9 top walking trips in Europe

It's all about the beautiful mountain views in Picos des Europa, northwestern Spain. Navigate your way along cliff-cut pathways, through medieval towns and across alpine meadows - even taking in an abandoned mine as you go. Spain's only inhabited nature reserve is also home to Naranjo de Bulnes, a distinctive limestone peak that juts into the skies. End the tour on a high from a network of cable cars overlooking the Aliva Valley.

Sitting on a wooden pew, an enormous incense burner swings like a huge pendulum down the length of Santiago Cathedral, supported by the vast vaulted ceiling high above. This spectacular Botafumeiro ceremony marks the end of an unforgettable 155km pilgrimage across undulating countryside, past rural farmland and through medieval villages along the sacred Camino-Frances trail. This ancient Christian pilgrimage is a unique journey of holy significance, and it will be particularly symbolic during 2025 as Pope Francis has announced a Jubilee, a Holy Year with the theme "Pilgrims of Hope" - the last was in 2015, so it's a rare occasion not to be missed.

Enjoy a moderately-graded walking holiday of the secluded beaches and canyons of Crete. Setting off from the beautiful Venetian town of Chania, you’ll walk through the impressive Samaria Gorge to Agia Roumeli, before settling in at a family-run property on the beach. Indulge in delicious Cretan food served up at traditional tavernas, and admire the scenic white houses with blue shutters.

Turkey is a popular choice for walking trips in Europe, and no-where more so than the Lycian Way. Glistening turquoise waters lap golden sand beaches in secluded bays below as you make your way along the clifftop coastal path towards Faralya. Set upon a small plateau this tranquil village teeters on the edge of the sheer limestone cliffs of Butterfly Valley. Endemic Jersey Tiger butterfly flutter about the lush canyon walls and feed off of the sweet-smelling lavender-flower chaste trees in this magnificent fjord-like cove.

Hike beyond the usual tourist trails with a walking trip in Albania. A mostly undiscovered European walking destination, Albania boasts towering alpine mountain valleys, emerald green lakes and rustic highland villages. Escape everyday life in this pure and untouched natural world with treks in the shadow of the snow-capped mountains of Valbona Valley and overnight stays in the heart of the wild Accursed Mountains.