Europe's best hikes for beginners

Europe's best hikes for beginners

From easy city walks to more difficult outdoor challenges, we share 10 of Europe's best hikes for beginners

When Peter traveled to Argentina in January to climb Aconcagua (his third of the seven peaks), a friend asked me why I didn't accompany him.

Climbing mountains is his thing, I explained. I feel completely comfortable below 4,000 m. She frowned and said, 'I thought you'd want to leave since you're always on the go.'

I laughed because I was once a city girl like her, both impressed and slightly amazed by those who were “always on the go.” Like I did in Are You an Outdoor Snob? As I explain, before our big trip in 2014, I had never slept under the stars, never bathed in a lake and never followed nature's call in nature. I was also a first-time visitor.

I've come a long way since then - hiking to Erta Ale, testing my limits at Cotopaxi - but I remember what it was like to be a total newbie.

As part of Atlas & Boots' commitment to getting 'newbies' into nature, we've put together a list of Europe's best hikes for beginners, from quick and easy city strolls to more difficult outdoor challenges.

Vesuvius, Italy

Recommended tour: Pompeii and Vesuvius day tour from Rome Tour duration: 12 hours Hiking time: 1 hour

alt="Vesuvius offers one of the best hikes in Europe">Versta/ShutterstockVesuvius offers one of the best hikes in Europe

This tour takes you to two of Europe's most famous sites, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, and is perfect for nature lovers and history buffs.

The day begins with a walk through the cobbled streets of Pompeii, whose ruins are perfectly preserved by ash and rock. Eerie and vast, the place demonstrates the deadly force that stirs deep within Mount Vesuvius.

This famous volcano has erupted several times since its famous explosion in 79 AD. In fact, it is the only volcano in mainland Europe to have erupted in the last 100 years. Of course, for some visitors this only adds to the temptation.

The short hike to the summit takes 20 minutes and the descent takes approximately 30 minutes. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and pack a sweater or light jacket as temperatures on the volcano can drop, especially outside of summer.

Mt. Teide, Canary Islands, Spain

Recommended tour: Guided hike to the Teide volcano & cable car ride in TenerifeTour duration: 3 hours. Duration of the hike: 1 hour

alt="Teide is the highest peak in Spain">John_Walker/ShutterstockTeide is the highest peak in Spain

Located on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Mount Teide is a stratovolcano that, at 3,718 m (12,198 ft), is the highest peak in Spain.

Measured from the seabed, Teide is about 7,500 m (24,600 ft) high and is considered the third highest volcanic structure in the world. It is of particular interest to geologists because it provides evidence of how oceanic islands develop.

Hard-core hikers can take the Telesforo Bravo trail to the summit, but the uninitiated can take a cable car to the 2,000-meter mark. The hike to the summit varies in length depending on the route (check with your guide beforehand). Either way, expect breathtaking views of Tenerife and the neighboring Canary Islands.

Montserrat, Spain

Recommended tour: Montserrat and half-day hiking tourTour duration: 5h TourHike duration: 1h

alt="Montserrat is famous for its finger-like rock formations">LALS Stock/ShutterstockMontserrat is famous for its finger-like rock formations

Montserrat is located 50 km northwest of Barcelona and is famous for its unique rock formations. Sculpted over millennia by wind and frost, the mountain features a collection of limestone cliffs that resemble giant troll fingers stretching into the sky.

About halfway up the mountain lies Santa Maria de Montserrat, a monastery that preserves the Virgin of Montserrat, one of Spain's most revered icons.

The surrounding park, Parc Natural de la Muntanya de Montserrat, offers some of Europe's best hikes for beginners. The most difficult hike is to Sant Jeroni and lasts about five hours, while the easiest is from the monastery to Degotalls. Each offers wonderful panoramic views of the park.

Fira and Oia, Santorini, Greece

Recommended tour: Fira and Oia night hike in SantoriniTour duration: 4 hours. Duration of the hike: 2 hours

alt=”Escape the crowds on this nighttime walking tour in Santorini”>Colombo Nicola/ShutterstockEscape the crowds on this nighttime walking tour in Santorini

With its white-washed clifftop villages, sea-flooded caldera and extraordinary panoramas, Santorini in Greece is understandably one of Europe's most popular travel destinations.

Escape the crowds on this nighttime hike to the clifftop towns of Fira and Oia. A local expert will guide you to the best viewpoints in the area, from which you can watch a magnificent Greek sunset and observe thousands of lights that illuminate the island at night.

The easy two-hour hike ends with a Santorini wine tasting and a traditional Greek dinner – not a bad option for first-time hikers.

Lyon & Rhones-Alpes, France

Recommended tour: Private easy half-day hike to Mont Blanc from ChamonixTour duration: 5 hrs Hike duration: 3 hrs

alt="Mont Blanc is one of the best hikes in Europe">Creative Travel Projects/ShutterstockEnjoy a picnic with a view of the Alps

This half-day excursion is one of Europe's best hikes for beginners. An experienced guide will lead you into the alpine wilderness to enjoy breathtaking views of the famous Mont Blanc.

