Best Places for Hiking and the Outdoors

Browse places where hiking is a destination-level activity accessible from the city, listed alphabetically with supporting evidence from Nomadr’s research.

21 of our 333 cities are in our stored hiking tier, taken from each city's own research with the sentence it came from. This is not a ranking: every qualifying place is listed alphabetically, and places without a hiking tier are omitted.

• Almaty · KazakhstanGateway to most hiking trails near Almaty, featuring diverse flora including rare Sievers apple tree and native Tian Shan spruce. Well-maintained trails with boardwalks on some routes.Good to know: Almaty is surrounded by the Tien Shan mountains and offers world-class outdoor access within 30 minutes of downtown.
• Andorra la Vella · AndorraAndorra la Vella is surrounded by stunning Pyrenean terrain with over 60 named hiking routes accessible from the city, ranging from easy urban walks to challenging alpine peaks.Good to know: Public transport connects Andorra la Vella to most major trailheads via dedicated bus lines (L2, L4, L5, L6); hiking is genuinely accessible without a car.
• Bansko · BulgariaPirin National Park offers 180+ marked trails suitable for all skill levels; routes pass 118 glacial lakes and rocky alpine peaks.Good to know: Peak ski season November-March; expect crowds during Christmas/New Year and February half-term; less crowded late season offers budget advantages.
• Chamonix · FranceChamonix is a premier hiking destination with extensive trail networks ranging from easy valley walks to challenging alpine routes.Good to know: Mont Blanc guides are mandatory for mountaineering attempts — book through established mountain guide offices (Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix is the official association)
• Chiang Mai · ThailandOutstanding trekking area on doorstep of Chiang Mai with beautiful forest, great views, waterfalls, Hmong villages, Buddhist temples, flower gardensGood to know: Chiang Mai has exceptional hiking variety within 30-90 minutes of the city, from easy waterfall walks to multi-day jungle treks
• Cusco · PeruMost famous multi-day trek to Machu PicchuGood to know: Cusco sits at ~11,000 feet elevation; altitude sickness is a genuine risk.
• Florianópolis · BrazilFlorianópolis offers 179+ scenic trails ranging from easy coastal walks to challenging technical treks through Atlantic rainforest. All difficulty levels available.Good to know: Florianópolis has 70+ beaches—rent or buy a bike (from ~R$360) to explore beyond car-dependent routes; beach biking avoids steep hill climbs between neighborhoods.
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen · GermanyGarmisch-Partenkirchen is a premier hiking destination with a network of 300 kilometers of trails.Good to know: The Partnach Gorge entrance fee is small (3 EUR) but required; paid parking available at Olympic Stadium.
• Hong Kong · Hong KongHong Kong has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. Four major routes: Hong Kong Trail, Lantau Trail, MacLehose Trail, and Wilson Trail.Good to know: Hong Kong's mountains, beaches and jungle trails feel a world away from the city buzz but are closer than you could ever imagine
• Jasper · CanadaLargest national park in the Canadian Rockies with extensive day-hiking network, alpine trails, and scenic attractions including Mount Edith Cavell, Maligne Lake, and the Tonquin Valley.Good to know: Cavell Meadows trail requires vehicle permits issued in limited time slots (8:30am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm) due to 2012 glacier collapse impacts; arrive early as permits sell out by mid-morning
• Kitzbühel · AustriaKitzbühel is one of the most diverse hiking regions in Tyrol with over 1,000 km of well-marked trails spanning easy family-friendly routes to challenging alpine adventures.Good to know: Kitzbühel's 1,000+ km of hiking trails accommodate all skill levels; official Austrian Hiking Villages (Aurach and Jochberg) offer certified quality infrastructure and specialized lodging for hikers.
• Kranjska Gora · SloveniaHiking around Kranjska Gora offers diverse trails within the Julian Alps and at the gateway to Triglav National Park, featuring majestic mountain ranges, pristine glacial valleys, and clear alpine lakes, with terrain ranging from gentle riverside paths to challenging ascentsGood to know: Kranjska Gora falls under the Julian Alps, the first biosphere reserve in Slovenia, with Zelenci being one of the major passable marshes in Slovenia and one of the southern-most in Europe, part of the Natura 2000 ecological network.
• Lijiang · ChinaOne of deepest canyons in world; UNESCO World Heritage Site (Three Parallel Rivers). Popular trekking destination.Good to know: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car tickets are real-name, face-scanned, and time-slotted; they sell out within minutes during peak season (April–October).
• Roseau · DominicaUNESCO World Heritage Site featuring volcanic peaks, lush rainforests, waterfalls, hot springs, and the Valley of Desolation. Major day-trip destination approximately 11 km from cruise port.Good to know: Certified local guides are mandatory for Boiling Lake hike and recommended for other challenging trails; guides can be arranged through hotels, tour operators, or directly at park entrances
• San José · Costa RicaSan José serves as a base for extensive hiking opportunities.Good to know: San José's central location (highlands, ~1,200 m elevation) makes it an ideal base for volcano hikes and national park day trips across Costa Rica.
• Santorini · GreeceSantorini offers abundant hiking with volcanic caldera trails, ancient archaeological routes, and coastal paths suitable for various fitness levels.Good to know: The Fira-to-Oia caldera hike gets increasingly crowded as the day progresses toward sunset; consider hiking in reverse (Oia to Fira) or going early morning to avoid crowds
• Sofia · BulgariaSofia is a major hiking hub with exceptional access to multiple mountain rangesGood to know: Vitosha Mountain is accessible by public transport (buses 61, 64, 66, 93) from city center; highly recommend weekday visits to avoid weekend crowds.
• Taipei · TaiwanSingle most popular tourist hiking trail in TaiwanGood to know: Taipei has 185+ hiking trails within city limits, many accessible via MRT in under 2 hours round trip from city center
• Thredbo · AustraliaThredbo is in the heart of Kosciuszko National Park in Australia's Snowy Mountains, with extensive trail infrastructure for summer hiking (November–April).Good to know: Chairlift access (Kosciuszko Express, Merritts Gondola) is essential for many popular hikes; costs apply (~AUD $55 per adult day pass summer 2025–2026).
• Zakopane · PolandZakopane serves as a gateway to Tatra National Park with access to numerous hiking routes ranging from short walks to multi-day treks.Good to know: Zakopane offers year-round outdoor activities—winter is prime for skiing and snowsports, while summer is ideal for hiking, cycling, and mountain exploration
• Zermatt · SwitzerlandExtensive network of trails across Alpine landscapeGood to know: Best hiking season is late June through September; early season trails may have residual snow