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Europe’s best trails

It’s no secret that Europe is home to some of the best trails in the world, with so many varied landscapes, there really is something for everyone, no matter what your level.

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Explore our athletes’ favourite routes

We spoke to some of our top trail running athletes to understand where in Europe really gets their blood pumping.

Ida-Sophie Hegemann

Salfeiner SeeAustria

Ida-Sophie Hegemann

Ida-Sophie Hegemann

Salfeiner SeeAustria

Giovanni Cucchietti

Callelongue to BéouveyreFrance

Giovanni Cucchietti

Giovanni Cucchietti

Callelongue to BéouveyreFrance

Germain Grangier

Chemin de l'EnergieFrance

Germain Grangier

Germain Grangier

Chemin de l'EnergieFrance

Filippo Zanobi

Foreste CasentinesiItaly

Filippo Zanobi

Filippo Zanobi

Foreste CasentinesiItaly

Elsey Davis

Porthtowan to St AgnesUnited Kingdom

Elsey Davis

Elsey Davis

Porthtowan to St AgnesUnited Kingdom

James Poole

Gran CanariaSpain

James Poole

James Poole

Gran CanariaSpain

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Ida-Sophie HegemannSalfeiner SeeAustria

The starting point for the Salfeiner See route is Sportplatz Grinzens. It starts with a fairly steep ascent through a beautiful forest and over narrow trails, leaving you completely alone with nature. The climb is quite steep but not that long. After just 3 km via the Figlsteig, you reach the Figl peak at approximately 1950 m.

From here, the view over the Inntal and its valleys is breathtaking. The weather is almost always good, giving you a wide, impressive view in all directions, from the beautiful Kalkkögel to the gigantic Nordkette. Step a few metres away from the peak and you reach the epic Salfeiner See, a lake that reflects the mountain peaks like a mirror. The little lake is very shallow, so if you’re brave enough you can put your feet in it. Then, you can decide whether you want to go straight back down the peak, with the route taking about 12 km to the end. Alternatively, you can run onwards to the Grieskogel peak at 2150 m before heading back down to Grinzens.

Notable things to see on the route

“The views are fantastic and the Salfeiner See looks like a painting.”

Apart from all the wonderful views, this route holds a special place in my heart. It’s my silent, secret place where I can recharge my batteries and clear my mind before big races or challenges. I always run here when I'm worried, nervous or upset because I can see beautiful things and feel tiny amongst nature. It is like medicine for the soul. I was there before I won Innsbruck Alpine K110, the Transalpine Stage Race and Nice Cote d‘Azur in the UTMB World Series. I use this trail to calm down and get ready. It will always be a place I come to over and over again.

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Giovanni CucchiettiCallelongue to BéouveyreFrance

The starting point is at Callelongue, a small fishing port in the South of France. It is known as the “end of the world in Marseille” because that is where the main regional road finishes.

The first section of the path follows the coastline and is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful parts of the Calanques National Park.

From here, it’s a fairly varied trail which has some large slippery rocks, semi-technical climbs and descents.

You can follow the path in whichever direction you prefer. I like to pass by the top of the creeks and come back by the Plateau of l’Homme Mort. Then I go to the top of the Croix de Marseilleveyre and link it into the second summit at Béouveyre before heading down towards this magnificent port.

Notable things to see on the route

“Everything is beautiful from point A to B!”

This route is a real jewel and offers everything in terms of landscape. You will see creeks, fauna and flora and, with a little luck, dolphins.

It's so sublime! The views are exceptional, with a 360-degree panorama that overlooks Cap Canaille and Marseille.

I will always love the Calanques National Park as it’s one of the best places for activities. It’s where I started running, climbing, swimming, mountain biking and sharing important moments with people I love.

Above all, exploration is infinite here. Since I was little, the trails have been waiting for me to go and run on them!

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Germain GrangierChemin de l'EnergieFrance

The starting point for the Chemin de l'Energie climb is located at Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée in southeastern France.

After a gentle climb to the Vens Lakes, the route follows a balcony trail through some of the most scenic parts of the Maritime Alps.

The trail was given the name Chemin de L'Energie because it was built in 1921 as part of a hydroelectric project. However, this was never completed due to the outbreak of World War II. Nowadays, we are pretty lucky to run on it!

