10 hardest long-distance treks in Europe

1. Laugavegur + Fimmvörðuháls

Location: Iceland
Length: 3-5 days
Distance: 55km
Issue elements: difficult terrain, unstable climate, difficult navigation

The Laugavegur Path is Iceland’s most iconic trek and solely will get higher (and more durable) when it’s paired with the Fimmvörðuháls extension over a volcanic go. Whereas comparatively quick, the path is deceptively difficult. Hikers traverse a surreal and sometimes brutal panorama of geothermal sizzling springs, glacial rivers, black sand deserts and jagged lava fields. The terrain is tough and diversified, requiring fixed consideration: smooth ash, scree slopes, and river fords sluggish progress and check steadiness and endurance.

The addition of Fimmvörðuháls raises the stakes dramatically, sending trekkers over a excessive volcanic go between two glaciers. The climate right here is extraordinarily unpredictable, with excessive winds, sudden snow and driving rain doable even in summer time.

A number of sections are distant, with restricted shelter between mountain huts, which means self-sufficiency and stable navigation abilities are important. Regardless of its quick distance, the mix of uncovered terrain, unstable climate, river crossings, and steady bodily demand makes this Icelandic journey one of many hardest long-distance treks in Europe.

2. Skye Path 

Location: Scotland, UK
Length: 6-8 days
Distance: 128km
Issue elements: unmarked trails, changeable climate, difficult navigation

The Isle of Skye holds a particular place in many individuals’s hearts – mine included. Its romantic historical past, sculpted mountains and wild shoreline draw guests from all around the globe. The easiest way to discover the island is slowly through the difficult. Skye Path

At the moment unmarked and just for skilled backpackers and backpackers, this difficult trek gives hikers with a tour of Skye’s most iconic landforms – together with the Trotternish ridge and the Cuillin ridge – in addition to of its turbulent historical past, from the Iron Age forts to the ruins of the Clearance villages.

Whether or not making use of island hospitality or choosing the liberty of a tent, finishing the continual route represents an actual problem and a becoming match for the epic landscapes discovered on Skye.

3. Haute Route 

Location: France and Switzerland
Length: 10-14 days
Distance: 180km
Issue elements: steep day by day ascents and descents, high-altitude passes, snow and ice, unpredictable climate

Linking Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, the legendary Haute Route is commonly described as the last word Alpine trek. The path takes hikers beneath a few of Europe’s highest peaks, together with Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, with fixed views of glaciers, jagged ridgelines and snow-capped giants.

However this magnificence comes at a value: the route entails a cumulative ascent of greater than 12,000m, with day by day climbs and descents that may actually check a trekker’s stamina. Even in excessive summer time, snowfields linger on the excessive passes, demanding sure-footedness and generally an ice axe or crampons.

Trekkers should cross 10 main mountain passes, usually at elevations above 2,900m, the place skinny air and sudden storms pose actual threats. The end result is likely one of the most dramatic journeys within the Alps, culminating in a jaw-dropping method to Zermatt with the Matterhorn rising forward.

4. Peaks of the Balkans

Location: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro
Length: 10-14 days
Distance: 182km
Issue elements: steep ascents and descents, rocky terrain, scrambling required, a number of border crossings require permits, changeable climate

The Peaks of the Balkans Path is a comparatively lately developed cross-border long-distance route via the spectacularly wild and rugged borderlands of Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. The route winds via the Accursed Mountains (Prokletije), certainly one of Europe’s most rugged ranges, throughout trails which can be rocky, uneven and may contain scrambling or traversing scree slopes.

The round route takes in distant valleys, lakes and alpine passes, travelling via tiny mountain villages that may really feel like forgotten. It’s a nook of Europe few individuals are accustomed to, not to mention go to.

5. GR20

Location: Corsica, France
Distance: 180km
Length: 14-16 days
Issue elements: rocky terrain, scrambling required, excessive temperatures, thunderstorms, early begins, lengthy days

I simply returned from trekking the GR20 and, whereas it’s sometimes called Europe’s hardest trek, I’m not satisfied that moniker is totally justified. That stated, though it might not be the longest, highest or most distant, the terrain is what actually stands the GR20 aside. Geologically talking, the mountains of Corsica are the far southwestern tip of the mainland European Alps – therefore the island’s nickname, ‘mountain within the sea’.

The result’s terrifically onerous granite underfoot, which hardly ever produces quite a lot of meters of flat path. Hikers sort out relentless ascents and descents that appear to go straight up or down, crossing knife-edge ridges, scrambling over boulder fields and navigating sections the place metal cables and chains are bolted to the rock.

In contrast to mainland mountain routes, there are few light valleys to be discovered alongside the GR20 – simply plunging gorges, wind-scoured plateaus and excessive passes the place snow can linger even into summer time. There are often difficult scrambles – technically and bodily – all through the route. Throughout our trek, there was at the least one scramble to beat day-after-day.

