Start Your Hiking Story with These Stunning European Routes.
If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable hiking adventure, let me point you toward a hidden gem: Eastern Europe. This region totally stole my heart, with everything from the dramatic peaks of the Carpathians to the peaceful, rolling hills of the Balkans. Whether you’re into rugged mountain climbs, quiet forest trails, or scenic paths that hug the coastline, there’s something here for every kind of hiker.
What I love most is how Eastern Europe blends raw natural beauty with deep-rooted culture and history. You’re not just hiking, you’re walking through stories. Some of the trails are wildly underrated, which means fewer crowds and more moments to soak it all in. So if you’re looking to lace up your boots and explore somewhere truly special, here are a few amazing hiking spots across the region that you won’t want to miss.
Table of Contents
Beginner Hikes
Moderate Hikes
Challenging Hikes
Coastal and Lake Hikes
Forest Hikes
Why Eastern Europe?
Summary of Best Times by Region
Summary of Best Times by Region
For Easy/Beginner Hikes in Eastern Europe
- Rila Monastery & Surrounding Nature (Bulgaria)
- Distance: 4 – 5 miles / 6.5 – 8 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Highlights: Hike through pine forests with stunning views of the Rila Mountains. The trail leads to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria’s most iconic landmarks. The area around the monastery offers easy, peaceful hikes with fantastic mountain views.
- Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
- Distance: 3 – 4 miles / 5 – 6.5 km (depending on your route)
- Elevation Gain: Low
- Highlights: The park’s network of wooden boardwalks and forested trails take you through lush green landscapes, past beautiful turquoise lakes, and iconic waterfalls. It’s an easy walk for beginners, and the views are straight out of a fairy tale.
- Lake Ohrid (North Macedonia)
- Distance: 3 – 4 miles / 5 – 6.5 km
- Elevation Gain: Low to moderate
- Highlights: This serene, UNESCO-listed lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Hike along the lake’s edges, passing small villages, ancient monasteries, and spectacular views of the water. It’s perfect for a peaceful and easy hike.
- Bucegi Mountains (Romania)
- Distance: 3 – 5 miles / 5 – 8 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Highlights: Located near Brasov, the Bucegi Mountains offer accessible trails with beautiful forested paths and incredible views. The Sphinx rock formation and Babele are famous landmarks you can reach with a relatively short hike.
- Fruška Gora National Park (Serbia)
- Distance: 3 – 5 miles / 5 – 8 km (various trails)
- Elevation Gain: Low to moderate
- Highlights: Fruška Gora is a beautiful and serene park known for its gentle hills, vineyards, monasteries, and rich biodiversity. It features an extensive network of marked trails that offer relaxed routes with stunning views and opportunities to explore the park’s historical monasteries. You can also find several other easy trails here, perfect for a first hike in Serbia.
For Moderate Hikes in Eastern Europe
- High Tatras (Slovakia)
- Distance: 5 – 9 miles / 8 – 14.5 km (depending on route)
- Elevation Gain: Moderate to high
- Highlights: One of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Eastern Europe, the High Tatras offers a variety of trails. A popular and moderate route is to Popradské Pleso, a picturesque glacial lake with alpine views. More experienced hikers can tackle Rysy, the highest peak in Slovakia.
- Saxon Switzerland National Park (Germany/ Czech Republic)
- Distance: 6 – 8 miles / 9.5 – 13 km (depending on route)
- Elevation Gain: Moderate to high
- Highlights: This park, located on the border between Germany and the Czech Republic, offers dramatic sandstone cliffs, deep valleys, and lush forests. The Bastei Bridge in Germany provides a stunning panoramic view of the Elbe River valley.
- Sierra de Guadarrama National Park (Spain)
- Distance: 7 – 10 miles / 11 – 16 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Highlights: Although this park is technically in Spain, it lies close to the border with Eastern Europe. The Peñalara Peak trail is a moderate challenge with fantastic views of the mountains and valleys, and it’s not as crowded as other European destinations.
