18 BEST LONG DISTANCE HIKES IN EUROPE FOR JUNE.
June is one of the very best months for hiking in Europe. Summer has arrived, the days are long, and most trails are finally free of winter snow. But, if you head out for a long distance hike in Europe, you’ll be beating the crowds of the summer. And crucially avoiding the intense heat of July and August.
In this guide, you’ll find some of our favourite coastal walks and mountain treks. Alongside a few that are on our bucket list to try in the next few years.
Here are 18 of the best hikes in Europe for June, covering a mix of long-distance trails, classic routes, and unforgettable landscapes.
1/ Camino del Norte (Spain)
The Camino del Norte runs along Spain’s wild northern coast from Irún to Santiago de Compostela for over 800km, offering one of the most scenic Camino experiences. As it is less popular than other Camino routes, oftentimes you can be walking along – just you and the coastline.
In June, you can expect to see a few intrepid hikers but far less holidaymakers than you would in July and August. Albergues will be open for the summer and it should be warm enough to enjoy a few dips in the ocean.
The Camino del Norte takes around 30 days to complete, or you can pick a popular section, like San Sebastian to Bilbao, which requires a week to complete.
You can find our guide to the Camino del Norte daily stages here.
2/ South West Coast Path (England)
One of England’s longest national trail stretches along the dramatic coastline of Devon and Cornwall. And it is truly spectacular.
The weather isn’t guaranteed to be warm, but it should be milder than winter months. And June sees less crowds along the way. This is important because accommodation along the route is either in campsites, hotels or B&Bs – and these can become busy (and expensive) in high summer.
The entire route is around 1000km, so takes quite some time to complete (6 weeks or so). But you can choose a section, for example a section around Lulworth Cove.
3/ Laugavegur Trail (Iceland)
One of Europe’s most iconic multi-day hikes, the Laugavegur takes you through Iceland’s surreal highlands.
Each day brings a different terrain – one more desolate and striking than the other. You expect volcanic deserts, wild geothermal patches (sulphurous steam coming out of the mountains), multicoloured rocks, bright green mountains and even sections of snow.
It’s short (around 55 km) but absolutely spectacular. For us, it was one of the most challenging and ultimately memorable hikes we’ve ever done in Europe.
June, specifically late June, is an ideal time to walk to Laugavegur trail. The mountain passes begin to open in mid to late June, but you can avoid the more crowded periods of July and August.
And, if you’re on a budget, don’t rule this out too quickly. With the right preparation and a tent, you can camp along this route and keep costs to a minimum.
You can find our guides to the Laugavegur Trail here.
4/ Cotswold Way (England)
A gentle and charming long-distance walk through the heart of rural England. As this hike has become increasingly popular over the past few years, we would recommend walking this in June or September and avoiding peak summer months.
The Cotswold Way runs from Chipping Campden to Bath, which will pass through pleasant English countryside and hills. One thing we always love about English walks, is the chance to enjoy pub lunches and in the summer, pub gardens with a nice cold pint.
We’ve got this one pencilled in for this year. Whilst it may not be the most high-octane long distance hike we ever do, we are expecting it to be pretty, romantic and super civilised.
5/ Camino Portugués Coastal Route (Portugal/Spain)
Starting in Porto and following the Atlantic coast to Santiago, this route is one of the most relaxed Caminos.
You’ll walk along boardwalks, beaches, and through small fishing towns, with ocean views for much of the journey. In June, the weather is warm and sunny, but not yet oppressive. The sea feels super inviting, the seafood is excellent, and the pilgrim numbers are still manageable.
You can find our guide to the Camino Portuguese coastal route here.
6/ Albanian Alps (Albania)
One of Europe’s most dramatic and underrated mountain regions. We absolutely love the “Albanian Alps” or Accursed Mountains, as they are otherwise known.
The Peaks of the Balkans is a full circular trek through Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo, while the shorter Theth to Valbona hike is a stunning 1–2 day option.
Expect warm bright days and cooler evenings in the remote villages. June is an ideal time to walk these routes, whilst the mountains are green and heat is less intense than in high summer.
You can find our guide to hiking in the Albanian Alps here.
7/ Corsica: GR20
Corsica offers some of the most rugged hiking in the Mediterranean.
The famous GR20 crosses the island for 180km through sharp granite peaks, mountain lakes, and forested valleys. In June, temperatures are still moderate and crowds are lower than in high summer.
This one is very much on our bucket list.
8/ St Olavs Way (Norway: Oslo to Trondheim)
A long-distance pilgrimage route through the heart of Norway.
The Gudbrandsdalsleden trail winds through forests, lakes, farmland, and traditional villages, linking Oslo with Trondheim. In June, Norway’s days are incredibly long, with mild temperatures and lush green landscapes. It’s peaceful, scenic, and ideal for walkers who enjoy quiet trails and big open spaces.
