While lots of Southern Europe can look similar to each other, nowhere else looks like Southern Europe. The Mediterranean and the cultures absorbing it have a postcard way of building structures in a quaint, intimate way. For the cuisine, culture, nature and architecture, we believe the best way to see it is on foot. So with that in mind, here are five hikes, some of which have been inspired by Orbis Ways’ list of organized trails, that cover a good mix of what the South has to offer.
Dubrovnik’s walls & Elaphite island charms
Croatia’s “Pearl of the Adriatic” can be experienced by conquering Dubrovnik’s magnificent ancient city walls. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that needs little introduction, with it being a common filming location for Game of Thrones. The terracotta rooftops and sea crashing up to the fort is spectacular. You can extend your adventure though with a ferry to the nearby Elaphite Islands, like Lopud. This hike is extremely tranquil, with car-free paths through the freshest vegetation you can see, until you reach secluded coves like Šunj beach.
The Cinque Terre’s cliffside villages
Italy’s Ligurian coast is where you can find the iconic Cinque Terre, which are five ancient fishing villages perched on the infamous rugged cliffs. The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail), though accessibility varies, connects all through these colorful hamlets: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. You can walk through vineyards and olive groves, which is where lots of the best wine in the world come from, like Sciacchetrà, where the grapes are dried for over a month in stone cantinas on the clifftops.
Malta’s coastal paths
The Maltese archipelago isn’t too far from here, yet very much has it’s own thing going on. On the Gozo trail, Malta’s sister island, coastal trails go through dramatic cliffs and ancient salt pans like those at Qbajjar. This is where you can overlook Ramla Bay’s red sands, and a short ferry will take you to tiny Comino, which is known for the famous Blue Lagoon. This island is almost uninhabited and will provide you with a lot of great nature on The Med.
The Samaria Gorge descent
To go inland now, Crete’s Samaria Gorge is one of Europe’s most renowned trails. This 16km (10-mile) hike typically starts at Xyloskalo on the Omalos Plateau, but it descends steeply through towering cliffs and ancient cypress forests. It has its own unique flora, but perhaps the star of the show is the abandoned village of Samaria and Iron Gates, which is the gorge’s narrowest point. Of course, you’re never too far from famous Greek ruins either, giving you an insight in the birthplace of democracy.
Portugal’s Fishermen’s Trail
Portugal’s wild and windy Atlantic coast is the only place in Southern Europe that isn’t in the Med. It has a different vibe to it, and the Rota Vicentina’s Fishermen’s Trail is a path that traces local routes to beaches and fishing spots. Because of the lively Atlantic crashing into Portugal, it has many secluded sandy coves and interest rock formations all around. There’s also surprising biodiversity because of the slightly different climate, and this includes storks nesting on sea stacks.
Five hikes to see Southern Europe
Southern Europe is best explored on foot, particularly in Spring and Autumn, because of the many historic trails that cut through ancient villages and nature. It’s not that big, particularly if you’re interested in the coastal experiences. While you could see more when driving, these trails allow you to really take in your surroundings and get a good range of what the south of the continent has to offer.
Stay in touch to get more updates & alerts on VyvyManga! Thank you