- Balkan Mountains (Bulgaria)
- Distance: 6 – 9 miles / 9.5 – 14.5 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Highlights: This range runs through central Bulgaria and is filled with ancient forests, tranquil lakes, and rocky ridges. The Central Balkan National Park has a number of well-marked trails that lead through picturesque valleys and offer great views of the surrounding peaks.
- Kopaonik National Park (Serbia)
- Distance: 6 – 9 miles / 9.5 – 14.5 km (various trails)
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Highlights: Known as Serbia’s premier ski resort, Kopaonik is also a fantastic summer hiking destination. The Pančić’s Peak trail takes you to the highest point of the park (2,017 meters) and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trail is relatively moderate and offers a bit of a challenge, but nothing too extreme.
For Challenging Hikes in Eastern Europe
- Carpathian Mountains (Romania & Ukraine)
- Distance: Varies (several multi-day options)
- Elevation Gain: High
- Highlights: The Carpathians offer challenging hikes with rugged terrain, especially in the Făgăraș and Piatra Craiului ranges. You can take on multi-day routes with incredible views of alpine lakes, deep forests, and wildflower meadows. The Transfăgărășan Highway offers access to the higher peaks, like Moldoveanu, Romania’s highest peak.
- Mount Krn (Slovenia)
- Distance: 6 – 8 miles / 9.5 – 13 km
- Elevation Gain: High (3,500 feet)
- Highlights: The Krn peak in Slovenia’s Julian Alps offers an exhilarating hike with panoramic views of the mountains and the Soča River Valley below. The trail can be steep and challenging, but the views are worth it. You might also encounter remnants of WWI fortifications along the way.
- Durmitor National Park (Montenegro)
- Distance: 9 – 12 miles / 9 – 12 miles / 14.5 – 19 km (multiple options)
- Elevation Gain: High
- Highlights: Durmitor offers rugged, mountainous landscapes with glacial lakes, limestone peaks, and dense forests. The Bobotov Kuk summit (2,523 meters) is the highest peak in the park and offers a tough but rewarding challenge with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys.
- Rila Mountain Peaks (Bulgaria)
- Distance: 8 – 12 miles / 13 – 19 km (depending on the route)
- Elevation Gain: High
- Highlights: Musala Peak in the Rila Mountains is the highest point in Bulgaria (2,925 meters). Hiking to the summit is a challenge, with rocky terrain and steep ascents. However, the views over the entire Rila National Park are unforgettable.
- Stara Planina (Old Mountain) (Serbia) / Virtual Mountains
- Distance: 6 – 10 miles / 9.5 – 16 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate to high
- Highlights: Stara Planina is a mountainous region that stretches along the Bulgarian border. The Babin Zub peak is a popular hike and offers fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. This mountain range is known for its dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, and wildflowers. It’s also home to the Pirot village, which is known for its traditional Serbian architecture.
For Coastal and Lake Hikes in Eastern Europe
- Lake Balaton (Hungary)
- Distance: 5 – 7 miles / 8 – 11 km (various sections)
- Elevation Gain: Low
- Highlights: Known as the “Hungarian Sea,” Lake Balaton is a beautiful area for an easy hike along the shoreline or around vineyards and picturesque villages. The area is relatively flat, making it accessible and scenic.
- Marmara Sea Coastline (Turkey)
- Distance: 5 – 9 miles / 8 – 14.5 km (various coastal routes)
- Elevation Gain: Low to moderate
- Highlights: Although Turkey is technically a transcontinental country, its Marmara coastline offers some beautiful hikes, with ancient ruins, beaches, and cliffs. Yalova offers coastal routes with great views over the sea.
- Vitosha Mountain (Bulgaria)
- Distance: 4 – 6 miles / 6.5 – 9.5 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate to high
- Highlights: Just outside Sofia, the Vitosha Mountain is easily accessible and offers stunning views of the city and beyond. There are multiple trails with various levels of difficulty, including the hike up to the Boyana Waterfall or to the Cherni Vrah peak.