Notable things to see on the route

“The Vens Lakes is a stunning stopping point.”

I’d recommend taking a break at Vens Lakes on the way out and trying to spot the local wildlife. This may include ibex, mountain goats or wolves if you are lucky enough.

You can also have a snack at the lake hut to take on some fuel at the end of the run. Otherwise, the whole trail is breathtaking. The views are simply stunning!

Apart from all the wonderful sights and wildlife, this route holds a special place in my heart as it is my daily run. It is a place I feel at home and totally safe.

I like it because it is quiet, wild and energising. It’s a place to charge my batteries before my big races.

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Filippo ZanobiForeste CasentinesiItaly

The starting point of the route through the "sacred forests" is Badia Prataglia, a small town in the Tuscan Apennines. It begins with a climb that goes deep into the dense "Foreste Casentinesi" National Park.

A succession of ascents and descents will take you all the way to hermitages and various water fonts scattered throughout the forest.

You’ll also pass through the ancient and quiet Camaldoli Hermitage before the route brings you back to the starting village with a long technical descent.

Notable things to see on the route

“A magical forest route.”

At around the 9 km mark, you pass alongside an inhabited ancient hermitage called Camaldoli. Many legends are connected to this hermitage, which makes every step of this path magical.

This route is special to me because it is at home, where I have always trained and walked.

Plus it was the route of my first trail running race. Every time I go there I am enchanted by the beauty of this place.

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Elsey DavisPorthtowan to St AgnesUnited Kingdom

This is an out-and-back route from Porthtowan to St Agnes in Cornwall. It’s my favourite stretch of the southwest coastal path. I nickname it “The Mecca Trail”.

The starting point is Porthtowan Beach car park. Head past the Blue Bar on your right and follow the coastal path marked by posts with pictures of acorns.

There are many offshoots you can take on the coastal path, so you can choose any route you like. Just keep the sea in sight on your left as you run out and on the right as you return, simple!

The coastal path dips down after about a mile to the beautiful cove of Chapel Porth (famous for its hedgehog ice creams).

Run across the car park and rejoin the coastal path a short way up the road. Weave inland then head up towards Chapel Rock on your left. You will see an old mine ahead which you need to run past.

The next landmark is the lighthouse. Keep going past this until you reach the top of some steps. These drop down into the beauty spot and the end of our route, Trevaunance Cove in St Agnes. From here, turn around and head back.

I’m not normally a fan of out-and-back routes, but the beauty of the coastline looks so different in every direction you run that it doesn’t seem like the same path twice. The terrain is mostly runnable with a few short technical descents.

Notable things to see on the route

“Enjoy stunning coastal views, lots of character and cafes.”

Chapel Rock is a giant outcrop you’ll pass as you climb out of Chapel Porth and is a great place to take a photo. There are also a few old mines which add to the character of the route.

Most importantly, there are a lot of cafes and pubs to choose from in Porthtowan for post-run refuelling. For those who like a bit of cold water therapy, there’s no better place to take a dip than in the Atlantic Ocean!

This trail used to be a short run from my house and I never get bored of its beauty. Running on the Cornish coastal path has always been special to me, it’s a place where I can find calmness and clarity.

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James PooleGran CanariaSpain

The starting point for this classic Gran Canaria trail run is the quirky Bar la Candelilla. This is the perfect spot to grab a pre-run cafe con leche or post-adventure cerveza.

The route combines steep rocky climbs, pine forest single tracks and epic views across the valley and down to the ocean. The undoubted highlight of the loop is Roque Nublo, an iconic 65-metre-tall monolith that can be seen from all across the island.

Notable things to see on the route

“This route offers a smorgasbord of things to see and wonder at.”

From the white blossomed almond groves around Bar la Candelilla, up through the pine forests and on to the barren Mars-like red rock plateaus, this trail is a total joy to behold.

Views stretch out across the island. On a clear day, you can even see the island of Tenerife off to the west and Fuerteventura to the east.

In my opinion, there are few places in Europe that offer such amazing trails for a spring or autumn running break.

The weather is warm, the locals are friendly and the food is excellent. Combined with a huge variety of different trails and routes, you are as close to trail running paradise as you can get.

It also holds a dear place in my heart as it was the site of my first single-stage multi-day race. This was the Transgrancanaria 360 which is a 265 km self-supported race around the whole island.

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