6. Kungsleden

Location: Sweden
Length: 21-28 days
Distance: 440km
Issue elements: changeable climate, mosquitoes, boat crossings, lengthy distances between huts

Sweden is dwelling to certainly one of Europe’s final wildernesses: Lapland. And inside it’s certainly one of Europe’s most interesting long-distance mountain climbing trails, the Kungsleden (King’s Path) via Sarek Nationwide Park. It’s essential be the adventurous kind simply to make it out right here, as there are the paths are irregularly marked and huts, regardless of being well-maintained, could be few and much between, notably within the southern part of the path.

Anticipate three to 4 weeks of lengthy path days, unpredictable climate and swarms of mosquitoes in summer time. A number of lake and river crossings require rowboats or native ferries, and within the southern sections, hikers face 30-kilometre stretches with out huts or providers.

Whereas much less wild than Norway’s Nordkalottruta or Greenland’s Arctic Circle Path, the Kungsleden nonetheless calls for stamina, resilience and self-sufficiency throughout its distant Arctic landscapes of tundra, glaciers and birch forests.

7. Arctic Circle Path

Location: Greenland (Denmark)
Length: 7-10 days
Distance: 165km
Issue elements: distant location, restricted help, unmarked trails, unpredictable climate

Geographically in North America, however politically in Europe, as Greenland is an autonomous territory throughout the Kingdom of Denmark, the ACT deserves a spot on this checklist.

I trekked the Arctic Circle Trail again in 2019, however fell tantalisingly short of the end as a freak wildfire swept throughout the tundra. Regardless, the area is profoundly stunning, whereas the path is wild and difficult. As such, I’ve vowed to return sooner or later.

The foremost challenges embody carrying a heavy pack for lengthy durations crammed with all of the meals and provides required for at the least seven days within the backcountry. Moreover, the sheer remoteness of the path means trekkers should carry the whole lot they should cope with any eventuality, figuring out that there’s little probability of outdoor help except it’s an emergency.

Trekkers ought to plan for each kind of climate, together with sturdy winds, sleet and snow, heavy rain and sub-freezing temperatures. I trekked the Arctic Circle Path throughout a summer time of unprecedented temperatures in the Arctic, which had brought on widespread wildfires all through the polar area. That stated, I spent two weeks in Greenland and didn’t see rain till the day I departed. As I stated, plan for each eventuality.

8. Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP)

Location: Andorra, France and Spain
Length: 30-50 days
Distance: 800km
Issue elements: lengthy total and day by day distances, steep ascents and descents, unmarked trails, unpredictable climate, high-altitude mountain passes, snowfields

The HRP is taken into account the wildest of the Pyrenean crossings, following lots of of kilometres of high-altitude trails that weave between France, Spain and Andorra. In contrast to the GR10 or GR11, the HRP is commonly unmarked, demanding superior navigation abilities over rugged terrain and excessive mountain passes, regularly above 2,500m.

Snowfields can linger into summer time, and a few uncovered sections require cautious footing, making it a severe check of stamina and competence. Trekkers should additionally take care of steep ascents and descents, distant stretches removed from villages or refuges, and the unpredictability of Pyrenean climate, which may shift from sunshine to storms in minutes.

9. Nordkalottruta

Location: Norway, Sweden and Finland
Length: 40-55 days
Distance: 800km
Issue elements: lengthy total and day by day distances, distant location, restricted help, unforgiving terrain, unmarked trails, unpredictable climate

The Nordkalottruta (The Arctic Path) ticks each powerful field. It’s thought of an especially difficult trek for a number of causes, a lot of which mix to make it an outrageously formidable journey for even essentially the most skilled hikers.

For starters, the path stretches over 800km throughout the borderlands of Norway, Sweden and Finland – among the most distant wilderness in all of Europe – and shares a bit with the Kungsleden. A number of sections boast lengthy distances between huts or settlements, which means trekkers should carry sufficient provides for days at a time.

Positioned totally above the Arctic Circle, the path has extraordinarily unpredictable climate corresponding to sudden snow, heavy rain, sturdy winds and excessive chilly, even in summer time. Throw within the navigation challenges of following unmarked trails over demanding terrain that features bogs, river crossings, mountains, tundra and forests, and also you most likely have the toughest long-distance trek in Europe.

10. GR11 (Trans-Pyrenean Path)

Location: Spain
Length: 45-60 days
Distance: 840km
Issue elements: lengthy total and day by day distances, steep ascents and descents, lack of water, excessive warmth, unpredictable climate

The GR11 traverses the Spanish Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, throughout a few of Europe’s most rugged terrain. Every day climbs and descents are relentless, with lengthy stretches that provide restricted water and shelter, particularly in summer time. Hikers face excessive warmth in valleys, remoted sections and the cumulative bodily pressure of steady mountainous terrain.

Even with path markings, hikers should be ready for quickly altering climate, from intense solar to sudden thunderstorms. The mixture of size, elevation acquire and logistical challenges makes the GR11 one of many hardest long-distance treks in Europe.