Challenging walks in Europe
If you're someone who enjoys a good walk and is ready to step up the challenge, then it's time to explore some of Europe's most rewarding trails.
Whether you're hiking through the towering peaks of the Alps, conquering the high-altitude trails of the Dolomites, or exploring rugged mountain passes in Switzerland, these destinations are all about pushing your limits while being treated to some of Europe's most spectacular scenery.
Must-visit destinations for challenging walks
Ready to put some extra sole into your holiday? We’ve rounded up our most challenging walking holidays.
Saalbach Hinterglemm | Ellmau | Ischgl | Mayrhofen | Neustift | Obergurgl | Söll | St. Anton | Chamonix | Canazei | Corvara | Ortisei | San Cassiano | Selva | Limone | Malcesine |
Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
Saalbach Hinterglemm is a dream destination for anyone who loves a good challenge on the trails. With over 400 kilometres of walking paths, there’s something for every level of walker, from scenic wildlife walks to more intense mountain trails.
Plus, the best part is the Joker Card, which gives you free access to lifts, making it super easy to reach breathtaking viewpoints and start your hikes right from the top.
Whether you're strolling through the Treetop Trail or crossing the Golden Gate Bridge of the Alps, the views are unforgettable. And when you're not hitting the trails, you can enjoy family treasure hunts, bike rides, or just kick back at one of the cosy mountain huts for some local food and relaxation.
Saalbach Hinterglemm walking holidays
Ellmau, Austria
Ellmau is perfect for those seeking challenging walks thanks to its expansive network of over 700 kilometres of marked trails, which range from scenic, gentle paths to tough hikes through rugged terrain.
The dramatic limestone peaks of the Wilder Kaiser mountains offer rugged, steep climbs for seasoned hikers, while the rolling hills and lush valleys provide a variety of longer, more strenuous routes. For an extra challenge, take the cable car up to Hartkaiser, then embark on panoramic mountain trails with impressive elevation gains.
Whether you’re pushing your limits on high-altitude ridges or tackling tough, remote mountain paths, Ellmau offers an array of opportunities for adventurous walkers looking to test themselves in beautiful alpine surroundings.
Ischgl, Austria
Ischgl is a fantastic destination for those seeking challenging walks, offering over 300 kilometres of diverse trails that cater to every adventurer.
From rugged peaks and rocky passes to hidden lakes, the terrain is varied and breathtaking. For a real challenge, hike the historic smuggler’s trail along the Swiss border or tackle the Paznaun High Trail, both offering tough climbs and rewarding panoramic views.
With a well-developed lift network, you can easily access some of the more remote and elevated routes, and even take a cable car to Switzerland for a thrilling cross-border adventure.
Whether you're navigating through rugged alpine terrain or tackling steep ridges, Ischgl offers lots of challenging walks for those looking to go the extra step in a stunning mountain setting.
Mayrhofen, Austria
Mayrhofen is a dream destination for those who love challenging walks, with over 1,400 kilometres of marked walking trails to explore.
You’ll find everything from scenic valley routes to tough hikes up to the Hintertux Glacier, all with stunning views along the way.
The real highlight is the scenery – each of the four valleys around Mayrhofen offers something unique, like mountain lakes and beautiful waterfalls.
With lifts to take you to higher altitudes, it’s the perfect place to challenge yourself while enjoying the beauty of the Zillertal Alps.
Neustift, Austria
Neustift is the perfect base for challenging walks because it sits right in the heart of the Stubai Valley, offering easy access to tough, high-altitude trails and stunning mountain scenery.
With its mix of rugged trails, via ferrata routes, and access to the vast Stubai Glacier, it’s ideal for walkers wanting to take on something more demanding.
The village is well-connected by buses and lifts, so you can quickly get to the more remote and challenging areas. Plus, the views from places like the Top of Tyrol are unbeatable, making every tough step worth it.
Obergurgl, Austria
Obergurgl and the Ötztal Valley are ideal for walkers seeking a challenge, with 1,300 kilometres of trails that take you through rugged high-altitude terrain, glacier views, and rocky paths.
The area offers tough routes, like walking through ancient Stone Pine Forests or past waterfalls, with plenty of opportunities to spot golden eagles, ibex, and marmots.
For those craving adventure, there are also via ferrata and climbing routes. With great transport links, including lifts, you can easily reach remote, challenging areas. Whether walking to the Hohe Mut for stunning mountain views or exploring wild, secluded spots, Obergurgl offers plenty of rewarding walking experiences.
Söll, Austria
Söll is perfect for those who want to really challenge themselves, with over 700 kilometres of trails to explore.
The area’s dramatic landscape, with the sharp Wilder Kaiser peaks and rolling hills, offers a mix of tough climbs and rugged paths.
The Hohe Salve is a must-do challenge, taking you to the top with amazing views. There are also trails leading to high-altitude lakes, mountain huts, and remote peaks.
With lifts and cable cars to take you higher, you can tackle more demanding routes and make your walking experience even more rewarding.
St. Anton, Austria
St. Anton is perfect for walkers looking to challenge themselves, with 270 kilometres of marked trails that take you through everything from tranquil forested valleys to exhilarating ridge walks.
