20 European National Parks Every Outdoors Lover Should Know

Connemara National Park, Ireland

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Ireland has many famous hikes, from the Cliffs of Moher to Giant’s Causeway. But one of the most unique places to hike in the country is Connemara National Park, where you can summit the 1,450-foot Binn Ghuaire, which is also often called Diamond Hill. The experience is more akin to hiking in the Appalachians than most other hikes along Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way — partly because it’s slightly inland, and partly because of the mountainous landscape. When combined with the park’s other trails, a hike through Connemara National Park is about five miles from start to finish, where you can take in vistas of the surrounding park, which are among the most picturesque views in Ireland. Connemara is lush, green, and contains County Galway’s highest peak, Benbaun, which rises 2,378 feet above the nearby coast.

Madeira Natural Park, Portugal

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Covering nearly two-thirds of Madeira, a Portuguese island with weather ranging from borderline tropical to foggy and mountainous, Madeira Natural Park is a gorgeous protected area off the coast of Africa. The park’s dramatic topography, characterized by steep cliffs, deep valleys, and a network of hikable levada irrigation channels, provide for a stunning backdrop. Madeira Natural Park’s silver laurel forest is the largest old-growth laurel forest on Earth, and the park’s extensive hiking system has more than 3,000 miles of trails. But the island’s vast elevation difference – 6,000 feet between the highest and lowest points – creates a wealth of recreation opportunities, from shuttle-assisted mountain biking to canyoneering, rock climbing and deep water soloing, rappelling, mountaineering, and more.

It also should be mentioned that the islands’ many restaurants outside the park, which blend Portuguese, Spanish, Caribbean, and African ingredients grown on the island, are among the tastiest in Europe. And after a day recreating in the park, you’ll find no shortage of vineyards to whet your whistle with a glass of traditional Madeira wine (as well as a wild ride in a woven basket if you’re looking for more adventure).

Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany

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Established in 1970, Germany’s Bavarian Forest National Park is one of the earliest examples of Central European countries sharing wilderness conservation. Along the border with the Czech Republic, where it becomes Šumava National Park, the expansive woodland forms the largest contiguous forest in this part of Europe. The park’s untamed character is a stark contrast to the country’s often manicured image, with towering spruces and firs that create a cathedral-like atmosphere in some areas, and beautiful hidden glades and crystal-clear streams. It’s also one of the best parks in Europe for wildlife, with lynx, bears, and wolves calling the sprawling woodland home.

In summer, activities range from park museums to road and mountain biking to long-distance hikes and harder, shorter hikes to waterfalls and valleys (Rissloch Waterfalls is doable for most people). Winter brings skiing and snowshoeing, as well as small crowds mid-week. Year-round, the observation decks are some of the best in Germany, great for a quick photo opp or a long visit for those with the patience to look for wildlife. The most popular are the Treetop Walk near Neuschönau and the open-air wildlife viewing path at the Lusen National Park Center.

It’s also easy to get to, even without a car. The gateway towns of Zwiesel and Bodenmais are on the country’s super-efficient rail system, with train stops at the gates to the park.

Peneda-Gerês, Portugal

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Peneda-Gerês has a little bit of everything: an approachably mountainous granite-and-oak landscape, waterfalls and hot springs, wildlife like Garrano horses and Iberian wolves, flora like the Gerês lily, archaeological relics scattered about ancient Roman roads, and rural villages. Peneda-Gerês provides the perfect excuse to travel to the country’s far northeast, almost all the way to Spain, but isn’t difficult to reach. The drive from Porto takes about 2 hours, or there’s a bus from Braga to Gerês that drops off a few minute’s walk from the park entrance.

Once there, hike-to viewpoints like Miradouro da Pedra Bela and waterfalls like Cascata do Arado await. (For both, head to Miradouro Cascata de Pitões das Júnias.) You’ll also find several historical sites and museums around Peneda-Gerês — the town of Castro Laboreiro is something of a microcosm for the park’s many draws if your time is limited. If not, come sundown, pitch a tent at a designated campsite for a few euros per person per night, or treat yourself to a few nights at a thermal spa hotel.

