Europe is currently sweltering amid a brutal heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in some areas.
It’s a similar story to last summer and, unsurprisingly, travellers are beginning to adapt.
Already, one study has crunched the numbers and found that visitors are shying away from hot destinations this summer.
The research by CaixaBank claims that up to 14 per cent of international visitors who would normally holiday in Spain have chosen to look elsewhere amid record-breaking temperatures in recent years.
The result is a pivot to so-called ‘coolcations’.
Walking holidays specialist and co-op HF Holidays also reports that many of its mountainous and northern walking trips have been selling out.
If you’re looking for a fresher escape this summer, here are a few hiking routes to consider.
Walk through breathtaking landscapes in Italy’s Dolomites
Last year, a new hiking trail winding through the wild, nature-rich landscape of Italy’s Dolomites mountain range opened.
The Cammino Retico is named after the ancient Raeti people who lived in the area in pre-Roman times.
It connects various remote villages between the Veneto and Trentino regions. Set out by the social association Carpe Diem, the Cammino Retico begins and ends in Aune di Sovramonte, near the city of Belluno.
The circular route is 170 kilometres long and can typically be completed in seven days.
Island-hop with Sweden’s archipelago trail
The Stockholm Archipelago Trail launched in October 2024.
The 270-kilometre hiking route connects over 20 islands, giving walkers the chance to traverse Sweden's rugged landscapes and pristine nature.
The trail is well-marked and has amenities such as benches, shelters and fireplaces.
Hiking for beginners in the Tatra Mountains
The Tatra Mountains are part of the Carpathian chain, which forms a natural border between Poland and Slovakia. Many trails are extremely accessible, making it the perfect place for hikers with limited experience of trekking through the mountains.
On the Slovakian side, you can even take a cable railway such as the Kasprowy Wierch, which takes you to the Lomnitz Peak, the High Tatras’ second highest mountain at 2634 metres.
In summer, head up high for a breath of fresh air amid icy lakes and wildflower meadows.
Trek through fjords and mountains on St Olav’s Way
Saint Olav’s Way in Norway is an ancient pilgrimage on Europe’s list of walking routes.
Seven possible routes take trekkers through rural parts of the country to Trondheim Cathedral, where Saint Olav, who was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028, is said to be buried.
Travellers have been using the route since 1032, with a number of shelters built along the way through its hundreds of years of history.
It requires a bit of planning, with hotels and lodgings more spaced out than on other trails.
It is best to tackle this route between May and August, as bad weather and short days can hamper progress in autumn and later in the year.
