Hiking for the relaxed: 10 great European routes for everyone

Walking, how do I love you? Let me count the ways. There is a sense of freedom, fresh air and movement forward; big views and small surprises; how good chilled Pinot Gris is after a walk. And none of these things – none of them – require you to walk every day until you’re broken.

Soft hiking is still hiking. With the gentle passage of shorter, easier routes, you will still crave slowly developed, richly inhaled, otherwise unattainable benefits that only exploring on foot can bring. In fact, you probably run them more fully than a hardy hiker who makes his way through miles, has no time to stop and stare. It is a great pleasure to sleep late, stay with a hearty breakfast, take a leisurely walk, walk through the beautiful landscape, stop anywhere and anytime, knowing that a comfortable inn and a glass of good wine await you.

No, you don’t have to work your way up to make the most of the hike. As long as you understand the basics. And the first thing is to decide what you actually like. If you are going to spend a condensed amount of time exploring one area, make it an area that is really attractive. You decided to take a walk, yes, but what else makes you happy? Sea air and wild swimming? Forests full of birds? Pottery through paved villages? Traveling into a stunning wine country (with many open cellar doors)? Make sure you walk where you are interested so that walking is not the only reward.

It is also not necessary for hiking to leave you with sore limbs. The breadth and diversity of the route – especially across Europe – is enormous. So find suitable routes: short routes, soft surfaces, rest days and trains, boats and cable cars that can make your effort easier.

Luggage? You don’t want to worry about that. If you decide to walk from hotel to hotel, choose the one where your big bags will take you forward, allowing you to travel easily – just a daily backpack with basic necessities: waterproof, water bottle, gourmet picnic.

Yes, gourmet – why not? Because this is your vacation after all and you don’t have to burden yourself with it. There are excursions that combine the best of all, where you can spend days strolling through the historic beauty, snacking on excellent local dishes and ending up in former palaces or five-star spa hotels with a Michelin feast. Soft walking, I really love you.

The best hiking vacation for the soft

Calm walk on home soil

Suffolk, United Kingdom