
Most difficult trails can be found in the south of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. One of them leading to the mighty Mulhacén itself. You can do this hike in one day or choose to spend the night at the Poqueira refuge for a more relaxed experience. Whilst going up Mulhacén is not a steep hike, it is considered difficult because of the distance. Also, near the summit, there are some vertigo-inducing edges.
by Joanna from Andalucia in Mypocket
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2.Rago National Park, Norway
Rago is a rather small park for Norwegian standards, but it has some amazing scenery and landmarks to enjoy. In fact some of the views will leave you speechless! Several glaciers can be found in the southeastern part of the park. And despite that Rago National Park does not have a rich variety of plants, due to harsh climate, it has an authentic arctic ambiance, with Scots pine woodlands scattered over the fells and many alpine plants between the trees.
Beginner hikers and those who look for a day trip should put a hike to Litlverivassforsen waterfall on their list. It is not an easy hike, but when you get to see a waterfall (which is just at the entrance to the great national park) you will forget about your efforts.
Another day hike in a park, could take you to Storskgotvasshytta, or further to Ragohytta. The first hut is beautifully located near the river and lake. Very idyllic location, and a beautiful place for a picnic. Just remember to carry all your rubbish with you, when you are done.
If you are into wild camping, we strongly recommend combining the above options into one hike, this will make a fantastic 2 day circular hike in Rago NP.
More, if you are into multi day hikes, extend the hikes from Rago to Padjelanta National Park in Sweden and spend a few nights in the wilderness of the far north.
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3.Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scotland
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is one of two national parks in Scotland and is the 4th largest national park on the British Isles.
The park is a home to 21 Munros (Scottish mountains with a summit of more than 3000 ft) and 19 Corbetts (mountains over 2,500 ft) making it a great place for those who look for hiking escape.
The park is a very popular destination among locals, as many iconic peaks are within the boundaries of the park, so you will definitely meet friendly locals during your hike.
One of the classic walks in the park, without any doubt is a circular hike to the top of Ben Lomond – it is a moderate hike that takes about 5 hours to complete. From the top you can admire the views over amazing Loch Lomond and its small islands.
One of our all-time favourites is an easy hike up to Ben A’an, which offers amazing views over Loch Katrine.
Another area we love for both summer and winter walks is near Arrochar, giving the group of mountains located nearby their name ‘Arrochar Alps’, one of the best hikes in the area is The Cobbler. It is a good idea to combine your hiking trip with wild camping up high, which will give you a chance to complete all hills without hurry and the need for daily great ascents and descents!
If you look for lower level walks, the park offers many forest and shore walks. Try a hike along Loch Lomond or Sallochy Forest trail – just to mention some.
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4.Teide National Park, Canary Islands, Spain
Teide National Park is the largest national park in the Canary Islands and home to the highest mountain in Spain, Mount Teide (3718 masl). The park encompasses the Las Cañadas caldera, which was formed about 300,000 years ago when a colossal volcano collapsed. El Teide, Pico Viejo, and many other smaller volcanoes have since emerged from the caldera floor, creating a striking Mars-like landscape.
For many, hiking to the summit of Mount Teide is a lifelong bucket list item, or at least a must-do activity when visiting Tenerife. Most visitors will take the cable car up to the top station and hike the final 163 meters up to the summit. Though the hike itself is rather straightforward, it requires some planning; to reach the summit, you have to secure a permit well in advance of your hiking date (at least 3 months prior, to be on a safe side).
Beyond Tenerife’s famous volcano, you’ll find many other interesting hiking trails in Teide National Park, including Roques de García, Montaña de la Botija and Montaña Samara, Fortaleza, Parador Nacional to Guajara, El Portillo to Huevos del Teide and Montaña Blanca. To learn more about these trails, read best hikes in Teide National Park.
As you prepare for a hiking-themed trip to Tenerife, make sure to bring sturdy hiking boots, sun protection, and warm layers (including an insulated puff jacket, beanie, and gloves). Teide National park is situated between an altitude of 2,000 masl and 3,718 masl, which means it can get pretty cold.
