From a new path opening up a previously inaccessible part of the Canadian Rockies to the world's longest managed coastal trail, these new routes are sure to inspire hikers in 2026. Hiking's popularity is on the rise, with hundreds of millions of trekkers taking to trails in 2025, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
Uta Ibrahimi, a Kosovar mountaineer who recently became the first person from the Balkans to summit all 14 of the planet's 8,000m peaks, said: 'An unplugged walk into nature brings physical, mental and emotional wellness – and you don't need much more than a pair of boots, an idea of where to go and desire.' She helped launch an overhauled version of Kosovo's stretch of the Via Dinarica trail last year.
Hiking's popularity has been bolstered by adventure navigation apps like AllTrails, which has around 500,000 routes digitally mapped, and Komoot, which boasts more than 45 million users. The trails on this diverse list promote a respect for nature and help adventure-seekers experience calm and wonder.
Among the most anticipated is the UK's England Coast Path, which at over 2,700 miles will be the longest managed coastal trail in the world when completed. Other highlights include Slovenia's Pohorje-Kozjak Trail, opening in June, and Canada's Rocky to Nordegg Rail Trail, which opens up a formerly inaccessible swath of wilderness in the Canadian Rockies.
