Where to Go Hiking in Europe in September & October

As late summer gives way to the mellow warmth of early autumn, many of Europe’s best hiking destinations really come into their own. Think cooler temperatures, quieter trails, landscapes turning golden, lengthening evening shadows, and misty morning starts. 

From Mediterranean coasts to volcanic islands and ancient pilgrimage paths, these are some of the best places to go hiking in Europe in September and October.

Rota Vicentina, Portugal

Portugal's Rota Vicentina traces the wild southwest coast through the Alentejo and western Algarve, following the Fishermen's Trail - clifftop paths and dune tracks worn in by generations of fishermen heading out to their favourite spots. Cooler September and October days suit this exposed, largely shadeless coastline far better than the height of summer.

Recommended route: Porto Covo to Lagos on the Fishermen's Trail. This roughly 230km coastal path - extended to its full length in 2020 - runs the length of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, linking low-key towns like Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve and Odeceixe with wide Atlantic beaches, dune systems and some of the most dramatic clifftop walking in Europe. Most walkers still split it into a week in the Alentejo or a week in the Algarve rather than doing it end to end.

We love: Just before Arrifana, the trail climbs to the ruins of a 12th-century Ribat - a fortified Islamic monastery founded by the Sufi mystic Ibn Qasi, and the only known medieval ribat in Portugal (Wikipedia.org). From there, the path continues south to Cabo de São Vicente, the wind-battered lighthouse marking the south-westernmost point of mainland Europe.

Average temperatures: 24°C in September, 21°C in October

Sierra de Grazalema, Andalucía

Tucked inland between Cádiz and Málaga, the Sierra de Grazalema is known for its limestone peaks, green valleys, and typically Andaluz whitewashed mountain villages.

The region shelters one of the largest concentrations of Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo - Malaga.es) anywhere - a conifer that survived the last Ice Age and today grows naturally only here and in northern Morocco, thriving thanks to summits that catch over 2,000mm of annual rainfall, making this one of the wettest mountainous corner of Spain.

Early autumn sees a drop from southern Spain’s sizzling summer temperatures - and with it, ideal walking conditions.

Recommended route: From Grazalema to Ronda. This route takes in dramatic limestone gorges, cork‑oak and silver‑fir forests, and traditional “pueblos blancos” such as Grazalema, Benaocaz, and Montejaque before ending up in historic Ronda. Along the way, expect to see spectacular karst landscapes dotted with dazzling white cortijos and circled by vultures.

We love: The ‘Calzada Romana’ is a 2,000‑year-old stone-paved Roman road, originally part of the Via Augusta network, that runs for around 4km between Ubrique and Benaocaz, passing the ruined Roman town of Ocuri along the way. The gently ascending route passes through mountain pastures, oak and olive groves, and is riddled with well-preserved drainage systems and small masonry culverts.

Average temperatures: 26°C in September, 21°C in October

 
Southern Crete, Greece

With dramatic coastal paths, high mountain plateaus, and deep river gorges, southwest Crete offers one of Europe’s most varied hiking settings. The rugged gorges you pass through are also the last refuge of the kri-kri, Crete's endemic wild goat (Wikipedia.org). By 1960 fewer than 200 remained, and the gorge has remained protected largely thanks to decades of effort to conserve this one shy animal.

The mix of ancient mountain trails and pristine beaches makes it a great bet for September and October walking.

Recommended route: Coastal & mountain trek from Paleochora to Loutro. This multi-day trek begins on one of Europe’s most striking coastal paths, taking in the Anidri Gorge before climbing to the Omalos Plateau. 

We love: In September and October, Crete’s gorges offer refreshingly cooler air and fewer visitors. A particularly impressive stretch starts with the Irini Gorge, where a well-maintained trail takes you through tunnels of flowering oleander and steep limestone walls up to the Omalos plateau. Then, early in the morning, descend the world-famous Samaria Gorge - open from May through to late October (depending on the autumn rains) - through its iconic "Iron Gates" before most day-trippers arrive.

Average temperatures: 27°C in September, 23°C in October

 
Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca

Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains stretch along the island’s northwest coast, offering a mix of sea views, wooded trails, and historic hill towns. Villages along the way carry rich history: in Valldemossa, Frédéric Chopin and George Sand famously spent the winter of 1838-39 at the Royal Carthusian Monastery, where Chopin composed several of his Op. 28 Preludes (Cartoixadevalldemossa.com). 

Early autumn sees warm days, quiet villages, and long, clear views across the Mediterranean.

Recommended route: GR221 Dry Stone Route through the Tramuntana. Following traditional cobbled paths and shepherd’s tracks, this long-distance route links towns like Valldemossa, Deià, and Sóller. Walkers pass olive terraces, cliffs, and pine forests, with overnights in heritage-rich villages and fincas.

We love: The Lake Cúber to Lluc stage is one of the most scenic of the island’s GR-221 trail. The stretch begins with a gentle lakeside walk before climbing steadily to a mountain pass at 1,210 metres, then bounces and bumps its way downhill along cobbled paths through holm oak forest to the Monastery of Lluc, home to the island’s patron saint, ‘La Moreneta’, the Black Madonna.

Average temperatures: 28°C in September, 24°C in October

 
Camí de Cavalls, Menorca

Menorca is a gentler alternative to Mallorca, with a lower profile and a generally slightly quieter walking experience. The island's Camí de Cavalls coastal path is a standout, tracing the island's entire perimeter - it originated as a coastal defence route, allowing mounted patrols to monitor the shoreline against pirate raids and other incursions.