Linnansaari National Park, Finland

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Chasing superlatives is a big part of the reason travelers go to national parks — to see the biggest, tallest, longest, deepest, oldest, and otherwise most exceptional landmarks on the planet. In eastern Finland’s Lake District, Linnansaari National Park has to be one of the quietest, most peaceful places on Earth. The park is located on the shores of Lake Saimaa, which claims its own superlative as the largest Finnish lake. In winter, the lake also plays host to one of the country’s longest ice-skating trails, which cuts through Linnansaari National Park.

Come summer, outdoor recreation in the park is as endless as the midnight sun. Highlights include boating, canoeing, fishing, birdwatching, nature walking, swimming, and bilberry picking — thanks to Finland’s “Everyman’s Rights,” you can nibble freely on the small blueberry-esque fruit as you see it. No matter when you visit Linnansaari National Park, keep an eye out for endangered Saimaa ringed seals. Join a seal safari in May (molting season) for the best odds.

Triglav National Park, Slovenia

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Lake Bled is Slovenia’s crowning attraction. But if you drive a bit farther west, you’ll hit Triglav National Park, which escalates the scenery from cute to epic. Mount Triglav is the highest peak in the Julian Alps, a jagged, dramatic formation that’s largely contained within the national park and is a veritable playground for hikers and cyclists. (Seriously, on the drive into the park, you’ll see almost the same number of people approaching on two and four wheels.) Those who plan to hoof it once they’re in the mountains will find 38 mountain huts scattered about the peaks. Some have reservable beds and half-boards for multi-day hut-to-hut hikers, others are good for a rest and a snack on day treks.

There are plenty of options for less strenuous outdoor activities in Triglav National Park, too. You can follow part of the 15-mile Soča Trail along the sometimes transparent, sometimes shockingly blue-green Soča River. You can also walk or drive to the cave-shrouded Savica Waterfall. Best of all? Triglav National Park is home to its very own glacial lake, Lake Bohinj, which is roughly twice the size of Lake Bled and is bound to have half the crowd.

Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

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It’s hard to say what’s most impressive about Durmitor National Park. On one hand, the answer is obvious: Tara River Canyon. One of three canyons that ring the park’s namesake Durmitor massif, Tara River Canyon is Europe’s deepest gorge, according to UNESCO. (Durmitor National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1980.) It plunges as many as 4,300 feet deep — about 70 percent of the Grand Canyon’s deepest point. You can get a great view of the gorge from the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, an arched concrete bridge that spans the Tara River (Montenegro’s longest) between the Budečevica and Trešnjica villages.

But that’s not the only standout natural feature of Montenegro’s largest national park. It also plays host to dozens of different peaks and 18 glacial lakes. The tallest summit, Bobotov Kuk, rises more than 8,000 feet above sea level. You can hike to the top (about six miles) with a permit. There are also many longer and shorter hikes — including one that measures 40-plus miles and connects the towns of Plužine and Žabljak, skirting Bobotov Kuk. Žabljak, which is within walking distance of the national park, is also Montenegro’s main ski resort.

Equally impressive is the wildlife that calls Durmitor National Park home: brown bears, European wild cats, gray wolves, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and upward of 100 other bird species. The park is also flush with rare and endemic plant species, along with an old-growth European Black Pine forest whose trees are up to 400-plus years old. Pine also makes an appearance in the edible souvenir you’ll see peddled at stands near Tara River Canyon and the park’s main entrance: black honey. Buy a small (or large) jar to see what it tastes like when pine is added, and then filtered out, of honey.

Theth and Valbona National Parks, Albania

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No one can agree on why, exactly, the Albanian Alps are nicknamed the Accursed Mountains. But if you’re into the outdoors, they’re way more of a blessing than a curse.

