Europe is full of beautiful hiking destinations—from vineyards to countryside paths—but the islands with ocean views are often the most unforgettable. To find out which island is truly the best for hiking, Island Hopping, a Greek travel company, studied 20 popular islands across Europe.
How the Ranking Was Done
The study looked at:
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Number of hiking trails
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Trail quality (length, safety, climate, accessibility)
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Hotel prices
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Online search popularity for each island
After collecting all this data, each island received a Hiking Quality Index score.
Mallorca Ranked No. 1
The results showed one clear winner: Mallorca, Spain.
Mallorca is the biggest island in Spain’s Balearic Islands and has 500 hiking trails. The island has nearly a million residents and is centered around its capital, Palma, which is served by major airlines like Ryanair, Lufthansa, Iberia, easyJet, and more.
Island Hopping noted that hiking is becoming one of the fastest-growing travel trends in Europe, with travelers looking for nature-focused, adventure-filled experiences—and islands offer the perfect mix.
What Makes Mallorca Special?
Mallorca earned:
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A perfect score of 100 on the Hiking Quality Index
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A 4.6-star average rating for its trails
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One of the highest hotel prices ($212 per night), yet it still tops the list due to trail quality
The island features many natural parks, including:
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Parc Nacional de Cabrera (reachable by boat; known for caves and a historic fortress)
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S’Albufera Natural Park (wetlands with flamingos)
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Mondrago Natural Park (pine forests, olive groves, beaches)
Other Top Islands for Hiking
The next top islands also have 500 trails:
2. Crete, Greece – Score: 77, cheaper hotel rates, 4.7-star ratings
3. Sicily, Italy
4. Madeira, Portugal
In fifth place:
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Sardinia, Italy – 363 trails
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Texel, Netherlands – 62 trails
Last place:
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Santorini, Greece – Only 42 trails and one of the highest room rates
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