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Crown of Europe · The 2025 journey

Across Europe.
One mountain at a time.

From Elbrus to Kebnekaise: the story of a 61-day journey through the highest places in Europe.

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Adrian standing on the snowy Kebnekaise summit with arms raised
Kebnekaise, Sweden · 10 September 2025
61days on the journey
47countries
45summits
2025one unforgettable summer

The journey

Two months.
A continent of stories.

On 11 July 2025 at 12:12, I stood on Mount Elbrus. On 10 September at 14:40, I reached Kebnekaise in Sweden, the final summit of my journey.

Between those moments came 61 days of mountains, borders, weather forecasts and long roads. My journey covered 45 summits across 47 countries. The challenge brought together my love of mountains, travel and photography—and the people who helped make it possible.

Europe’s high-point lists depend on geographic and political definitions. Some summits are shared by countries; other places on my journey were low hills, border points or urban landmarks. My original log below is a record of the places I visited, not a claim that every stop was a separate mountain.

The Crown of Europe challenge

What is the Crown of Europe?

One continent, many high points

The Crown of Europe is a challenge to visit the highest point of each European country, inspired by other mountain lists such as the Seven Summits. Different versions use different geographic and political boundaries, and shared summits can represent more than one country. The expedition log below records my own journey rather than a definitive list for every definition.

The places range from high alpine summits to gentle hills and accessible landmarks. Each offers a different perspective on Europe’s landscapes and communities.

Preparing for the journey

Routes vary greatly: some are straightforward walks, while mountains such as Mont Blanc and Großglockner require mountaineering experience, suitable equipment and, where appropriate, qualified guides. Build experience gradually and choose each objective for your own abilities.

Before travelling, check current weather, access rules, permits, travel advice and rescue insurance. Plan the route and equipment for the conditions, and be ready to turn back when necessary.

Adrian on a snowy mountain during the Elbrus trip
Elbrus · the journey begins
Adrian and his father at a picnic table
A breakfast on the road with my father

The story behind the numbers

A journey made of moments.

From ice to open roads

Elbrus marked the beginning. Two days later, my father and I reached high points in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Forest paths, roadside stops and a simple breakfast together were a world away from the glacier.

From there the route carried me through the Alps, across borders and eventually north to Scandinavia. Mont Blanc, Iceland’s glaciers and smaller high points each brought a different kind of day.

When the journey got harder

The challenge was more than the time spent climbing: every arrival, departure, night on the road and change of weather had to fit together. Injury, fatigue and difficult conditions became part of the story.

My father helped with driving and logistics, and my family supported me from home. I returned with a deeper appreciation for the people behind an individual journey—and for the decisions that bring you safely home.

Adrian on a snowy ridge in the Mont Blanc massif
Mont Blanc · July 2025

The final chapter

One last summit.
Kebnekaise.

After weeks on the move, the journey ended in Swedish Lapland. On 10 September 2025 I reached Kebnekaise and looked back on a summer that had taken me from high glaciers to some of Europe’s quietest hills.

Explore the Kebnekaise story ↗

Meet Adrian

Mountains, stories
and the people in between.

I’m Adrian Mazur, a Polish traveller and photographer based in London. I grew up in Zamość and have long been drawn to discovering places through both the journey and the photograph.

Crown of Europe started as a personal ambition: to connect the highest places across the continent in one continuous adventure. Today this site brings together practical guides, photographs and honest accounts of the days behind that journey.

I am proud of what this journey became and grateful to everyone who supported, believed in or followed it. It reminded me how much strength we can find when we keep moving forward, even when the road feels impossible.

Through Crown of Europe, I hope to inspire others to explore their own limits, pursue their dreams and connect with nature. Each mountain also tells a story about its country’s landscape and culture, and about the importance of protecting these places for the future.

The project is also a way to encourage open conversations about mental health and depression. By sharing my personal story and the resilience I found along the way, I hope to encourage people who are struggling to seek support and to know they are not alone.

Autumn colours in a valley on the way to Kebnekaise
Swedish Lapland · the approach
Adrian in sunglasses on snowy Kebnekaise
On the final mountain
Adrian pointing to a small marker near Kneiff
Kneiff · a different kind of high point

The expedition log

Every stop tells a story.

