21st May 2026 - In celebration of UK National Walking Month in May, global travel expert Lonely Planet has revealed its top nine most iconic, bucket list hikes around the world. Inspired by its new title Where to Go When: Hiking, a collection of over 90 awesome trails for exploring the world on foot - the ultimate companion for planning unforgettable walking adventures throughout the year.

Walking has seen a huge increase in popularity in the last few years, and with the recent opening of the King Charles III England Coast Path and Wainwright's Coast to Coast Path from North Yorkshire to Cumbria gaining National Trail status, the trend is set to continue in 2026 and beyond. Encouraging more ramblers, scramblers and amblers to venture into the great outdoors and embrace exploration on foot.

To celebrate this growing appetite for hiking experiences and exploring some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes Lonely Planet has identified its top recommendations from its new title, for the best walking trails around the world to traverse in the different seasons, from dramatic coastlines and alpine passes to cultural encounters and remote wilderness.

To help travellers discover these routes with like mind walkers and under the guidance of local experts, Lonely Planet has partnered with Ramble Worldwide, the original walking holiday specialist with a charitable ethos. With over 80 years of experience and an extensive portfolio of guided walking holidays across the globe, Ramble Worldwide offers expertly curated, small group tours which incorporate parts of the trails featured in the new title. From the fells of Cumbria and rolling hills of England's South Coast to the volcanic landscapes of La Gomera and soaring peaks of the Himalayas. 

Lonely Planet's top nine hikes and when best to experience them include: 

1. GR132 Circular, La Gomera, Canary Islands (challenging):   When: January 

How: This wild loop around the dramatic, volcanic island of La Gomera offers a challenging route around this craggy and compact Canary Isle, exploring its volcanic peaks, plunging into deep ravines, soaking in laurel forests and coastal views.

2. Pekoe Trail, Central Highlands, Sri Lanka (moderate):   When: January 

How: Named after its rich black tea the Pekoe Trail is Sri Lanka's newest, long-distance hike. Roam through winding misty hills, lush tea plantations and enjoy rich cultural encounters from the bustling mountain town of Kandy to peaceful villages enroute to Nuwara Eliya, in Sri Lanka's vivid green heartland. 

3. Island Trails of Madeira, Portugal (leisurely):                                When: January 

How: Several genteel trails traverse the archipelago's diverse coast, from the forest-lined PR13 Vereda do Fanal to the PR8 Vereda da Ponta de Sao Lourenco, exploring Madeira's southernmost peninsula. Perfect for a winter traipse, Madeira promises subtropical scenery and year-round moderate temperatures for exploring its jagged mountains and historic Levadas.

4. W Trek, Patagonia, Chile (moderate):                                                             When: February 

How: From Lago Grey to Laguna experience the vast, untamed wilderness defined by epic soaring rock pinnacles, glittering glacial lakes and the lagoons of Parque Nacional Torres del Paine. Home to some of the most awe-inspiring, otherworldly landscapes on the planet.

5. South West Coast Path, England (moderate):                                When: April 

How: Part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, around England's gnarled leg from Minehead to South Haven Point near Poole. Meander the undulating trail past fishing villages, wild moors, clifftop castles, surf beaches, historic tin mines and fossil dotted shores of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. 

6. Toubkal Circuit, Morocco (leisurely):                                             When: May 

How: A high-altitude Moroccan adventure in the Atlas Mountains, culminating at North Africa's highest peak, Mount Toubkal. Uncovering Indigenous Amazigh rust and ochre hued villages clinging to hillsides and the spectacular scenery on the way up to the mountain's summit.

7. Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh, India (challenging):                                When: July 

How: Traverse the remote, rugged Zanskar region, an elevated swathe of 'Little Tibet', from Chilling to Shang Sumdo, with its Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, lunar landscapes and distinctive traditions and wildlife. A region which is scenically and culturally different to the rest of the country.  

8. Via Francigena, Swiss Alps and Northern Italy (moderate):   When: Oct

How: The Via Francigena is a mighty pilgrimage from the Bourg-Saint-Pierre in the Swiss Alps, through the Aosta Valley along the way down to Rome. Hiking in historic, holy footsteps and savouring stunning panoramic mountain views, flower filled meadows and the cultural and culinary delights of Italy's diverse regions.  

9. Coast to Coast, England (moderate - challenging)                              When: Oct

How: Stride across England from west to east, from the Cumbrian village of St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire, through three magnificent National Parks in the footsteps of fell-walking legend Alfred Wainwright. The iconic route has just been awarded National Trail status so now has clearer signage, better accessibility and is managed to a higher environmental standard.

Explore with likeminded travellers

For walkers seeking to connect with the beauty of the great outdoors and likeminded travellers, the walking holiday specialist Ramble Worldwide covers many of Lonely Planet's featured hikes in their small group, guided tours:

• La Gomera starts in San Sebastian and navigates the island's dramatic scenery and sleepy mountain villages, up to the highest point of Garajonay National Park.
• Sri Lankan Trails countrywide tour incorporates the route from Kandy through Ella to Nuwara Eliya. 
• Western Madeira traverses coastal paths connecting pretty villages including Fontes and Ribeira da Janela.
• Magic of Patagonia explores the southern region from El Chalten to Puerto Natales, with two days walking in Torres del Paine offering stunning views of the lake and famous glacier.
• Highlights of Devon North Coast based in the historic market town of Barnstable, discover different sections of the Coast Path on daily guided walks along the demanding climbs and descents of the highest coastline in England.
• The Toubkal Trek from Marrakesh, journey to the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil for an adventurous hike through the Mizane Valley across floodplains and up rocky cliffs, passed sacred shrines. Zigzagging upwards to the summit of Mount Toubkal.
• Trekking in Ladakh & the Indian Himalaya a remote and extraordinary high-altitude trek revealing dramatic mountain vistas, ancient monasteries, and the warm hospitality of Ladakhi villages.
• Alpine Paths of Aosta offers a compact adventure exploring the Aosta Valley, one of the most spectacular corners of the Italian Alps, shaped by the giants of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa which tower over the valley.
• Wainwright Bagging Weekend samples Wainwright's fell walks over a weekend, exploring the beautiful lakeside town of Buttermere and iconic summits of the Lake District, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary of becoming a National Park in 2026.   

For more walking inspiration for both seasoned hikers and curious beginners, Lonely Planet's Where To Go When, showcases the very best hikes month-by-month, spotlighting the very best routes for hikers of all abilities and inspiring travellers to lace up their boots and explore iconic long-distance trails, bucket-list expeditions and off-beat gems.

Lonely Planet's Where To Go When: Hiking available from www.shop.lonelyplanet.com and where all good books are sold. Price UK £22.99.  

Visit www.rambleworldwide.co.uk to plan your own guided outdoor adventure

- ENDS –

Media enquiries please contact LonelyPlanet@GoshPR.co.uk

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