As temperatures drop and the crowds begin to thin, September and October are fantastic months for a walking holiday.
Stifling heat across Europe this summer has made the thought of multi-day mountain trekking an unappealing prospect.
But, as temperatures drop and the crowds begin to thin, September and October are fantastic months for a walking holiday. You’ll also be treated to a kaleidoscope of autumn colours as the trees begin to turn.
Grab your hiking boots and check out some of these scenic destinations.
Escape the crowds on Bulgaria’s Rila Traverse trail
Bulgaria’s Rila Traverse is a seven-day trek that winds its way through glacial lakes, jagged peaks, conifer forests and National Parks.
It isn’t one for beginners, however, as it requires you to be confident in navigating yourself using a map and compass. Most trails are clearly marked but adverse weather conditions can quickly leave adventurers stuck having to call the local mountain rescue.
But, if you are up for a challenge, the main starting points of this trek are easily accessible from Bulgaria’s capital city, Sofia. Borovets, Malyovitsa and Panichishte are around a one-and-a-half-hour drive from the city.
Choosing to walk the Rila Traverse in autumn means more chance of bad weather but if you are an experienced hiker then it is a way to escape July and August’s crowds.
Walking with wine in Duoro, Portugal
The Duoro Valley in northern Portugal offers some of the best hiking trails the country has to offer. Magnificent hills are carved out into man-made terraces that take advantage of the region’s unique grape-growing conditions. Wine has been produced here for more than 2,000 years.
The grape harvesting season in Duoro Valley usually starts in September, making autumn the perfect time to explore everything it has to offer.
Start by arriving at the train station in the town of Pinhão and walk from between the wine estates – known as Quintas – taking in views of the river valley. Some Quintas even offer their own hiking maps for trails between their individual wine-growing properties.
With the temperatures an average of around 22C in September and October, you’ll also find the perfect conditions for hiking.
Travel by train to Fontainebleau Forest in France
Fontainebleau Forest is France’s second-largest national forest and is just 40 minutes by train from Paris.
It has more than 1000 kilometres of hiking trails, the most popular of which is the Massif des Trois Pignons circuit which skirts the forest edge. It takes just three to four hours to complete the route through rocky paths and sandy stretches so this makes a nice day trip from the French capital city.
If you are looking for something a bit more involved, Fontainebleau is France’s bouldering capital.
September and October are probably the best months to climb in the forest. They balance the likelihood of rain with good bouldering conditions – and you will be surrounded by beautiful autumn-coloured trees.
Hiking for beginners in the Tatra Mountains
The Tatra Mountains are part of the Carpathian chain which forms a natural border between Poland and Slovakia. Many trails are extremely accessible making it the perfect place for hikers with limited experience of trekking through the mountains.
On the Slovakian side, you can even take a cable railway such as the Kasprowy Wierch which takes you to the Lomnitz Peak, the High Tatras’ second highest mountain at 2634m.
Early autumn is one of the best times for hiking and mountain tours. The weather is still calm and clear but the trekking trails are much less crowded than they are during the summer, giving you time to enjoy the natural beauty on offer.
Beat the heat when hiking the Pyrenees Mountains
Temperatures in the Pyrenees start to drop in September and October bringing the perfect cooler conditions for hiking than during the heat of the summer months.
The mountain range on the French-Spanish border can have a vast variety of different conditions on any given day from the dry foothills in the south to the cloudy higher valleys in the north. This also gives you a better chance of finding good weather if you are willing to move about.
Snow does start to build up from the end of October so you will need to be careful when picking your hiking trails if you choose to travel then.
Foix, Pau and Lourdes are the big towns at the foot of the mountains. They make good bases from which to start your adventure if you plan to walk for a couple of days. Wild camping is an option but there are also 1500 refuges across the region offering overnight accommodation if you don’t want to carry a tent.
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