Inland, the route passes close to sites belonging to Talayotic Menorca, the island's Bronze Age heritage, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 2023 (Unesco.org).

Recommended route: Camí de Cavalls – East and West sections. This historic trail takes in sandy coves, pine forests, and wetlands. Particularly lovely sections include those near Binimel·là and Cala Galdana. Inland, lesser-known paths reveal a rural heartland of farmland and archaeological sites.

We love: The stretch between Son Xoriguer and Cala Galdana is absolutely spectacular. The terrain in this part of the island is mostly flat, with trails winding through woodlands of evergreen oak, wild olive, and Aleppo pine. Along the way, you’ll pass scenic coves like Platges de Son Saura and the turquoise waters of Cala en Turqueta - perfect for a dip to cool off after a hard morning’s walking.

Average temperatures: 27°C in September, 23°C in October

 
Tenerife, Canary Islands

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, combines volcanic drama with lush forests and high-altitude landscapes. To the island's original inhabitants, the Guanches, Mount Teide was known as Echeyde - a sacred volcano where, according to legend, the demon Guayota trapped the sun god Magec until the supreme deity Achamán intervened.

It’s a great choice for walkers seeking a bit of (pretty much) guaranteed sunshine and a variety of scenery late into the year.

Recommended route: Teide National Park and Anaga Rural Park. The high central plateau of Teide National Park offers stark, lunar-esque landscapes capped with views of Mount Teide. In contrast, the Anaga region in the northeast has ancient laurel forests and steep paths descending to remote villages and black-sand beaches.

We love: There’s no shortage of highlights here. But at 2,730m, climbing Montaña Guajara, Tenerife’s second-highest peak, is pretty hard to beat. The climb is tough - which is why waiting till the summer’s over isn’t a bad idea for many walkers - but the views across the vast Cañadas del Teide caldera, and out across the island’s southern coast, are more than worth it. 

Average temperatures: 28°C in September, 26°C in October

 
Aeolian Islands, Italy

Sicily in September has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it? The island’s varied terrain includes everything from vineyards to volcanoes, with the other nearby Aeolian Islands offer even more in the way of geological diversity - and a mythical pedigree of their own. According to ancient Greek lore recorded by the geographer Strabo, Stromboli was believed to be the home of Aeolus, keeper of the winds, who aided Odysseus on his journey home in Homer's Odyssey.

Autumn walking combines manageable temperatures with some pretty jaw-dropping landscapes.

Recommended route: Island-hopping on the Aeolian Islands. On Sicily, walks on Etna cross lava flows and black ash fields. In the Aeolian Islands, trails on Stromboli and Vulcano offer the chance to witness active volcanic activity up close. Sea views, fumaroles, and island villages round out the experience.

We love: Stromboli is home to one of Italy's four active volcanoes. In a constant state of eruption, it peeks out of the surrounding Tyrrhenian Sea crowned by a wisp of smoke. Walkers on the island can explore the Sciara del Fuoco, a vivid lava scar down the north side of the island, with a viewpoint from where any volcanic activity can be (safely) watched.

Average temperatures: 28°C in September, 24°C in October

 
Menalon Trail - Peloponnese, Greece

In the mountainous heart of the Peloponnese, the Menalon Trail is a certified long-distance route that showcases authentic Greek rural life, Byzantine heritage, and natural beauty.

In Greek mythology, these Arcadian mountains were the domain of Pan, the goat-footed god of the wild, said to have played his pipes among these very valleys and gorges.

Recommended route: Stemnitsa to Lagkadia on the Menalon Trail. This section of the trail passes monasteries built into cliffsides, gorges carved by rivers, and forests turning golden in autumn light. Stone bridges and traditional villages offer an intriguing link between ancient and modern Greece.

We love: The Lousios Gorge is a standout stretch. Why? It’s beautiful for starters, but also because it’s dotted with pretty villages, castles, crumbling bridges, and other historic sites like the 3rd-century BC city of Gortys. It’s also lined with centuries-old monasteries like Prodromos and Philosophou, which hang precariously onto the cliff faces.

Average temperatures: 26°C in September, 21°C in October

 
Via Francigena - Tuscany, Italy

The Via Francigena passes through some of Tuscany’s most iconic countryside, from winding, cypress tree-lined roads, vineyards, and olive groves to ancient hilltop towns. The route follows the path recorded in 990 AD by Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, who documented all 79 stages of his return journey from Rome to receive his pallium - a manuscript historians still use to map the trail today.

Autumn’s golden light and the grape harvests of mid-September to early October add to the seasonal charm.

Recommended route: Lucca to Siena. This stretch of the ancient pilgrimage route includes Lucca’s Renaissance walls, the towers of San Gimignano, and the rolling Chianti hills. The route follows farm tracks and woodland trails, offering plenty of history and nature along the way.

We love: Picking just one historical highlight out in this part of Italy is no easy task. But Monteriggioni is undoubtedly special. A perfectly preserved, entirely walled miniature hilltop town, it surveys the gently rolling hills of olive groves and vines today, pretty much as it has done since the early 13th century.

Average temperatures: 27°C in September, 22°C in October

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Looking for more ideas for where to go hiking this autumn? See our pick of the best places in Spain and Portugal.

Or explore a wider range of destinations in our last-minute holidays across Europe.