Autumn is an ideal time to explore nature through hiking, especially in Europe.

As the temperatures drop and the summer crowds fade, September and October become perfect months for a hiking getaway. The scorching heat of this past summer across Europe made multi-day mountain hikes less appealing.

But with the cooler weather and the vibrant colours of autumn, it’s time to lace up your hiking boots and head to some of Europe’s best trails. The Rila Traverse in Bulgaria is a seven-day route that winds through glacial lakes, rugged peaks, coniferous forests, and national parks.

This is not a trail for beginners; it requires a good grasp of map reading and compass navigation. While most trails are well-marked, adverse weather conditions can sometimes necessitate a call to the local mountain rescue service.

However, if you’re up for a challenge, the main starting points for this route are easily accessible from Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. Borovets, Malyovitsa, and Panichishte are just an hour and a half’s drive from the city. Choosing the Rila Traverse in autumn may mean a higher chance of encountering bad weather, but for experienced hikers, it’s a fantastic way to escape the summer crowds of July and August. 

In northern Portugal, the Douro Valley offers some of the country’s best hiking routes. The magnificent hills here are carved into terraced vineyards that make the most of the region’s unique conditions for grape cultivation—a practice that has been going on for over 2,000 years.

The harvest season in the Douro Valley typically begins in September, making autumn the perfect time to explore all it has to offer. Start your journey at the train station in the town of Pinhão and hike between the wine estates, known locally as “Quintas,” while enjoying breathtaking views of the river valley.

Some Quintas even provide their own maps for hiking trails through their individual properties. With average temperatures in September and October around 22°C, the conditions are perfect for a scenic walk.

The Fontainebleau Forest is France’s second-largest national forest and is just a 40-minute train ride from Paris. The forest boasts over 1,000 kilometres of hiking trails, the most popular being the Massif des Trois Pignons circuit that skirts around the forest.

The route takes about three to four hours to complete over rocky paths and sandy stretches, making it a pleasant day trip from the French capital. For those seeking something more challenging, Fontainebleau is also the French capital of bouldering. September and October are arguably the best months for climbing in the forest. While there is a chance of rain, the weather is generally favourable for bouldering, and you’ll be surrounded by beautiful autumn trees.

The Tatra Mountains, part of the Carpathian range, form a natural border between Poland and Slovakia. Many of the trails are highly accessible, making them the perfect destination for hikers with limited experience in mountain trekking. On the Slovak side, you can even take a cable car like the Kasprowy Wierch, which leads to Lomnitz Peak, the second-highest mountain in the High Tatras at 2,634 meters.

The start of autumn is one of the best times for hiking and mountain excursions here. The weather remains calm and clear, but the hiking trails are far less crowded than in summer, allowing you time to appreciate the natural beauty the area has to offer.

Temperatures in the Pyrenees begin to cool down in September and October, providing perfect hiking conditions, much more pleasant than the hot summer months. This mountain range on the French-Spanish border can offer a wide variety of conditions on any given day, from the dry foothills in the south to the cloudier, higher valleys in the north. This also means you have a better chance of finding good weather if you’re willing to move around a bit.

Snow begins to accumulate from late October onwards, so you’ll need to be cautious when choosing your hiking routes if you decide to visit during that time. Foix, Pau, and Lourdes are the major cities at the foot of the mountains and are excellent starting points for a couple of days’ hiking. While wild camping is an option, there are also 1,500 refuges throughout the region that offer overnight accommodation if you don’t want to carry a tent.

With the crisp air, fewer tourists, and the landscape transforming into a canvas of reds, oranges, and yellows, autumn in Europe is perfect for those looking to connect with nature on foot. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker, there’s a trail waiting for you.