A New Year look at some of Europe’s finest walking landscapes

A new year has a way of sharpening the senses. The days begin to lengthen, maps come out of drawers, and thoughts drift towards quieter valleys, high paths and places where walking still feels like a privilege rather than a pastime.

For 2026, we see a clear trend emerging among walkers: a desire for authentic landscapes, strong local character, and destinations that reward curiosity rather than speed. Below are five walking regions that continue to stand out — not because they are fashionable, but because they endure.

The Cirque of Gavarnie – A natural cathedral in the French Pyrenees

On the French side of the Pyrenees, Gavarnie occupies a place of almost mythic status. The Cirque de Gavarnie, a colossal amphitheatre of rock and ice, has inspired writers and travellers for centuries — and for good reason.

Walking here is immersive and often surprisingly peaceful once you move beyond the most accessible viewpoints. High pastures, glacial valleys and long balcony paths open up vast perspectives, while small refuges and mountain villages anchor the experience in tradition.

Gavarnie also offers a strong sense of continuity. Paths follow ancient transhumance routes, and the rhythm of mountain life remains visible in the landscape. For walkers in 2026 who value history written into the terrain, Gavarnie offers something quietly profound.

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park – The Pyrenees at their most dramatic

There are few places in Europe where walking feels quite as elemental as in Ordesa. Carved by ice and water over millennia, this national park is defined by vast limestone canyons, hanging valleys and sheer vertical walls that seem to rise straight out of the forest.

Walking here is not about ticking off peaks; it’s about scale and atmosphere. One day you might be following a gentle riverside path beneath beech and pine, the next climbing to a balcony trail with uninterrupted views across the Ordesa canyon. Waterfalls, particularly in spring and early summer, add movement and sound to an already powerful landscape.

What makes Ordesa special is its sense of protection. Strict access controls preserve its tranquillity, and wildlife — from lammergeiers to chamois — thrives as a result. For walkers looking for a destination that feels genuinely wild yet carefully looked after, Ordesa remains one of Europe’s great classics.

Benasque – The high heart of the Pyrenees

Tucked into a broad valley beneath Spain’s highest peaks, Benasque is synonymous with alpine walking. Granite spires, glacial lakes and high passes define this part of the central Pyrenees, making it a natural draw for experienced walkers.

Yet Benasque is not only about altitude. Lower trails through meadows and forest offer gentler days, while the valley’s villages retain a lived-in, authentic feel. This combination makes the area remarkably versatile, suitable for a wide range of walking styles and ambitions.

What stands out in Benasque is its clarity — clear air, clear paths, and clear mountain purpose. For those setting walking goals for 2026, it represents the Pyrenees at their most complete: demanding when you want them to be, welcoming when you don’t.

Picos de Europa – Where mountains meet the Atlantic

Compact, rugged and astonishingly green, the Picos de Europa offer a very different mountain experience. Rising sharply from the Cantabrian coast, these limestone peaks are deeply cut by gorges and dotted with remote villages where traditional life continues much as it has for generations.

Walking in the Picos is wonderfully varied. High-level paths cross exposed limestone plateaux, while lower routes wind through oak woods, past shepherd huts and into narrow defiles where rivers disappear underground. Cloud and light change constantly, giving the landscape a dynamic, almost theatrical quality.

Food and culture are inseparable from the walking here. Long days on the trail often end with cider poured from height, local cheeses, and slow evenings in stone-built villages. For 2026, the Picos appeal strongly to walkers seeking character as much as scenery, and who value a sense of place at the end of the day.

Sierra de Guara – The quieter side of Aragón

Less known internationally, the Sierra de Guara sits at the southern edge of the Pyrenees and offers a gentler, more Mediterranean take on mountain walking. Its fame among climbers and canyoners has long been established, but for walkers it remains something of a revelation.

The landscape here is sculpted rather than dramatic: sandstone cliffs, narrow river canyons, open scrubland and olive groves. Paths link small villages, Roman bridges and hidden hermitages, with wide views across to the high Pyrenees on clear days.

What draws people to Guara is its balance. Walking days are satisfying without being exhausting, the climate is kind in spring and autumn, and the cultural layer — medieval villages, local wines, simple regional cooking — adds depth to the experience. For those looking to step away from the big national parks without compromising on quality, Guara deserves serious attention in 2026.