August in Europe is peak season, bringing bustling trails, packed parking at trailheads, traffic measures to ease overtourism, and heat that drains the joy from even the most scenic trails.
When we plan a summer hiking trip, two priorities guide every decision: (1) avoiding the crowds and (2) staying out of the heat.
That immediately rules out the Mediterranean and Southern Europe until autumn. Instead, we turn our attention north, to the Alps and Northern Europe, where cooler temperatures make hiking genuinely enjoyable. Though, to be fair, even the North isn’t immune to the occasional heat wave.
With that in mind, the next challenge is finding trails and destinations that aren’t overrun, routes that may not carry the fame of the Tour du Mont Blanc or the bravado of the Alta Via 1, but still deliver incredible scenery, unique cultural experiences, and a real sense of escape.
At Moon & Honey Travel, we’ve scouted these trails, a mix of day hikes and hut-to-hut hikes, so you can enjoy August hiking without the crowds, the heat, or the chaos. If you follow our recommendations, please leave a comment, say hi on Instagram, or reply to any of our newsletters.
- Self-Guided Hiking Trips: take a close look at the Tour des Combins (TMB alternative) in Switzerland and Italy, the Culinary Delight Hut Hiking Tour in Austria, and the Tour of the Vanoise in France.
- Europe Road Trip Routes for Hikers: Best Europe Road Trips
- Car Rental: Discovercars.com is our go-to platform for finding and reserving rental cars throughout Europe.
- Car-Free Trip Ideas for Hikers: Europe Travel Itineraries Without a Car
- Europe National Parks: Our Favorite European National Parks
- Honeymoon Trips for Hikers: Adventure Honeymoon Trip Ideas
1. Belle-île Coastal Hike, Brittany, France
Belle-île, or Belle-île-en-Mer, is the largest island in Brittany, Northern France. Lovingly called the “beautiful island,” it lies 14 km south of Pointe de Quiberon in Morbihan.
The island’s coast is wild and unspoiled, shifting between jagged cliffs and stretches of sandy beach.
Trekkers can follow the GR 340 Tour de Belle-île along the entire coastline in five days, while day hikers can sample a stage.
Kati and I visited Belle-île on a day trip during our 10-Day Brittany Road Trip, but given another chance, we would have happily lingered longer on this dreamy island.
With limited time, we set out to hike one stage of the GR 340 from Port Coton to the Poulains Lighthouse along the island’s Côte Sauvage, or Wild Coast.
This 19.4 km point-to-point hike clings to the highly-indented coastline, undulating along the contours of narrow bays. This entire stretch of Côte Sauvage is undeveloped. As there are no facilities, it’s vital to pack sufficient water and snacks.
Our Belle-île-en-Mer Travel Guide explains how to get to the island and outlines our hiking day trip.
Where to Stay in Le Palais | Hôtel Atlantique (budget-midrange), Hôtel Restaurant Corto Maltese (budget-midrange), or Brittany Grand Hotel (midrange)
Related | The Hiking in Brittany guide covers our favorite walks along Breton’s stunning coastline.
2. Hochplatte Peak, Bavarian Alps
Do you hike mountains to stand on their peaks, or to wander the knife-edge of their ridges?
I find narrow ridges exhilarating, and nothing thrills me more than tracing the rolling spine of a mountain. Total exposure terrifies me, yet on a wide enough ridge, with rock or fixed cables beneath my hands, I feel safe navigating the edge.
If you’re like me, you’ll love escaping the crowds on this underrated hike in the Ammergau Alps, a 10.6 km lollipop-circuit which takes 5:30-6 hours without breaks.
Hochplatte (2,082 meters) is a demanding hike, starting at Ammerwaldalm, a 35-minute drive from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
After an unrelenting 1,000-meter ascent over three hours, the trail continues along the extended Hochplatte ridge to the Fensterl window, passing the Hochplatte summit along the way.
If you’re building out a Bavarian Alps itinerary, check out our 10-Day Bavaria and Tyrol Road Trip.