Final tip: the best way to visit Teide National Park is with your rental car, as transit to the park is extremely limited.
by Sabrina from Moon & Honey Travel
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5.Danube-Ipoly National Park, Hungary
Danube-Ipoly National Park is one of the most diverse national parks in Hungary. The park encompasses the areas in Budapest and surrounding counties. Hence its location makes it a great gateway to wilderness near Budapest , offering locals and tourists plenty of hiking trails nearby. Further, many of the trails can be accessed by public transport.
Szemlő-hegyi Cavein in Budapest is famous for its pea-stone formations and attracts many visitors every year.
From the Nyugati train station, you can quickly reach Nagymaros or Zebegény. They are both great places to go hiking to the nearby hills or you can enjoy a relaxing paddle on the river Danube.
One of the most spectacular hikes in the area is to Prédikálószék. You can start the hike at Dömös. The 9 km hike has some steep sections, so good fitness level and hiking boots are recommended. Once you reach the top you will be able to see the area in its full glory. There is a gorgeous view to the Danube Bend, which resembles a lot to the famous Horseshoe Bend in Arizona.
If you feel particularly fit you can even extend your hike by visiting the Rám-szakadék. This hike passes several little waterfalls and it is quite fun to walk especially with children. As most of the trail follows the bottom of a canyon, there are chains and ladders to help you along the way.
The National Park has interesting fauna and flora; some of the species are endangered. Watch out, you may spot salamanders, falcons, deer, or wild boars while you are out in the forest.
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6.Peak District National Park, England
Nestled between the big cities of Manchester, Sheffield, and Derby, The Peak District National Park is the oldest National Park in the UK. Being less touristy than the internationally renowned Lake District, there is an authenticity to the villages and its pubs, with equally stunning landscapes for hiking.
I have travelled and lived all over the world, but the Peak District is the place I kept returning to time and time again and is now the place I call home, along with my husband and two boys. There is so much to do in the area, from cycling along the disused railway tracks, venturing into the ancient limestone caves, or visiting one of the grand estates such as Chatsworth or Haddon Hall.
But of a weekend, we love nothing more than a long family walk across the green rolling hills and over dry stone walls, to a cosy old pub serving real ale in front of a roaring fire.
Dovedale, The Roaches, and Mam Tor are popular hiking areas, but if you want to get away from the tourists, consider a walk around the villages of Youlgreave or Monyash. However, if epic views rather than quaint villages are your thing, follow the circular trail along Curbar Edge all the way to Frogatt Edge, or perhaps head up to Stanage Edge overlooking Hathersage (which has an outdoor pool worthy of a dip on a warm summer evening, post hike).
As with all hikes in the UK, make sure you have a copy of an Ordnance Survey Map. This accurately reflects all public footpaths and bridleways open to walkers. Make sure you always close gates behind you, to prevent farm animals escaping, and pack a rain jacket as the weather is forever changing in this corner of the globe.
by Jenny from Peak District Kids
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7.Asinara National Park, Sardinia, Italy
If you are looking to hike in one of the lesser known national parks in Europe make sure to go to Asinara. This is one of the most beautiful places to visit on the continent. You will find it off the north coast of Sardinia. It became a National Park in 2002, but for more than 120 years it was a leper and prison colony, then for about 50 years a high security prison.
When the island was turned into a prison and leper colony, all its inhabitants were sent away to mainland Sardinia, where they established themselves mostly in the village of Stintino. Being uninhabited, nature and wildlife were preserved in Asinara. When the prison was finally closed, Asinara was returned to the local community who pushed to keep it as it was then and turn it into a national park. Still, nobody lives on this island, except for the rangers and the seasonal workers. Nowadays you will easily find a hostel, or a boutique hotel, two restaurants and a small shop where you can get cosmetics produced with local plants.
Asinara is the perfect place to enjoy nature. Scattered around the island there are many hiking trails that guarantee stunning coastal views. On one side of the island, the coast is rugged and the sea rough; the other side however, is all small coves and clear waters. I recommend the hike that goes all the way to the lighthouse – the views are otherworldly. But you can also hike to the castle on the top of the island for more incredible sights.
Roaming the island, you’ll come across various animal species. The nicest sight is that of a donkey – including albino ones. If you spend the night on the island, the only noise you will hear is that of donkeys!
