Incredible hiking trails named the best in Europe – two are in UK (2025)

The Independent has named two amazing hiking trails in the UK among the best in Europe — and they feature amazing views and wildlife, offering the perfect day out activity

Two amazing hiking trails have been hailed as the best in Europe. The South West Coastal Path and the West Highland Way have been named in The Independent's list of Europe's best walking trails.

The South West Coast Path in England stretches 630 miles and is Britain's longest National Trail. It runs all the way from Minehead in Somerset, across the Cornwall and Devon coast, and ends in Poole Harbour in Dorset. The Independent said it boasts many highlights including "dramatic cliffs of North Devon and the historic tin mines of Botallack, Cornwall, to the lush tropical gardens of the Cornish Riviera and the iconic limestone arch of Durdle Door".

To do the whole route is a little impractical, unless you set aside 52 days and stay in hotels and Airbnbs along the way. Alternatively, you can join and leave the trail as you wish — meaning you could explore a portion of it.

On the South West Coast Path website, there are a number of 'day walk' options, most of which are less than five miles long. They also come under different themes depending on which type of day you want — whether that be a walk including a pub stop, a seasonal walk, a cafe and tearoom walk, family walk, a walk via train and South Devon walks.

Once you select the walk you want to do, the website will inform you of the different elevations, the total distance, where the nearest facilities including toilets and parking are and even whether there is an accompanying podcast you can listen to whilst on your adventure.

The second British hiking spot celebrated by The Independent is more than 400 miles north in Scotland. The West Highland Way in Scotland has a "diverse landscape of pristine lochs, desolate moorlands and glacier-carved valleys" and is home to many different animals including red deer and golden eagles.

The trail extends 96 miles in total and begins in Milngavie, a suburb of Glasgow. Hikers can then follow the trail to Loch Lomond, across Rannach Moor and through Glencoe, before finally ending up in Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis.

This trail can be done in one go, with most people heading out for the full 96-miles completing it in six to eight days.

According to the West Highland Way website: "Normally the route is completed from south to north, the thinking behind this being the southern stages are easier and will prepare you for the more demanding northern stages."

If set on completing the whole 96 miles, the website suggest breaking the trail into sections: Milngavie to Drymen (12 miles), Drymen to Rowardennan (15 miles), Rowardennan to Inverarnan: (14 miles), Inverarnan to Tyndrum (12 miles), Tyndrum to Inveroran (nine miles), Inveroran to Kingshouse (10 miles), Kingshouse to Kinlochleven (nine miles) and finally, Kinlochleven to Fort William (15 miles).