Hiking holidays are more than just a travel trend — they’ve become a lifestyle choice for millions of people seeking both physical and mental rejuvenation in nature. From steep alpine ascents to tranquil forest walks, hiking appeals to a wide range of travelers, with recent surveys showing that 1 in 4 holidaymakers now prioritize walking and hiking routes when planning a trip. Whether it’s the sense of accomplishment from reaching a summit or the simple joy of escaping into peaceful landscapes, hiking offers a unique and rewarding experience that continues to gain traction around the globe.

As the summer holiday season approaches, more travelers are lacing up their boots in search of the best trails Europe has to offer. But with so many options across the continent — from the dramatic Dolomites to the serene White Mountains — where should hikers go for the ultimate adventure in 2025?

To answer that, Live Football Tickets analyzed over 171,000 hiking trails across Europe, evaluating them by popularity, difficulty, user ratings, and trail specifications to identify the very best destinations for summer hiking this year. The results might surprise you — while traditional powerhouses like Switzerland make a strong showing, it’s smaller and often overlooked countries like Liechtenstein, Romania, and Latvia that dominate the top of the list.

Let’s explore the top European countries for hiking in summer 2025 — and discover why more and more people are choosing to travel by trail.

Key findings

• Hikes across the UK rank eighth best in Europe – from Snowdonia to Scafell Pike
• Liechtenstein takes the crown as Europe’s best-rated hiking destination, scoring an impressive 90.8 out of 100
• Underrated destinations rank highly, with countries like Romania (88.8) and Latvia (88.6) outperforming the most popular European hiking spots

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Which European country has the best-rated hiking trails?

     1. Liechtenstein – 90.8 out of 100

With more than 30 peaks reaching 2000m, this small country, known for its medieval castles and alpine landscapes, ranks as the best European country for hiking trails this summer.

Despite Liechtenstein reporting the fourth-highest average difficulty (79.2/10), Live Football Tickets discovered that the destination ranks highly due to its large mix of terrain and historical sites. Of the 134 registered hiking routes, Alpspitz Gipfelkreuz Rundweg and Schalun/Vaduz Castle Ruins are among the most loved by hikers.

     2. Bulgaria & Serbia – 89.4 out of 100

Bulgaria and Serbia tie in second place, both achieving a high score of 89.4. From the Seven Rila Lakes in Bulgaria to Stara Planina National Park in Serbia, the two countries offer different opportunities due to their landscapes. Bulgaria’s high mountains offer alpine scenery and challenging scrambles up high, with the third-longest average hiking trail length (56.42 km). Whereas Serbia’s mountains and rivers take centre stage as hikers enjoy the tranquillity and hidden gems.

     3. Estonia – 89.3 out of 100

In third place is Estonia, with the Viru nature trail and loops in Hara being the best rated by hikers. Live Football Tickets found that the trails in Estonia are among the most accessible in Europe, ranking the fifth lowest for average difficulty rating (43.2/10) despite the average trail length being almost 35km! Nicknamed ‘Europe’s longest meditation’ by Lonely Planet, the Baltic Coastal Trail’s long-distance hiking route connects Estonia’s coastline with the rest of the Baltics.

     4. Switzerland – 89 out of 100

Although Switzerland’s hikes are the fifth hardest in Europe overall, they rank fourth best across the continent, scoring 89 out of 100. With almost 8,000 registered hiking trails, Lake Oeschinen’s 8.9-km loop is the highest-scoring hike. Whether you want to ascend a peak, hike through alpine meadows or explore a forest, Switzerland has it all.

     5. Romania – 88.8 out of 100

From the Carpathian Mountains to Dracula’s Castle, Romania has a vast range of landscapes and terrain for hikers to discover. Following closely behind Switzerland, scoring 88.8 out of 100, hikers enjoy the country’s uncrowded trails, which offer a more peaceful experience, whilst also appreciating its untamed wilderness and rugged terrain.

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    8. United Kingdom – 87.1 out of 100

From the Lake District to Snowdonia, the UK has a huge number of countryside hikes which some say rival the views of New Zealand and even the French Alps. Scoring a huge 87.1 out of 100, the UKranks as eighth best for hiking in Europe. Hikers can expect well-maintained and clearly marked trails, connecting historical sites and national parks, where the right to roam is in tact almost everywhere without the need for entry fees or permits, making it extremely desirable for travellers.

To round off the top 10 best European countries to hike this summer, Latvia (88.6), Wales (88.1), Poland (87.8), the United Kingdom (87.1), Austria (86.6) and Hungary (86.5) follow.

Please find the full ranking here.

Conclusion

With breathtaking landscapes, diverse terrains, and an increasing number of well-maintained trails, Europe continues to cement its place as a premier hiking destination. Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic alpine views of Liechtenstein, the peaceful forests of Estonia, or the rugged wilderness of Romania, there’s a perfect path waiting for every type of traveler.

According to global tourism data, over 250 million people engage in hiking-related activities each year — from casual walkers to hardcore trail enthusiasts — making it one of the fastest-growing forms of outdoor tourism. As more people seek meaningful, active, and sustainable ways to explore the world, it’s clear that hiking isn’t just a trend — it’s a global movement.

So, where will your boots take you this summer?

Methodology

1. Live Football Tickets analysed 171,077 hiking trails across Europe using public, user-added data from the outdoor trail guide website AllTrails.

2. They collected the trail location, length, difficulty ranking, user rating, popularity and number of reviews. From this, the average trail length, difficulty and user rating was calculated to gather an overall picture of the country’s hikes.

3. Countries with fewer than 100 hiking trails were removed due to the low number of overall reviews, in a bid to avoid skewed information. These were Kosovo, Russia, Montenegro, Andorra, San Marina, Belarus, Turkey, Ukraine, Albania, Vatican City, Moldova, North Macedonia and Monaco. Data was collected in April 2025 and is subject to change.