Europe may be known for its castles, cathedrals, and croissants, but its national parks are the real crown jewels. From the snow-capped Alps to the turquoise coastlines of the Adriatic, the continent is home to some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes on Earth.
Picking the best national park the continent is a tall order, given the incredible diversity. Whether you’re into glacier hikes, wildlife watching, or just lounging near a mirror-like lake, there’s a park that speaks your language. Here’s a curated list of the best national parks in Europe—each offering a front-row seat to nature’s masterpiece.
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Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
Towering at 3,798 meters (12,461 feet), the mighty Grossglockner crowns Hohe Tauern National Park. The colossal park spans 1,856 square kilometers (717 square miles) across Tyrol, Carinthia, and Salzburgerland. It’s not just Austria’s largest national park—it’s one of Europe’s biggest, and it delivers Alpine drama in high definition.
Here, jagged peaks soar beyond 3,000 meters (9,843 feet), glaciers stretch for miles, and waterfalls tumble in a misty, rainbow-streaked freefall. The park is home to the Pasterze Glacier, the longest in the Eastern Alps at 8.4 kilometers (5.2 miles). Here, you’ll also glimpse the thundering Krimmler Wasserfälle—the tallest waterfalls in Austria, dropping a spectacular 380 meters (1,247 feet).
Wildlife lovers are in for a treat: this is prime territory for spotting marmots, ibex, golden eagles, and even bearded vultures, especially on guided ranger walks or hikes along the twisting mountain trails. For a truly unforgettable experience, take the iconic Grossglockner High Alpine Road.
Jotunheimen National Park, Norway
Jotunheimen means “Home of the Giants.” Located in central-southern Norway, this vast 1,151-square-kilometer wilderness truly lives up to its name, delivering a raw, mythic beauty that feels pulled straight from Norse legend. It is a dramatic expanse of shimmering glaciers, deep sapphire lakes, thunderous waterfalls, and jagged, tooth-like peaks that command awe.
It’s here that Norway’s two tallest mountains—Galdhøpiggen (2,469 meters) and Glittertind (2,452 meters)—dominate the skyline, drawing mountaineers and day hikers alike. But Jotunheimen isn’t just about scale; it’s a sanctuary of wildlife too, where reindeer, elk, mink, and even elusive wolverines roam in the park.
Despite its wildness, Jotunheimen is surprisingly accessible, with around 50 well-marked trails for all levels. You’ll also find thrilling via ferrata routes, whitewater rafting adventures, and horseback rides leading through landscapes that stir the soul. Don’t miss the iconic Besseggen ridge hike or summiting Galdhøpiggen or Falketind for some of the most jaw-dropping panoramas in all of Norway.
Swiss National Park, Switzerland
Tucked into Graubünden’s Lower Engadin valley near the Italian border, the Swiss National Park is Switzerland’s one and only national park. Covering 172 square kilometers of untouched alpine wilderness, this park offers a pristine glimpse of the Alps before ski resorts arrived on the scene.
Glaciers crown jagged peaks, larch and pine forests cloak the valleys, and high-altitude moorlands are sprinkled with vividly colored lakes. Since its founding in 1914, the park has been fiercely protected—no logging, no mowing, and absolutely no hunting. Nature rules here, and the result is a raw, unfiltered alpine ecosystem that’s a dream for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Strap on your boots and explore its extensive trail network, or join a ranger-led walk to spot wild ibex, chamois, and golden eagles. You might even catch a glimpse of alpine wildflowers like the iconic edelweiss blooming along the way. If you only have time for one hike, make it the Lakes of Macun. This spectacular 21-kilometer loop leads past 23 sparkling glacial lakes.
Oulanka National Park, Finland
Tucked up against the Russian border in Finland’s serene northeast, Oulanka National Park stretches from Koillismaa into the fringes of Lapland. This park offers the kind of true wilderness escape that feels increasingly rare. Once roamed by the Sámi until the 17th century, the area still echoes with a nomadic spirit, where modern-day adventurers can unplug and drift into nature’s rhythm.
The landscape is a dramatic patchwork of roaring rivers, shadowy gorges, misty moors, swaying pine, birch, spruce forests, and wetlands that shimmer with stillness. Whether you’re hiking, cycling, canoeing, or rafting, chances are the only soundtrack will be the rush of water and the crunch of your boots.
Keep your eyes peeled—this is also the quiet domain of brown bears, reindeer, lynx, moose, and the elusive wolverine. For the full immersion, take on the legendary Karhunkierros Trail: an 82-kilometer, multi-day trek that leads you past the plunging Oulanka Canyon and the thunderous Jyrävä Falls.
Black Forest National Park, Germany
Nestled in the southwestern corner of Germany, Black Forest National Park feels like it leapt straight out of a Brothers Grimm tale. Spanning 100 square kilometers (39 square miles), this moody landscape is a patchwork of glacial valleys, misty moors dotted with heather, and mirror-like lakes.
Whether you’re cycling or hiking, you’ll likely have only the rhythm of woodpeckers, the distant call of cuckoos, and the occasional deer for company. For those looking to get their bearings, the national park center at Ruhestein is the best starting point, offering everything from trail maps to insights on local wildlife.
A drive along the scenic B500 Schwarzwaldhochstrasse—from the historic spa town of Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt—is a must. Be sure to stop at the storybook Mummelsee, a glacial cirque lake, and make the short but rewarding hike up to Hornisgrinde for sweeping panoramic views across the mystical Black Forest.
Parc National des Écrins, France
Tucked away in the French Alps, Parc National des Écrins offers some of the wildest, most unspoiled terrain in France. Spanning 918 square kilometers (354 square miles), this is the country’s second-largest national park and a haven for adventurers craving raw alpine beauty. Shaped by ancient glaciers, the landscape is a patchwork of rugged peaks, icy-blue lakes, roaring rivers, dense forests, and lush Alpine meadows.
Over 150 summits pierce the clouds here—none more commanding than Barre des Écrins, towering at 4102 meters (13,458 feet), a dream challenge for experienced climbers. With 740 kilometers (460 miles) of trails—many once used by shepherds—there’s endless hiking potential, especially from mid-June to mid-September when the weather is at its best.
Though the only inhabited spot within the park is the tiny hamlet of Dormillouse, a network of rustic mountain huts offers shelter for trekkers eager to take on long-distance routes. Not-to-miss hikes include the glacier-fed Glacier Blanc, the steep ascent from Dormillouse, and the demanding trek to the summit of Barre des Écrins.
Conclusion
Europe’s national parks are not just places—they’re experiences. They offer a chance to trade museum queues for mountain trails and ancient ruins for wild rivers. Whether you’re chasing glaciers or goat tracks, these parks prove that when it comes to the great outdoors, Europe plays to win.
