Europe's top 5 destinations for a summer hike

Europe boasts a wide range of terrains, from mountains and forests to coastlines and glacial areas. You can hike through the Alps, explore the boreal forests of Sweden, or traverse the rugged Scottish Highlands. Many hiking trails in Europe are well-marked and maintained, with options for all skill levels, including well-trodden pilgrimage routes like the Camino de Santiago.

The extensive network of villages, mountain huts, and public transportation makes it easy to access trails, find accommodation, and get back to civilization if needed, even for long-distance hiking. A quarter of travellers say walking and hiking routes are among their most significant priorities when booking a holiday, and with summer holidays fast approaching, where's best to visit? Live Football Tickets analysed 171,000 hiking trails across Europe, assessing their popularity, difficulty, specifications and user ratings to determine which European country has the best hiking trails in summer 2025.

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.

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.

Though we didn't make it into the top five, the UK ranks as eighth best for hiking in Europe, scoring a huge 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.

Hikers can expect well-maintained and clearly marked trails, connecting historical sites and national parks, where the right to roam is intact almost everywhere without the need for entry fees or permits, making it extremely desirable for travellers.