There are a staggering 400+ national parks across Europe, and even more nature parks and reserves.
Some of our favorite trips have been centered around European national parks, including this Picos de Europa National Park road trip in Northern Spain and this Marseille – Calanques National Park itinerary (no car needed) in Southern France.
Each European country regulates their national parks differently, with varying codes of conduct and rules.
For example, in Durmitor National Park in Montenegro, wild camping is allowed. However, in many places including Berchtesgaden National Park in Germany and Triglav National Park in Slovenia wild camping is forbidden.
In national parks where wild camping is prohibited, there is often a network of managed mountain huts. That means you can hike long distances across national parks, by overnighting in huts along the way. That’s what we did when we trekked across Triglav National Park in Slovenia and around the Venediger Group of Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria.
- Entrance Fees: In our experience, most national parks in Europe are free to enter. However, there may be some attractions inside the park (e.g. gorges, waterfalls, etc…) that are ticketed.
- Permits: Hiking permit mandates are very rare. The only example that comes to mind is Mount Teide in Tenerife.
- Swimming: Swimming in mountain lakes is often highly regulated. In some parks like Berchtesgaden National Park it’s allowed to swim in all lakes. In other parks like Triglav National Park in Slovenia, it’s allowed to swim in some, but not all. And in others, it’s strictly prohibited to swim in all bodies of water.
- Drones: Drones are strictly prohibited in most (if not all) national parks, nature reserves, and nature parks in Europe.
1. Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany
Nestled in Upper Bavaria along the Austrian border, Berchtesgaden National Park is Germany’s only alpine national park. Since its founding in 1978, it has preserved a stunning wilderness of limestone mountains, karst plateaus, forests, gorges, waterfalls, streams, and mountain lakes.
Königssee, the park’s centerpiece, is a fjord-like mountain lake set between the steep and imposing flanks of Watzmann and Hagen. Visitors from around the world venture here to ride electric boats across its glistening waters.
During our trip to Berchtesgaden National Park, we hiked the challenging Kleine Reibn trail, walked from the Wimbachklamm gorge to Berggaststätte Wimbachschloss for a delicious lunch in the mountains, and swam in Lake Obersee. For a summary of these adventures and helpful tips, read our guide to hiking in Berchtesgaden National Park.
When to Visit | June – September (October)
Where to Stay in Schönau am Königssee | Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden (budget), Hotel Bergheimat (midrange), or Alm- & Wellnesshotel Alpenhof (luxury)
Where to Stay in Berchtesgaden | Hotel AlpinaRos (midrange), or Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden Superior (luxury)
2. Calanques National Park, France
West of Côte d’Azur, Calanques National Park is a protected area along the Mediterranean Coast between Marseille and La Ciotat in Provence.
This breathtaking stretch of the French coastline is characterized by towering, bone-white limestone cliffs, 26 dramatic inlets known as Calanques, and a diverse array of unique flora and fauna.
Scenic and well-maintained hiking trails link the hidden beaches and coves of the calanques with Marseille, Luminy Campus, and Cassis. Those that don’t want to hike can explore the park by boat.
Follow our car-free Marseille and Calanques National Park to plan an unforgettable trip filled with epic hiking and city exploration.
When to Visit | Spring, or Autumn. Between June 1st and September 30th, access to the Calanques National Park is highly regulated due to high risk of fire. As such, we do not recommend visiting in summer.
Where to Stay in Cassis | Chambre d’hôtes Clos du Petit Jésus (midrange), Hotel De La Plage – Mahogany (luxury), or Hôtel Les Roches Blanches (luxury)
Where to Stay in Marseille | Hôtel Le M (midrange), Maison Juste (midrange-luxury), Boutique Hôtel Provencia (midrange), Maisons du Monde (luxury), and Hotel Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port (luxury).
3. Picos de Europa National Park, Spain
Picos de Europa National Park–spanning the three Northern Spanish regions of Asturias, Cantabria, and León—encompasses a gorgeous wilderness of limestone peaks, lush gorges, and mixed forests.
The Picos de Europa Mountains consist of three massifs: Western (Cornión), Central (Urrieles), and Eastern (Ándara). The Cares River separates the Western and Central massifs, with the famed Ruta del Cares trail tracing its dramatic gorge.
During our Picos de Europa National Park road trip, we drove around the whole park, dividing our time between Poncebos in the north, Potes and Camaleño Valley in the east, and Cangas de Onís in the northwest.
Experienced hikers looking to add an element of adventure to their trip will love hiking this 2-day Refugio Jou de Carbones – Refugio Urriellu circuit trail, starting in Bulnes Village, above Poncebos.
When to Visit | Late May – September (October). We visited Picos de Europa in late May and early June.
