Hiking is the most effective way to experience nature, and Europe offers a wide variety of landscapes, from alpine trails to the Mediterranean coastline. As for the second kind of stimulus, a stronger one, it’s important to note that music can also be a great auditory backdrop for hiking. Sometimes it’s nice to focus on walking, but the right music sets the mood for an intense climb or a relaxed stroll through a loose meadow.

The survey revealed that 80% of users listen to music to improve their mood. Below you will discover how to choose the right genre of music depending on the type of route you intend to take.

Mountain Hikes

Alpine treks are one of the best hikes in Europe including the Swiss Alps - Pyrenees, Dolomites, or other steep high-altitude routes that evoke a sense of mountain peak majesty. The music you choose for such hikes should be majestic and intense to match your environment.

Classical and orchestral music: Composers such as Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Tchaikovsky created larger-scale compositions that can be directly associated with mountains. Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, or Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake can be as thrilling or grueling as the climb.

Epic soundtracks: The Lord of the Rings and Gladiator have the kind of rousing, loud, sprawling orchestral movements that make you feel like you’re part of a grand adventure. Filled with drama and emotion, they’re perfect for long high-altitude hikes like trekking in the Mont Blanc massif. Moreover, studies show that listening to music can reduce the perception of effort, making strenuous activity easier and more enjoyable.

Post-rock for contemplation: When you stop to admire landscapes as beautiful as the ones you can capture in photographs, few things are better than the melodic post-rock of Explosions in the Sky or the ethereal vocals of Sigur Rós. These soundscapes can be listened to both on certain sections of the Haute Route and while hiking around the Matterhorn.

Coastal Hikes

From the coastal Tuscany trail of the iconic Cinque Terre to scarily exposed cliffs of the Scottish highlands, Europe holds various trails that give hikers beautiful ocean views and sounds. Coastal hikes can be done through easy or moderate terrains, but fresh sea breezes and the constant sound of waves contribute to a unique atmosphere in which to choose your music.

Coastal trails provide a natural vibe, and let your hair down. The trails are enjoyable, providing that refreshing charge, so the accompaniment by upbeat and feel-good music is ideal. Fun, upbeat music with catchy tunes is best listened to than formally, that is performers such as Vampire Weekend, Of Monsters and Men, or Fleetwood Mac and their songs best fitted for a walk near the sea. Some nice jingles can make you walk briskly, and at the same time not feel that the natural view of the coast is being overshadowed.

If you like something less guitar-driven and more electronic, Bonobo, Odesza is for those hiking the Amalfi Coast or the Cornish Coastal Path. Their tracks are light and airy, perfect for constant groove on a sunny day or even by the water.

Cultural and Historical Hikes

Travel in Europe is rich in the sense that you will find a lot of tour trails that will take you through archeological, historical, and cultural sites. Some of these paths include the Camino de Santiago in Spain and The West Highland Way in Scotland where hikers are likely to think about the past while absorbing the customs of the area.

Instrumental Jazz or Blues: They deliver a sort of soul-searching quality to the historical pursuits which correlates with the character of hiking. What can Miles Davis or John Coltrane do to help one think as he is strolling through the ruins of ancient Roman or Medieval European cities? What is unique about jazz is that it has little features which enable a person to wonder about some history around.

Traditional European Music: Should you desire to hike culturally sensitive trails, incorporate traditional European music. That is why flamenco guitar Scottish bagpipes or French chanson can name among themselves as a kind of factor that will deepen the bond between travelers and the culture of the country. Exploring wine trails that go through Burgundy or Tuscany can be even more exciting when this is done with the soundtrack of the respective region playing in the background.

Film Scores for Drama: Some engage the imagination with the history of grand battles or the early human settlements. Orchestral scores from historical epic films such as The Last of the Mohicans or Brave Heart can give such expansiveness to these areas. The musical feelings are dramatic and intensive, they enrich the stories of Camino de Santiago, or Hadrian’s Wall, in the same manner.

To conclude, selecting the right music for a hiking trail can transform an ordinary hike into something more natural and harmonious, matching the rhythm of a person’s heartbeat. Whatever your hike in the Alps, along cliffs by the sea, or through a mystical forest, a carefully selected playlist ensures that all the senses, scenery, noises, and sensations come together. So be sure to turn off the music now and then and just listen to the symphony of the environment - it’s the most enjoyable song!

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