There are many St Olav’s routes – we chose this one in order to see as much of Norway as possible, but we have our beady eyes on the other routes too – for example St. Olavsleden (the most northerly pilgrimage route in the world.)
You can find our guide to Gudbrandsdalsleden here.
9/ Prosecco Trail (Italy)
The Prosecco Trail runs between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene through vineyard hills in northern Italy. June brings warm sunshine, green vines, and quiet country roads.
It’s a short route (around 55 km), perfect for a long weekend of walking, wine tastings, and Italian food.
I’ve got this one earmarked for a girls weekend.
10/ Camino Francés (Spain)
The most famous Camino of all, stretching from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago.
June is a popular month, but still very doable. The Pyrenees are snow-free, the infrastructure is fully open, and the countryside is lush and green, punctuated by sunflowers peeping out. It’s busy, but sociable. Ideal if you want the classic Camino summer atmosphere.
11/ St Olav’s Waterway (Finland to Sweden)
A lesser-known and beautifully peaceful route linking Finland and Sweden.
The trail connects multiple islands and can be walked or partially paddled by canoe. You can also take ferries from island to island.
June could be perfect: mild temperatures, endless daylight, and calm, reflective landscapes. It’s ideal for walkers who want something truly off the beaten track. And a combination of culture and nature, with the occasional Finnish sauna.
You can find more information on this route here.
12/ Fisherman’s Trail: Rota Vicentina (Portugal)
This rugged coastal trail in southwest Portugal is still just about ideal in June.
The route follows sandy paths and clifftop trails between fishing villages like Zambujeira do Mar and Odeceixe. Early June avoids the worst summer heat, while still offering long days, blue skies, and dramatic Atlantic scenery.
You can find our guide to the Fisherman’s Trail here.
13/ Via Francigena: Lucca to Rome (Italy)
One of Italy’s most beautiful long-distance pilgrimage routes.
This section passes through Tuscany and Lazio, linking medieval towns, vineyards, and rolling countryside. June brings warm weather, open restaurants and hotels, and long daylight hours. It’s perfect for combining walking with culture, history, and Italian cuisine.
We walked this route in March/April, and whilst beautiful, we longed for a bit more warmth in the evenings.
You can find our guides to this route here.
14/ Dry Stone Trail: GR221 (Mallorca)
It might sound mad to suggest hiking in the Balearic Islands in summer, but Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains are cool enough in June to enjoy hiking.
The Dry Stone Trail follows ancient paths through limestone cliffs, pine forests, and traditional villages. It takes around 9 or 10 days to complete. Ideal for a summer vacation.
Accommodation along the way is in hiking hostels, camping or hotels.
You can find more information here.
15/ GR34 – Brittany Coastal Path (France)
Also known as the Sentier des Douaniers, the GR34 runs almost the entire coastline of Brittany, covering more than 2,000 km.
You can walk short sections or commit to a longer stretch, passing lighthouses, cliffs, sandy beaches, and dramatic headlands. June is ideal with summer flowers in bloom and mild but pleasant weather.
Full disclosure, we haven’t yet walked this one but it is very much on our radar. What’s not to like, French food and coastlines. It sounds absolutely delightful!
16/ Rheinsteig (Germany)
The Rheinsteig follows the eastern bank of the Rhine River between Bonn Wiesbaden and, cutting through one of Germany’s most romantic landscapes.
The epic walk passes through vineyards, medieval towns, castle ruins, and forested hills, with constant views over the Rhine below. June is an excellent time to go: warm but not hot-hot, long daylight hours, and plenty of open wine taverns along the route.
The entire route is 320km, and can be completed in around 14 days. You can camp along the route, or stay in small hotels.
You can find our detailed guided to the Rheisnteig here.
17/ Pieterpad (Netherlands)
The Pieterpad is the Netherlands’ most famous long-distance walking route, running from the northern village of Pieterburen all the way to Maastricht in the south.
It’s a gentle, lowland trail through canals, farmland, forests, and small Dutch towns. June brings green fields, wildflowers, and perfect walking temperatures. It’s ideal if you want a relaxed, well-marked route with great public transport, cosy cafés, campsites and a very local feel.
You can find our detailed guides to the Pieterpad here.
18/ Camino Primitivo (Spain)
The Camino Primitivo is the original Camino route, running from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela and widely considered one of the most scenic, and challenging, of all the Caminos.
This is a proper mountain Camino, with steep climbs, forest paths, and long stretches through remote countryside in Asturias and Galicia. In June, the weather is usually warm but not extreme, the landscapes are bright green, and the higher sections are free from snow.
You can find our guide to walking the Camino Primitivo here.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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