‘It’s one enormous journey playground’: readers’ finest summer season journeys within the lakes and mountains of Europe | Europe holidays

Late summer season mountain climbing within the Austrian Alps

Haldensee is a transparent, glowing chilly lake situated on the backside of the Tannheimer Tal valley within the Austrian Alps (about 90 miles south-west of Munich). We visited final yr, simply when summer season was on its means out, and it was too chilly to skinny-dip within the lake (except you have been very courageous). Nonetheless, in the event you’re a hiker, a ski elevate takes you up into the Allgäu Alps the place you’ll be able to stroll via dense forest to Bad Kissinger Hütte serving refreshing apfelschorle, warming soups and seasonal bakes to refuel for the journey downhill. When happening, we have been accompanied by tinkling cattle, ambling alongside the mountain-side springs, which made the expertise a lot extra memorable.
Kovida

Mountain tracks of Lake Garda, Italy

Northern Lake Garda, the place the mountains tower above the lake, is one enormous journey playground: strolling, biking, climbing, boat journeys and all method of watersports on the lake. There are castles, waterfalls and valley cycle trails. The outdated Ponale mountain street is likely to be the decide for biking (finest on ebike) and strolling. It winds via tunnels and clings to the rock with spectacular views over the lake. At Ponale Alto take pleasure in a hearty pasta dish washed down with a neighborhood beer or wine, earlier than returning downhill all the best way.
Dave Thomas

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Guardian Travel readers’ suggestions

Every week we ask our readers for suggestions from their travels. A number of suggestions might be featured on-line and should seem in print. To enter the most recent competitors go to the readers’ suggestions homepage

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Swiss bliss close to Mont Blanc

Skip the crowds of Chamonix and spend every week at La Fouly, in south-west Switzerland. Some strolling routes are busy (it’s a hub for the well-known Tour du Mont Blanc stroll) however there are many walks to select from, a lot of which aren’t on the principle path. Walk to the Lacs de Fenêtre, the place you’ll be able to hear the gurgling burps of rock ptarmigans at first mild, and the shrieks of marmots as you descend again down into the valley. We camped by cool, fast-flowing rivers at Camping des Glaciers in La Fouly.
Daniel

Meadows and cowbells in Slovenia

The loudest sound in Slovenia’s Logar Valley is often a cowbell. A slim street runs via flower-filled meadows to the foot of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, nevertheless it’s finest explored on foot or by bike, stopping on the little farms that promote selfmade cheese and apple juice. Follow the simple path to the 90-metre Rinka waterfall, then linger over lunch at one of many mountain inns to benefit from the view. I stayed in a single day in a family-run guesthouse, and by early night the day guests had gone, leaving the valley virtually silent apart from swallows and grazing cattle.
Susanna C

Dragonflies and lilies on Italy’s secret lake

The spring-fed Lago di Monate, between the a lot bigger lakes of Maggiore and di Varese, has presumably the freshest swimming water in Italy, mainly due to its longstanding ban on motorboats. You can rent paddleboards to cross the calm floor to huge lily beds, blooming in summer season and alive with dragonflies. The grassy seashore with sunbeds and umbrellas at Il Coppale may be very affordable with night meal (recent fish, naturally) on their terrace at about €25 with a view over the lake to the Alps.
Tim Leadbetter

Alpine atmosphere in Bavaria

Looking for an affordable price range autumnal journey, a search on the standard websites led us to Bavaria, and the outdoorsy city of Ruhpolding. Alpine ambiance was instantly delivered, with an enthralling unpretentious atmosphere. There is a extremely spectacular waterpark and funky blue lakes, akin to Lödensee and Weitsee. Hikes via classical Alpine surroundings took us to an alm, a mountain refuge in excessive meadows the place native milk and beer was served with platters of meat and cheese. A bit additional away the massive Chiemsee gave us a day on the seashore. A cease in Munich on the best way again allowed us to go to the superb BMW museum, a part of which is free.
Brian Lowry

Cycling the Velosud this summer season was the proper journey to the mountains with out having to cycle up or down them. We spent two weeks leisurely following the signposted route within the foothills of the Pyrenees, typically alongside rivers, with mountain views every single day. It’s all both traffic-free or on very quiet roads, and passes by spa cities akin to Salies-du-Salat, the gorgeous Foix and Mirepoix, and beautiful, low-key however effectively geared up campsites (all the time with swimming pool, aperitif and morning croissants).
Rowan

A cross-border trek on the Camino Francés

I’ve walked near 2,000km of the Camino de Santiago, traversing Spain from the Pyrenees to the Galician coast and following the crashing waves of the Atlantic Portuguese coast in northern Portugal. One of probably the most beautiful stretches of the Camino Francés (a part of the Camino de Santiago) takes you from the French Pyrenean city of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to the Spanish village of Roncesvalles. It’s a really powerful climb, nevertheless it’s effectively well worth the effort. In the early morning mist, as you strategy the border with Spain, the panoramic views from above the cloud line will take your breath away. A really spectacular expertise.
Stephen Taylor

Tuscany’s wild aspect

It’s wonderful that the Alpi Apuane usually are not higher recognized. This uncooked, jagged cluster of marble peaks varieties a dramatic backdrop to the bucket-and-spade seashores of northern Tuscany. These mountains are laced with difficult trails, together with the multi-day Via Vandelli, linking Modena to the coast. The valleys shelter quiet, refreshing streams and half-forgotten villages. Above the treeline, the hiker is rewarded with expansive views of the mountains, the ocean, and the surreal marble quarries hewn from the mountainsides. This is the wild aspect of Tuscany.
Robert

Winning tip: The Vosges mountains by practice

The Vosges mountains in japanese France are made up of forest-covered rounded peaks referred to as ballons, and are accessible by practice. The line between Colmar and Metzeral supplies quick access into the Wormsa valley, the place forest paths climb previous streams to the peaceable Lac du Fischboedle, surrounded by timber. From there you’ll be able to climb the third highest mountain within the Vosges, Hohneck (1,363 metres), for sweeping views in the direction of the Alps. The meals within the area is scrumptious, particularly tarte flambée (flammekueche), a standard skinny flatbread topped with creme fraiche, onions and bacon.
Hannah