Where to Stay near Ammerwaldalm | Hotel Fischer am See (4-star lakefront hotel at Heiterwanger See), Hotel Maximilian (midrange hotel in Oberammergau)
Related | In Best Hikes in Bavaria, I share our favorite trails in the Wetterstein Mountains, the Ammergau Alps, and Berchtesgaden National Park..
Learn More: Hochplatte Hiking Trail
3. Marwees Ridge Trail, Swiss Alps
While we’re on the topic of exciting ridge trails, let me introduce you to the Marwees Ridge hike in the Alpstein massif of Appenzellerland (Appenzell).
Though the Alpstein is hardly a secret, home to Berggasthaus Aescher, Schäfler Ridge, and Saxer Lücke, the Marwees trail remains largely undiscovered.
Starting at the busy Wasserauen trailhead, the Marwees-bound path climbs through a beech forest to the Klein-Hütten junction. Here, it veers off the well-trodden route to Seealpsee and continues upward to the Bogartenlücke saddle.
From there, the alpine trail climbs steeply to the Marwees Eastern Summit. With the toughest section behind you, you can savor the divine ridge walk to Widderalpsattel.
The descent leads to Berggasthaus Meglisalp, a charming mountain inn set in an impossibly picturesque landscape. For the grand finale, continue down to the emerald waters of Lake Seealpsee, and then return to Wasserauen.
This difficult circular hike is 14.5 km and takes around 7 hours.
Where to Stay in Appenzell Village | Alte Metzg – Hostel (budget), Blattenheimat (midrange), Hotel B&B Stossplatz (midrange), or Hotel Appenzell (luxury)
Related | I’ve summarized our favorite hikes in the Alpstein in Best Hikes in Appenzell, including the 3-day Alpstein High Trail Trek.
Learn More: Marwees Ridge Trail
4. Tullen Peak, Dolomites
Tullen is the highest summit in the Odles d’Eores mountains of the Italian Dolomites. The hike to Tullen begins at the Zannes car park in the storied valley of Val di Funes.
While the trail itself is quiet, the car park is often busy since it also serves as the starting point for the Adolf Munkel Trail to Geisleralm. So, an early start is recommended.
I love this hike for its unique vantage points of the fang-shaped Odle peaks and the captivating high valley of Odles d’Eores, rimmed by bizarre, knobby peaks unlike anywhere else in the Dolomites.
The final push to the summit is steep, slippery, and semi-exposed. This trail is well worth doing, even if you forgo the final climb to the summit.
Where to Stay in Val di Funes | Appartements Pension Sonia (budget), Fallerhof (budget), Hotel Fines (midrange), Proihof (midrange), or Hotel Tyrol (luxury)
Related | While most travelers stick to the same predictable, overcrowded Dolomites routes, savvy hikers use our Dolomites August guide to find peaceful trails and hidden places to stay.
Learn More: Tullen Peak trail guide
5. Árnafjørður – Toftaskarð – Katlarnir Circuit Trail, Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands, a puzzle-shaped archipelago in the North Atlantic, remains one of the most otherworldly places we’ve ever experienced. During our Faroe Island road trip in August, we were delighted by how peaceful it was, despite visiting during high season.
Of course, you can expect some crowds at Kallur Lighthouse, Múlafossur Waterfall, and Lake Sørvágsvatn.
One hike that remains largely overlooked is the Katlarnir Circuit, which begins in the village of Árnafjørður near Klaksvík.
This remote trail heads northeast into the secluded Svartidalur Valley before tackling the steep crags up to Toftaskarð Pass.
From there, the trail swings west, dropping steeply through Uppi á Gjógv Pass toward Katlarnir, once the meeting place of the ancient Thing of the Northern Isles. The final leg bends southwest, looping back to Árnafjørður.
Where to Stay in Klaksvík | Romantic Klaksvik apartment (midrange), Spacious City Center Home by the Sea (midrange), or Panorama boathouse (luxury)
Related | Explore the Faroe Islands’ legendary landscapes and most memorable hikes in our Best Hikes in the Faroe Islands guide.
Learn More: Árnafjørður – Toftaskarð – Katlarnir Hike
6. 2-Day Engelberg – Stanserhorn Hike, Swiss Alps
The 26.6 km Stanserhorn-Engelberg Ridge Trail is an adventurous two-day alpine trek that follows the rugged crest dividing the Engelberg and Sarner Valleys in the Uri Alps of Central Switzerland, near Lucerne.
