A road trip sounds much more appealing when you have somewhere scenic to drive through and an efficient and comfortable vehicle to explore in. And where is more scenic than a national park? National parks across Europe are varied, diverse and stunningly beautiful, with hiking trails, hills, forests, valleys and lakes to explore and take in. What’s more, you can drive through these national parks, so if you’re wondering where to go on your next road trip adventure, we’ve got you covered!
Schwarzwald Nationalpark, Germany
Germany is known for its dense forested areas and large open spaces, but the best one to explore by car is Schwarzwald, also known as the Black Forest National Park. One of the best things about this park is its lack of restrictions on where you can and can’t drive. You can drive along the main road, which is pretty central, and explore the surrounding green hills and forests on foot.
It can take around 30 minutes to 1 hour to drive through the entire park, but you can extend or shorten the journey time to suit you. Why not try the spacious and comfortable VW T-ROC, or the stylish and practical Volvo V60, to get you around?
Lake District, UK
The Lake District in north-western England is arguably the UK’s best-known national park. From glistening lakes to mountainous hills and swathes of green trails that are perfect for hiking, the Lake District is a natural paradise that can be explored via car, foot or bus. There are a number of local towns and hotels dotted around the national park if you want to make a weekend getaway out of it, and they make for a quaint and scenic drive.
Consider renting a vehicle from Manchester Airport and driving to the Lake District, which is around a 1 hour 30 minute drive. Some of the vehicles you can rent with Holiday Cars that are perfect for a trip around the Lake District include the 7-seater SEAT Alhambra, the BMW X5, or the VW Polo, depending on the reason you’re travelling.
Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
Iceland as a whole is rife with natural attractions, from rocky cliffs and geothermal springs, to black-sand beaches and vast valleys of green. There are also national parks galore, with Thingvellir being a top contender. When driving from Keflavik Airport, it takes around 1 hour to get to the national park, and you can continue your driving journey through the park, where permitted. You can expect rolling hills, vast rocky cliffs, waterfalls and stunning hiking trails if you want to park up and explore the area further.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be on the lookout for a certain type of vehicle to take on your journey around Iceland. Luckily, you can find a wide range of vehicle types, from small but practical economy cars that may suit couples or solo travellers, to luxury vehicles and SUVS/passenger vans, which may be more appealing to families or large groups. Holiday Cars’ site is the best place to browse affordable vehicles.
Teide National Park, Tenerife
If you’re a frequent visitor to Spain’s Canary Islands, you’ll likely have heard of this natural icon. Located in Tenerife, the Teide National Park can be explored on foot or by car. Characterised by the volcano that towers above swathes of rolling hills and unique rock formations. Teide National Park’s closest airport is Tenerife South, which is around a 40-minute drive. You can partially drive up the volcano, but to reach the very peak, you’ll need to take a cable car or other means of transport and leave the car behind.
Peneda Geres National Park, Portugal
This protected national park is home to a variety of wildlife species and native animals, as well as hiking trails of varying difficulty, rugged terrain, waterfalls and rolling hills, and quaint villages and towns close by. You can drive up to the entrance of the park and in certain areas, but the park is arguably best explored on foot.
If you do plan to take a vehicle, be aware that the road conditions can be difficult to drive on, and some roads can be lengthy and remote. Because of this, it’s a good idea to opt for a vehicle that can handle most types of terrain, and one that is efficient and can go long distances. The VW Tiguan or Suzuki Vitara may be good options for efficient and practical vehicles, and you can find both these vehicles, plus a load more, at Tenerife South Airport.
Jotunheimen National Park, Norway
Norway is perhaps known for its fjords, valleys and lakes, and you can find all three at Jotunheimen National Park. Breathtaking views, ski excursions, hiking and biking trails of varying difficulty and stunning scenery are what await you when you visit this park. If you want to take a road trip around Norway, consider renting a vehicle from Oslo Airport, which is around a 3-hour drive from Jotunheimen.
There is a main scenic road that runs through the park that offers stunning panoramic views and easy driving, but you may need to park and explore on foot at certain points. Because of its remote location, you likely can’t easily access the park without a vehicle, so it gives you an incentive to rent one if you’re planning a road trip or Jotunheimen excursion. Depending on the time of year, you can partake in skiing or hiking through the greenery and vast peaks, but it’s all down to preference, as is the vehicle you choose to get you around.
Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
If there’s one thing Austria is known for, it’s snowy Alpine peaks and ski resorts. What you can expect from the Hohe Tauern is a perfect blend of lush greenery and forested areas, and alpine views and landscapes. Featuring winding mountain roads and clifftop roads, there are many routes you can take by car to experience the best views you could possibly imagine. Depending on the type of route you want to take, you may want to hire a vehicle accordingly– e.g., if you’re thinking of driving through the Alps, you may want a vehicle that can handle driving on different terrain than normal roads.
Innsbruck Airport is the closest to the national park and offers a wide range of vehicles suitable for all types of driving and terrain. Consider the Kia Sportage, Volvo XC40 or SEAT Ateca for off-road routes or alpine roads, as these can be all-wheel or 4x4 drive vehicles that are best suited for diverse terrain. A popular ski destination for both avid and first-time skiers, the Hohe Tauern is perfect for all types of excursions and travellers.
Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Slovenia may initially be low on your travel list as you may not know much about the country, but one of the main reasons for its bustling tourist scene is its natural beauty, with glistening glacial lakes, mountains, forests and luscious rolling hills. The country’s only national park, Triglav, combines all of Slovenia’s natural beauty in one place that is easily accessible and definitely worth the trip. Triglav hosts a wide range of plant and animal species, and is known for its mountainous backdrops and driving routes that offer panoramic views of some of the park’s best features.
Driving through or around the park is popular, with various routes taking you on a scenic tour of the park. Ljubljana Airport is around a 30-minute drive from the park and offers a wide range of car rental options to suit your needs. When driving through different terrains, it’s a good idea to carefully consider the vehicle you hire, as well as for your personal circumstances.
Book with Holiday Cars today
If you want to find the best deals and range of vehicles, choose Holiday Cars. We liaise and partner closely with Europe’s top car rental companies to bring you the best deals on vehicles of all types. Whether you’re taking a road trip around Europe, want to partake in some off-roading, or simply want to explore your surroundings in a convenient and hassle-free way, we have the best vehicles to suit your needs ready and waiting.