Mountain climbing alongside Europe’s numerous coastlines is an unparalleled expertise, particularly once you think about in a single day stays in cozy seaside villages and memorable native delicacies.
Over the previous ten years, Kati and I’ve explored a few of Europe’s most gorgeous coastal trails, mountain climbing in Spain, Portugal, England, France, the Faroe Islands, Crete, and Malta. What follows is a recap of our favourite coastal walks alongside Europe’s most spellbinding shores, together with village-to-village treks in addition to day hikes that may be woven right into a street journey, or car-free vacation.
My affinity for rugged, weather-battered coastlines means many of those hikes are excessive in drama, and in issue, requiring surefootedness on uneven terrain.
My ideas on Coastal Strolling
Coastal and village-to-village mountain climbing typically go hand in. One of many major benefits of those strolling journeys is consolation. You get to remain in a single day in non-public rooms in B&Bs, guesthouses, and resorts of your selecting. Meals are often available alongside the path.
Baggage switch is often an choice.
Village-to-village coastal strolling is a stress-free solution to journey. You don’t need to compete and pay for parking, navigate difficult roads, or work out what to do every single day. You merely need to hike from level A to level B, identical to hut-to-hut mountain climbing.
Camiño dos Faros in Spain
Camiño dos Faros, the Lighthouse Method, is a 200 km coastal path alongside Galicia’s Coast of Demise in Northern Spain. For my part, no coastal trek in Europe rivals this village-to-village hike for its mix of pleasure, scenic selection, problem, and serenity.
Clinging fiercely to the shoreline from Malpica to Finisterre, the path rises and falls over cliffs, linking a series of spectacular lighthouses constructed to information ships safely alongside this treacherous stretch of coast.
Alongside the way in which, hikers in a single day in B&Bs, guesthouses, flats and resorts in Galician seaside villages. Wild tenting shouldn’t be allowed.
When to Hike | (April) Could & September (early October)
How you can Do It: DIY | I like to recommend reserving independently when you’re a seasoned long-distance hiker, snug carrying your personal pack (and as much as 3 liters of water on sure levels) and managing the logistics of a multi-day trek, resembling lodging and transportation to and from the trailhead. Seek the advice of our Lighthouse Method Lodging Information for the perfect locations to remain alongside the route.
How you can Do It: Self-Guided | Given the route’s issue, lengthy days and sometimes unclear navigation, most hikers would profit from skilled assist, together with route customization and baggage switch.
That’s why we suggest On Foot Holidays, a UK-based firm broadly considered one among Europe’s most dependable and moral self-guided mountain climbing specialists. They prepare lodging, baggage switch, end-to-end transfers, optionally available taxi shortcuts for harder levels, and supply a superb offline navigation app. With itinerary choices of 5, 7, or 10 nights, they make the Lighthouse Method achievable for a a lot wider vary of walkers.
Unique supply: On Foot Holidays is providing our readers a £20 voucher for his or her first journey. To redeem, enter the coupon code M&H20 within the “Promotional or voucher code” discipline on any inquiry or reserving type. This supply is out there to new On Foot Holidays clients solely.
Fisherman’s Path in Portugal
Portugal’s Fisherman’s Path is a perfect introduction to the pleasures of coastal trekking. The path itself is reasonable, although mountain climbing on sand ought not be underestimated.
Following historic pathways, traditionally utilized by fishermen to entry the perfect fishing spots, the path hugs the rugged Vicentine Coast of Alentejo and later Algarve, connecting a sequence of fishing villages.
Walkers in a single day in guesthouses and resorts alongside the route, all of which might simply be booked through reserving.com. Wild tenting shouldn’t be allowed.
The Unique Fisherman’s Path is a four-day trek from Porto Covo to Odeceixe. Its recognition later prompted the Rota Vicentina Affiliation to increase the path to 13 levels. We hiked the unique four-day model earlier than the extension and nonetheless suppose it’s the proper journey for hikers with restricted time, or for these seeking to combine a coastal trek into an extended car-free Portugal itinerary.
When to Hike | October – November / April – early Could. Some folks additionally hike this path in winter (December – March), however fewer institutions are open and climate is much less predictable. This path shouldn’t be appropriate for summer time, because of the warmth.