The Albanian Alps are the southernmost subrange of the Dinaric Alps, a rugged and formidable mountain chain that runs between the Balkan Peninsula and the Adriatic Sea. One hike, in particular, captures their exemplary nature and the attention of many trekkers: a minimum nine-mile, 3,000-ish-foot journey that connects the towns of Theth and Valbona, which you can only travel between on foot. This hike also straddles two of Albania’s most beautiful national parks: Theth National Park, the country’s largest, and Valbona National Park.

Many hikers choose to travel from Tirana, the Albanian capital, to a city called Shkoder; bus from Shkoder to the Lake Komani ferry terminal; ferry to a town called Fierze; arrange a transfer to Valbona; and then hike to Theth. A relatively new and nicely paved road also allows you to drive to Theth and hike to Valbona. If you bring a car, however, you’ll have to hike both ways.

If you’re not up for as big of a walk, there are several other points of interest between the Theth and Valbonna national parks (and more than a few guest houses in both towns to help you make the most of your time in the mountains). Top of the list is the Blue Eye of Kaprre (not to be mistaken for the other Blue Eye in southern Albania). While you can hike to the brilliantly blue pool from Theth for a long trek through the valley, with the option to tack on a visit to the Grunas waterfall, you can also start by driving roughly 20 minutes to village of Nderlysaj from Theth, which cuts the walk to the Blue Eye down to about 2 hours round-trip.

And if you’re feeling adventurous but not particularly active, you can always spend a few days just enjoying the scenery in Valbona or Theth, complete with a romp down the Thethi zip line.

Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

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Despite Scotland’s modest size, the country is home to two national parks, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Cairngorms National Park. Both were established relatively recently in the early 2000s and join the country’s 43 national nature reserves, six World Heritage Sites (including the world’s first UNESCO trail), and two Global Geoparks that offer visitors a chance to explore the beautiful countryside, spot wildlife, and learn about the nation’s fascinating history (which is naturally best experienced with a slow travel approach).

Cairngorms National Park is in the Scottish Highlands, around 130 miles north of Edinburgh and just over the same driving time north of Glasgow. Cairngorms is the largest national park in the UK and is home to one-quarter of Scotland’s native forest. Native forests are vital natural habits for many of Scotland’s wildlife, and in the Cairngorms, you’ll have the opportunity to see rare and endangered species such as capercaillies, pine martens, ospreys, Scottish wildcats, golden eagles, and red squirrels. It also has some of the best conditions in the nation for stargazing. Home to the most northerly Dark Sky Park in the world, the region has extremely low levels of light pollution and holds regular stargazing events throughout the year. If you enjoy hiking and climbing, you’re spoiled for choice – check out the helpful site and app Walkhighlands for tips, routes, and downloadable maps.

Jotunheimen National Park, Norway

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Norway has 47 national parks, which is hardly surprising considering it’s natural beauty. Jotunheimen National Park is situated in Innlandet and Vestland counties, an area that forms a substantial part of the Scandinavian mountain range. The park is accessible by car from Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. The journey typically takes around four hours from each city through picturesque villages and past fjords.

Established in 1980, the park encompasses just under 450 square miles of terrain characterized by towering peaks, expansive glaciers, and still lakes. Jotunheimen is renowned for its dramatic alpine landscapes, a consequence of glacial erosion sculpting the hard gabbro rock formations into a labyrinth of sharp ridges and valleys.

Within Jotunheimen’s boundaries lie Norway’s two highest mountains: Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind, which both reach peaks of about 8,100 feet. These formidable peaks, along with the numerous others, attract experienced mountaineers seeking challenging ascents. For those preferring a less strenuous experience, the park offers a vast network of hiking trails, including the world-famous Besseggen Ridge, providing opportunities to explore glacial valleys, cascading waterfalls, and serene mountain lakes.

