Hiking Through Europe

Travel destinations in Europe provide many opportunities for those of you who love to hike. Especially during the summer, it can make for a great holiday and a way of staying fit and active, while promoting sustainable practices.

There are a few ways in which hiking encourages sustainability - both to your pockets and to the natural environment around you. It can save the cost of your holiday (it's almost always free) and is friendly to your surroundings. And not only that, but it's also fun too!

Hiking for Better Sustainability

Here's how hiking can be a great holiday activity that will help you in becoming more sustainable:

• It's generally free: Unless you’re paying for a guide to take you, or you’re hiking as part of a tour group, then hiking should be free. You’ll not have to pay a penny to enjoy the activity. You just put on your hiking shoes and go!
• It's friendly to the environment: Rather than jump on the local bus or rent a car to go on a day trip, a fantastic alternative is to go on a hike. That way, you can ensure you play your part in reducing harmful emissions that can destroy your surroundings.

If you’ve ever traveled to Europe before, you’ll know that there are plenty of places with green spots and mountains. This makes it a continent with a vast array of options where you can benefit from nature.

When we spend time outdoors, we allow ourselves an opportunity to experience the freshness of air. This can help to support our positive mental well-being, while promoting sustainable practices along the way. Fresh air is free and when we spend less time sitting in doors or commuting by transport means, we get to experience all of the benefits, as well as the world around us.

Great Spots for Hiking in Europe

There are many great spots for hiking in Europe: for seasoned and beginner hikers alike.

If you’re more experienced, you can attempt to tackle one of the greater mountain regions and alps that are around. Here are some that Europe has to offer:

• Dolomites (in Northern Italy)
• The French, Swiss and Austrian Alps
• Julian Alps (in Slovenia)
• Cinque Terre National Park, Italy
• Tatra Mountains (in Slovakia)

But even if you’re not up to the challenge, there are smaller hikes that you find for fun. You can take a day out of your trip away and set it aside to go on a hike. You don’t have to head off to one of the main mountains in Europe to enjoy the natural world around you. You can keep it sustainable by finding a local trail and go exploring for the day.

Planning Tips for when you go Hiking

So, when you set off on your trip to Europe, here are some tips that you can follow for when you go hiking. Not only will they allow you to gain the best experience possible, but they’ll also help you with finding opportunities to hike.

Let’s take a look at them so that you can promote sustainability while making the most out of your holiday:

1. You can plan your trip specifically for hiking. A hiking holiday can be a great way to remove yourself from the busy city life that can often cause exhaustion. It can also provide an opportunity to add fun to your holiday, spend quality time with friends and family, and take away your reliance on transportation. That way, you can take care of your health, while protecting the world you live in.

2. Choose your destination and then look for trails that are nearby. You might be surprised and find a hidden natural gem that’s off the beaten track. While hiking might not be the first travel activity that shows up in blogs when searching for things to do (especially in less remote areas), you might come across some opportunities that are out there. Google will be your friend here.

3. Stay well prepared before your hike. Check the terrain, conditions, and forecast for the weather. You don’t want to find yourself in a position where you’re underprepared and get caught in harsh conditions. When it comes to environmental protection, try and find a flask or two before beforehand to keep your water supplies in plenty. This can help reduce your need for bottled water, use of plastics, and wastage.

Hiking is a great activity for you to enjoy. When setting off on a trip to Europe, why not plan some hiking and add it to your itinerary? By doing so, you’ll not only be benefit yourself, but also the natural world you live in.