European trekking ideas

European Trekking ideas

Easy first treks:

Some of the easier trekking routes in Europe are through hilly rather than mountainous terrain, such as The Robert Louis Stevenson Trail, or The Cathar Way, a fascinating route visiting many of the finest Cathar castles in the region.

Trekking in the Alps:

Are you worried that trekking in the Alps may be beyond your capabilities? Think again!

Walking and trekking in the Alps is within the range of anyone who has felt comfortable walking in upland areas of Britain, such as the Lake District, Snowdonia or Scotland. Path quality in general is similar, if not better than what you would expect to find in UK mountain areas, and most of the trails have helpful signs, so it's easier to navigate. Add to that the wonderful mountain hut system for overnight stops (usually bookable just one or two days ahead and around 30 euro per person, dinner, Bed and Breakfast) read an article about mountain huts, and you have a recipe for a great active holiday.

Read an article about how tough you need to be for the Alps

Slightly harder, but fairly short week or ten-day treks could include some of the treks in Walking on Corsica, Trekking in the Stubai Alps, Trekking in the Zillertal Alps, The Tour of the Jungfrau Region, Tour of the Vanoise and Tour of Mont Blanc.

If you're worried about keeping outside the Euro zone, then try Walking in Croatia, The Mountains of Montenegro or visit Turkey, Jordan or Morocco – but not in the height of summer!

Those looking for greater challenges, either in length or difficulty can pick from a huge variety of trekking guides, including favourites such as the GR10 and GR11 in the Pyrenees, the GR5 , Chamonix to Zermatt, Treks in the Dolomites (AV1 and AV2) and the GR20 in Corsica. Less busy routes we suggest you try are Trekking in the Appenines (friendly people, great food and hardy anyone there - takes about three weeks – read a related article by Gillian Price), Across the Eastern Alps: The E5, another long trek, Trekking in the Vosges and Jura (the northern section of the GR5), or the traverse of the Pindos mountains in The Mountains of Greece.