In autumn, hiking is popular for many: In addition to popular destinations in Germany and Switzerland, you can also discover other European countries on foot.
Summer is over, the days are getting cooler and the forests are shining in bright colors.
Outdoor activities and colorful landscapes follow bathing weather and the sea.
So it's no wonder that
hiking is one of the most popular autumn activities
.
Typical hiking destinations * such as Austria and Switzerland attract numerous visitors every year.
There are also lots of beautiful tours to discover in many other European countries such as Slovenia, Bulgaria and Co.
The travel experts of the online travel portal Urlaubspiraten have put together their personal insider tips for the Indian Summer in Europe.
Hiking tip: discover the Stockholm archipelago in Sweden
In the far north, autumn can be experienced in a very special way: Green islands and rocky skerries shape Sweden's coast.
With deep forests, wide landscapes and the well-known red wooden houses, the country regularly enchants its visitors.
The Stockholm archipelago consists of around 30,000 islands, which are spread around 80 kilometers along the coast from the city center.
The larger islands are ideal for hiking.
Breathtaking nature and the relaxed lifestyle make for an unforgettable tour.
In addition to sandy beaches and steep cliffs, travelers discover the forested islands with their colorful autumn foliage on a hike on the narrow paths.
Another advantage: the islands are less visited in autumn than in summer.
Julian Alps in Slovenia - worth a hike
Rather unknown as a hiking destination, yet the ideal travel destination for every type of tour:
Slovenia
. Especially in autumn, the picturesque mountains make hikers' hearts beat faster. The Slovenes themselves have long known that their country shines with great outdoor opportunities. The green land offers more than 10,000 signposted hiking trails of all levels of difficulty. From wine-bearing hills over the low mountain range with picturesque villages, forests and waters, to the alpine world and the mighty two thousand meter peaks. Hikers climb the highest mountains in the Julian Alps, surrounded by green landscapes and light blue lakes. At an altitude of over 2,800 meters, explorers with a head for heights on the Triglav overlook the entire region. Numerous mountain huts and hiking hotels along the paths invite you to stop on hikes lasting several days. Brightly colored forests and white rocks give travelers in Slovenia unforgettable autumn images.
Read here
: Vacation in Germany: The most beautiful German travel destinations.
Mountain slopes of the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria - wonderful play of colors
From September the forests of Bulgaria show themselves in a colorful play of colors.
From green to yellow and red, the foliage on the mountain slopes of the Rhodope Mountains creates an enchanting picture.
The
largest mountain range in Bulgaria
offers the best autumn panorama in the country.
In this sparsely populated area, travelers discover the wild nature: In addition to lush meadows and rugged cliffs, deep ravines criss-crossed by rivers characterize the view.
While the western part is dominated by mountains, there are mainly smaller hills in the eastern part.
Due to the very different terrain, there are hikes of all levels of difficulty in the Rhodope Mountains.
However, hikers should prepare well, because only the most popular trails are signposted.
Aside from these paths, a hiking map helps for orientation.
With more than 800,000 hectares of forest in the Rhodope Mountains alone, the Indian Summer in Bulgaria shows its most beautiful side.
Lush flora and fauna in Casentino, Italy
Magical autumn in Tuscany: In the Casentino, the numerous forests sparkle in autumn in bright colors. The mountain valley is particularly impressive with its
originality
. Characterized by high mountains and forests, hikers look forward to natural landscapes and an
extensive nature reserve
with lush flora and fauna. Alongside colorful autumn trees, travelers discover idyllic castles and churches on a multitude of well-developed paths. In the largest town in the region, Bibbiena, a visit to the Cathedral of San Donato, the so-called Medici Fortress, is a must. If you want to climb one of the highest mountains in the region, then Monte Falterona is the place for you. From the summit there is a breathtaking view of the foothills of Florence.
Also interesting
: Holidays in Italy: Dolce Vita by the sea, lake, city and mountains.
Hiking: Discover the Scottish Highlands on foot
Mighty mountains, forest and coastal paths as well as charming villages: Scotland has a lot to offer hikers.
Even if many only think of cold and wet weather in Scottish autumn, the weather is usually not as dreary as expected.
Especially when the colorful foliage brings a lot of color into play in autumn.
A true Indian summer surprises travelers in the Scottish Highlands.
Numerous hiking trails for every taste lead through impressive landscapes.
Particularly beautiful in autumn is the
West Highland Way along Loch Lomond
, about 1.5 hours north of Glasgow and the Perthshire region in the southern Highlands.
With rugged mountains, quiet lakes and brightly colored forests, this is a special tip for autumn hikers.
Hiking tip: discover the imposing Schierferwand in the Carpathian Mountains
The best way to discover Romania's wild nature is in the Carpathian Mountains.
Crossed by the
largest forest area in Europe
, they convince with imposing slate walls and diverse fauna.
Because brown bears, wolves and lynx are at home here.
The relatively little-visited hiking area is particularly colorful in autumn.
Active hikers get their money's worth here.
Well-developed hiking trails in the south-eastern European country lead through untouched landscapes and dense forests.
The heart of the Southern Carpathians is the Piatra Craiului Mountains, which meander through the area like a fairy tale forest.
Find out here
: Journey into the forgotten: Fascinating lost places around the world.
Hiking in the Bavarian Forest: A classic at home
For those who prefer to spend their autumn hiking holiday in their own country, the Bavarian Forest is a worthwhile alternative.
In the first German national park, nature shows itself from its most pristine side.
No other forest area in Central Europe offers more green and color than the Bavarian Forest.
Over
1,000 kilometers of long-distance hiking trails
lead past rushing streams, deep gorges and around 70 peaks.
Hikers experience boundless nature in one of the most beautiful hiking areas in Germany.
Whether on challenging summit tours or leisurely walks for the whole family - impressive views are guaranteed here.
* Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
