About EURO 48

Climbers: Mark McAllister & Robert Bazley

Bulgaria, June 2012

Europe – a prelude

In the south, the warm Mediterranean Sea laps the shores of Malta and Cyprus. To the north, deep within the Arctic Circle and buried in frozen tundra, rest the secluded mountains of Sweden and Finland. To the west lay the rolling emerald hills of Ireland and to the east, Russia’s mighty Caucus Mountains and the little known countries of Moldova, Ukraine and Romania. This is just a taste of what awaits us as we travel through Europe in an effort to reach the highest point in all of its 50 countries.

So What’s it all about?

Euro 48 is a ‘highpointers’ list that takes you to the top of every country in Europe and it’s the self-titled challenge that we (Mark & Bob) started in February 2011 to broaden our mountaineering experiences and get some adventure. It covers Europe’s greatest mountain ranges and many lesser known regions that are rarely visited by international hikers and climbers and taking you through some of the best scenery in Europe. The 48 highpoints also vary from gently sloping hills to rugged high alpine peaks to the Pope’s back yard. That said, they all hold a special place in the hearts of the people whose highest ground they mark and the adventure seekers who finally reach the top of them.

France, June 2011

Belarus, May 2013

Finding the actual high point can be as much a challenge as summiting them sometimes as they are normally off the beaten track and hidden miles away from anywhere, but this is what makes EURO 48 a true adventure. That said, you don't need to be a professional adventurer to attempt it. The real beauty of this project is that it's open to anyone and you can approach it in whatever way suits you best - be it a weekend break to the Vatican City highpoint or a week long tour of the Balkans, it's entirely up to you, Enjoy!