Exploring the mountains is my favorite way to see a new place.
So, when I spent a year as a traveling winemaker and nomadic freelance writer in Europe and Oceania, I set out to hike in every country I visited.
I traversed narrow, rocky paths in the Dolomites, meandered through Scotland’s sweeping green valleys, and trekked past kangaroos in the Australian bush.
Now, over a year later, I can say I’ve hiked in some of the most awe-inspiring corners of the world. There are four trails I’d return to in a heartbeat, and three ticketed ones that felt crowded and overhyped.
I’d love to hike in Leutasch, Austria, again.
In the Austrian Alps, just south of the iconic Zugspitze mountain, lies Leutash, a lush, pristine alpine valley with an immense network of trails.
The circular Rotmoosalm-to-Wettersteinhütte tour was tough — the full loop is around 9 miles with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain — but in my opinion, it condensed the most idyllic aspects of the Austrian experience into one hike.
I saw dense forests, stunning craggy peaks, green meadows, mountain streams, ice-blue lakes, and traditional mountain huts, all in one day.
My hike to Lago di Sorapis in Italy was worth the effort.
After traveling through the Dolomites last October with my boyfriend, I still dream about our 7.5-mile hike to Lago di Sorapis.
Carved into the rockface with a dramatic dropoff to the autumnal forest below, the technical out-and-back trail definitely required some steady footing on the ascent.
That said, the lake’s opaque turquoise waters, contrasted by pale rocky mountains, made it well worth the journey.
I’d definitely hike to the Kozjak waterfall in Slovenia again.
My best friend and I road-tripped through Slovenia in the fall, traveling north to south along the Italian border. Deep within the magical Soča Valley is Slap Kozjak, a 49-foot emerald waterfall tucked inside an open gorge.
Just over 2 miles, the waterfall loop follows a scenic route along a cliff’s edge, over a wooden suspension bridge, and through ankle-high forest creeks.
Although I usually prefer longer, more challenging hikes, I loved that this route was easy enough that I still had energy to explore the area.
The iconic Hérisson waterfalls in France were stunning.
Over the summer, I traveled to the Jura region of France and hiked the iconic 4.3-mile trail that tours past a steep succession of seven unique waterfalls.
I found that this was the perfect time to visit — I loved watching the dappled sunlight filter through the bright green tree canopy, and almost glitter against the trail’s flowing rivers.
It’s a popular hike, though. Next time, I would start earlier to avoid the crowds and enjoy the picturesque views in solitude.
On the other hand, I’d skip the Italian Dolomites’ Tre Cime di Lavaredo next time — or plan my visit more strategically.
Most famously known as the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, this UNESCO World Heritage Site lies in the heart of the Dolomites.
I thoroughly enjoyed my fall visit here, but I made the mistake of starting in the early afternoon, and the hordes of visitors made my €40 parking fee much less worthwhile.
Even during the Dolomites’ low season, the popular, 6.3-mile trail was already filled with hikers, climbers, and beer drinkers by the time I started it.
I found the Eisriesenwelt in Austria to be too overcrowded.
The Eisriesenwelt was the first — and arguably the most memorable — hike I completed after moving abroad in August 2024.
South of Salzburg, it’s a relatively short but steep climb along an open rock face that leads to the largest ice cave in the world.
Although this hike was a fascinating and unique experience, it’s also easily accessible by cable car, which — in my experience — meant large crowds and long wait times.
The Fairy Glen trail in Scotland’s Isle of Skye was beautiful, but I wouldn’t go back.
My sister and I walked the Fairy Glen trail on the Isle of Skye during our Thanksgiving road trip through Scotland.
It’s an easy, mile-long path up grassy hills, past unusual rock formations and herds of roaming sheep. The views were beautiful and fairy-tale-like, but the small paid car park became flooded with visitors as the day progressed.
Between that, the short trail length, and the wet, gray weather that turned the trails into mud, I’d prefer to explore Scotland’s more dramatic and remote long-distance trails.
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