The Best Hiking Cities in the World Revealed 

● A new study from SportsShoes.com has named Rio de Janeiro as the best city in the world for hikers, followed by Mexico City and San Francisco.

● The US claims the most must-visit hiking cities in the top 20 – ten in total, including Los Angeles, Portland and Las Vegas.

● The rankings is based on data around popularity, quality and the number of hikes available.

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Travel means something different to everyone. For some it’s about soaking up a city’s culture, enjoying fascinating museums and sampling authentic cuisine. For others, it’s all about fresh air, big views, and getting out into nature. So, what do you do when your travel group wants both? 

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A new global study has the answer, revealing the cities that offer the best of both worlds - exciting urban escapes with top-rated hiking trails right on their doorstep.  

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SportsShoes.com used trail data to analyse the popularity, quality and quantity of hikes available in the world’s most popular tourist cities to pinpoint the top-rated hiking cities globally.  

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According to the results, it’s Rio de Janeiro that tops the list of must-visit hiking cities, thanks to its trails through Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban rainforest, as well as scenic hikes to the summit of Pedra da Gávea and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. 

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Mexico City and San Francisco place second and third on the list. In Mexico City, trails through the nearby national parks take you into quiet pine forests and volcanic landscapes, providing a peaceful contrast to the busy streets below. Meanwhile San Francisco boasts coastal routes like the Lands End Trail, panoramic treks in the Marin Headlands, and forested paths through the redwoods of Muir Woods, all of which are easily accessible from the city. 

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The World’s Top 20 City Breaks for Hikers ㅤ

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Half of the top 20 hiking cities are in the United States – and while places like Los Angeles (5th) and Portland (6th) are no surprise, others are more unexpected. Las Vegas (7th) and Nashville (11th) both rank highly, offering scenic trails that contrast with their lively reputations, while cities like Philadelphia and Washington D.C. prove great hiking can be found well beyond the West Coast. 

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The Asian cities of Kyoto (10th), Seoul (18th), and Kuala Lumpur (19th) offer a unique blend of nature and urban life. Kyoto’s trails pass through bamboo forests and historic temples, Seoul offers mountain hikes with city views, and Kuala Lumpur features jungle routes and waterfalls just minutes from the centre. 

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Elsewhere in the world, Cape Town leads Africa’s entries with its dramatic mountain and coastal trails, including the iconic Table Mountain. In Europe, Edinburgh and Marseille make the top list – Edinburgh for its hilly walks like those up to Arthur’s Seat which overlooks the historic city, and Marseille for coastal hikes along the Calanques. Sydney tops the list for Oceania, offering over 850 trails ranging from beachside walks to bushland tracks with harbour views. 

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Ben Mounsey, hiking and trail expert at SportsShoes.com comments: “What this research shows is that you don’t have to head deep into the wilderness to find amazing hikes – some of the best trails are right next to the world’s busiest cities. However, just because a hike starts in a city doesn’t mean it’s an easy stroll. Urban trails can be steep, long, or tough underfoot, so it’s worth doing a bit of research beforehand and making sure you’ve got the right kit. A good pair of hiking shoes, some breathable layers, and plenty of water can make all the difference as to how much you enjoy it your day out, and how safe you'll be.” 

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Full research on the top hiking cities can be found here: https://www.sportsshoes.com/advice/trails-inspiration/best-hiking-city-breaks

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Methodology  

Trail data was analysed from AllTrails.com for 180+ popular tourist cities worldwide. The following points were recorded: 

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● The number of hiking trails 

● The average rating of the 10 most-reviewed hikes (quality) 

● The total number of reviews for those hikes (popularity) 

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A weighted scoring system was applied: 60% quality, 30% popularity, and 10% quantity, resulting in a Hikeability Score out of 100 for each city. 

Data correct as of May 2025. ㅤ

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