Asinara can be reached by ferry either from Stintino or Porto Cervo. The journey lasts between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the departure and arrival points and on the sea conditions. Once on the island, you can opt for a guided tour by jeep or rent a bike or electric car for exploring. Most people visit on day trips but if you are keen hiker, make sure to spend at least 3 nights. The best month to hike is May, when the island is in full bloom. If you go in September or October, you will also be able to enjoy the warm clear waters.
by Claudia from My Adventures Across The World
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8.Vikos Aoos National Park, Greece
Vikos Aoos National Park is nothing like the Greece you know from postcards! Forget beaches and whitewashed villages, this park is a mountainous paradise, filled with rugged peaks, sparkling rivers rushing through dramatically shaped gorges, crystal clear mountain lakes, and dense, unspoiled forest.
But it is not just the striking landscape that makes Vikos Aoos National Park worth a visit. The region’s traditional mountain villages, called Zagorochoria, are some of the most picturesque in Greece as are the dozens of stone-built bridges scattered across the countryside.
Vikos Aoos National Park was established in 1973 to protect the diverse nature of Vikos and Aoos gorges, two of the most prominent gorges in the area, and the Tymfi mountain range squeezed in between them. The varied terrain of the park and its relative remoteness give a home to a wide variety of fauna and flora including wolfs and brown bears.
Vikos Aoos National Park lies in northwestern Greece near the city of Ioannina. Few buses are connecting Ioannina with some of the larger villages like Konitsa or Tsepelovo but to explore the park to its full potential you’ll need a car. Hiking and trekking are the most popular activities in the park, but there are options for rafting, canyoning, or via ferrata as well.
Some of the most popular hikes in the park lead to the Dragon Lake of Tymfi with an overnight stay at the nearby Astraka Refuge. The classic ascent to the lake starts at Mikro Papigo village and takes around 5 hours to complete.
However, if you are up for a challenge you can start your climb at Konitsa on the opposite side of the mountain, pass the striking Aoos Gorge, and ascent to the lake through the steep Davalista pass. This 10-hour long trek is very challenging for an average hiker but absolutely stunning and well worth the efforts.
But you don’t have to embark on multiday hikes to be able to enjoy the striking landscape of the park, even some of the shorter strolls can be incredibly rewarding. Hiking to the Beloi viewpoint near Vradeto village is the perfect example. This hike only takes about 40 minutes and is passing through the pleasant countryside without much elevation gain.
The exiting part comes right at the end when the trail squeezes through a couple of otherworldly rock formations and ends on a small balcony overlooking Vikos gorge. Seeing this breathtaking view of the gorge from high above framed by stormy skies and colourful sunset was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.
by Helena from Just for One Summer
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9.Valbona Valley National Park, Albania
The Accursed Mountains, range shared between the three Balkan nations of Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo, is one of the most underrated adventure travel destinations in the region. Nestled in the southern part of the range, Valbona Valley National Park is undoubtedly one of the best national parks in Europe for hiking.
The Albanian Alps (a continuation of the iconic range that stretches across the continent from Switzerland to Austria and south along the Balkan Peninsula) are still relatively off the radar. A selection of beautiful trails suitable for long-distance and day hiking can be accessed from villages within the national park.
The most famous of these is undoubtedly the Valbona Theth Trek, which takes you between two alpine villages on the western fringe of the park. The hike can be done in as little as 5-6 hours and requires a moderate level of fitness. You get incredible views of the chalky peaks, arid river beds, and velvety valleys as you cross the mountain pass.
Several shorter routes start from the village of Theth and lead through the adjacent Theth National Park. These include the Denelle Trail (5 hours, moderate difficulty), which culminates in a mountain viewpoint, and the hike to the Theth Blue Eye (5 hours, easy), one of Albania’s iconic natural spring pools.
Another popular trail in Valbona Valley is Rosni Peak, which straddles the Albania-Montenegro border. A more challenging hike, it covers 17 km and requires around 7 hours to complete. From the summit, you get even more stunning views of the mountain range!
Another option is to walk the end section of the epic Via Dinarica Trail, which runs for 2,000 km from Slovenia all the way through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro before ending in Valbona Valley.
by Emily from Wander-Lush
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10.Wicklow National Park, Ireland
Wicklow National Park is one of 6 National Parks in Ireland, it spans over 54,000 acres and is within close proximity of Ireland’s capital, Dublin. There are many beautiful hiking trails, viewpoints, and wildlife spotting opportunities throughout the park.
