Wild continent: the best national parks in Europe

Wild continent: the best national parks in Europe

Europe's best national parks are home to the wildest landscapes and most exciting outdoor activities the continent has to offer

Europe's most beautiful wilderness has rightly been anchored and protected in its national parks. Large glaciers, high mountains and virgin forests stretch across the 50 sovereign states of Europe. We take a look at the wildest and best national parks in Europe.

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Location: Norway Further information: dnt.no or ut.no

alt="best-national-parks-in-europe-Jostedalsbreen">DreamtimeThe Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier in continental Europe

Jostedalsbreen is home to the largest glacier (also called Jostedalsbreen) in continental Europe. The glacier has shrunk in recent years, but at 487 km2 (188 square miles) it still has a long way to go. When it retreats, it reveals the ruins of farms that have already been absorbed by the glacier since 1750.

Le Parc National des Pyrénées / Ordesa y Monte Perdido

Location: France / Spain Further information: pyrenees-parcnational.fr / spain.info

alt="Best-National-Parks-in-Europe-Pyrenees">DreamtimeThe Pic du Midi d’Ossau (2,884 m/9,462 ft) rises above the Ossau valley in the French Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are one of Europe's leading hiking and mountaineering regions. The mountain range that forms a natural border between France in the north and Spain in the south is best explored through these two national parks. The parks share excellent wilderness and wildlife, with wild camping permitted in France's much larger Le Parc National des Pyrénées.

Sarek National Park

Location: SwedenMore information: swedishtouristassociation.com

alt="Best National Parks in Europe sarek">DreamtimeSarek National Park is home to Europe's last great wilderness

Sarek in Swedish Lapland is a survivalist's dream. You have to be the adventurous type to get out here as there are no marked hiking trails, huts or amenities that you could find elsewhere in Sweden. This is Europe's last great wilderness, so progress is slow and often arduous. Just beware of the bears!

• Abseits der ausgetretenen Pfade: 10 unbekannte Treks für deine Bucket List

Bavarian Forest National Park / Šumava National Park

Location: Germany / Czech RepublicMore information: nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.de / npsumava.cz

alt="Best-National-Parks-in-Europe-Bavarian-Forest">DreamtimeA typical undisturbed scene in the Bavarian Forest

This Central European forested low mountain range is criss-crossed by excellent hiking, cross-country skiing and cycling trails. Despite this, the region sees relatively few international tourists and therefore remains a fairly undisturbed jungle. Wild camping is permitted on both sides of the border.

• 10 echte Märchengebäude

Cairngorms National Park

Location: Scotland, UK Further information: visitcairngorms.com

alt=“The best national parks in Europe Cairngorms- 13″>DreamtimeA run-down stone house in the Cairngorms

This area of ​​Scotland in the heart of the Scottish Highlands holds a very special place in my heart. My early family holidays were here and years later it was in the Cairngorms that I first learned how to strap on crampons and self-lock with an ice axe. In my opinion, Scotland is still home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world - the very best of it here in Britain's biggest and best national park. Wild camping is permitted throughout the park.

• 5 besten Nationalparks in Großbritannien

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Location: Croatia Further information: np-plitvicka-jezera.hr

alt="best-national-parks-in-europe-plitvice">DreamtimeThe main attraction is the park's 16 cascade lakes

Croatia's largest national park attracts over a million visitors every year. The main attraction is the park's 16 cascading lakes and their distinctive colors, which range from brilliant azure, green and gray. The color of the lakes' water constantly changes depending on the amount of minerals present and the angle at which the sunlight hits them.

Gran Paradiso National Park

Location: Italy Further information: pngp.it

alt="Best-National-Parks-in-Europe-Gran-Paradiso">DreamtimeThe park's namesake is the 4,061 m high Gran Paradiso mountain

Italy's first national park was founded in 1922 and is home to its namesake, the 4,061 m (13,323 ft) high mountain Gran Paradiso. The park has some of the most picturesque mountains and valleys in Italy and is a very popular destination for hikers and skiers all year round. The hiking trails are well marked and there are several well-maintained mountain huts and bivacchi (unoccupied refuges) throughout the region.

Swiss National Park

Location: SwitzerlandMore information: nationalpark.ch

alt="best-national-parks-in-europe-switzerland">DreamtimeThe Swiss National Park, founded in 1914, was one of the first in Europe

Located in a particularly stunning area of ​​the stunning Alps in Switzerland, this park has strict boundaries that restrict human activity. This “Total Protection” philosophy is probably why it is so breathtakingly beautiful. Founded in 1914, it was one of the earliest national parks in Europe and, surprisingly, is still Switzerland's only national park, although two other areas of Switzerland are currently applying for national park status

Vatnajökull National Park

Location: Iceland Further information: vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is

alt="Best-National-Parks-in-Europe-Iceland">DreamtimeA Vatnajökull ice cave

Where to start? At 13,600 km2 (5,300 square miles), Vatnajökull is Europe's largest national park. Covering almost 14% of Iceland's total area, it is home to Europe's largest glacier outside the Arctic and Europe's most powerful waterfall, the titanic Dettifoss. Glacier hikes and ice caves are just some of the daring activities on offer.

Prielbrusye National Park

Location: RussiaMore information: elbruspark.com

alt="best national parks in europe elbrus">DreamtimeAt 5,642 m (18,510 ft), Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe

Home to Mt. Elbrus (Europe's highest mountain at 5,642 m (18,510 ft) and a member of the Seven Summits). Prielbrusye National Park is a popular winter and mountaineering destination. The Baksan River, which flows through the park, has created high mountain peaks, deep green valleys, bubbling mineral springs and deep waterfalls.

• Die sieben zweiten Gipfel: eine härtere Herausforderung

Tatra National Park

Location: Poland Further information: htanap.org

alt="best-national-parks-in-europe-poland">DreamtimeThe Tatras are a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts

Characterized by Alpine peaks, glacial lakes, mountain caves and vast evergreen forests, this mountainous area of ​​Poland is surprisingly easy to access. The Tatra Mountains and their excellent hiking trails and outstanding hiking infrastructure make this national park a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

Jotunheimen National Park

Location: Norway Further information: jotunheimen.com, dnt.no or ut.no

alt="best national parks in Europe Jotunheimen">DreamtimeJotunheimen is home to Europe's highest concentration of mountains above 2,000 m (6,500 ft)

I love Norway, which is why this is the country's second appearance on this list of the best national parks in Europe. Despite being Norway's most popular national park, Jotunheimen Steel feels undisturbed - probably because it is home to Northern Europe's highest concentration of mountains above 2,000 m (6,500 feet). Dotted with waterfalls, rivers, lakes, glaciers and valleys, it is also the land of jotuns (mountain trolls), although I didn't see any during my visits.

• Besteigung des Galdhøpiggen im Jotunheimen-Nationalpark

old=““>

Lonely Planet's National Parks of Europe is a celebration and practical guide to Europe's areas of incredible natural beauty. This hardcover highlights 60 of the best national parks in Europe, along with suggested itineraries for the top sights and activities.

Mission statement: Dreamstime

      .