Where to Stay | Where to Stay in Picos de Europa
4. Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Making up the southeastern edge of the Southern Limestone Alps, the Slovenian Alps are rarely the first mountain range that comes to mind when thinking about the European Alps. However, those that venture here leave the alpine state completely bewitched.
The Slovenian Alps are made-up of three mountain ranges: the Julian Alps, the Karawanks, and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
Triglav National Park comprises most of the Julian Alps, a pristine limestone paradise defined by deeply carved valleys, crystal-clear lakes, and vast plateaus.
Hiking in Triglav National Park is tremendously rewarding and ought not be underestimated, due to the unforgiving karst terrain. Surefooted hikers who have a head for heights can hike hut-to-hut across Triglav National Park, climb Mount Triglav, or tackle this 2-day Veliko Špičje and Seven Lakes Valley Trail.
Those that want to combine hiking, mountain biking, and rafting will love these self-guided trips: Alpe Adria Trail Adventure and Mountains to Sea.
The main gateways to the park are Kranjska Gora, Pokljuka Plateau, Soca Valley, and Lake Bohinj, a 20-minute drive (or bus ride) from Lake Bled. Vsit all of these destinations along our 2-week Slovenia road trip.
When to Visit | June – September (October)
Where to Stay in Kranjska Gora | B&B Brezov Gaj (budget), Hotel Pino Alpino (midrange)
Boutique Hotel Milka (luxury)
Where to Stay near Lake Bohinj | Penzion Rožič (budget-midrange), Majerca Hotel and Restaurant (midrange), or Hotel Bohinj (luxury)
5. Teide National Park, Spain
Created in 1954, UNESCO-listed Teide National Park in Tenerife is home to Mount Teide (3715 m), Spain’s highest peak.
This Spanish national park encompasses Las Cañadas del Teide, a barren volcanic depression, strewn with petrified lava, craggy outcrops, and plains of pumice.
Though most visitors are fixated on climbing El Teide (permit needed) during their trip, there are many other hiking trails across the caldera that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Teide National Park’s unique, Mars-like landscapes stand in great contrast to the Island’s lush mountainscapes in the north, Anaga Rural Park, and west, Teno Rural Park.
Follow our Tenerife Road Trip to discover the most beautiful landscapes and hiking destinations across the largest island of the Canaries.
When to Visit | November – April
Where to Stay in Teide National Park | Parador de Cañadas del Teide Hotel (3-star hotel)
Where to Stay in Vilaflor | El Tejar Hotel & Spa (budget-midrange), or Hotel Spa Villalba (luxury)
6. Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as Montenegro’s crowning natural treasure. The park encompasses the Durmitor massif, a exceptionally beautiful sub-range of the Dinaric Alps.
Bobotov Kuk is the highest mountain and arguably the most rewarding hike in the park. Mount Prustas is another great trail, significantly easier than Bobotov Kuk.
Base yourself in the rustically charming and ever-authentic town of Žabljak for a few days to hike in the park.
Follow our expertly-crafted 2-Week Montenegro Road Trip to see Durmitor National Park, Kotor, Sveti Stefan, and Prokletije National Park.
When to Visit | June – September (October)
Where to Stay in Žabljak | Casa di Pino Eco Lodge Apartments (B&B), or Hotel Soa (luxury)
7. Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
Measuring 1856 km², Austria’s Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest national park in the Alps. The park is divided into an outer zone, where alpine farming takes place, and the strictly-protected core zone, free of all commercial use.
The park territory extends across Salzburg, Carinthia, and Tyrol, specifically Osttirol (East Tyrol), and contains the highest mountains of Austria, including Großglockner (3798 m) and Großvenediger (3666 m).
Hohe Tauern National Park’s most well-known attraction is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a 48-km toll road that bisects the Glockner Group. Both our 7-Day Austria Road Trip and 2-Week Austria Road Trip trace this alpine road from Salzburg to Carinthia.
Keen hut-to-hut hikers can hike half-way around the Vendiger Group along the 6-day Venediger High Trail.
When to Visit | July – September
Where to Stay in Heiligenblut am Großglockner | Pension Bergkristall (budget), Hotel Kaiservilla (midrange), or Pension Sonnleitner (midrange)
Where to Stay in Matrei in Osttirol | Hotel Hinteregger (midrange), or Wander- und Naturhotel Outside (luxury)
Where to Stay in Kals am Großglockner | Gradonna Mountain Resort (luxury)
More Outdoor Europe Travel Guides
More European National Park Adventures:
- Hiking the Ortler High Trail in Stelvio National Park, Italy
- Hiking the High Tatras Hut-to-Hut Hike in Tatras National Park, Slovakia
Seasonal Travel Guides:
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