The National Park has many popular highlights as well as insanely beautiful hidden gems. It is free for visitors to drive around the park by car, however, you can expect to pay for parking in some of the most popular areas such as Glendalough and Powerscourt Waterfall.
Glendalough is the best known area of the park, attracting over one million visitors each year. There are a total of 6 marked hiking routes for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. They all vary in difficulty and length, with the hardest walking route ‘Spinc’ taking 3 to 4 hours to complete. Glendalough is also a fantastic place to visit for those with an interest in Irish history as the park is a home to the ‘Monastic City’ featuring buildings from the 10th through to the 12th Century.
Another popular part of Wicklow National Park is Powerscourt Waterfall, located at the base of the Glensoulan Valley. The waterfall is said to be the highest in Ireland, although it is rather small on a global scale. Many walking trails lead to the waterfall, as well as along the River Dargle and above the valley.
A rather unique part of Wicklow National Park is none other than ‘Lough Tay’. Part of the Lake comes into the Guinness Estate, this is ironic as many argue that the shape of the Lake resembles that of a pint of Guinness. Which ultimately led to the lake being more famously known as Guinness Lake.
Other beautiful sections of the park include the Great Sugar Loaf, Glenmacnass Waterfall, and Djouce. No matter where you go in Wicklow National Park you are sure to be blown away by the park’s beauty. It is a must see on any trip to Ireland!
by Laura from Live, Adventure, Travel
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11. Karkonosze National Park, Poland
Do not miss Karkonosze National Park during your visit to south-western Poland! The national park protects part of Karkonosze mountain range, the highest mountains in the area, and provides over 100 km of trails suitable for hikers of all age and experience levels. In 1992, UNESCO recognized the parks: the Polish Krkonosze National Park and the Czech Krkonošsky Národni Park as a Bilateral Biosphere Reserve.
The park is home for over 200 species of birds, including white tale eagles and lesser known Alpine accentors. Interesting mammals spotted in Karkonosze are mouflons, which were brought there at the beginning of XX from Sardinia and Corsica.
For your stay, choose either Karpacz or Szklarska Poreba as your base, both towns provide very good tourist infrastructure! Be aware that you will have to pay a fee to enter the national park.
Some trails in the Karkonosze National Park run along the Polish-Czech border, including the final leg of the trail to Sniezka (1603 masl), the highest mountain in Karkonosze range and the highest mountain in Czechia. Hence, during this moderate hike you will meet many Polish and Czech hikers, all willing to conquer the highest peak!
If you’re based in Szklarska Poreba another classic mountain walk we recommend – Szrenica, is within easy reach.
Within the park, hikers can enjoy the comfort and food of mountain huts during their day trips or multi-day hikes. One of the classic routes runs from Karpacz to Szklarska Poreba and is a part of 440 km trail Sudecki im. Mieczysława Orłowicza which runs thru the park allowing walkers to enjoy the most prominent and famous landmarks of the national park; with food and rooms available in the huts.
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12.Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Netherlands
Hoge Veluwe National Park is located in the largest natural area of our country: the Veluwe. The park is known for its fine wildlife spotting opportunities, as well as hiking and cycling, with white bikes available for visitors.
It’s the only national park in The Netherlands with an admission charge, but the ticket includes the white bike usage and entry to the visitor centre. A famous Kröller Muller Museum, with an exhibition of many Van Gogh’s paintings is also part of the park.
However, hiking lovers will be pleased to know that Hoge Veluwe offers plenty of marked short and long distance trails. The longest trails run across the park from east to west and north to south.
My personal favourite hike is the one near the Schaarsbergen entrance, it’s marked with the wild boar sign. This trail will take you along woodland and agriculture grounds, hence you will have a chance to spot wildlife along the way. As Schaarsbergen is the least popular entrance to the park, you will not meet a lot of people on your trip.
Another favourite of mine is the hike that goes around the western side of the park, from the Otterlo entrance to the Schaarsbergen entrance. As there are no bike tracks or roads on this side of the park, there’s a great chance to see wildlife such as red deer and boar. Most of the trails are sand and it’s all unpaved.