There’s no mountain hut along the route, but you can stay overnight just outside Alp Laucheren, where the friendly hosts provide tents and home-cooked meals. All you need to carry is a sleeping bag.
Though some may be tempted to tackle the Mount Stanserhorn to Engelberg hike in one push, I advise against it. The second stage from Alp Laucheren to Engelberg is too technical and demanding to be safely or comfortably combined with stage one.
We loved this off-the-beaten-path route for its solitude, the homemade dinner and breakfast at Alp Laucheren, and the constantly changing mountain scenery.
Read our 5-Day Lucerne Itinerary for Hikers for a car-free itinerary, which includes this 2-day hike.
Where to Stay After Trek | Hotel Bellevue-Terminus in Engelberg
Related | Our Best Hikes in Switzerland guide brings together all of our favorite hikes in one convenient spot.
Learn More: Stanserhorn-Engelberg Ridge Hike
7. 4-Day Liechtenstein Panorama Trail (Route 66), Liechtenstein Alps
The Liechtenstein Panorama Trail (Panoramaweg) is a 42-47 km alpine route tracing the rooftop of Liechteinstein in the Rätikon Alps.
Over 3-4 days, this moderately difficult trek leads from Ruggell (or Planken) to Malbun, crossing forests, meadows, and airy ridges while summiting multiple peaks.
Nights are spent in welcoming huts and hotels, making it a safe yet thrilling way to experience one of Europe’s smallest countries.
Learn More: Liechtenstein Panorama Trail
8. Adlerweg Long-Distance Trail, Austrian Alps
The Adlerweg, or Eagle Walk, is Tyrol’s signature long-distance hiking trail, stretching 426 km across 33 stages in both North and East Tyrol in Austria. The North Tyrolean section traverses the Northern Limestone Alps from St. Johann in Tirol to St. Anton am Arlberg, while the East Tyrolean section traces a winding route through Hohe Tauern National Park, home to the country’s highest mountains.
Over the years, Kati and I have found ourselves hiking sections of the Eagle Walk while tackling other treks, including the Emperor’s Crown in the Wilder Kaiser, the Karwendel High Trail in the Karwendel Mountains, and the Venediger High Trail in Hohe Tauern.
When we set out to hike the Eagle Walk deliberately, we opted for the section across the Lechtal Alps in North Tyrol–the most challenging of them all.
I can’t recommend this trail highly enough for experienced alpine hikers seeking a peaceful August trek, provided you’re comfortable with exposure, unstable terrain, and grueling ascents. It’s absolutely worth it, but those unprepared will pay the price.
Related | Trekking Austria: Best Treks and Long Distance Trails and Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria: Essential Tips
Learn More: Eagle Walk Lechtal Alps Trekking Guide
Reflections on August Hiking Trips
Berchtesgaden National Park in Germany
Last August, we broke our rule of avoiding popular destinations in peak season. Craving mountain lake swims, we spontaneously booked a few nights at the Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden, within walking distance of Lake Königssee.
We hiked the Kleine Reibn circuit, a demanding trail due to its karst terrain, with a rewarding mid-hike swim in the icy waters of Lake Seeleinsee.
We also explored Wimbachklamm and swam in Lake Obersee and Lake Hintersee. To our surprise, the crowds weren’t nearly as overwhelming as we had feared. Still, I’d love to return in September or even October to hike more of the park’s trails. Here’s our guide to hiking in Berchtesgaden National Park.
High Tatras Trek in Slovakia
A few years ago, we trekked through the High Tatras of Slovakia in August. Experiencing the Slovakian hut and hiking culture was memorable, but what lingers most in my memory are the overcrowded trails and the stampede of hikers bound for Mount Rysy. If you’re planning a trip to the High Tatras, take my advice and avoid visiting in August.
More Europe Hiking Guides
Hiking Europe Month by Month:
Day Hiking:
Trekking:
Summer in Europe:
- Summer in Europe
- Alps in Summer
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer
- Where to Stay in Austria in Summer
Seasonal Guides:
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