These 45 dated entries reproduce the itinerary from my original record page, including Ben Nevis as a separate Scotland stop. Heights are the historical figures recorded in that post and can differ from current measurements. The date of Maglić is uncertain in my notes. The St Peter’s Dome entry is a visit to a built landmark, not a claim about Vatican City’s natural high point.

Explore the full journey log ↓
  1. 11.07 – Elbrus, Russia – 5 642 m
  2. 13.07 – Kneiff, Luxembourg – 560 m
  3. 13.07 – Vaalserberg, Netherlands – 322 m
  4. 13.07 – Signal de Botrange, Belgium – 694 m
  5. 15.07 – Mont Blanc, France/Italy – 4 809 m
  6. 16.07 – Chemin des Révoires, Monaco – 161 m
  7. 17.07 – St Peter’s Basilica Dome, Vatican – 137 m
  8. 17.07 – Monte Titano, San Marino – 739 m
  9. 18.07 – Triglav, Slovenia – 2 864 m
  10. 19.07 – Großglockner, Austria – 3 798 m
  11. 23.07 – Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland – 2 110 m
  12. 25.07 – Grauspitz, Liechtenstein – 2 599 m
  13. 26.07 – Zugspitze, Germany – 2 962 m
  14. 27.07 – Møllehøj, Denmark – 171 m
  15. 28.07 – Galdhøpiggen, Norway – 2 469 m
  16. 29.07 – Halti, Finland – 1 324 m
  17. 02.08 – Dufourspitze, Switzerland – 4 634 m
  18. 04.08 – Carrauntoohil, Ireland – 1 038 m
  19. 05.08 – Ben Nevis, Scotland – 1 345 m
  20. 06.08 – Ta’ Dmejrek, Malta – 253 m
  21. 07.08 – Coma Pedrosa, Andorra – 2 943 m
  22. 08.08 – Torre, Portugal – 1 993 m
  23. 09.08 – Mulhacén, Spain – 3 479 m
  24. 11.08 – Hoverla, Ukraine – 2 061 m
  25. 12.08 – Moldoveanu, Romania – 2 544 m
  26. 13.08 – Olympus, Cyprus – 1 952 m
  27. 14.08 – Mahya Dağı, Turkey (Europe) – 1 031 m
  28. 16.08 – Korab, Albania/North Macedonia – 2 764 m
  29. 17.08 – Zla Kolata, Montenegro – 2 534 m
  30. 18/19.08 (date uncertain) – Maglić, Bosnia & Herzegovina – 2 386 m
  31. 21.08 – Midžor, Serbia – 2 169 m
  32. 26.08 – Dinara, Croatia – 1 831 m
  33. 27.08 – Kékes, Hungary – 1 014 m
  34. 28.08 – Sněžka, Czechia/Poland – 1 603 m
  35. 29.08 – Dzyarzhynskaya Hara, Belarus – 345 m
  36. 30.08 – Aukštojas, Lithuania – 294 m
  37. 31.08 – Gaiziņkalns, Latvia – 312 m
  38. 31.08 – Suur Munamägi, Estonia – 318 m
  39. 02.09 – Velika Rudoka, Kosovo – 2 658 m
  40. 03.09 – Olympus, Greece – 2 918 m
  41. 04.09 – Musala, Bulgaria – 2 925 m
  42. 05.09 – Bălănești, Moldova – 430 m
  43. 07.09 – Rysy, Poland – 2 499 m
  44. 07.09 – Gerlachovský štít, Slovakia – 2 655 m
  45. 10.09 – Kebnekaise, Sweden – 2 097 m

Different lists count shared summits, constituent countries and disputed or non-mountain high points in different ways. My journey covered 45 summits across 47 countries; the log contains 45 dated entries, including a separate stop in Scotland.

Further reading

More from the journey.

Read the expedition update in Outdoor Magazyn ↗, an interview with Adrian ↗, and the Kolosy 2026 programme ↗.

There is more to discover

Every summit has a story.

Explore the mountains ↗