Jotunheimen is also a haven for wildlife. Lynx, moose, reindeer, and other species find refuge in the park’s remote areas. The numerous lakes and rivers also teem with trout, making the region a popular destination for anglers.

Calanques National Park, France

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Calanques National Park (Parc national des Calanques), is in the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis — home to France’s coolest and most underrated city and the birthplace of bouillabaisse, Marseille. It covers more than 12 miles of coastline and is the only national park in Europe to encompass land, sea, island, and peri-urban areas. Its turquoise waters, tiny coves, and white limestone cliffs attract a decent number of visitors, but if you plan a trip to the region in spring or early fall, you can find yourself winding down narrow paths to deserted beaches.

It’s a paradise for hikers, especially those who don’t mind a scramble, as you’ll be rewarded to bays without crowds. You’ll need to leave a vehicle behind and follow the easily marked trails to reach the crystal waters below. At the smaller bays, there are no facilities, so pack what you need and remember to take it back with you. As to be expected in this region, there are outstanding seafood restaurants and bars built into the cliffside within the park. The more reputable spots may require a reservation, but you can find more causal beachside eateries where you can refuel before hiking back up the stony track to your vehicle.

Jasmund National Park, Germany

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Jasmund National Park flies well under the radar of international tourists for several reasons: It is the smallest national park in Germany and it is located on Rügen, an island far away from any big airports and urban centers. But if you shed any sizeist prejudice and are willing to get on a three-hour-plus train ride from Berlin or Hamburg, you’ll be rewarded with hikes in the middle of UNESCO-listed beech forests, walks on top of 70-million-year-old white-chalk cliffs, and gorgeous views of the Baltic Sea. One of the best ways to enjoy Jasmund National Park is to start from the town of Sassnitz (on Wedding Straße) and follow the trail to the Königsstuhl National Park Center. The five-mile hike is a moderate and peaceful one that goes through the beech forest but provides views of the chalk cliffs and the sea. Along the way you can stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Forum (only 1.3 miles away from Sassnitz’s Wedding Straße), as well as Victoria-Sicht, a viewpoint that that inspired Romantic painters, the most famous of whom is Caspar David Frederich and his masterpiece Chalk Cliffs on Rügen. At the end of the hike is the Königsstuhl National Park Center and its extremely scenic Skywalk, café, playground for children, and excellent exhibition. Those who don’t wish to hike for so long can easily access the Königsstuhl National Park Center by bike or bus and still wander around the beech forest on shorter trails.

Killarney National Park, Ireland

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The Republic of Ireland is a small country, yet it is home to seven large national parks, including Killarney National Park in County Kerry, a 25,000-acre expanse of wilderness full of mountain peaks, lakes, waterfalls, woodlands, as well as 15 man-made heritage sites. The town of Killarney, easily accessible by train, bus, and car from Dublin and Cork, is the gateway to the park and a great place to stay if you want to spend several days exploring it. The many trails of Killarney National Park range from easy, short walks to strenuous hikes through a variety of terrain and scenery, from woods to lakeshores. Many of the walking trails also lead to the park’s heritage sites, the most famous of which are Muckross House and Ross Castle. Make sure to stop by the Killarney National Park Visitor Centre, located in Killarney House and Gardens, before you set off to walk around the park. The center is home to an must-see exhibition about the park’s history and biodiversity, and it’s also the place to stop to get information about walking trails, including maps, and the opening hours of heritage sites.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

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While Croatia’s coast is undoubtedly gorgeous, there are treasures to be found inland, too. The most stunning of which is UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. Like its name indicates, this national park is all about lakes — 16, to be specific, which cascade into one another among lush forests and grassland. The lake system consists of turquoise upper lakes, lower lakes, and many impressive waterfalls in between, all of which can be admired from the several marked walking and hiking trails that snake around the park. If you want to see the park from the water, you can also rent a row boat and enjoy a few hours of peace on the largest lake of the system, Lake Kozja. Plitvice Lakes National Park can get very busy, especially in the summer months. Visiting in spring or fall is a better option, with fall being a spectacular time of the year to tour the park thanks to the bright golden and red hues of the foliage.