At an altitude of 4,808 m (15,774 ft) above sea level, Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps and ranks 11th in the world in terms of topographic prominence (i.e. the height of the peak relative to the lowest contour line surrounding it).

On the hike, you'll learn about the history and heritage of mountaineering, as well as alpine flora and glaciology, before enjoying a picnic of local delicacies against the backdrop of the stunning Alps.

Storforsen, Sweden

Recommended tour: Storforsen Nature Reserve Tour by LuleaTour duration: 6 hours Hiking time: 3 hours

alt="Storforsen is one of the best hikes in Europe">Norr/ShutterstockThe Storforsen rapids are one of the largest in Europe

The Storforsen nature reserve is a green landscape with untouched forests, crisscrossed by streams and hiking trails. Its namesake, the impressive Storforsen Rapids, stretch 5 km across the Pite River and drop 82 m (269 feet) – much of it in a single turbulent waterfall.

The Pite is one of Sweden's four untamed national rivers and the Storforsen rapids are one of the largest in Europe.

In November and December the river basins freeze over. Even the rapids can freeze. An ice dam pushes water into the surrounding forest, creating an extraordinary winter wonderland.

Look out for grouse, rabbits, squirrels, moose and reindeer. There is also a chance to spot otters and minks as they search for open water spots to fish.

Cindrel Mountains, Romania

Recommended Tour: Cindrel Mountains Hiking Experience from SibiuTour Duration: 5-7 hrs Hiking Duration: 4-5 hrs

alt=“Hike through the extraordinary landscape of the Southern Carpathians”>Roberto Sorin/ShutterstockHike through the extraordinary landscape of the Southern Carpathians

The Cindrel Mountains are a magnificent group of peaks in the Southern Carpathians of Romania. Hiking here offers exceptional landscapes but also the opportunity to learn about the people of Mărginimea Sibiului, who are proud to preserve their ancestral way of life.

The hike begins in Paltinis and climbs to Batrana Peak at about 1,900 m (6,233 ft) above sea level. Expect dense forest, picturesque pastures and spectacular views of Romania's peaks.

The area is a Natura 2000 site and if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of protected animals such as wolves, lynxes and capercaillies.

Skaftafell, Iceland

Recommended tour: Glacier hike from Skaftafell National Park Tour duration: 5.5 hours Hike duration: 5 hours

alt=“Explore Iceland’s glacier wonderland on one of Europe’s best hikes for beginners”>Kuznetsov Alexey/ShutterstockExplore Iceland's glacial wonderland

On this hike, you'll travel through Iceland's blue wonderland to Falljökull, the most impressive outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull ice cap.

Enjoy sweeping panoramas of the surrounding mountains, stand in a real icefall, and learn about Iceland's glacial formations and how they impact the environment.

This is one of the most challenging of Europe's best hikes for beginners, so bring warm outdoor clothing with a waterproof jacket and pants, warm hat, gloves and of course good hiking boots. You will receive special equipment for the hike as well as training from a state-certified glacier guide.

Tromso, Norway

Recommended tour: Guided snowshoe tourTour duration: 4 hours. Hike duration: 1.5 hours

alt=“A view of Tromsø across the sound”>Vichie81/ShutterstockA view of Tromsø across the sound

If the idea of ​​an Arctic hike has you trembling, fear not, as your expert guide will select a route suitable for all hikers in the group.

You'll be provided with snowshoes and warm clothing before heading to Kvaloya, Norway's fourth largest island, located 25 minutes from Tromsø city center.

Expect breathtaking views over Tromsø Sound and Balsfjord and keep an eye out for Norway's Arctic wildlife. The trip ends with hot drinks outdoors or by the fire on a Lavvo post-hike.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Recommended tour: Rovaniemi Wilderness Snowshoe Adventure Tour duration: 3 hours Hike duration: 1.5 hours

alt=“A typically Finnish look at one of the best hikes in Europe”>Roman Babakin/ShutterstockA typically Finnish look at one of Europe's best hikes

Snowshoeing in Finnish Lapland may sound daunting for novice hikers, but there will be an experienced guide on hand to train all participants.

On this tour you will hike a few kilometers through the wilderness of northern Finland. Expect the typical Finnish view: vast mountain landscapes and clumps of trees trembling under a blanket of snow.

Hikers are accompanied by a professional photographer who shares tricks and techniques to improve your own landscape photography.

The tour ends with hot drinks and snacks around a crackling campfire. All in all, a nice introduction to the world of hiking.

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Lonely Planet Europe is a comprehensive travel guide to Europe, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

Cover image: Creative Travel Projects/Shutterstock

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