AllTrails Reveals 8 Bucket-List Hiking Trails Around the World Worth Planning a 2026 Trip Around
If your travel resolutions tend to fizzle by February, here is one worth booking now: AllTrails has named the 8 hiking trails it says every adventurer should walk in 2026, and several of them require planning months in advance. The list spans three continents, ranges from gentle lake loops to brutal volcanic climbs and pulls together the kind of bucket-list destinations that get harder to reach the longer you wait.
The picks come from AllTrails, the online platform that curates trails for nature lovers, in its newly released Travel-Worthy Trails list.
For more information: Inside the Inn-to-Inn Walking Tour Trend Drawing Walkers to Scotland, Spain and Vermont’s Scenic Trails
How AllTrails Chose Its 8 Hiking Trails for 2026
The platform did not pull the list from algorithms alone. AllTrails leaned on its own user base and a network of regional partners to surface places that reward the effort of getting there.
“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.”
The result is a mix of well-known parks and quieter corners — places where the hiking is the headline, not an afterthought to the rest of the trip.
The 8 Hiking Trails to Put on Your 2026 List
Tatra Mountains — Poland and Slovakia. Tatra National Park is rated the No. 1 national park in Poland, and the range forms a natural boundary with Slovakia, meaning trails on both sides. The historic resort town of Zakopane anchors the Polish side, while Slovakia’s High Tatras deliver mountain lakes, waterfalls and flocks of sheep among rocky crests. Hikers can extend the trip to Kraków, a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Julian Alps — Italy, Slovenia and Austria. The Alpe-Adria Trail threads through Austria’s glacial valleys, Slovenia’s dense forests and the rolling hills of Italy. Slovenia’s Soča Valley carries World War I history — a museum in Kobarid covers the clashes between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces — while Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, offers turquoise lakes at the glacier’s edge.
Massif Central — France. The crown jewel here is the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of geologically young dormant volcanoes inactive for 10,000 years. AllTrails flags this one as difficult terrain best suited to experienced, intensive hikers.
Kluane National Park and Reserve — Yukon, Canada. Hiking is the most popular activity among visitors, according to Parks Canada. The park’s 14 trails range from old mining roads to the perimeter of Kathleen Lake to Thechàl Dhâl, also known as Sheep Mountain, with northern wildlife and Southern Tutchone cultural heritage along the way.
Margaret River — Australia. Better known for its wineries, the region’s most famous walk is the Cape to Cape Track — a route that takes five to six days to fully hike.
Queenstown — New Zealand. The Queenstown Lakes District covers Mount Aspiring National Park and the Remarkables Conservation Area. The Queenstown Gardens Loop is the easy option; the Ben Lomond Track, with a 3,316-foot elevation gain, is for those who want a real climb.
For more information: Inside the Inn-to-Inn Walking Tour Trend Drawing Walkers to Scotland, Spain and Vermont’s Scenic Trails
Northumberland — United Kingdom. Trails weave through medieval castles, moorland and rugged coastlines. AllTrails calls it “Europe’s best Dark Sky destination,” making it a top pick for hikers who want to stargaze after sundown.
Nantahala National Forest — North Carolina. The only U.S. entry on the list is part of the Appalachian Trail and the largest of North Carolina’s four national forests. It is also the second wettest region in the continental U.S. after the Pacific Northwest, part of the Appalachian temperate rainforest — meaning lush trails and river activities for anyone hiking for six hours or six months.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
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