Portugal’s GR22 crowned Europe’s most rewarding hiking trail

A 584km route across Portugal has topped a new ranking of Europe’s hiking trails, scoring 98.59 out of 100 after researchers compared difficulty, length, elevation, sunshine and accommodation with rivals in Switzerland, Greece, Spain and beyond

Portugal’s Historical Villages of Portugal – GR22 has been named the most rewarding hiking trail in Europe after researchers compared routes across the continent for their difficulty, length and accessibility.

The 584-kilometre path, which connects 12 historical villages of Portugal by stages, gained a score of 98.59 out of 100 in research carried out by the health coaching company MyBodyTutor. 

The ranking was based on trail length, elevation gain, estimated completion time, difficulty, number of nearby places to stay and average hours of sunshine using data drawn from AllTrails, Booking.com and international climate databases.

With more than 15,500 metres of ascent, the GR22 takes around six and a half days to complete and was judged to offer the best overall experience for seasoned walkers.

Switzerland’s ViaBerna came second with a score of 94.06. The 304-kilometre trail requires almost 5,000 minutes to complete and includes more than 13,000 metres of elevation gain. The Corfu Trail in Greece was placed third with a score of 82.76, ahead of Spain’s Camino del Norte on 82.15 and England’s South West Coast Path on 82.07.

Separate scores were also calculated for beginners, rewarding shorter and easier routes. Italy’s Blue Trail in Cinque Terre took the top spot with 98.84 points. The 3.4-kilometre path between Corniglia and Vernazza takes just over an hour to complete and was judged the most rewarding option for newcomers.

Other top beginner trails included Guttland.Trails Siwe Brécke-Wee in Luxembourg (97.40), Rose Valley to Red Valley in Turkey (93.74), Frøslev Polde in Denmark (93.38) and the Roques de García in Spain’s Teide Park (93.17).

Haley Pulli, head coach at MyBodyTutor and a certified personal trainer, said hiking’s appeal lay in its accessibility as well as its fitness benefits. “Hiking remains one of the most accessible and rewarding vacation choices because there’s truly something for everyone,” she said. “Whether you’re on a weekend getaway, a hiking holiday, or a longer trip, it offers a chance to stay active while disconnecting from screens and daily stress.”

Pulli added that the activity required no elite fitness levels. “Unlike structured workouts, hiking gives you freedom to move at your own pace, take in the views, and enjoy the journey. It’s a wonderful way to recharge both physically and mentally, and you don’t need to be an elite athlete to start,” she said.

Top 10 trails for seasoned hikers

1. Historical Villages of Portugal – GR22, Portugal (98.59)
2. ViaBerna, Switzerland (94.06)
3. Corfu Trail, Greece (82.76)
4. Camino del Norte, Spain (82.15)
5. South West Coast Path, England (82.07)
6. West Highland Way, Scotland (82.05)
7. Tour du Mont Blanc, France (79.62)
8. Escapardenne Eislek Trail, Luxembourg (77.27)
9. Mullerthal Trail, Luxembourg (76.62)
10. Moselsteig, Germany (76.39)

Top 10 trails for new hikers

1. Blue Trail: Corniglia–Vernazza, Italy (98.84)
2. Guttland.Trails Siwe Brécke-Wee, Luxembourg (97.40)
3. Rose Valley – Red Valley, Turkey (93.74)
4. Frøslev Polde, Denmark (93.38)
5. Roques de García, Spain (93.17)
6. Hallin Fell, England (92.02)
7. Mechelse Heide, Belgium (91.79)
8. El Caminito del Rey, Spain (90.72)
9. Pietersheim Purple, Belgium (90.41)
10. Bergerven Loop, Belgium (90.02)

Main image: Andrei Tanase/Pexels