Teide National Park, Spain

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Spain’s Teide National Park is far from a secret — it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all. But that doesn’t make it any less worth a visit. The park is located on the island of Tenerife off the coast of Africa. Here, you’ll find Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spanish territory at more than 12,000 feet above sea level, and a landscape shaped by volcanos. Not feeling up for a six-hour hike? A cable car goes just below the summit (the very top requires a permit). There’s plenty to do even for non-hikers. Natural volcanic rocks in Roques de Garcia have been shaped into jaw-dropping formations by time and weather over the centuries. Stargazers will appreciate the Teide Astrophysics Observatory day or night with powerful telescopes strong enough to see what’s beyond our planet even when the sun is out.

Vjosa, Albania

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In 2023, Albania’s Vjosa River became the first Wild River National Park in Europe in a collaboration between the Albanian Government, the Save the Blue Heart of Europe NGO, the Patagonia. It’s also one of the last wild rivers in Europe, and the designation will keep it free-flowing for it’s nearly 250 miles stretching from Greece’s Pindus Mountain Range to Albania’s Adriatic coast. Along the route, there are more than 1,100 animal species. The river is a popular spot for rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming — and wildlife spotting, of course. With the first phase of the national park designation (the second phase in coming years will expand to further tributaries), more outfitters are increasing access to the river, making now a great time to go early and see all that is to come with the new protected status.

Abisko National Park, Sweden

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When it comes to longevity, there aren’t many national parks that can compete with Sweden’s Abisko National Park, which was founded in 1909 when the country created laws on nature and conservation. The park is about 120 miles into the Arctic Circle. The remote location surrounded by forest and Lake Torneträsk makes it a place that’s just as ideal for hiking as it is for viewing the Northern Lights, depending on the season. On the southern end around Lake Abiskojaure, there is a hikers’ hut with a sauna that draws people in, while in the winter the cold turns the whole park into a wonderland with frozen bodies of water covered in snow.

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

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A trip to Thingvellier National Park leads to more than outdoor recreation. It’s a lesson about Iceland as a whole. The visitor center has an interactive exhibit called Heart of Iceland with displays about the continental drift, information about artifacts found here, and a room with rotating exhibits that celebrate Iceland. The UNESCO World Heritage List park has welcomed many foreign dignitaries over the years, from Pope John Paul II to Queen Elizabeth. The real highlight, however, is the nature. It’s one of the top diving spots in Iceland for qualified divers thanks to crystal clear water. Camping areas (some spots open year-round, others just in the warmer months) have full facilities on a first-come, first-served basis. A network of hiking trails cover the park, and it’s long been a site for horseback riding. Perhaps most impressive is the ability to see the continental divide that splits Iceland with the North American plate on one side and the Eurasian plate on the other.

Picos de Europa, Spain

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The name of Picos de Europa, which translates to “peaks of Europe,” is apt. It spans three provinces (Asturias, Cantabria, and Castilla y León) in a section of the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain. The limestone peaks stretch more than 6,500 feet in altitude in the Central Massif, with gorges and canyons in between. Forests and rivers are filled with wild blueberries and the famous Iberian wolf, chamois, and brown bear (and the fauna doesn’t stop there, considering more than half of the vertebrate species on the Iberian Peninsula live here). Covadonga lake and the four rivers in the park help add to the incredible views. What is now national park land has a long history as a defensive position, from early hunter-gatherers in the Paleolithic era, to farmers in the Neolithic era, to early Celtic settlement and Ancient Roman history, to small towns built in the Middle Ages. Today, 11 towns dot the park, making it easy to go from hiking one of the dozens of trails straight to small local restaurants serving traditional regional food.