How you can Do It: DIY | This trek is straightforward to ebook independently. Not like Spain’s Lighthouse Method, it’s easy to ebook baggage transfers by your self and navigating the route is easy. Use our Fisherman’s Path to plan your journey.
South West Coast Path in England
Stretching 1,014 km (630 miles) throughout England’s southwest peninsula, the South West Coast Path runs from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. The path winds alongside windswept cliffs, secluded coves, and charming fishing villages, providing surroundings that feels magical.
Whereas few try the complete route, mountain climbing even a bit gives an unforgettable mixture of dramatic coastal views, pristine seashores, and welcoming seaside inns. And naturally, there are the savory pasties and charming cream tea stops alongside the way in which.
That is one among Europe’s most rewarding and cozy lengthy distance trails. Hikers in a single day in B&Bs, inns, and resorts alongside the way in which. There are campgrounds alongside the route, although not at all times evenly distributed. Tenting exterior of official campgrounds is prohibited.
When to Hike | Could – September (October). I like to recommend avoiding the busy college holidays between late July by means of August.
How you can Do It: DIY | Having booked a stretch of the SWCP independently ourselves, my recommendation is to start out the reserving course of as early as doable. I extremely suggest the dramatic, undulating part between Westward Ho! in Devon and Padstow in Cornwall. Seek the advice of our South West Coast Path Mountain climbing Information for our particular itinerary and useful journey planning information.
How you can Do It: Self-Guided | One of the lovely stretches of the South West Coast Path is across the Penwith Peninsula, between St. Ives and Marazion. I like to recommend reserving On Foot Holidays’ Lands Finish Circuit. Alternatively, their Coastal Exmoor itinerary is the most suitable choice for hikers who need to observe the quietest part of the SWCP. Don’t neglect to make use of our coupon code M&H20 to obtain a £20 voucher in your first journey with On Foot Holidays.
Cassis to Marseille in France
The Mediterranean shoreline between Cassis and Marseille is a blinding seascape outlined by
hovering, pearly-white limestone cliffs, deeply-carved inlets generally known as Calanques, and distinctive natural world.
The easiest way to expertise Calanques Nationwide Park is by strolling from Cassis to Marseille, dividing the path into 3 levels. Not like the village-to-village treks listed above, there are not any in a single day prospects within the nationwide park and tenting is strictly prohibited.
From Marseille, Kati and I tackled the route in 3 day journeys utilizing public transit. Since some levels are fairly strenuous, you may simply construct in a relaxation day in between, which provides you with a chance to discover dynamic Marseille, France’s second largest metropolis.
Stage 1 | Cassis – Devenson Cliffs – Luminy Hike
Stage 2 | Calanque de Sugiton – Calanque de Morgiou Hike
Stage 3 | Les Baumettes – Calanque de Sormiou – Les Goudes Hike
When to Hike | October – Could in dry climate
How you can Do It – DIY | Learn our Marseille – Calanques Itinerary. E book 4-5 nights in Marseille (or Cassis): Hôtel Le M (the place we stayed), Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites (luxurious), Maison Juste (midrange-luxury), Boutique Hôtel Provencia (midrange), and Lodge Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port (luxurious). Comply with our path guides.
Marmara Seaside – Chora Sfakion in Crete
Crete, the biggest of the Greek Islands, is a mountainous isle with 1046 km of coast. Throughout our latest journey to Crete in March, we have been most impressed by the stretch of coast between Marmara Seaside and Chora Sfakion in southwest Crete.
In a single day, hikers can take a taxi from Chora Sfakion to Aradena village, hike down the Aradena Gorge path to Marmara Seaside, and proceed east alongside the E4 to Loutro, Candy Water Seaside, and onwards to Chora Sfakion.
For a gentler tempo, contemplate staying an evening within the charming car-free village of Loutro: Villa Niki, Daskalogiannis Lodge, or lodge porto loutro on the hill.
When to Hike | March – April or October – November / Don’t hike this path in summer time.
How you can Do it – DIY | Keep in Chora Sfakion (The Genuine Village Boutique Lodge or Sofia’s Beautiful Rooms), take a taxi to Aradena, and hike all the way in which again to Chora Sfakion.
Associated Guides | Crete Highway Journey and Finest Hikes in Crete
Extra Coastal Walks in Europe
Brittany, France:
Portugal:
England:
Faroe Islands:
Spain:
