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For the well-prepared traveller, the train is both a means of transport and the start of the experience. A number of European train stations are very well suited to walking holidays, because they drop you off right at the beginning of extensive nature trails. This makes a car-free, comfortable and well-planned walking holiday easy. Discover how to step off the train straight into the mountains, forests or coastal paths of Europe.
Grindelwald, Switzerland: straight into the Alps
When you think of Switzerland, you quickly picture the vast Alps. Grindelwald is a good example of a station that serves as a direct gateway to this landscape. As soon as you get off the train, you find yourself in surroundings that have something to offer walkers of every level. The paths begin a short distance from the platform.
Planning walks from Grindelwald is straightforward. For a gentle walk suitable for families, take the cable car to the First mountain station. From there you can walk to one of the mountain lakes, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. For a more challenging hike, you can take the Jungfraubahn to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. This starting point offers views over the Aletsch Glacier and gives access to more alpine routes. The train connections make it possible to go on day hikes without having to worry about parking spaces or busy mountain roads.
‘ Many consider the train journey itself to be one of the most popular in the world, making the entire holiday a rewarding experience. ’
Finse, Norway: walking along the fjords
Finse station, located on the famous railway line between Oslo and Bergen, is a remote destination for walkers. The station is situated at an altitude of 1,222 metres and can only be reached by train. This guarantees an experience of peace and space. From here, hiking trails lead you through a landscape of glaciers, valleys and waterfalls. It is a suitable place for those in search of rugged Scandinavian nature.
Here you can opt for multi-day treks, staying overnight in the mountain huts of the DNT (the Norwegian Trekking Association) or, where permitted, choosing to wild camp. A train journey to Finse combines well with a city break to Oslo or Bergen, allowing you to balance culture and nature. Many consider the train journey itself to be one of the most popular in the world, making the entire holiday a rewarding experience.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany: Bavarian variety
In the heart of the Bavarian Alps lies Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a station known for its wide range of walking options. Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers suitable routes for every walker, from a relaxing valley stroll to a demanding climb. One of the highlights is the Partnachklamm, a deep gorge where you walk along the water on narrow paths and small bridges. This route can be reached directly from the station.
Other popular routes lead you to the Eibsee, a crystal-clear blue lake at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. The good infrastructure around the station makes it easy to combine different routes. For example, you can do a valley walk and return by cable car, or hike several stages of long-distance trails that start nearby.
More stations for your walking holiday
Besides these well-known spots, there are several other stations in Europe that form a good starting point for walkers, each with its own character and suited to different preferences.
- Corrour, Scotland: This is one of the most remote stations in the United Kingdom, in the middle of the wilderness of Rannoch Moor. From here you can undertake multi-day hikes towards Ben Nevis or enjoy the silence on the path to Loch Ossian. It is a good starting point for experienced walkers looking for peace and quiet.
- Levanto, Italy: Although technically not part of the Cinque Terre, this station is an excellent base for exploring this famous coastal region on foot. South of the station, the coastal path to Monterosso begins, with views over the cliffs. To the north, a path with views over the cliffs follows an old railway line.
- Troisvierges, Luxembourg: In the middle of the wooded hills of the Luxembourg Ardennes, this station provides access to around fifteen walking routes. The Cornelys nature trail starts right at the station and leads you to the Our Nature Park, where you might spot a black stork.
Planning well for every level
A walking holiday by train requires good preparation, but offers a great deal of flexibility. For beginners, destinations such as Titisee-Neustadt in the Black Forest or Levanto in Italy are very suitable, with accessible paths and less elevation gain. More experienced walkers will find their challenge in Grindelwald or Corrour, where alpine routes and multi-day treks are possible.
By planning your trip with an Interrail Pass, you can combine several walking regions in a single journey. Many long-distance trails, such as the Moselsteig in Germany, have stages that begin and end at a railway station. This makes it possible to walk without heavy luggage and return comfortably by train to your accommodation at the end of the day.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more practical information for planning your trip. Discover our guides to train travel in Europe, tips for planning a road trip, or read in-depth articles on the most popular destinations for a slow travel holiday. Get inspired and start planning your next trip today.
Frequently asked questions
European train stations such as Grindelwald (Switzerland) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) offer direct access to spectacular mountain walks and varied routes. For unique wilderness experiences, Finse (Norway) and Corrour (Scotland) are ideal, while Levanto (Italy) gives access to beautiful coastal paths. Tatranská Štrba (Slovakia) is perfect for mountain hikes in the High Tatras and Troisvierges (Luxembourg) opens up the Luxembourg Ardennes. In Germany, Karden/Treis-Karden (Moselle) and Titisee-Neustadt (Black Forest) are also excellent starting points for both day hikes and multi-day walks.
Plan comfortably by combining short train journeys with day hikes and choose destinations where stages start and end at stations to minimise luggage concerns. Book train tickets in advance and look for regions with free public transport for optimal local connections. This way you can easily walk from town to town and return to your base again.
Although specific luggage storage facilities or shops for walking equipment at train stations are not explicitly mentioned, planning train-based walking holidays often allows you to walk stages without heavy luggage. Some stations are close to town centres with a range of small shops, such as Titisee-Neustadt. In addition, in certain regions there is dedicated accommodation for walkers, such as mountain huts in Norway, and free public transport is available to travel easily between walking locations.
Europe offers various train stations that are perfect starting points for multi-day walking routes, ideal to combine with train journeys between different locations. Grindelwald (Switzerland), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) and Finse (Norway) are excellent destinations that provide direct access to magnificent walking areas. For an optimal experience, in many regions, such as the Black Forest, you can use free public transport to travel between towns and thus explore several walking routes. In addition, places such as Levanto (Italy) and Troisvierges (Luxembourg) also offer numerous walking options, often starting right at the station.
Lesser-known train routes that lead to exceptional starting points for walking holidays and offer a unique travel experience include the line to Finse in Norway for wild camping and mountain walks, and to Corrour in Scotland, which provides access to Rannoch Moor, one of the last wilderness areas in Western Europe. Furthermore, Tatranská Štrba in Slovakia is an ideal gateway to the High Tatras for mountain hikes, and Levanto in Italy offers beautiful coastal paths away from the crowds of the Cinque Terre. Finally, Troisvierges in Luxembourg opens up the wooded hills of the Luxembourg Ardennes with numerous walking routes.
