Europe is known as a continent full of amazing nature and breathtaking hiking trails. To help hiking enthusiasts choose their next destination in the continent, the travel agency Hut to Hut Hiking Dolomites recently published a study examining a variety of parameters in order to find the perfect destination for a nature hike.
The travel agency examined for each European country the following parameters: The number of hiking trails and their length, maximum climbing height on the trails, average rainfall, the number of options for beginner hikers, traveler reviews, and online ratings.
After analyzing all the information, it was found that the best country for hiking in Europe is France. In France there are 5,954 kilometers of hiking trails divided into 39,387 different routes, with a maximum height reaching 4,806 meters. The trails span diverse landscapes, from the snowy Alps to hiking routes overlooking the lavender fields in Provence.
The study also noted that the amount of rainfall in the country is low and that there are over one million online reviews of the hiking trails, which provides hikers with a great deal of information. The main disadvantage is that France is not defined as a good place for beginners, since according to the study only 1.3 percent of the trails are considered easy.
Which countries are next on the list?
In second place is Spain, thanks to 7,508 kilometers of hiking trails. Spain lost the first place due to a low number of trail reviews.
In third place came the United Kingdom, with 5,306 kilometers of trails. It stands out especially due to the large number of online trail reviews, which amounts to over 2 million reviews. A significant disadvantage is the high percentage of rainy days in the country, which may affect the hiking experience.
But of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg. In Europe there are more than 40 countries, ten main mountain ranges, and over 500 national parks – a huge number of hiking routes that can be explored on foot.