Extended routes in Europe (Fin, Nor, Fra, Esp, Ita)

[nickthetasmaniac]

Hi everyone, this is a bit last minute but I thought I'd ask anyway...

In about a week I'm flying to Helsinki, Finland for the start of a four month European trip. A fairly major component of the trip will be hiking and I will be taking a full kit (pack, bag, mat, stove, tent etc...).

The basic itinerary (I'm terrible at being organised) is as follows:

- Finland (with possible trips to Norway and Sweden) - May 25 - end of June. I have family in Helsinki so I'll be hanging around for a while.
- Make my way to the Netherlands where I'm meeting with a friend on the 5th of July
- Couple of weeks in the Netherlands with trips to Belgium, Germany, Denmark and so on...
- My Dutch friend and I are then making our way to Astorga to complete the last section of the Camino de Santiago with another friend (who is actually from Santiago) - probably over the last 12 days of July.
- Make my way to France and complete two of the central sections of the Hautes Pyrenees - probably from Borce to Barèges (172km).
- Make my way to Milan to meet another friend, and hopefully do a walk in the Dolomites.
- Back to France (Brittany) to meet another friend on the 3rd of September. Stay up this way for a few weeks and then fly home to employment

So, my main query is - does anyone have any suggestions for extended hikes in Finland, Spain (particularly the north), France (particularly the Pyrenees and Brittany) and Italy (particularly the Milan region and the Dolomites)? I'm fit, experienced and I'll be self-sufficient, so anything goes within reason As I said, my itinery is very loose at the moment and can be adjusted to fit with any cool suggestions...

Also, does anyone who's done extended backpacking (to hike) have any suggestions on specific gear/issues?

Cheers, Nick

[vagrom]

See Richard Sale's Great Walks of Europe!

[Stibb]

...any suggestions on specific gear/issues?

Bring HEAPS of mozzie repellent for northern Scandinavia at that of the year And forget anything from Sweden, they are not effective. Not sure about Finland.

I would also bring one of those eye covers you get from some airlines to be able to sleep (more comfy and efficient than pulling down your beanie imo). It will be light even at night.

Sounds like a great trip! Have fun!

[doogs]

Spain- Picos de Europa sound fun. My brother got married in northern Spain and I had planned a trip to these mountains too but I enjoyed beach, beer and tapas a bit too much!
Any walk GR (Grande Randonee) walk in France is worth a look, I did some of the tour of Mont Blanc years ago and it was awesome and years before that one along the Loire valley. I am sure there would be an amazing GR walk in the Pyrenees and a decent one in Britany too.
On the off chance you end up in Scotland do the Cuillin ridge on the Isle of Skye best the UK has to offer by far

[vagrom]

See Richard Sale's Great Walks of Europe!

Excellent book for up to date (2010) and detailed info, plus details on maps,transport, resources etc.
Seven copies in Victorian libraries- see Trove and one at North Adelaide.
Two copies in Hobart's LINC library system, one on loan and the other on shelf . There should be more, Tassie being the bushwalking state. Photos very good. A biggish book but easily portable- NOT for walking.
A few of the GR's including 3 parallel walk choices for the entire Pyrenees; the 10, 11 and Haute Route. The Sierra Nevada in southern Spain and a very good piece on the Kungsleden in northern Sweden.
...and that's not all!