By Antonette from We12Travel
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13. Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
Austria is famous for its stunning hiking trails. With hundreds of miles of excellent marked trails, the Austrian Alps have been one of the best places to go to for hiking enthusiasts. And it’s easy to see why. Therefore Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest national park in Austria, has to be on our list of best national parks for hikers. The park is a home to Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner (3798masl), expansive glaciers, emerald Alpine lakes, and impressive waterfalls. All these wonders can be admired during a hiking trip in Hohe Tauern NP.
If you are a beginner hiker, drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road to Edelweissspitze, where you will find trailheads to various easy hikes in surrounding areas. Definitely, this is the greatest option for hiking families! Keep your eyes open, there are many wild animals in this part of the Austrian Alps. If you are lucky, you will spot golden eagles, chamois, or even marmots.
You can also try some of 5 themed hikes in the park, such as Alpine Herbs Natural Trail or Boulder glacier trail in Dösental.
We recommend seasoned hikers to try The Glockner Trail – a 7 day circular trail around Austria’s highest mountain. Each day will require walking for 6-8 hours in order to get to the next accommodation. During peak season (July and August) it is advisable to book your accommodation in the huts well in advance. For the best experience, ensure to plan ahead!
You can choose to start the Grossglockner Trail at a few locations in the valleys of the national park, with Kaprun being the most popular among visitors. This is a perfect location to start exploring other areas and trails in Austrian Hohe Tauern National Park.
By Darek from Darek & Gosia
scenery of Hohe Tauern National Park
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14. Calanques National Park, France
Calanques National Park is one of the most stunning places in southern France. The park stands out as an area of untouched natural beauty in a region blessed with a multitude of national attractions! Located at the coast between the bustling city of Marseille and the charming seaside village of Cassis, the national park is plentiful with walks, but it also encompasses a vast maritime area, making it perfect for exploring from the sea.
There are several ways to enjoy the park – be that hiking, kayaking, boat touring, or simply popping down to the beach for a day out. Most of the beaches are nested at the narrow end of the grand ‘calanques’ – steep limestone cliffs that form an inlet of the sea.
On the ‘Cassis side’ of the park, you’ll find the most famous hiking trail. The 2-3 hours hike will take you to the three ‘Calanques de Cassis’, being Port Miou, Port Pin and Calanque d’En Vau. Both Port Pin and Calanque d’En Vau are popular swimming spots, with the latter being a less crowded due to its remote and secluded position within the park.
At the other end of the park, closer to Les Goudes, you’ll find Calanque de Callelongue which is the starting point for hikes along the coast to Calanque de Marseilleveyre and Calanque de Podestat, although keen walkers can keep going all the way to Cassis. In the middle of the park, the most accessible beaches can be found at Calanque de Sormiou and Calanque de Morgiou – which you can drive right down to at certain times of the year. The entire area is a joy to explore, with views that will leave you spellbound, fragrant garrigue covered cliffs, and varied terrain to discover. Just be sure to check the weather forecast and whether the park is open before you set out for the day trip – as it often closes in summer due to high risk of the wildfires.
by Nadine from Le Long Weekend
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15. Rila National Park, Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s beautiful Rila National Park is home to many of the country’s most significant landmarks and places to visit. It’s also the country’s largest national park, with over eight hundred square kilometers of the Rila Mountains falling under its protection. It’s so large that it is actually one of the largest protected areas in the whole of Europe.
The most popular hike in Rila NP is the Seven Rila Lakes hike which can take between four and nine-hours to complete, depending on where the starting point and how many lakes you would like to be able to see at once. While most people choose to see all Seven Rila Lakes in one gorgeous panorama, you can cut off an hour of walking by settling for five of the seven. And you can keep the entire hike to four hours by starting from the chairlift top instead of hiking from the valley bottom.
If you’re after some winter fun or want a real summer hiking challenge, Masala (2925 masl) is the highest mountain on the entire Balkan peninsula and offers a great adventure year-round. Just be prepared for demanding climb at the final stage of the hike.
If you are after ‘stay at mountain hut’ experience, try a hike to Ivan Hazov hut and enjoy the spectacular views of Kalinite ridge towering above the hut.
Did you know that pilgrims walking to Rila Monastery also trek through Rila National Park? The pilgrim trails are some of the most popular hiking paths in the country, but they’re often chosen for their spiritual significance rather than the scenery. Though of course, the scenery is lovely as well.
by Stephanie from Sofia Adventures
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