The 8 Most Travel-Worthy Hiking Trails Around the World to Add to Your 2026 Bucket List, According to AllTrails
For travelers already mapping out next year’s adventures, AllTrails has narrowed the world down to a short list worth booking flights for. The online platform, which curates trails for nature lovers using real member experiences and local partner insights, has released its Travel-Worthy Trails list — and the 8 hiking trails it highlights span four continents, from dormant French volcanoes to medieval English moorlands.
“We searched the world using real experiences from AllTrails members and insights from our local partners to select these special spots,” Carly Smith, chief marketing officer of AllTrails, told USA TODAY 10 Best. “These once-in-a-lifetime destinations will inspire you to plan a trip or just get outside closer to home.”
For more information: Inside the Inn-to-Inn Walking Tour Trend Drawing Walkers to Scotland, Spain and Vermont’s Scenic Trails
Here’s where to go — and what makes each spot worth the trip.
Europe’s Mountain Hiking Destinations for 2026
Three of the eight picks are clustered in Europe, and each offers a different flavor of mountain hiking. The Tatra Mountains form a natural boundary between Poland and Slovakia, with trails on both sides of the border. Tatra National Park is rated the No. 1 national park in Poland, and the historic mountain resort town of Zakopane gives hikers a base with a distinctive mountain-town culture.
On the Slovakian side, the High Tatras deliver mountain lakes, waterfalls and flocks of sheep grazing among rocky crests. The untouristed Pieniny Mountains soar along the Polish-Slovak border for hikers looking to skip the crowds. AllTrails suggests extending a Tatra trip to Kraków, the UNESCO World Heritage city within reach.
Farther south, the Julian Alps cross Italy, Slovenia and Austria — an ecologically rich region AllTrails calls a hidden gem. The Alpe-Adria Trail threads through Austria’s glacial valleys and alpine meadows, Slovenia’s dense forests and the rolling hills of Italy. Slovenia’s Soča Valley carries deep World War I history, with a museum in Kobarid covering clashes between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces. Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, rewards hikers with turquoise lakes and glacier edges.
France’s Massif Central rounds out the European picks with dormant volcanoes, deep river gorges and lush plateaus. Its crown jewel is the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of geologically young dormant volcanoes that have been inactive for 10,000 years. The terrain is difficult — AllTrails flags it as a destination for experienced, intensive hikers only.
Bucket-List Trails in Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Across the Atlantic and into the Southern Hemisphere, the list leans into remote wilderness and wide-open landscapes. Kluane National Park and Reserve in Canada’s Yukon offers 14 trails, including old mining roads, the Kathleen Lake perimeter and Thechàl Dhâl, also known as Sheep Mountain. According to Parks Canada, hiking is the most popular activity among visitors.
The park delivers high mountain peaks, massive valley glaciers, boreal forests and sparkling lakes, along with iconic northern wildlife and the cultural heritage of the Southern Tutchone people.
Australia’s Margaret River is best known for its legendary wineries, but AllTrails argues the scenic hiking is just as impressive. The Cape to Cape Track is the region’s most famous route, and hikers typically need five to six days to complete it.
In New Zealand, the Queenstown Lakes District encompasses Mount Aspiring National Park and the Remarkables Conservation Area. There’s a trail for nearly every skill level — the Queenstown Gardens Loop offers an easier outing, while the Ben Lomond Track challenges hikers with a 3,316-foot elevation gain.
United Kingdom and United States Picks for 2026
The final two destinations bring the list back to two of the most-searched hiking countries on the planet. Northumberland, in the United Kingdom, weaves trails through medieval sites — castles, moorland and rugged coastlines. The region is diverse and scenic, with sandy beaches, coastal castles and remote wilderness in close range of one another. AllTrails calls it “Europe’s best Dark Sky destination,” making it a prime spot for stargazing after the trail ends.
In the United States, Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina earned a place on the list as part of the Appalachian Trail — one of the best-known hiking corridors in the country. It’s the largest of four national forests in North Carolina and sits in the second-wettest region in the continental U.S. after the Pacific Northwest, part of the Appalachian temperate rainforest.
For more information: Inside the Inn-to-Inn Walking Tour Trend Drawing Walkers to Scotland, Spain and Vermont’s Scenic Trails
Whether you have six hours or six months, AllTrails says Nantahala’s mix of rewarding trails and river activities can accommodate hikers at every experience level — making it a fitting close to a list built for travelers who want a trip planned around the trail itself.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
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