The Most Stunning Hikes In Europe For Mesmerizing Mountain Views, According To Adventurers

When I first moved from the United States to Europe in 2018, I knew very little about the continent's geographic offerings. Of course, I had heard of the Alps, the Pyrenees, and a few other major mountain ranges, but I was unaware of the diverse array of smaller topographical formations that etch their way through the region. During my years living in Spain and later Portugal, I was able to explore some of the most popular local hikes. I was also lucky enough to be able to bus hop and catch the occasional Ryanair flight around the continent, allowing me to explore trails that I would have otherwise never discovered.

Although I stumbled upon many of my favorite hikes during this time, I also made my fair share of mistakes along the way. The following list explores some of my favorite spots to catch incredible mountain views around Europe, as well as a few of the places that I probably should have tried out. I based my picks on a combination of positive personal experiences, local recommendations, and traveler reviews. Although I have yet to hit a few of these destinations — specifically the offerings in France, Slovenia, Italy, and Germany — I researched them in depth during the creation of my travel wish list. Here are spots I selected for providing mind-blowing views of mountain peaks that many travelers overlook.

When I moved to Galicia, Spain, as an English language teaching assistant in 2018, I asked my colleagues what I needed to see during my time in the region. As I collected travel tips and tricks, I noticed that one name kept coming up in conversation: the Sil Canyon. Located in the Ribeira Sacra region of Spain, this spectacular geological phenomenon features a cold river that snakes through rocky mountains. To view it at its finest, I recommend walking the short trail to the Mirador de la Columna viewpoint. 

This .25 mile out-and-back trail is accessible by bicycle and foot. It's short enough that children can easily complete the trek. The view at the end will stun you, thanks to a unique combination of dark river water and deep green mountains. Overall, the hike is ideal for anyone who wants to explore the Ribeira Sacra without breaking a sweat.

Of course, quite a bit has changed since my visit seven years ago. Even so, recent visitors continue to applaud this trail for its spectacular natural beauty. As one traveler put it on Google, "This viewpoint is easily accessible from the road, with a very short walk. It sits on a bend in the river, allowing sweeping views of the river on both sides. The views over the Sil canyons from this viewpoint are spectacular." To access this viewpoint, drive 50 minutes from Ourense's train station. 

During my tenure in Spain, I bus-hopped to Andorra. Although the journey was long, the mountains I saw upon disembarking made me want to sing, "The Hills Are Alive." Sure, Andorra is located in the Pyrenees as opposed to the Austrian Alps. However, its emerald hills and rugged peaks look like a scene from "The Sound of Music." The landscape was so breathtaking that I felt compelled to start hiking, albeit rather quickly. I rushed to the piste beneath the Telecabina de Canillo gondola and began my trek in a hurry. Although the walk itself was gorgeous, locals later expressed disappointment that I hadn't taken on a more adequate route. What did they recommend instead? The Sender dels Estanys de Tristaina trail.

Located just 15 minutes by car from the gorgeous town of El Serrat, the Sender dels Estanys de Tristaina leads hikers alongside deep green mountains and crystal clear lakes — literally the stuff of postcards. As the walk is a 2.3-mile out-and-back, it is suitable for hikers of a variety of levels. Previous visitors say that this is the sort of hike that's worth doing repeatedly, with one Google reviewer sharing, "I had already come a few years ago in the middle of summer ... But then, coming back in May with part of the mountain still under the snow was a superb experience." If I ever get to return to Andorra, this hike will be at the top of my list! 

When I look back at my time as a resident of Portugal, there's one governmental effort that I miss desperately: the Passadiços Program. Indeed, the Portuguese government has erected dozens of passadiços — or boardwalk trails — all across the country. Many of these structures form some of the best hikes in Portugal, with the added bonus that they provide a nice level ground for people of all hiking levels to enjoy. You can even hike in the mountains via boardwalk, thanks to the amazing Passadiços do Mondego. 

Located in the heart of the Serra da Estrela Geopark, the Passadiços do Mondego will guide you through 7.5 miles of nonstop mountainous scenery. Here, you'll notice that the boardwalks provide a sense of safety. As you traverse gorges and pass over boulders, you won't risk getting lost or taking a wrong turn. Although some hikers might find it hard to complete the entire route, you can choose to turn around at any time.

Many visitors share my opinion that the very structure of the boardwalks themselves is a sight to behold. As one visitor gushed on Google, "An astounding feat of engineering in itself this walk is both beautiful and interesting.. the historical aspect of this once thriving valley is so apparent as you walk along ..." To arrive here, drive just 25 minutes from the tourist center in the nearby town of Guarda.

