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It may be one of the oldest protected areas in the Alps, but the
wild lakes and mountains of Gran Paradiso national park often get overlooked by
tourists, who are more likely to visit northern Italy’s more popular
destinations: the lakes of Como, Maggiore and Garda. In the summer, visitors
can hike up the mountains, taking in stunning views, and in winter clip on the
skis for cross-country touring. The Orco, Soana and Cogne valleys are great
areas to explore, as are villages of traditional stone-built houses. There’s a
wide range of accommodation in the area – with plenty for those who don’t fancy
camping – and the park authority also offers a guide service.
Triglav, Slovenia
Slovenia’s only national park, Triglav, is a beautiful alpine
expanse filling the north-western corner of the country. Although it’s easy to
explore from the resort of Bled, a lakeside town just beyond the park’s border,
you’ll get a better sense of its tranquility if you stay within it. Lake Bohinj
may not have a church on an island in the middle of it as Bled does, but it is
far quieter and it is easy to find a snug place to stay in one of the Christmas
cake-style wooden houses in the village beside it. From there you can go on
hikes, bike rides, canoe trips or just paddle in the clear water that reflects
the peaks surrounding it. Taking the trails up to the top of the steep forested
hills overlooking Bohinj will reward you with breathtaking views.
Oulanka, Finland
In Lapland near the Finnish-Russian border, Oulanka National Park
looks stunning all year round. The Karhunkierros trail that runs through it is
Finland’s most popular hiking route; the full 80km trail can take up to seven
days to complete – through forests and over rivers on wooden footbridges. You
can, however, stay overnight, for free, in the log huts dotted along the way. There
are also canoeing routes through the rapids of the Oulankajoki River, as well
as more easy-going, family-friendly routes to take downstream. Established in
1956, the park is known for its reindeer and its diverse mix of natural
features and rare plants. The pink-and-white calypso orchid, the emblem of the
park, is scarcely seen elsewhere, but is common in Oulanka.
Peneda-Gerês, Portugal
Wild Garrano ponies trot about freely in this national park in
northern Portugal, and you can even arrange to hop on the back of a
domesticated one for a tour through its oak forests and sierras. As well as
being an area of natural beauty it has compelling remains of human occupation:
a Roman road winds through the park, marked with 2,000-year-old milestones.
Serra do Gerês is the park’s most popular settlement, where you’ll find pools
to swim in. It’s also worth noting the date of your visit: every Friday 13th,
the village of Montalegre, just beyond the park’s eastern border, enjoys the
Noite das Bruxas, a street party fuelled by queimada, a local liqueur
drunk with honey.
Sarek, Sweden
Things you won’t find in Sarek: marked trails, cabins, cafes,
other people. Things you will find: about 100 glaciers, six of Sweden’s highest
summits and white-water rapids. The tourist board advises good map-reading
skills and knowledge of this type of terrain for those who want to visit. Sarek
consists of 2,000 sq km of untouched natural habitat, making it a natural
playground for experienced adventurers. Still, it’s possible to join a trekking
tour in order to have an experienced guide for your trip across one of Europe’s
last wildernesses.
Kalkalpen, Austria
Four-fifths of Kalkalpen national park is given over to forest,
forming the largest forested region in central Europe. Cutting through the
dense trees are rivers, canyons and gorges, popular with rock climbers, as well
as cyclists, walkers and skiers. Despite its striking natural beauty – which
you can absorb in all its panoramic glory from the 21-metre Wurbauerkogel
viewing tower near the town of Windischgarsten – the park is relatively
unknown. The park authority offers guided tours from rangers who can take you
into the heart of the forest and help you spot some of its wildlife, ranging
from pygmy owls to black grouse and their elaborate courtship ritual.
Rago, Norway
Even the non-national park bits of the Nordland region of Norway
are spectacular: flying or sailing into Bodø airport takes you along the dark,
jagged edge of the country’s coastline, but Rago itself is a particularly
impressive sight to behold. Rugged rock formations, boulders and steep
mountains jut out of the often other-worldly landscape. One of the highlights
is the Litlverivassforsen waterfall, which tumbles off the edge of
Litlverivatnet lake. There are trails to follow, as well as cabins to pitch up
in at night, and nearby Sjunkhatten and Junkerdal national parks are also
within easy reach for those who want to explore further.
Port-Cros, France
Port-Cros is the smallest of the three Iles d’Or off the Côte
d’Azur. Just one kilometre wide and three long, its hilly, wild terrain is
crossed by signed trails and its ridges provide fantastic views of the
sparkling sea. Its protected status extends 600 metres around the coast so the
clear waters are rich in protected marine life – snorkellers can even follow an
underwater trail. Car and bike-free Port-Cros is accessed by ferry from the Giens peninsula,
as are its sister islands, Porquerolles, and Levant, the latter said to be the
birthplace of European nudism. The Giens peninsula is extremely popular among
French tourists – who descend on the many campsites and holiday villages in
July and August – but off the British radar. The nearest city is Hyères, famed
for its gardens and palm trees.
Ordesa, Spain
Spain’s
oldest national park offers some of the best hiking in the Pyrenees yet it is
little-known beyond the Spanish border. “It’s amazing it is not better known
among British walkers,” says Phil James, a British mountain guide based in the
area, who runs Hike Pyrenees,
offering guided and self-guided holidays. “It’s one of the most spectacular
areas in Europe. If it was the Alps, it would be teeming with Brits.” Famed for
its three kilometre-deep glacial valleys, all coming to a head at the 3,355m
Monte Perdido, it has trails for all levels, including paths along “sajas”,
natural ledges in the limestone – some just a metre-wide. Most walks start at
the Pradera, an information point in the Ordesa valley, where there is a car
park, and where shuttle buses from nearby Torla drop walkers. Late June and
early July are the best months to see the park’s abundant flora.