- Đerdap National Park (Iron Gates) (Serbia)
- Distance: 6 – 8 miles / 9.5 – 13 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Highlights: The Iron Gates is a gorge on the Danube River that forms part of the natural border between Serbia and Romania. The Đerdap National Park is home to archaeological sites, such as the Roman fortress of Golubac, and offers stunning views of the Danube. The Djerdap and Kladovo trails are great ways to explore this area’s diverse flora and fauna, as well as its rich history.
For Forest Hikes in Eastern Europe
- Belovezhskaya Pushcha (Belarus/Poland)
- Distance: 3 – 5 miles / 5 – 8 km
- Elevation Gain: Low
- Highlights: This UNESCO-listed forest is home to the European bison and is one of the last and largest primeval forests in Europe. Trails wind through the lush forest, providing a peaceful and somewhat magical hiking experience.
- Bieszczady Mountains (Poland/Ukraine)
- Distance: 6 – 10 miles / 9.5 – 16 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Highlights: These mountains are less traveled, providing a more secluded hiking experience. The trails are well-marked, leading you through dense forests and past rolling hills. The views of wild valleys and meadows are stunning, and the area is rich in wildlife.
- Golija Mountain (Serbia)
- Distance: 6 – 10 miles / 9.5 – 16 km
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Highlights: Golija is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and it’s a great place for hiking. The Javornik Peak trail offers scenic views of the mountain’s dense forests and pastures, along with some historical landmarks, like old churches and village settlements. This area is also known for its pristine nature and diverse wildlife.
Why Eastern Europe?
Eastern Europe is often overshadowed by the more famous hiking spots in Western Europe, but it offers something truly unique. The region is less crowded, more affordable, and home to some of the most untouched landscapes in Europe.
- Diverse Terrain: From alpine peaks to tranquil lakes and dense forests, there’s something for everyone.
- Rich History and Culture: Many trails are intertwined with fascinating historical landmarks, including castles, monasteries, and villages.
- Eco-friendly Travel: Eastern Europe’s rural areas promote sustainable tourism, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature while supporting local communities.
General Best Times for Hiking in Europe
1. Spring (April – June)
Best For: Mild weather, fewer tourists, blooming landscapes, and peaceful trails.
- Western Europe:
- Alps (France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy): Spring offers mild weather, with lower-altitude trails accessible before the summer crowds. The lower foothills of the Alps are great for hiking.
- French Pyrenees: The temperatures are usually moderate, and the spring flowers are in full bloom.
- Scotland & Ireland: Spring is great for hiking as the weather is cool but manageable, and the landscapes are lush and green.
- Eastern Europe:
- Carpathians (Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine): Spring brings mild temperatures and fewer tourists, perfect for exploring the Carpathian range. Trails are typically accessible before the summer heat.
- Balkan Mountains (Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro): Springtime offers cooler temperatures, making it easier to enjoy the mountains and valleys without the intense heat of summer.
- Advantages:
- Temperatures: Mild, typically between 10-20°C (50-68°F).
- Fewer crowds compared to summer months.
- Wildflowers and fresh greenery create beautiful scenery.
- Considerations:
- Higher altitudes (like the Alps) can still have snow or be a bit colder, so check trail conditions.
2. Summer (July – August)
Best For: Warm weather, high-altitude hikes, mountain adventures, and accessing the most iconic European trails.
- Western Europe:
- Alps (France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy): Summer is peak hiking season in the Alps, with clear skies and accessible high-altitude trails, such as the Tour du Mont Blanc and GR20 in Corsica.
- Pyrenees & Dolomites: Great for trekking in higher altitudes with dry, sunny weather.
- Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland): Summer is the best time to hike in Norway’s fjords, Swedish Lapland, or Finland’s national parks.