The area’s rugged landscape includes high-altitude routes, offering panoramic views of towering peaks, glaciers, and the stunning Verwall Alps. For a real challenge, the Verwall Alps’ 3,000-metre mountains and scenic mountain hut trails are ideal for testing your limits.
The suspension bridge over the Rosanna River adds an extra thrill, and with cable cars and village buses helping you access tough routes, you can easily take your walking experience to new heights.
Chamonix, France
Chamonix is an ideal destination for walkers looking for a real challenge, with some of the most stunning walking trails in Europe set against the towering Mont Blanc massif.
For experienced walkers, there are tough hikes like the Grand Balcon Sud, which takes you through forests, meadows, and high alpine terrain, with breathtaking views at every turn.
The area’s extensive lift system makes it easy to reach higher altitudes, where you can tackle more demanding routes and enjoy panoramic views of the Alps.
Whether you're hiking up to Lac Blanc for a scenic day walk or exploring the rugged terrain on the Tour du Mont Blanc, Chamonix offers plenty of challenging trails that will push your walking experience to the next level.
Canazei, Dolomites, Italy
Copyright: Patricia Ramirez
Canazei is perfect for walkers with a head for heights, offering some of the best summer walking in the Dolomites. For those seeking a challenge, the area is home to tough trails and mountain-top via ferrata routes, with the mighty Marmolada watching over it all.
If you want to test your limits, trekking up Piz Boè or exploring the high-altitude paths will push your walking skills. The summer lifts make it easy to reach stunning viewpoints and tackle more demanding hikes without the strenuous climbs.
Whether you’re exploring the rugged peaks or enjoying the serene paths around Lake Carezza, Canazei offers a variety of challenging routes set in jaw-dropping mountain scenery.
Corvara, Dolomites, Italy
Corvara and Colfosco are perfect for walkers who want to challenge themselves, with trails that offer stunning views and opportunities to push your limits. The Alta Badia region is home to tough mountain paths and scenic trails, like those winding through the Puez-Geisler and Fanes-Senes-Braies natural parks.
These areas provide miles of rugged terrain, ideal for expert hikers looking for a real adventure. Whether you're tackling steep climbs, hiking to breathtaking viewpoints, or walking around glistening lakes surrounded by towering Dolomite peaks, there’s no shortage of challenging routes.
Ortisei, Dolomites, Italy
Ortisei is ideal for walkers looking to challenge themselves, with hundreds of trails accessible straight from the town.
Take the Seceda Gondola to the top for access to rugged, high-altitude paths that wind through alpine meadows, past mountain huts, and down to more remote areas. The terrain varies, offering everything from rocky mountain routes to peaceful lakeside trails, making it perfect for those who want to push their limits while enjoying incredible views of the Odle peaks.
Whether you're exploring steep climbs or searching for wildlife like marmots and cows, Ortisei offers plenty of challenging routes to elevate your next walking adventure.
San Cassiano, Dolomites, Italy
San Cassiano is a great destination for walkers wanting a challenge, offering a range of routes that cater to different skill levels.
For more demanding walks, the nearby Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park provides rugged paths that lead to peaks and high mountain meadows, while the mirrored waters of Lago Lagazuoi and the Brunecker Turm can be reached by more moderate walks.
The mountain trails around the village offer stunning views of the Dolomites, perfect for those who want to push themselves and take in the dramatic scenery. Whether you're tackling high-altitude paths or exploring rocky terrains, San Cassiano gives walkers the chance to take their summer adventure to the next level.
Selva, Dolomites, Italy
Selva is perfect for walkers seeking a challenging adventure, with trails like the Alpe di Siusi circular walk. This tough route takes you through the Seiser Alm, the largest and highest Alpine pasture in Europe, offering incredible panoramic views of the Dolomites.
Starting from Ortisei, you'll take the cable car up to the Alpe di Siusi before hiking toward the hamlet of Kompatsch, where you can stop for a well-earned break at a mountain hut. The terrain is rugged and rewarding, making this a great option for those wanting to push their limits while soaking in the stunning alpine scenery.
Limone, Lake Garda, Italy
Limone is great for challenging walks because it offers steep, rugged terrain that rewards you with breathtaking views of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains.
Unlike other destinations with easy gondola rides, here you'll need to put in the effort to reach those higher viewpoints - making the sense of accomplishment even greater.
The trails take you through olive groves, charming villages, and dramatic cliffs, offering both physical challenge and stunning scenery.
Malcesine, Italy
Malcesine is great for challenging walks because it offers hikes that take you up to Monte Baldo, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains. These trails are a perfect mix of rugged terrain, steep ascents, and scenic beauty, providing a real test for walkers looking for a physical challenge.
The area’s ancient villages, vineyards, and olive groves add to the adventure, offering a unique backdrop as you push yourself to new heights.
Guided walks in selected resorts
Ready to talk your walking holiday to new heights? Get ready to put your best foot forward and explore Europe like never before. With two walks per week in selected resorts throughout Europe, there’s plenty of opportunities to discover the hidden gems of these amazing resorts - all whilst feeling safe in the hands of our professional mountain guides. Our experts know exactly where the best views are and will take you on an unforgettable journey that is sure to leave you breathless (in a good way.)
How to Book Your Walking Holiday
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