Iceland is famous for its hot springs culture, and there's plenty to learn before swimming in its iconic Blue Lagoon. But the Blue Lagoon is far from being the most authentic place to take a dip in the Land of Fire and Ice. Many Icelandic locals prefer hot springs surrounded by nature, rather than something more artificial. The spot that was recommended to me on a 2018 trip to the region was the Reykjadalur Hot Springs — which stand out from the rest, as you have to hike 1.9 miles up a scenic mountain to get there.

When I began this trek, my first thought was that the hike was way more challenging than I had assumed. The total distance of the out-and-back trail is just 3.8 miles, but the route to the springs is straight up. The good news, however, is that the climb comes with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains. At the end, you can enjoy these landscapes even more fully by lounging in a hot thermal river as you look at the peaks that tower above. Although it's been a few years since my trip, more recent visitors share my opinion that this hike is worth it. One even wrote on Tripadvisor: "WOW, am I glad and grateful we stuck it out. The scenery was so gorgeous and varied, and that hot bath at the end might literally have been heaven."

Rick Steves says that Slovenia is Europe's best-kept secret, and he might actually be right. While I have yet to travel to this beautiful mountainous land, there's a reason it's so high on my travel wish list — it's home to the Slovenian Mountain Trail. This 383-mile trail takes, on average, 32 days to complete and is perfect for serious trekkers. Although I'm not sure that I could realistically finish the whole thing, I am excited about the views at hand. After all, this hike takes adventurers past rugged mountain peaks, pine-covered pistes, and adorable mountain chalets. As you make your way toward the finish line, you can experience traditional Slovenian eats at one of the many mountainside bars or restaurants. I am rarely one to turn down a plate of scrumptious food.

Folks who have completed this trail tout it as one of the most life-changing experiences out there. Due to the physical and mental strength required to complete it, these adventurers describe the walk as one brimming with moments of reflection and introspection. After completing the trail — and skipping a particularly hard ascent near the end — one hiker shared how the experience taught her to be less intensely goal-oriented. As she wrote on The Trek, "I had fulfilled the goals of my hike: to have fun in nature, to reflect, to respect my own limits, and to be kind to myself."

Since multi-day hikes come with obvious challenges, I sometimes like to tackle a single section of a longer course. Such was my strategy with the Wicklow Way in Ireland. The trek, which spans almost 79 miles from Rathfarnham to Clonegal, begins in the gardens of the historic Marlay House. When I was traveling in Ireland in 2024, I didn't have the time or equipment to undertake such a massive feat. However, out of a desire to enjoy just a wee bit of the adventure, I took a nearly 40-minute car ride from central Dublin to the trailhead. From there, I set out to complete the first 7 miles of the trip (one-way), which took me into the first bit of the Wicklow Mountains.

As I hiked upward, I was blown away by the picturesque rolling hills that surrounded me. I was even thrilled to wander by the Fairy Castle, a cairn dating back to the Bronze Age between 2000 and 2500 BC. This mixture of ancient ruins and dramatic mist-covered landscapes left me with the dream of one day returning to Ireland and completing the trek. Adventurers who have hiked the Wicklow Way from start to finish say that the first half offers the best mountain views. As one wrote on the What's Dave Doing? blog, "The switch from mountains to rolling hills made for smaller climbs and easier descents, but the views were less expansive and more of the walking was on tarmac."

France is home to some of the most beautiful hikes in Europe, but you don't have to travel to the Alps to enjoy mountain views. The Sentiers des Ocres trails are situated just a 50-minute drive from the Provence Airport in Avignon, and they provide fantastic views of tree-covered mountains, lavender plants, and quaint villages. According to the local tourism office, the Sentiers de Ocres are essentially comprised of two routes. One takes approximately 50 minutes, while the other clocks in at 30 minutes. Both wind through the bright orange soil unearthed from what was once a quarry, allowing hikers to experience the hills of Provence from within.

Another benefit of this trail is its reputation for being family-friendly. Previous explorers say that their children took on the Sentier des Ocres with ease. Writing on Google reviews, one hiker explained, "Lovely short hike in the woods with beautiful red rock/earth. Kinda like a tiny version of Zion/Bryce parks in Provence (emphasis on tiny). Easy hike for the whole family including small children." Although I have yet to enjoy this particular walk, it is high on my travel wish list, as is this Grand Canyon alternative outside of the American West.

