September is the perfect month to enjoy some getaways to the mountains before the first snow and the best way to enjoy the late summer adventures is the loop trail, which start from the same point where you will come back, but let you explore always different places along the ways. 

Here you are our top 5 circular hikes in Europe:

1.    PICO DO ARIEIRO TO PICO RUIVO
Madeira, Azores

 

Distance: 9 miles 
Elevation gain: 4100 ft up/1968 ft down
Duration: 7-8 hours

This out-and-back hike, also know as the ‘starway to heaven’, traverses the three highest mountains of Madeira – Pico do Arieiro (5,960 ft), Pico das Torres (6,072 ft) and Pico Ruivo (6,108 ft) – and will bring you up and down in the mountains through ridgeline, narrow paths, steep stairways or tunnel into the rocks.

The better suggestion to appreciate this loop hike is to enjoy the trail during sunrise: pastel coloured sky, cloud inversions and the moon on one side and the sun rising from the other side will worth the early wake up and also frame the volcanic landscape and the jaw-dropping mountainous interior of Madeira. 

2.    CATINACCIO LOOP TRAIL
Dolomites, Italy

 

Distance: 10 miles
Elevation gain: 3937 feet
Duration: 8 hours

A challenging loop trail that will offer you breathtaking views on the Catinaccio massif (also known as “Rosengarten”), in Trentino Alto-Adige. From Rifugio Gardeccia you will start a first section of equipped trail among the rocks, which will lead you to the Coronelle Pass (7742 ft) and then Refuge Fronza.

Prepare your climbing equipment to continue along the Santner Via Ferrata and reach Santner Pass (8969 ft); from where to admire the stunning Vajolet Towers and Cima Catinaccio. Descend to Rifugio Re Alberto and then on the equipped trail to Rifugio Vajolet, towards the Gardeccia plain. 

3.    SOCA TRAIL 
Slovenia

 

Distance: 16.9 miles 
Elevation gain: 1515 ft up/ 2936 ft down
Duration: 8-9 hours

The Soča Trail runs through the heart of the Triglav National Park in Slovenia’s Julian Alps; starting from the pristine source of the Soča River to the charming town of Bovec, it is a small but significant part of the Alpe Adria Trail, a long-distance hiking route that crosses Austria, Slovenia and Italy. 

The route, mostly downhill with some short climbs, follows the crystal emerald-green water of the Soca River for about 25 kilometres: you will traverse numerous rapids and narrow gorges created by the water, rugged rocks, lush forests and will cross wood suspension bridge on the water.

4.    TROLLTUNGA
Norway

 

Distance: 17,4 miles
Elevation gain: 1312 feet
Duration: 10-11 hours

The Trolltunga cliff stands 2297 ft above Ringedalsvatnet lake and it is one of Norway’s most popular hikes, with its thin sliver of rock called “Troll’s tongue” that is one of the most iconic spots in Europe, but it also is a challenging yet rewarding hike that takes you through breathtaking high-mountain terrain.

To avoid the crowd and for a fully experience of this journey, you can opt for spending a night out at Trolltunga in one of the recommended camping spots. Along the trail, you will find beautiful grassy valleys and pastures but also more strenuous and steep rock slopes, lakes and high waterfalls. 

5.    RUTA CARES
Spain

 

Distance: 13,6 miles 
Elevation gain: 820 ft up/492 ft down
Duration: 6 hours

Also called “Garganta divina”, this is the best-known day hike in the Picos de Europa, a mountain range with around 8530 ft-high peaks in northern Spain, among the provinces of Asturie, Cantabria and Lèon. The Ruta Cares is a path hewn into the limestone, which runs from Pontebos to Cain (or viceversa) above the Río Cares.

Except for some more demanding parts, a moderate trailhead will also lead you through small tunnels carved out of the rocks, small lakes and beautiful waterfalls and across bridges that hang over the abyss; on the way, lots of panoramic spots on the peaks and mountain goats grazing grass on the high cliffs.