Your Guide to the Best Multi-Day Hikes in Europe
Hiking is an adventure that speaks to everyone differently. It can be a breath of fresh air, a test of endurance, a chance to disconnect, or simply a way to admire nature's beauty up close.
At Skyhook, we see hiking as the ultimate celebration of the great outdoors. So, we've put together this list of Europe's top multi-day hikes to spark your wanderlust.
From Alpine heights to Mediterranean coastlines, these trails offer more than just a walk – they're journeys of discovery. Let's dive in!
1. Tour du Mont Blanc
Duration: 7-11 days
Distance: 170 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting off our list is the pinnacle of European hiking experiences - the Tour du Mont Blanc. It's a challenging trail encircling the majestic Mont Blanc massif that leads you through three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland.
On the Tour du Mont Blanc, you'll travel through Alpine fields awash with vibrant wildflowers, cross towering mountain passes that deliver jaw-dropping vistas, and wind down each day in a welcoming mountain refuge, savouring hearty local cuisine.
If paradise exists, this might be it!
We offer two incredible guided experiences on the Tour du Mont Blanc to suit your adventure level.
Our Tour du Mont Blanc (4-Days) trek takes you on a challenging yet rewarding journey through stunning glaciers and mountain lakes, perfect for those seeking a shorter but equally breathtaking adventure.
For the whole experience, our Tour du Mont Blanc 10-day trek allows you to hike through France, Italy, and Switzerland, embracing the entirety of one of the world's greatest long-distance trails.
2. Hornstrandir Traverse, Iceland
Duration: 6-8 days
Distance: 80 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Next, we're heading north to the land of fire and ice. The Hornstrandir Iceland is a wild adventure through one of Europe's most remote and untouched wilderness areas.
Trekking across a landscape shaped by glaciers and volcanoes, where Arctic foxes roam, and puffins nest on dramatic sea cliffs, is a journey into the heart of Icelandic nature.
The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is so isolated that the only way to reach it is by boat - talk about the best way to travel around Iceland!
On Skyhook's Hornstrandir Traverse, you'll hike through lush valleys, cross crystal-clear streams, and camp under the midnight sun.
Bring your sense of adventure (and some waterproof socks - this is Iceland, after all).
3. Pyrenees Mountains
Duration: 7-10 days
Distance: Varies depending on the route
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Fancy a trek combining stunning mountain scenery with a Spanish and French culture dash? Then, you must hike in the Pyrenees Mountains.
The Pyrenees offer hiking options, from the challenging GR10 trail to more leisurely routes through picturesque valleys.
Skyhook's Hut to Hut Hiking in the Pyrenees Mountains adventure takes you through the heart of this mountain range, where you'll discover hidden lakes, ancient forests, and charming mountain villages.
Don't be surprised if you share the trail with some residents - the Pyrenean chamois and marmots are known to make guest appearances.
Just don't try to sneak them home in your rucksack, no matter how cute they are!
4. High Tatras & Slovak Paradise
Duration: 6-8 days
Distance: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
If you like your hikes with adrenaline, the High Tatras and Slovak Paradise in Slovakia are calling your name.
Tatra hiking comes with a twist - imagine rocky peaks, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and the chance to spot brown bears (from a safe distance, of course).
But it's the Slovak Paradise that ups the ante. Here, you'll navigate wooden walkways clinging to cliff faces, climb ladders alongside waterfalls, and squeeze through narrow gorges.
Skyhook's High Tatras & Slovak Paradise (Long Weekend Adventure) trek combines the best of both worlds. One day, you're enjoying panoramic views from a mountain peak; the next, you're channelling your inner Indiana Jones in a canyon.
Win a Trip to Morocco
5. Crete Island
Duration: 7-10 days
Distance: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate
Crete is a Greek paradise that offers more than beautiful beaches and delicious food (though there's plenty of that, too).
The best hikes in Crete are some of Southern Europe's most unspoiled and isolated regions, featuring splendid seaside and mountain trails.
On Skyhook's Hiking on Crete Island - Samaria Gorge and South Coast trip, you'll experience the rugged beauty of the Samaria Gorge, traverse diverse landscapes, and stay in charming traditional villages.
Enjoy Greek hospitality, Mediterranean cuisine, and exceptional wine as you hike through this stunning and remote part of the island.
6. GR20, Corsica
Duration: 15 days
Distance: 180 km
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Often dubbed Europe's toughest long-distance trek, the GR20 on the island of Corsica in France is not for the faint-hearted.
This trail will take you through the rugged heart of Corsica, over rocky ridges, through forests, and past crystal-clear mountain lakes.
The views are spectacular, but you'll have to work for them - some days involve scrambling up near-vertical rock faces!
Pace yourself, and don't forget to occasionally look up from the trail to appreciate the stunning Corsican landscape.
7. Kungsleden (The King's Trail), Sweden
Duration: 15-20 days for the entire trail
Distance: 440 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Sweden's Kungsleden offers a truly unique Arctic hiking experience.
Traversing Sweden's largest remaining wilderness area, the Kungsleden takes you through vast tundra, birch forests, and glacial valleys. You might even spot reindeer or moose along the way!
The full trail is a serious undertaking, but it's possible to hike shorter sections. Just remember to pack your mosquito repellent - those Arctic summers can be buggy!
8. Camino de Santiago, Spain
Duration: Varies (the most popular route is about 30 days)
Distance: Varies (the most popular route is about 780 km)
Difficulty: Moderate
No list of European hikes would be complete without mentioning the Camino de Santiago. This ancient pilgrimage route has been attracting walkers for over a thousand years.
The Camino is a journey through history, culture, and often self-discovery.
The most popular route, the Camino Francés, takes you across northern Spain through medieval towns, rolling vineyards, and bustling cities.
One of the best things about the Camino is the camaraderie. You'll meet fellow pilgrims from all over the world, sharing stories over hearty Spanish meals.
9. West Highland Way, Scotland
Duration: 7-8 days
Distance: 154 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Look no further than the West Highland Way for a taste of the wild Scottish Highlands.
This trail takes you through some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes - from the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to the dramatic scenery of Glencoe. You'll cross moorlands, skirt lochs, and maybe even spot the elusive Highland cow.
Please bring your waterproofs. Scottish weather is notoriously changeable, and you might experience all four seasons in one day.
But don't let that deter you - there's nothing quite like celebrating the end of your hike with a wee dram of whisky in a cosy Highland pub.
10. Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
Duration: 4-5 days
Distance: 55 km
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
We're ending our list with another gem from the land of fire and ice - the Laugavegur Trail.
This trail will make you feel like you've stepped onto another planet. You'll hike past multi-coloured rhyolite mountains, black sand deserts, and steaming hot springs. The landscape is so otherworldly that NASA apparently used it to prepare for the Apollo missions!
While the weather can be unpredictable and river crossings challenging, the breathtaking scenery more than makes up for any soggy boots or chilly fingers.
Conclusion
There's something magical about multi-day hiking in Europe.
Maybe it's the diversity of landscapes - one day, you're scaling an Alp, the next, you're strolling through a sun-dappled forest.
Or perhaps it's the rich history and culture you encounter along the way - ancient ruins, charming villages, and local traditions that have endured for centuries.
Whatever it is, one thing's for sure - once you've experienced the thrill of a European long-distance hike, you'll be hooked.
The sense of achievement as you reach a summit, the camaraderie with fellow hikers, the simple pleasure of a hot meal after a long day on the trail - these moments make multi-day hiking so special.
So, which trail will you tackle first?