Norway's fjords are a top-tier getaway – a reality that I discovered on a trip to the region right before my big move in 2018. At first, I was convinced that it would be impossible to hike during my February adventure. It was winter, after all! But thanks to the tips of a kind-hearted Norwegian Airbnb host, I trekked up to Stegastein Viewpoint on a guided snowshoeing tour. Let me tell you that the effort was worth it. When I arrived at the top, I was amazed to see snowcapped mountains jutting out from the deep blue fjords below. The trek through the snow was not easy, but the imagery of a landscape covered in frozen white was enough to make me feel like I was hiking through a winter wonderland.

Although many years have passed since I adventured in this unique destination, it remains a favorite for travelers visiting the fjords. During the summer months, you can hike up to the viewpoint. Alternatively, you could drive, meaning that people from the same travel group can all enjoy the mountainous lookout regardless of their ability to make it up the hill. According to one recent Google reviewer, "Fantastic spot, the views are just breathtaking. We went up in the evening and early morning (6 am) to avoid tour coaches." To arrive here, drive about 30 minutes from the bus station in Flåm.

The term "mountain views" often conjures bird's-eye images of snow-capped peaks. But sometimes looking into a gorge is just as breathtaking as gazing upon one from afar. The hikers who have taken on the Dragon's Gorge trail in Germany know this for a fact. After all, this 6-mile loop whisks hikers away from the chaos of urban life and thrusts them deep into a mountainside gorge covered in boulders, moss, and even waterfalls. It's worth noting that this hike is not for the faint of heart, as the walkway spans just 28 inches at its tightest point. Even so, those who have completed the challenge say that it's worth it, with one even writing on Tripadvisor that it was a "Magical place! I came at the beginning of September and the entire walls were covered in moss, water was slowly dripping down the stones after the rain."

If you still want that classic mountaintop view, the Dragon's Gorge still delivers. At one point during the walk, you will be treated to a panoramic viewpoint of tree-covered mountains that stretch out into the distance. That being said, the real draw is the inner view of the mountain — at least, that's what landed the Dragon's Gorge on my traveling wish list. As a bonus, the hike is easy to get to, as adventurers only need to catch a 28-minute bus ride from Eisenach Central Station to the trailhead.

Italy is known as the nation of pasta and pizza, but there's far more to the region than just a plate of good food. The most scenic hiking trails and excursions in Italy are breathtakingly beautiful, and many are easily accessible by bus or train. Such is the case of Crocione San Martino, a hiking trail on the outskirts of Lecco, Italy. To arrive at the base of the mountain, travelers only need to take a 35-minute bus ride from the center of town. From there, they can proceed to take on the upward trek. According to the local tourism office, the walk takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. And since hikers gain almost 0.5 miles of elevation over the course of this journey, they should come prepared, with adequate shoes and ample water.

While I have yet to enjoy this walk, I have been blown away by the images from the top of the peak – rugged green peaks tower over a cityscape with Lake Lecco shimmering in the background. Previous visitors love this spot, applauding its beauty. One Google reviewer even wrote, "Is there a single better use of a Sunday than to scramble up the lovely path from the Castello neighborhood for a little picnic and a thermos of coffee at the peak? If there is, I'm not sure I want to know about it."

I really enjoyed putting together this list of the best mountain hikes in Europe. By blending my own preferences with other travelers' experiences, I hoped to recommend options that would appeal to a broad variety of people. I was particularly keen on making my suggestions accessible to adventurers of all different levels. For this reason, I included the short, family-friendly hikes on the Sentiers des Ocres in France, as well as the path to the Mirador de la Columna in Spain. The boardwalk at the Passadiços do Mondego in Portugal is also a great option for folks in search of a smooth, well-marked trail.

The flip side of this is that many trekkers prefer more advanced adventures. The climb to Stegastein Viewpoint in Norway is uniquely difficult as it can be completed via snowshoe during the winter months. Ireland's Wicklow Way and Slovenia's Slovenian Mountain trails also fall into this category since they are multi-day hikes. That being said, I was sure to mention that these three options have easier alternatives.

The Stegastein Viewpoint is also accessible by car during the winter, and as with the Wicklow Way and Slovenian Mountain Trail, hikers can tackle just one part of the route. More moderate routes include Andorra's Sender dels Estanys de Tristaina, Germany's Dragon Gorge, Iceland's trail to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring, and Italy's Crocione San Martino. These were chosen for their mixture of water and mountain views.