Eight lesser-known trails in Europe

There’s a treasure trove of hiking trails in the world, some being classics and others still relatively unknown. Or they are upstaged by the stars of the world’s green carpet. They’re not like the supporting actors at the Oscars, however, more like emerging newcomers, who haven’t yet been given their chance to play a leading role. When you hike the likes of the Camino de Invierno instead of the Camino Frances, or Sheeps Head Way instead of the Ring of Kerry in Ireland, you’ll see that they are stars in their own right. So, here are our top eight lesser-known trails in Europe, some of which cross borders and others that simply surpass expectations.

High Scardus Trail, Albania

If the Peaks of the Balkans Trail is the mother of all trails in this region, the 362km High Scardus Trail is the cool cousin. It traverses the mountain landscapes of North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania, and it’s the last stage in Albania’s Sharr Mountains that we focus on. You can take it on guided or self-guided, both of which take eight days, and where you trek through the wild terrain of Korab-Koritnik Nature Park, home to Mount Korab (2,764m), the highest peak in both Albania and North Macedonia, and natural border between the two, and which you can ascend on this tour. Walking in Albania is an immersion into its ancient and traditional culture, but you will be met with smiles and encouraging waves by shepherd communities along the way. As well as staying in small, locally-owned hotels and homestays, you have one night in a rustic shepherd’s hut, followed by a hike up to Grama Pass (2,300m), with dizzying views of many peaks.

Mount Korab is the highest peak in both Albania and North Macedonia, and natural border between the two.

Cammino di San Nilo, Italy

This is one of the ancient trails going through Cilento National Park, following in the footsteps of Saint Nilo of Rossano, a Greco-Italian monk from the 11th century. Over eight days, it takes you on your own natural pilgrimage between Sapri in the east and Palinuro in the west, with waterfalls, woodland and wild, tranquil trails that feel far from mass tourism. You also ascend to some top viewpoints, such as Monte Gelbison from which you can see as far as the island of Stromboli. Like many caminos, there’s a Pilgrim’s Passport that you can get at the first hotel on this tour, which you then get stamped along the way, allowing you to get your Testimonium, or certificate of completion, in San Nazario. This is the location of the former Monastery of San Nazario, where San Nilo da Rossano received the blessing and undertook his rite of passage to become a monk.

Sapri is the starting point for the Cammino di San Nilo in Cilento National Park.

Camino de Invierno, Spain

The Camino de Santiago is one of Europe’s most celebrated sacred trails, dating back centuries and boasting several routes, the most revered being the Camino Frances, Camino Portugues and the Camino del Norte. However, the Camino de Invierno is like the backing singer in the choir who suddenly emerges with some exquisite solo moments. Also known as the Winter Way, as it was taken by pilgrims en route to Santiago through Galicia to avoid tougher terrain during winter months, it’s also a much quieter way. You can take on the complete camino (262km) over 13 days, between the historical pilgrim town of Ponferrada and Santiago. Or do the last section over eight days, walking from Monforte de Lemos to Santiago, with highlights including Galician wine country and the many monasteries of the Ribeira Sacra region.

The Ribeira Sacra wine region is just one of many beautiful watering holes along the Camino de Invierno.

Sheep’s Head Way, Ireland

The Sheep’s Head Way isn’t as sparkly as the island’s iconic Kerry Way, but it boasts many shades of emerald. It’s also not as long, covering the south-west’s most spindly peninsulas, measuring just 19km long and 5km wide. For keen walkers it’s like a tardis, however, with 150km of hill walks leading you to dreamy coves, dramatic cliffs, ancient archaeological sites or to its elusive lighthouse right at the tip – all strengthened by a sandstone ridge which stretches down the core of the peninsula like a central spine. It also has an impressive local community, fully committed to sustainable tourism on its prettiest of patches, and it’s thanks to them that such superb walking access has been granted to its hiking visitors. This is definitely one of Ireland’s finest lesser-known trails.

Walking the Sheep’s Head Way, by blog author Catherine Mack©.

Camino le Puy

The Camino le Puy, or Chemin du Puy also known as the Via Podiensis, is one of four ancient routes through France that historically joined up with the Camino de Santiago. However, it’s now a complete camino in its own right. Covering an epic 750km, between Le Puy-en-Velay in the Haute Loire and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques, just 8km from the border with Spain, you can walk the whole thing in 40 days. Trek through the Auvergne, volcanic landscapes of the Velay, wild moorlands of Aubrac plateau, the Lot Valley and Pyrenean panoramas. Most people choose to walk it in sections, such as between Lectoure to Aire-sur-l’Adour through the vineyard-filled Armagnac region, or the last section Aire-sur-l’Adour to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, with views of the snow-capped Pyrenees. Each section is also fully accessible by rail, giving it a truly eco blessing.

Hærvejen, Denmark’s Camino

Denmark may be known for its mid-century style, but it also has a cool Middle Ages trail to follow. The little-known Hærvejen, also known as the Oxen Road, dates back to ancient times for pilgrims going from Trondheim in Norway to Santiago or Rome. This part of the ancient trail, also called the Army Road, harking back to the times of war rather than wandering, takes you between two of Denmark’s historic and handsome towns, Viborg and Jelling. The former is famous for its cathedral and Old Town, and the latter for its 10th-century carved runestones, commissioned by King Harald as a symbol of the Danish conversion to Christianity. In between the two towns, you can walk mindfully for seven days alongside the dunes of Sepstrup and Vrads Sande, Lakes Hald and Bølling as well as through the heather-covered hills of Hørbylunde.

The luscious hills of Dollerup Bakker are the first stop after Viborg, the starting point of Denmark’s Hærvejen.

Saint Paul Trail, Turkey

The Lycian Way in Turkey is the one that many people are loved up with, and rightly so. It’s a beauty. However, there is plenty more Turkish delight to be had on the Saint Paul Trail, where its namesake holyman sought out Turkey’s remote, inland communities when he went on his mission to spread the Christian word. This was an impressive 500km route across Anatolia and the Taurus Mountains from Perge, just east of Antalya to Yalvac, north of Lake Egirdir. Our St Paul Trail walking holiday seeks out the cream of his crusade and, in a week, takes you to highlights such as the summit of Mount Sivri (1,800m), along Roman roads, to the temple ruins of Adada and through elevated meadows where wild horses accompany you on your equally wild journey.

Spend three nights in Eğirdir, on the shores of the eponymous lake, on the Saint Paul Trail in Turkey.

The Skåneleden Trails, Sweden

The majority of walkers seeking some Scandi-glee head to the Stockholm Archipelago, especially as it’s within a hiking heartbeat of the capital. But you can also head further south for something different, but equally gorgeous. The Skåneleden is a carefully-crafted network of walking trails across the southern and very seaworthy Skåne region covering over 1,300km. Recognisable by its orange markers and signs, it covers a merry mix of rocky shores, remote peninsulas, white sandy beaches and mature beech forests. Our Sweden tours along the Skåneleden Trails include the northern section of the Kullaleden and Bjäre Peninsulas and the coastal linear section of the Österlen Way in the east. For more information, see our bespoke blog on the Skåneleden Trails.