Favorite Walk in Europe
 

Just in case our Scottish trip doesn't work out I'd be interested in hearing about walks in any european country. What were your favorites - short or long?

Hi travelrene,

My all-time favorite walk is along Lake Geneva from Montreux to Villeneuve. I think it's about two miles -- passes Territet & Chillon along the way.

Other favorites are between Gstaad and Saanen (very short), Between Rougemont and Chateau d'Oex, and anywhere along the 32 km of vineyard trails of the Lavaux above Vevey.

All in Switzerland --

s

At the risk of being a boring cliche, I loved the walks between the Cinque Terre in Italy. I've never seen such views before, and after a nice long hike you can eat phenomenal seafood fresh from the Mediterranean. . .

From Rudesheim via the "seilbahn" to the top of the mountain, past the Niederwald Denkmal, and down past the Jagdschloss to Assmannshausen, and return on the Rhine by boat.

We took the cable car from Stresa almost to the summit of Mottarone.
We walked the shortish distance to the top and then walked down.
On the way down, you can visit a very nice alpine garden and there are beautiful views.

What an excellent question.

Just about my favorite part of any trip is walking ... miles and miles of it every day. So, narrowing it down is difficult. I believe that hiking in the Dolomites is the favorite.

From Les Deux Magots to Cafe Flore, Paris.

Venice without a map.

Hard to beat the walks in the Cotswolds between the Slaughters and vicinity...lovely walks in Ireland in Donegal, along the river...also, walking the wall in Dubrovnik at twilight! And yes, Rufus T. Firefly, Venice without a map is cool!

Ditto the walks in the Cotswolds--especially the one that goes by the Broadway Tower. However, for scenic beauty the Coastal Path in England holds memories. P.S. I like Ira's honesty!

From St-Léon-sur-Vézère to Castel-Merle along the river.

Delightful suggestions. Is that last one in France?

StCirq mentioned what seems to be one of the most beautiful villages in France and it is located in Dordogne.

http://www.saint-leon-sur-vezere.fr/
http://www.castelmerle.com/

In Burgundy, I can add "la route des grands crus" on the golden slope. Also a company take walkers through the vineyards.
http://www.thewayfarers.com/walks-eu/fr-bry.html

Walk from Lugano to Gandria and take the ferry back (or vice-versa)

I've done this many times. It's a wonderful walk, especially in the autumn or spring when Central Switzerland is suffering from a cold spell, or worse, snow, and you want warmth and green.

One year on Nov. 1, we got an early snow and we just weren't ready for winter yet. So we went to Lugano, took off our coats, and walked in our T-shirts and shorts to Gandria. Oh the sun! The warmth! The green scenery!

Where I live, we have snow for about 3- 4 months.

How did I miss this thread? I think it could be a wonderful collection! Mine is the vineyard walk from St. Saphorin to Rivaz along the lavaux on Lac Leman. It's not a real walk for real walkers, but for me it's delightful. Ahhh.

p.s. schuler, thanks for your recent contribution to the GS thread. J.

ttt

Hi jmw:
Still correcting papers? I thought of you as I corrected my FCE and CAE students' papers.

Tschüss!

We love to walk (but not strenuous hikes because of a bad knee) and have walked all over in the Dolomites (11 vacations), Cinque Terre (3 vacations)... but this was a surprise world class walk for us: from Veli Losinj to Mali Losinj on the island of Losinj in Croatia. It's only a couple of miles along the coast on a limestone/flagstone (looks like marble but was told it isn't) path with the sea to one side and wonderful Mediterranean vegetation on the other, in and around several coves. We were just surprised to find such a wonderful walk - and all to ourselves in October.

The walks I remember the most is up in the Dolomites, from the little village of Taibon where friends of mine have a small 2 bedroom house. Early morning walks..something like out of "The Sound of Music". So beautiful, peaceful and a world onto its own.

1. Venice without a map, especially the the neighborhoods to the north and to the west of Piazza San Marco.

2. Grutschalp to Murren, in the Berner Oberland.

2. (tie) First station to the Bachalpsee, also in Berner Oberland.

4. Paris <b>with</b> a map, especially the Marais and les Isles.

5. Hiking on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

Cheers!

