AllTrails reveals 25 must-hike trails for 2025

Pull yourself up by the bootstraps, because AllTrails have just dropped the 25 trails you need to have your eye on this year.

AllTrails has its finger on the pulse of what’s hot in the world of hiking, and its 2025 list of 25 hikes does not disappoint. From witnessing millions of monarch butterflies in Mexico to stargazing in the USA’s dark sky reserves and spotting rare birdlife in Mauritius, these trails offer unforgettable experiences you won’t want to miss. Get ready to circle your calendar, here’s where to hike in 2025.

Oceania

New Zealand is a hiker’s paradise the only country in Oceania to make AllTrails’ list. The Hump Ridge Track, a three-day walk, has become the latest addition to New Zealand’s prestigious Great Walks series. Although the trail has existed since 2001, it underwent significant upgrades and officially became the country’s eleventh Great Walk at the end of 2024.

The Hump Ridge Track is New Zealand’s newest Great Walk.

Located in the far south of New Zealand’s South Island, the Hump Ridge Track winds through lush forests and along sandy beaches teeming with wildlife. Keep an eye out for dolphins, if you’re lucky, you might even swim with them. The newest Great Walk joins esteemed company, with the renowned Milford Track and Kepler Track not too far away.

Europe

Europe was well-represented on AllTrails’ list of the best hikes for the year ahead, with a total of six mentions, including the top trail. Italy’s Il Sentiero della Pace (Path of Peace) in the Dolomites was deemed the most unmissable trail on the list. Recently upgraded, the track offers a unique combination of First World War history and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Italy’s Path of Peace, which takes in WWI history as well as beautiful vistas, topped AllTrails’ list.

England’s Lake District was also highlighted as a section on the epic coast-to-coast walk, which takes hikers across the width of the country. The Lake District section has inspired legendary poets such as William Wordsworth, whose grave can be found along the route. France was listed for its Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval to Le Bout du Monde track, a breathtaking loop that delights hikers with over 30 lush waterfalls.

England’s Coast to Coast Track takes walkers across the width of the country,

Spain earned a mention for the historic Roman-era gold mines near León, which can be explored along the Las Médulas – Pico de los Gallegos track.

And Switzerland received a nod for its Path of the Planets, an 11-kilometre track featuring scaled solar system models, allowing hikers to experience the galaxy amidst numerous celestial events happening in 2025.

Switzerland’s Path of the Planets is mapped in relation to the orbital path of all nine planets.

The inclusion of the Amsterdam City Walk invites walkers to swap their hiking boots for city shoes in celebration of the city’s 750th anniversary.

The Reinebringen hike, made up of 1500 steps, takes in incredible views of Norway’s fjords.

And Norway rounded out the list at number 25 – no surprise for a country renowned for its mountainous landscapes. Experience the midnight sun from mid-May until mid-July, especially from the view atop the Reinebringen hike, recently made accessible by a staircase of 1500 stairs completed by Nepalese Sherpas.

North America

North America dominated AllTrails’ list, with hikes stretching from coast to coast. Several major anniversaries are bringing new attention to historic trails, including Boston’s Freedom Trail, which takes walkers through key sites of the American Revolution—just in time for its 250th anniversary in 2026. For those who prefer adrenaline over history, the Ozarks continue to be a top-tier destination for mountain biking, with AllTrails spotlighting the Slaughter Pen Trail in Arkansas, known for its thrilling singletrack routes.

Retrace the steps of the American Revolution on Boston’s Freedom Trail.

Stargazers are in for a treat, with several astronomy-themed hikes making the cut. Idaho’s Alice-Toxaway and Edith Lake Loop, located within the USA’s first Dark Sky Reserve, offers breathtaking views of the Perseid meteor shower (active from mid-July to late August). Meanwhile, Badlands National Park’s Medicine Root and Castle Trail Loop will host an Astronomy Festival, and Texas’ Lost Mine Trail in Big Bend National Park is a prime spot to witness a rare planetary alignment.

Idaho’s Alice-Toxaway and Edith Lake Loop is in the USA’s first Dark Sky Reserve.

Beyond the night skies, Canada’s Four Lakes Trail boasts some of the bluest waters imaginable, while Alaska’s Chilkoot Pass Trail invites hikers to relive the Klondike Gold Rush. Nature lovers can also walk among ancient trees on California’s Methuselah Trail, celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail, and experience the magic of fireflies on South Carolina’s Firefly Trail.

Relive the Klondike Gold Rush on the Chilkoot Pass Trail

Latin America

The entries for Latin America on AllTrails’ list were few but powerful. Mexico’s annual monarch butterfly migration secured the number two spot on the list, where millions of butterflies journey from the USA to Mexico after breeding. Witness the spectacle by walking a 10-kilometre loop around Cerro Pelón, one of Mexico’s monarch butterfly sanctuaries.

Monarchs butterflies migrate to Mexico every year (Image: yhelfman via Getty Images)

Costa Rica also earned a mention for the Camino de Costa Rica, a long-distance coast-to-coast hike created by locals. The trail takes in some of the country’s most stunning beaches and jungles that have made Costa Rica one of the world’s most idyllic destinations. AllTrails highlighted Segment 5, which offers breathtaking vistas from the peaks of the Talamanca Mountains that are bursting with wildlife and the sounds of tropical birds.

The Camino de Costa Rica, a trail created by locals, spans the width of Costa Rica.

Asia

Representing Asia on AllTrails’ list is a trail to Nachi Falls in Japan, the country’s tallest single-drop waterfall. To arrive at the impressive landmark, take the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail, which winds through lush forests, ancient stone paths and passes sacred shrines. Japan may be known for its buzzing cities, but in 2025, it’s time to uncover some of the country’s pristine wilderness, too.

Nachi Falls is the largest single-drop waterfall in Japan, and the trail to get there takes in many shrines and temples.

Africa

The small African island of Mauritius may be modest in size, but its natural beauty is anything but. The Seven Cascades Short Loop made the list not only for its stunning scenery and beaches, but also for the diverse birdlife along the way. Walkers can spot rare species such as the endangered Mauritius kestrel and pink pigeon, particularly in Black River Gorges National Park—a fitting experience on the original island of the dodo.

Mauritius is and African island teeming with birdlife.

Here’s the full list:

1. Trento, Italy – Path of Peace Trail
2. Cerro Pelón, Mexico – Monarch Butterfly Migration Trail
3. Boston, USA – Freedom Trail
4. Idaho, USA – Alice-Toxaway and Edith Lake Loop
5. Southland, New Zealand – Hump Ridge Track
6. Arkansas, USA – Slaughter Pen Trail
7. Nachikatsuura, Japan – Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail
8. New Hampshire, USA – Smarts Mountain Trail
9. Haute-Savoie, France – Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval Loop
10. South Carolina, USA – Congaree Firefly Trail
11. Texas, USA – Big Bend National Park Trail
12. Washington, USA – Olympic National Park Trail
13. Cumbria, England – Coast to Coast Walk
14. South Dakota, USA – Badlands National Park Trail
15. Missouri, USA – Katy Trail
16. León, Spain – Las Médulas Trail
17. Minnesota, USA – Voyageurs National Park Trail
18. Saint Luc, Switzerland – Swiss Alps Trail
19. Amsterdam, Netherlands – Amsterdam City Trail
20. Alaska, USA – Chilkoot Pass Trail
21. Plaines Wilhems, Mauritius – Seven Cascades Short Loop
22. California, USA – Methuselah Trail
23. British Columbia, Canada – Four Lakes Trail
24. Cartago, Costa Rica – Camino de Costa Rica
25. Nordland, Norway – Reinebringen Trail