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.

Here are our top tips for planning a multi-day hike.

1. Guided vs Self-guided Hiking

The first decision is whether to take a guided trip, where everything is organised for you, or organising it yourself. Guided hikes can be great if you don’t want to spend your time organising or reading the map or you’d like to meet more people. Guided trips range from hiking weekends, where one of the participants leads the hike, to a full trek with professional local guides. If there’s a few of you, you can arrange a more tailored guided experience, although this does come at a higher cost.

2. Accommodation and luggage

Once you’ve decided on the style, you need to determine what you’re doing with your luggage. The main options are: carrying everything including camping equipment; carrying your luggage for the week but using pre-established camps / bed and breakfast accommodation; or carrying a day pack and using porters or luggage transport services. 

Make sure you’re clear on the style of hike you’re doing as this will make a big difference to what you bring, how you train and how you feel on the trip. 

3. Ensure you’re fit enough

Part of the fun of multi-day hikes is that they are a challenge but you won’t enjoy it if you’re struggling. Some training up front will reap huge rewards while you’re away. Try to get out for longer hikes as well as your regular workout, and practice on hills can make all the difference if your trek is going to be mountainous.

4. Break in your walking boots

It might sound obvious, but ensure you have good walking boots and they are well broken in across all terrains. If you’ve only broken them in on flat terrain but your hike is hilly you will get blisters or worse.

5. Pack light – but for all weathers

Packing light, but taking into account weather fluctuations, is probably the hardest challenge. Bring layers of quick dry clothing, don’t expect to have clean clothes every day and make sure that you’ve got enough to keep you warm and dry in the evenings. Once you’ve decided on what to pack take a look at everything you plan to bring and then take as much out as possible. But don’t forget the blister plasters!

6. Invest in a good backpack

A good backpack is comfortable, fits well and doesn’t rub while you’re walking. Get a the smallest rucksack possible for your hike. Invest in a pack with good padding on the shoulders and waist strap and with plenty of pockets.

7. Bring walking poles

Walking poles can make all the difference on a long hike. They spread the effort across your body, not just in your legs, reducing the strain on your ankles, knees and hips. They are also great for helping with balance both on the up- and downhill meaning that you’re less likely to slip. And they pack up and tie easily onto the outside of your backpack when you’re not using them .

8. Bring plenty of water

Have a good waterbottle (or two) and make sure that you fill it regularly when you’re hiking. Staying hydrated is the most important thing you can do to keep healthy while you walk.

9. Stay safe

If you’re hiking independently make sure you have someone to check in with, who will raise the alarm if they haven’t heard from you at the agreed time. Download an app like What3Words which can pinpoint your location to a 3sq metre area in case you do get into trouble. Keep an eye on upcoming weather conditions or potential obstacles and have a contingency plan on place where possible.

So there you have it, a few planning tips to help you get the most out of your multi-day hike. Enjoy!

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.