Find the Perfect Coastal Hike: Discover Europe’s Top 11 Trails 🌊🥾

Hello lovely hikers!

If you love the sea breeze, rugged cliffs, and the sound of waves crashing, you’re in for a treat! Europe’s coastline is home to some of the most spectacular hiking trails, each offering unique landscapes, culture, and adventure.

Here’s a roundup of 11 incredible coastal trails across Europe — from wild Atlantic shores to Mediterranean gems — perfect for your next hiking escape! 🌍💙

It’s also a great gift to give for Father’s Day!!!

Today’s Roundup:

• 11 Best Coastal Trails for Multiday Hikes in Europe - VIDEO HERE

• 🎥Video 👉 Hidden Gem Hiking Destination in Germany

• In case you missed it: 🚀 Fishermen’s Trail Hotel Guide for Self-Booking

Welcome to your next Adventure! Each week, we demystify the confusing logistics of walking and hiking holidays in Europe by offering quick hiking and training tips, sharing experiences and highlighting hidden travel destinations. If you were forwarded this message, you can receive the free weekly email here.

Explore Europe’s 11 Best Coastal Trails – Your Ultimate Hiking Guide! 🥾✨

1. Fishermen’s Trail, Portugal 🇵🇹 

- Distance: 230 km (142 miles), 12-13 stages

- Terrain: Mostly flat, rugged Atlantic coast with cliffs & coves

- Best time: Year-round except July and August

- Highlights: Charming fishing villages, fresh seafood, easy luggage transport

- Stay: Hotels, campsites

- Hot tip: Start at Porto Covo to skip less scenic road sections

Imagine walking along wild cliffs with the ocean breeze and fresh seafood aromas — a perfect coastal escape!

2. South West Coast Path, England 🇬🇧 

- Distance: 1,015 km (630 miles), 52 stages

- Terrain: Challenging with 58,000 ft ascent, cliffs, golden beaches

- Best time: Year-round

- Highlights: Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, historic harbors, remote villages

- Stay: Hotels, campsites

- Hot tip: Hike early morning or late afternoon for stunning light at Land’s End and Durdle Door

3. Selvaggia Blu (Wild Blue Way), Sardinia 🇮🇹 

- Distance: 60 km (37 miles), 2-4 stages

- Terrain: Hard, technical, with climbs and rope sections

- Best time: Spring or early fall

- Highlights: Rugged cliffs, hidden caves, archaeological sites

- Stay: Campsites with guides

- Hot tip: Requires fitness and navigation skills — a true adventure for experienced hikers

4. Sentier des Douaniers GR 34, Brittany, France 🇫🇷 

- Distance: 2,000 km (1,200 miles), 50-60 stages

- Terrain: Easy, coastal paths with salt marshes and cliffs

- Best time: Year-round

- Highlights: Celtic history, seafood delicacies, dramatic Crozon Peninsula views

- Stay: Hotels, campsites

- Hot tip: Explore fishing villages for authentic Breton cuisine

5. Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Path E9, Germany 🇩🇪 

- Distance: 160 km (100 miles), 8 stages

- Terrain: Flat, sandy beaches, dunes, and forests

- Best time: Year-round (best in autumn)

- Highlights: Coastal forests, salt marshes, gray crane migrations at Pramort

- Stay: Hotels

- Hot tip: Use sand gaiters to keep sand out of your shoes

6. Alta Via Delle Cinque Terre, Italy 🇮🇹 

- Distance: 50 km (31 miles), 2-5 stages

- Terrain: Easy to moderate, pine forests above Ligurian Sea

- Best time: Year-round

- Highlights: Peaceful high trail with spectacular sea views, easy access to villages

- Stay: Hotels

- Hot tip: Walk south to north for best views, starting in Portovenere

7. Catalan Mediterranean Trail GR 92, Spain 🇪🇸 

- Distance: 583 km (362 miles), 31 stages

- Terrain: Easy Mediterranean coast with caves and castles

- Best time: Year-round except July and August

- Highlights: Cap de Creus, wetlands, vibrant villages like Cadaqués

- Stay: Hotels

- Hot tip: Avoid summer heat and crowds by hiking in cooler months

8. Lycian Way, Turkey 🇹🇷 (Not Europe but close)

- Distance: 760 km (472 miles), 29-35 stages

- Terrain: Moderate-challenging, rugged Mediterranean coast

- Best time: Spring and fall

- Highlights: Ancient ruins, turquoise bays, wild camping in mountains

- Stay: Hotels, guesthouses, wild camp

- Hot tip: Carry GPS and be prepared for wild camping in remote sections

9. E4 Section Crete, Greece 🇬🇷 

- Distance: 140 km (87 miles), 8 stages

- Terrain: Moderate, coastal cliffs and gorges

- Best time: Spring and fall

- Highlights: Samaria and Aradena gorges, pink beaches, ancient ruins

- Stay: Hotels, guesthouses, wild camp

- Hot tip: Savor local Cretan cuisine in fishing harbors after a day’s walk

10. Camino del Norte, Spain 🇪🇸 

- Distance: 835 km (528 miles), 30-35 stages

- Terrain: Moderate-easy, Atlantic coast with vibrant fishing villages

- Best time: Year-round

- Highlights: San Sebastián, Bilbao, Picos de Europa, traditional cider houses

- Stay: Hotels, guesthouses

- Hot tip: Enjoy fresh seafood and local cheeses along the route

11. Arran Coastal Way, Scotland 🏴 

- Distance: 108 km (67 miles), 5 stages

- Terrain: Rugged with mountain scrambles and coastal paths

- Best time: Year-round

- Highlights: Goatfell summit views, Neolithic sites, wildlife like red squirrels

- Stay: Hotels, wild camp

- Hot tip: Explore ancient standing stones and enjoy local whisky in villages

Bonus: Litoral Way, Portuguese Camino 🇵🇹 

- Distance: 275 km (170 miles), 13 stages

- Terrain: Mostly flat, wild beaches and rugged cliffs

- Best time: Year-round

- Highlights: Quiet coastal villages, sandy beaches, fewer pilgrims

- Stay: Hotels

- Hot tip: Use GPS navigation; the trail is mostly unmarked but spectacular

Each trail offers a unique blend of nature, culture, and adventure — whether you want a gentle seaside stroll or a rugged mountain challenge. Which one will you choose for your next hike?

Secret German Red Sandstone Hiking Destination

Germany often gets skipped when looking for a hiking holiday destination. This is a shame because it’s just so gorgeous.

This day hike is a total hidden gem and while not super hard, it offers SO MANY incredible red rock formations, castle ruins and stunning single track.

There are quite a few hotels and “resorts” nearby so it’s a great place to spend a few days exploring the Pfalz in southwest Germany.

You’ve got everything between 4 star spa hotels and camping spots and everything in between.

It’s absolutely superb in May.

Watch my video from a glorious warm day where we barely saw anyone else on the trail.

• ⚡️ Germany’s Dahner Felsenpfad Hike

And if you are on Youtube, please help me out by liking and subscribing to the channel to help it grow in the algo.

Next Week: Physical Therapist Tips for Hiking in Sand

Walking on sandy trails can be tricky, and super annoying. Stay tuned for next week’s video deep dive into sand hiking tips.

🚀 In case you missed it: 👉 Fishermen’s Trail Hotel Guide for Self-Booking

Happy hiking, and I hope to inspire you to explore the beauty of Europe’s trails!

Let’s see how this trail unfolds…

x-Morgan