Another &quot;worth the trip&quot; walk - from Moso (Sesto) into the Val Fiscalina in the Dolomites. Sesto/Moso is just south of San Candido.

England-week long sections of the South West Coastal Path.
Northern England-Coast to Coast, one of THE classic walks over 15 days
Circumnavigate Mt Blanc-via 4 countries over 10 days-a world classic.
Stay Nice and take train out to Menton or Antibes and walk back -very stylish.

travelrene
Suggest a slow walk around the Island of Mainau, Germany - an island of flowers and a delightful chapel. A wonderful day trip.
Also many strolls around the island of Madiera off the Portugal coast - a small island with many delightful and peaceful walks -
Both are unique experiences, but only after you have visited major capital cities, along with some of their larger flower gardens. - e.g. Paris - London. Jay.

It's a doozy, but for me there is nothing better.

Start at the Old Synagogue in the Call in Barcelona. Walk through Plaza Sant Felip Neri, out to the Cathedral. Head up Via Laietana to Diagonal. Take a left and keep going all the way to the University. Don't miss Francesc Macia plaza (though do avoid the Starbucks) and the fantastic retro University architecture. Make your way down to Sants train station (there are a million ways to get there. . . all have surprises along the way, though the neighborhood is considered ugly by BCN standards), then get onto the Gran Via and walk all the way down to the old University. Go inside! Enjoy the gardens and interiors, as well as the students, who I love to watch. Go out and head down to the MACBA. Sit in the plaza and hold on tight to your bags. Then go down Elizabets St. If you are tired, go into la Libreria central (on your left) and grab a book. Sit in their cafe and read. Then hit the street again. I suggest getting lost in the Raval, but it is dangerous at night. During the day it is not 100% safe either. Spill yourself back onto the Rambla when you are done.

More than a walk, it is my pilgrimmage.

Claire

The Gletscherweg that traverses above the Aletschgletscher, Europe's longest glacier. It's a long dayhike from Bettmeralp, in the Valais. From the top of the ridge above Bettmeralp, before you drop down to the traverse, you can see to the Matterhorn (in the west), and across into Italy, to the south. Later in the hike you can look up the glacier to the Place de la Concordia and the Jungfrau.

Linawood...I agree that the Losinj island walk is gorgeous...but also, those of you who are now discovering Croatia, one of the most beautiful walks anywhere in Europe can be experienced at Plitivice Lakes National Park...first the shorter walk around hundreds of cascading rivulets..then hop the little boat to the longer walk...all mapped out for you. Best in springtime when the lakes and streams are full of the winter run-off...we ran into snow on the trails and wooden walkways in early April..lots of it...but scenery to pop the eyes out!
Stu T.

Schuler--The Gandria-Lugano walk sounds wonderful. I will be in the area in late March. How long a hike is it, and should this be a good time of year for it?

If the weather is nice, it's a great walk. You'll be walking on a sidewalk between Lugano and Castagnola. After that, it's a beautiful footpath with only one small hill right before Gandria. You'll walk by villas and lots of lush mediterranean vegetation.

see: http://myswitzerland.igougo.com/plan...&amp;n=Gandria

For Lugano boat schedules, see:
http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/framewo...x?menu_id=1501

Thanks, Schuler. How long, approximately, should it take?

Never mind. I should have checked your links before I asked the question! Thanks again...

1.5 hours is about right. If you take the ferry, stop at the Smuggler's museum. It's quite entertaining. Then take a stroll along the lake while waiting for the next ferry. Very peaceful and beautiful.

I already posted this on my penpal thread, but figure it really belongs here.

I discovered what sounds like a great walk near Lugano. Take the funicular to the top of San Salvatore and walk down to Morcote. Take the boat back to Lugano. Has anyone ever done this?

Events in or near Lugano:

Sunday, March 12:
Traditional Fair of San Provino. Procession in the town’s streets, stalls, raffles, games. Gastronomic festival of Ravioli; exhibit of farming machinery and products, vintage tractors; on Monday there will be a livestock and courtyard animal fair.

For more events, see: http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/framewo...1001&amp;ssm=1

Click on the bold titles and you might find some English descriptions.