Five Ways European Hiking Trails are Different

Because I frequently go on walking holidays in both Europe and North America I have noticed a difference in the way hiking trails are constructed on both continents. There are always exceptions to what I have listed below but these differences do alter the overall hiking experience:

Five ways the European trails are different:

In Europe you will find a network connecting trails while in North America you tend to have long distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail; Pacific Crest Trail; and Trans Canada Trail with a few connectors or side trails

In England you can stop for a cup of tea high on a mountain in the Lake District. In the Alps of Germany or Switzerland there will be a café at the top of the mountain. In North America you rarely have tea rooms or cafés except in a few of the very popular National Parks such as Banff with a lot of day hikers.

Many of the North American trails pass mostly through National, State or Provincial Parks even the long distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail. An therefore these trails tend to be in forested areas. In places such as England public footpaths in use for centuries are not uncommon.

North American trails have blazes on trees with little or no directional signage. While in Europe there are often directional signs are most intersections with blazes on posts or maybe even none as you are just following the trail.

In North American hiking trails usually consist of a dirt path with plenty of wooden bridges, boardwalks and stairs and other support structures along the routes. While frequently this is to stop erosion in areas where there is a high number of hikers other times it is this to make it easier for hiking. On the European continent walking trails are more likely (not always) to be wider and may have a gravel base.

If you need some suggestions for where to hike take a look at Classic Hikes of the World: 23 Breathtaking Treks

These differences in hiking trails just make the experience even more interesting.

Related posts:

1. Choosing the best hiking trails
2. Walking Holidays
3. Autumn Walking Holidays
4. Seven Best Long Distance Hikes of the Americas
5. Walking Holidays – Guided Hiking