Getting Close to Nature

Norway

Jotunheimen National Park is also referred to as the Land of the Giants because of the many mountains in the park. There are more than 250 mountain peaks, and some of them are among the tallest in Europe. The background of the snow-capped mountain is lovely, as well as the bright blue lakes that fill up with melted snow.

Among the wildlife, you can see here are reindeer, elk, and lynx. For fishing enthusiasts, there are lakes full of trout.

Finland

Oulanka National Park is lovely in both winter and summer. It is located in the northern Ostrobothnia and Lapland regions and close to the Arctic Circle. You can see amazing river rapids surrounded by pine forests. White-water rafting is popular here, and in the winter, many snow-shoe walkers come to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The park protects the land of the Sami people, who lived in the area until the 17th century. Karhunkierros is one of the most popular trekking routes in the country.

Other activities, here include mountain biking and canoeing. You can spend the night in a wooden cabin.

Sweden

Sarek National Park is said to be the last true wilderness in Sweden. This park in the northwest has a hundred beautiful glaciers, six amazing peaks, many deep valleys, and lots of gushing river rapids.

Iceland

Vatnajokull National Park is one of three national parks in Iceland. It is also home to the largest glacier in Europe. The park is known for its beautiful landscapes that include glacial rivers, mountain ridges, waterfalls, large canyons, huge cliffs, and volcanoes.

Scotland

Trossachs National Park is located by Loch Lomond in the Scottish countryside. It is one of the most beautiful British National Parks and also one of the biggest. You’ll fall in love with the Scottish Highlands as well as the crystal clear lochs and rolling hills.

Wales

Snowdonia National Park is home to the biggest mountain in Wales, Snowdon. You’ll find some of the most beautiful landscapes here, including boulder-strewn summits, mountain ranges, and lovely lakes. There are plenty of trails for both hikers and mountain bikers.

France

Pyrenees National Park is one of the most loved national parks in France. With the dramatic backdrop of the Pyrenees that border Spain. You’ll see giant, sculpted mountains, cascading waterfalls, and reflecting lakes. Both hiking and pony trekking are popular here. The hiking trail will lead you to magnificent cirques, glacial basins, and dramatic summits.

Austria

Hohe Tauren National Park was the first national park in Austria. It is also the largest nature reserve in the European Alps and is centered around the Hohe Tauren Mountain range. There are almost forty distinctive and dramatic peaks and plenty of natural beauty to hike through.

Switzerland

Swiss National Park is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest protected area in Switzerland. This park borders Engadin Valley in Italy. It has a varied landscape and is great for hiking. You’ll hike by azure rivers, and see dramatic peaks, and beautiful alpine forests.

Germany

Saxon Switzerland National Park is located near the city of Dresden in southeast Germany. It is known for its towering conifers clinging to cliff faces, dense fern groves, and thick forests. Here hiking, biking, and climbing are popular activities.

Black Forest National Park was the first national park in Germany. It is located in the southwestern state of Baden-Wurttenbery, perpendicular to the French border. The park lies within the largest protected nature reserve in the country. It is known for its high forests, bog lakes, and water meadows. While hiking, you can see pretty timber houses.

There are many hiking paths, trails, and single tracks winding through the woods. One popular route is the Black Forest Panoramic Route.

Poland/Belarus

Bialowieza National Park sits on the border between Poland and Belarus. This large park is the last remaining temperate primeval forest in Europe.

You can see European Bison in their natural habitat here. Popular activities are hiking and biking along shaded paths and trails. Of interest is the Museum of Nature and Forest.

Slovenia

Triglav National Park includes the majestic Mount Triglav. The park has many mountain peaks and valleys. Some of the popular activities here are skiing, rafting, and water sports. You can spend the night in a mountain lodge.

Montenegro

Durmitor National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park has almost fifty mountain peaks, eighteen glacial lakes, amazing river canyons, and a great variety of flora and fauna.

Turkey

Goreme National Park is known for its “fairy chimneys,” volcanic rock formations, and surreal natural features. The formations date back to 4000 BC and originated from a series of volcanic eruptions and natural weather erosion. It is a fantastic park to explore and see the amazing things that nature has formed.

Greece

National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades is Europe's largest marine protected area. It is comprised of six beautiful islands Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Giora, Psathoura, Piperi, and Skantzoura, and the main island Alonnisos.

The park is located in the northern Aegean Sea and also includes twenty-two tiny uninhabited islets and many rugged rocky outcrops. There is a lot of marine and wildlife to see.

Italy

Cinque Terre National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It includes five lovely villages, a rugged coastline, and the rolling hills that surround it. The villages are accessible by car with trains and boats linking to them.

National Park of the Belluno Dolomite is located on the edge of the southeastern Alps in the north of Italy. The park was founded in 1990 to protect the natural beauty of the area. A great many of the parts of the park are wild and unvisited, lying on the southernmost fringes of the Dolomites. In the summer, there is an abundance of colorful wildflowers. Activities include hiking with many trails offering different levels of difficulty all throughout the park.

Spain

Ordesa National Park is one of the first national parks in Europe. The park borders France. It offers hikers the beauty of raging rivers, gorges, waterfalls, rock faces, and dense woodland.

It is wonderful for wildlife watchers with marmots, wild boars, golden eagles, bearded vultures, and hawks, among others.