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(Last Updated On: 12/11/2021)

Are you a lover of the great outdoors? We’re talking forests, lakes, flora, and fauna. Hiking, biking, and general fresh-air goodness. Then discover the most beautiful national parks in Europe, and how to get there by train.

Forget the crowds, forget the beaches, forget cities and shopping, and come to relax in the best national parks in Europe.

Though visiting natural attractions such as forests can be complex on a train journey, that’s no reason to exclude them. These natural attractions offer the perfect contrast to the busy cities, and with just a bit of research, you’ll find they’re surprisingly convenient to reach with the help of Save A Train.

 

National Parks in Europe: Germany and Switzerland

Birds eye view of Saxon Switzerland which is part of National Parks in Europe

 

In spite of its confusing name, Saxon Switzerland National Park is very much in Germany. It’s a vast natural region that borders the northwestern Czech Republic. It’s the country’s only rock national park, but it’s also covered in outstanding forests. Many heads to the region to hike, but there’s also a fascinating history to explore, including the Konigstein Fortress.

How to get to Saxon Switzerland by train:

The nearest big city to the park is Dresden, which is easy to reach by rail from much of Germany. From there, S-Bahn trains connect to Saxon Switzerland every 30 minutes.

While you’re in Germany, we suggest you also visit the Black Forest. Perhaps central Europe’s most famous forest, this is not one to miss. This stunning mountainous region in southwest Germany has it all — dense evergreen forests, dramatic mountains, and quaint villages. It’s home to cuckoo clocks dating back to the 1700s, and many villages feel eerily stuck in a distant time. The fairy-tale atmosphere lends itself perfectly to full escapism from the real world, if that’s what you’re looking for!

How to get to The Black Forest by train:

One of the best ways to experience the Black Forest is by train. The Black Forest line runs between Offenburg and Konstanz. It offers incredible views of the region and stops in several towns along the way.

Offenburg to Konstanz Trains

Stuttgart to Offenburg Trains

Leipzig to Dresden Trains

Nuremberg to Stuttgart Trains

 

Belgium

Hallerbos Forest aka The Blue Forest

 

Hallerbos Forest, or “The Blue Forest”, is a stunning forest perfect for long scenic hikes. The vast carpets of bluebells that pop up in mid-April each year give the beautiful forest its name. There are also giant Sequoia trees that make a visit to this beautiful stretch of land a rejuvenating experience.

Note that the best time to visit Hallerbos to catch the bluebells is different every year and depends on the weather. The sooner the temperature rises, the sooner the flowers bloom. Now would be a great time to go, as it seems to have gotten warmer a bit later than mid-April this year. But it’s a race against time as warmer weather also means that the trees get their leaves back, depriving the bluebells of sunlight, which makes them turn grayish. No good for your Instagram pics!

Here’s a Tip:

When the bluebell season approaches, the website of the Hallerbos posts daily updates (during the week) about the condition of the bluebells. That way photographers and other visitors know whether it’s still too early to go, or whether they should hurry up.

How to get to Hallerbos Forest by train:

There are regular trains from Brussels to Halle that take just 16 minutes. From there, catch TEC bus number 114 to get to the forest entrance.

Ready to get your nature on? Then order that ticket to the great outdoors with the help of Save A Train. No hidden fees. Just great travel!

Brussels to Halle Trains

Antwerp to Halle Trains

Brugge to Halle Trains

Ghent to Halle Trains

 

HARDANGERVIDDA NATIONAL PARK, NORWAY

The largest national park in Norway is an outdoors-man’s paradise. The expansive plateau, one of the largest eroded plains in Europe at 2,500 square miles, is covered by scrubby moorlands and numerous lakes, rivers, and streams. Entirely above the treeline, you can see for miles in every direction, making it a great hotspot for hiking.

If you’re planning a long trek, be sure to pack a fishing pole: the waters here are teeming with fish. Fans of reindeer will find that Hardangervidda is among the best national parks for them, as its herds are some of the largest in the world. There’s nothing quite like watching thousands of reindeer move in harmony across the plains; it’s a sight everyone should see at some point in their lives.

Once you’re in Oslo, you need to get to Hardangervidda by train You can take the train from Oslo to Bo in Telemark. From there you can catch “Haukeliekspressen” to Rauland. You can also take the Bergen Railway from Oslo to a number of places that are great starting points for exploring Hardangervidda – Flam to Myrdal, Finse, Haugastol, Ustaoset, and Geilo.

From Bergen to Hardangervidda by train, The Bergen Railway stops at a number of places that are great starting points for exploring Hardangervidda – Myrdal, Finse, Haugastol, Ustaoset, and Geilo. You can also take the train to Voss and a bus from Voss to Eidfjord.

 

 

Ready to add some of the best National Parks in Europe to your bucket list? Let Save A Train help you get there quickly, and without added, hidden costs.

 

 

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