Looking for a challenge to take on this year? From iconic summits to stunning traverses, Europe’s mountain ranges have got you covered. Take a look at our list below and set your sights on a new adventure goal. 

Complete the Tour du Mont Blanc 

We’re kicking off this list with a classic: the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc. An excellent addition to any walker’s trekking CV, this route is famous for a reason. Taking you on a beautiful circumnavigation of the mighty Mont Blanc massif, there will be staggering views of the Alpine skyline, the chance to experience three different countries in one walking adventure (France, Italy and Switzerland), excellent company and gorgeous mountain days you won’t forget. With long days and lots of elevation you’ll feel like you’ve achieved something at the end of your 10 day adventure – but if you’re thinking you need even more of a challenge, go for our ultimate version. You’ll walk high-level routes and trek hut-to-hut with a backpack of overnight belongings, the reward being to walk on little-trodden trails and see astounding views that few other travellers get to experience. 

How to do it: 

The Classic Tour du Mont Blanc 

The Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc

Tour du Mont Blanc Family Adventure

Fancy the challenge of being independent? Take a look at our Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc

Or try an alternative: the Tour du Monte Rosa

For anyone who fancies the Tour du Mont Blanc but wants to feel like they’ve gone a little more off-the-beaten-track, the Tour de Monte Rosa in Italy and Switzerland is the answer. It’s a tougher challenge, wilder and more remote and will keep you on high trails for most of the route. As a result, it’s quite a bit quieter. This generally overlooked area is pure Alpine magic and a real trekking paradise, with varied, dramatic backdrops, steep forested valleys, high meadows and crown of impressive snow-capped peaks. It’s also another opportunity to experience the unique magic of hut-to-hut trekking. 

How to do it: 

Tour de Monte Rosa Trek

Walk from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn 

Double the peaks, double the magic. The Mont Blanc to Matterhorn route is legendary among walkers, mountaineers and skiers alike, an epic journey between two of Europe’s, even the world’s, most famous mountains. The route is open to walkers and mountaineers, with trails weaving past mountain meadows, stunning valleys and blue glacier lakes. Any fit walker can take on the trek but to do the Classic Haute route you’ll need an ice-axe and crampons and know how to use them – it’s a true mountaineering journey over glaciated terrain. Both versions of this adventure are going to feel like a challenge but with a bit of time to train beforehand, it’s an experience that will stay with you forever.

How to do it: 

Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn Trek

Best of Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn Trek

Classic Haute Route - High Alpine Trekking

Reach the summit 

If walking past these peaks isn’t enough for you, go that extra mile – upwards even – and take on a summit challenge. Whilst it’s an iconic mountain, Mont Blanc is a challenge of endurance, stamina and persistence which anyone willing to get fit for can attempt – and with two opportunities to summit on our itinerary, it’s pretty likely.

How to do it: 
Mont Blanc Climb

Or climb several summits 

Sometimes if you’re all the way up there, you might as well get as many summits in as you can, which is why we’ve created these epic summit weeks in Italy and Switzerland. For newcomers to mountaineering, we run the perfect introductory week on a cross-border circuit through Switzerland and Italy, a high-level route where you’ll climb a number of 4,000 metre summits. An expert guide will be on hand to show you the ropes, literally. In just the Italian Alps, we take advantage of the high concentration of peaks in the Monte Rosa group for a thrilling week where your itinerary will be decided by the mountains themselves; depending on the conditions, you could climb up to 7 4,000m summits. In just Switzerland, the pretty mountain village of Saas Fee makes an ideal base for an Alpine climbing week, with plenty of 4,000ers to take on and a brilliant introduction to glacier travel. 

How to do it: 

Italian High Level Route

Italian Summit Climber

Take on a traverse in Slovenia or Spain

Beyond the Alps, Europe has plenty more mountains journeys to be discovered. We love a classic traverse, which is why we recommend Slovenia or Spain for those seeking something a little different to the Alps. In Slovenia, a hut-to-hut journey across the rugged spine of the Julian Alps makes for an epic route that culminates in an ascent of Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak and an ascent which is a rite of passage for Slovenians. Over in northern Spain, the Picos de Europa is perhaps one of Europe’s most underrated ranges. Following a unique route, our traverse takes you from the pretty mountain town of Cangas de Onis, through the staggering Cares Gorge on a spectacular cliffside path, and up to lofty summits and stunning ridges. With plenty of ascent and descent, both treks offer a superb challenge for any weekend hiker. 

How to do it: 

Traverse of the Picos de Europa

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

Perfect for wilderness hikers, seek out trails in Scandinavia

Spectacular Northern Lights, dramatic waterfalls, unique wildlife, vast horizons of forest and lofty mountains slicing right into the sea are just some of the incredible and unmissable sights in Scandinavia. Mountain huts are on a completely different level to those in the Alps in terms of luxury and chic cosmopolitan cities are there to be explored before, or after, your wilderness adventure. In Norway, seek out the dramatic Lofoten Islands, a stunning archipelago of mountainous peaks towering over picture perfect rorbu houses or enjoy a hut-to-hut trek through the Jotunheimen National Park to Norway's highest peak, Galdhopiggen (2,472m). In Swedish Lapland, you can hike the wild and remote Kungsleden Trail (King's Trail) through a spectacular landscape within the Arctic Circle with endless daylight.

How to do it:

Traverse of the Jotunheimen

Norway's Lofoten Islands

Walk Sweden's King's Trail

Sweden's King's Trail - Ski Touring

Find out if Corsica’s GR20 really is the toughest trek in Europe

Reputed to be Europe’s most challenging long-distance trekking trail, the GR20 is a classic route that spans the granite peaks of Corsica. Over 2 weeks you’ll cover 180km of mountainous ground, with approx. 12,000m ascent and descent. The trails are varied, crossing forested slopes, alpine valleys and high pastures, but will also feature airy ridges and rocky outcrops with plenty of scrambling. It’s a combination of this terrain and long days that make it so challenging, but don’t be put off, with Mediterranean sunshine and truly inspiring scenery on hand, you’ll finish with a fantastic sense of achievement. 

How to do it: 

Corsica -The Complete GR20

Best of the GR20

Reach the realm of the gods on Mount Olympus

The highest peak in Greece, it’s easy to see why Ancient Greeks considered it the realm of the gods and the ‘Throne of Zeus’. Featuring an exhilarating scramble to the summit, comparable to the Cuillin Ridge on Skye, there’s a small amount of exposure that will thrill you just the right amount. For culture vultures who like a good mountain challenge, this adventure is perfect, as you’ll also have the chance to visit the breathtaking UNESCO floating monasteries of Megalo and Varlaam in Meteroa. 

How to do it: 

Sacred Summits of Olympus and Meteora

If you would you like to know more about any of the above holidays, then give us a call on +44 (0) 17687 73966 or USA/Canada toll-free 1888 630 4415. We offer trusted holidays with financial protection and flexible booking conditions. 

Take a look at all European adventures