Camino de Santiago

Location: Spain | Distance: 780km

One of Europe’s most famous multi day hikes is Spain’s Camino de Santiago. People have been trekking this path for hundreds of years so much so that it’s become quite the spiritual experience. There are many routes to take along the 500 miles that make up the Camino de Santiago. However, as it spans 15 of Spain’s 17 regions, you can tackle various parts of the hike in a weekend or week. Pass through the Pyrenees, hilly vineyards, and lush forests and make the experience your own.

West Highland Way

Location: Scotland | Distance: 154km

Scotland’s most popular hiking route embarks on a 6-8 day journey through the Highlands. You’ll pass tremendous amounts of scenery such as the banks of Loch Lomond all the way up to picturesque Glen Coe and Ben Nevis as you make your way from Milngavie to Fort William. Embrace the mystical Scottish weather and experience some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery.

Tour du Mont Blanc

Location: France, Italy, Switzerland | Distance: 170km

Navigate Europe’s largest mountain range as you enrich yourself in natural beauty along the Western Alps. Spanning three different countries (France, Italy, and Switzerland), this exciting trail makes up 170km and takes about 11 days. The hike is a loop so hikers can begin at any point or tackle it in chunks.

Picos de Europa

Location: Spain | Distance: 55km

Take in the mountain ranges of Picos de Europa as you loop around the Parque Nacional de Los Picos de Europa in Northern Spain. This exciting multi day hike in Europe takes 4-6 days and you’ll pass through villages and diverse terrains of gorges and valleys.

Kungsleden (King’s Trail)

Location: Sweden | Distance: 440km

Venture into the Swedish Lapland to experience Sweden’s longest and most famous trail. Start the path between Abisko and Hemavan as you make your way through the Scandinavian Mountain Range. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to take in one of the Natural Wonders of the World, the Northern Lights, during your hike.

While the entire trail is 440km, it can be easily split up into sections. The most popular, Abisko to Nikkaluokta, offers stunning scenery of vast open spaces and snowcapped mountains and takes only 5-7 days. Check out Fjallraven’s annual Classic Sweden Challenge if you fancy doing it with a whole host of other enthusiasts.

Hadrian’s Wall Path, Northumberland and Cumbria

Distance: 84 miles

Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built between AD122 and AD128 to separate the Romans from the barbarians. The Hadrian’s Wall Path runs the length of the wall, passing forts and ancient settlements as well as offering spectacular views of Northumberland. 

Most of the hiking trail is flat, but the hills offer beautiful views of the surrounding settlements. The official trail runs from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway and experienced hikers can expect to complete the trail in five to ten days. 

South West Coast Path 

Distance: 630 miles

The South West Coast Path is the longest and one of the best UK hikes in the country and is home to some of the most beautiful secluded beaches of the country. The trail starts from Minehead, Somerset, follows the coastline through Devon and Cornwall before ending at Poole Harbor, Dorset.

The trail can be done in any combination of day trips, week long sections or even all at once. The difficulty of the hikes vary depending on the section, with some parts being considered particularly strenuous. Expect to see stunning beaches, rugged coastline, hidden churches and the occasional seal or dolphin.

Coast to Coast Path

Distance: 192 miles

The coast to coast hiking path starts from St Bees Head on the Irish Sea, passes through Lake District, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, and ends at Robin Hood’s Bay. It covers three of the country’s best national parks; the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales National Park, and North York National Park, in just one hike. This means the views are spectacular! 

The hiking trail is diverse, comprising rocky formations, rolling hillsides, limestone plateaus, and country lanes. If walking the whole trail it takes around two weeks, however there are shorter treks that can be completed within a week or less. 

West Highland Way, Glasgow to the Highlands

Distance: 96 miles

The West Highland Way, running from Glasgow to the Highlands, is one of the best UK hikes and is a perfect choice for a week-long hiking trip. The trail runs from Milngavie just outside Glasgow to Fort William. It encompasses the Loch Lomond, Rannoch moors and the Highlands, finishing with magnificent views of Ben Nevis. 

While the hike starts relatively easily, the terrain gets increasingly more rugged as the hike moves from south to north.   The views of the lush green countryside parks, open moorlands, steep mountains, and loch-shores add to the beauty of the trail, making it one not to miss. 

These are just a few of the best multi-day hikes in the UK, ready to reward any hiker with a once in a lifetime experience.