Europe has some of the best backpacking trails in the world, and there are plenty to choose from. Some trails span for hundreds or even thousands of kilometers; others can be complete in a few days. The most popular trails in Europe include:
The Ridgeway National Trail
This is a trail that goes through England and is 367km in length. It is a long-distance footpath that goes from the west to the east of England and through some of the most popular areas in Britain such as Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Wiltshire.
Coastal Walking Route
This is a coastal walk that follows the coastline of Northern Spain and Portugal. It is said to be the longest of all the trails, with an estimated length of 1,185km. The trail follows mainly inland paths and farm roads that run on top of high cliffs overlooking scenic beaches on one side and rugged cliffs on the other.
The Camino de Santiago
This path is also called “The Way of Saint James”. It is an ancient pilgrimage route which passes through France and Spain to reach its destination, Santiago de Compostela. Although there are many options for ending up at the final destination, one of the most popular ones is to start at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France and cross over the Pyrenees Mountains to Pamplona in Spain.
The West Highland Way
This path is 164km in length and goes from Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. It passes Loch Lomond and Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. The trail has an estimated completion time of 9 to 12 days.
The Grande Randonnée 20
This very long walking trail goes through France starting from the outskirts of Paris going west to reach its destination, the Atlantic Ocean. A big part of the walk is on a former royal road that was built in the 16th century by King Henry IV. While walking this trail, you will pass by many ancient castles and churches.
The Limestone Way (Chemin de Halage)
This trail goes through Belgium and Luxembourg, and is 170km long. It passes by cities like Liege and Namur as it follows the river Meuse. The pathway is mostly used by hikers and cyclists, but some parts are conducive only to walkers.
In conclusion, Europe has a lot of trails to offer from short and easy walks, all the way up to long-distance hikes that will take several months. There is something out there for everyone, so get out there and explore.