- Eastern Europe:
- Tatras (Slovakia, Poland): The Tatras offer stunning summer hikes with moderate temperatures. The trail to Rysy (the highest peak in Slovakia) is accessible, as are numerous other alpine trails.
- Balkan Mountains (Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro): Summer provides warm weather for lower-altitude hikes but can be sweltering at lower elevations.
- Carpathians (Ukraine, Romania): The higher peaks like Moldoveanu (Romania’s highest) are accessible, and summer brings plenty of opportunities for trekking.
- Advantages:
- Warm weather means hiking at any altitude, especially in the mountains, is more enjoyable.
- Long days with extended daylight hours.
- Access to high-altitude routes and famous trails.
- Considerations:
- High tourist traffic, especially in famous destinations (e.g., Alps, Dolomites).
- Can be very hot in the lower-altitude and southern parts (Balkans, Spain).
3. Fall (September – November)
Best For: Ideal for hiking in most regions, as the weather is cooler, and the autumn colors make landscapes even more spectacular.
- Western Europe:
- Alps: A great time to visit the Alps for hiking—still mild temperatures and no snow at lower elevations. The fall colors add to the beauty of the landscape.
- Scotland & Ireland: The weather is cool, and fall foliage in places like the Scottish Highlands or Irish hills is stunning.
- Spain & Portugal: Mediterranean regions like Sierra Nevada or Alpujarras are perfect for fall hiking, with cooler temperatures than the summer.
- Eastern Europe:
- Balkan Mountains (Bulgaria, Serbia): Fall is an ideal time for hiking, with cool temperatures and fewer tourists. The foliage colors in places like Tara National Park (Serbia) and Rila Monastery (Bulgaria) are spectacular.
- Carpathians (Romania, Slovakia): The autumn weather is ideal for hiking, with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.
- Poland & Ukraine (Tatras, Beskidy): Perfect time for moderate hikes, and the fall colors make it a memorable experience.
- Advantages:
- Mild temperatures and crisp air—perfect for hiking at any altitude.
- Fewer crowds than summer, but the scenery is still vibrant.
- Fall foliage makes many landscapes look even more stunning.
- Considerations:
- Days are shorter, so plan your hikes accordingly.
- Some mountain regions may begin to see snow at higher elevations (especially in the Alps).
4. Winter (December – February)
Best For: Winter hikes, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in mountain regions or less-travelled landscapes.
- Western Europe:
- Alps (France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy): Winter is the best time for skiing and snow-related activities, but certain lower-altitude trails are accessible for experienced winter hikers.
- Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland): Perfect for winter hiking, snowshoeing, or exploring the Arctic Circle in Finland or Norway’s Lofoten Islands.
- Eastern Europe:
- Kopaonik (Serbia): Known for skiing in winter, but also offers quieter winter hikes for those seeking solitude in snowy landscapes.
- Tatra Mountains (Slovakia, Poland): Great for skiing and winter trekking, though conditions can be harsh. Make sure you’re prepared for deep snow and cold temperatures.
- Balkan Mountains (Serbia, Bulgaria): If you’re into winter trekking, some mountain areas remain accessible with snowshoeing or backcountry skiing.
- Advantages:
- Snow-covered landscapes offer a magical, serene atmosphere.
- Fewer tourists in most places.
- Ideal for winter sports or low-altitude hiking in southern regions.
- Considerations:
- Cold temperatures can make high-altitude or alpine trails dangerous due to snow and ice.
- Limited daylight and some trails may be closed due to snow conditions.
- You’ll need proper gear (layering, winter boots, etc.).
Summary of Best Times by Region
- Western Europe (Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites, Scotland):
- Best Time: Late spring to early fall (May–October) for general hiking. Winter (December–February) for skiing.
- Eastern Europe (Balkans, Carpathians, Tatras, Balkans):
- Best Time: Late spring (April–June) and fall (September–November) for hiking. Summer can be great but often hot, especially in the south. Winter offers a quieter experience in mountain areas (snowshoeing, skiing).