A recent eye-tracking study reveals which hiking trails capture hikers’ attention the most – and ranks the 20 most visually spectacular routes worldwide.
Those who set out on spectacular hiking trails are rewarded with dramatic cliffs, turquoise lakes, and thundering waterfalls. But which routes are truly the most breathtaking? A so-called eye-tracking study has now revealed which hiking trails capture the most attention – and provides a ranking of the most visually impressive routes worldwide. Falstaff TRAVEL presents the Top 20.
For the study conducted by the sporting goods retailer “Sportsshoes”, 64 popular hiking trails from around the world were selected and evaluated based on a representative image of each trail’s most iconic viewpoint or most photographed section. A total of 200 participants from various countries then took part in an eye-tracking study. The researchers measured how quickly their gaze focused on each image (first fixation) and how long they remained focused on it.
Based on these two measurements, an index with a maximum score of 100 was calculated. The higher the score, the stronger the visual impact of the image and the higher the trail’s ranking.
The top spot goes to the Calanques de Marseille in France, a spectacular coastal landscape known for its white limestone cliffs, turquoise coves, and sweeping views across the Mediterranean Sea. The fjord-like inlets south of Marseille rank among France’s most impressive natural wonders. To protect the fragile ecosystem, there are no rubbish bins or public restrooms along the hiking trails – visitors should therefore plan their trip carefully and ensure they leave no trace behind.
Second and third place are also claimed by European destinations. The trails through Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia lead past shimmering turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls connected by natural limestone formations. The highlight of the route is the 78-metre-high Veliki Slap, the highest waterfall in Croatia. At the same time, the national park is one of the country’s most biodiverse protected areas and provides a habitat for brown bears, wolves, lynx, and many other species.
Third place goes to the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Bernese Oberland. Known as the “Valley of the 72 Waterfalls,” this Alpine landscape impresses with dramatic rock faces, lush meadows, and snow-covered peaks. Particularly spectacular are the Trümmelbach Falls – ten waterfalls fed by glacial meltwater that plunge deep inside the mountain. According to legend, the scenery even inspired J. R. R. Tolkien when creating his elven realm of Rivendell.
Europe clearly dominates the overall ranking, accounting for more than half of the 20 most visually spectacular hiking trails. At the same time, the list also features some of the world’s most renowned long-distance hikes. Peru’s legendary Inca Trail takes fourth place. The four-day trek leads through four distinct vegetation zones on its way to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, reaching its highest point at 4,215 metres. Access is strictly limited to 500 people per day, and advance reservations are required.
Claiming fifth place is the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland National Park – one of Germany’s most iconic natural landmarks. The dramatic sandstone formations rise almost 200 metres above the Elbe River, while the 76.5-metre-long Bastei Bridge offers spectacular views of the Elbe Valley, the Lilienstein rock and Königstein Fortress.
Beyond Europe, several legendary hiking destinations also rank among the top ten. These include the water-filled canyon of The Narrows in Zion National Park in the USA, the chalk cliffs of Étretat in Normandy, the demanding Loop Trail in Kalbarri National Park in Australia, the famous Seven Sisters Cliffs along England’s south coast and the Causeway Coast Way in Northern Ireland. The latter leads, among other highlights, to the Giant’s Causeway, where around 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns form one of the world’s most extraordinary natural landscapes. The dramatic coastline has also served as a filming location for the series “Game of Thrones” on several occasions.
1. Calanques de Marseille, France – 94 points
2. Plitvice Lakes Trail, Croatia – 93 points
3. Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland – 92 points
4. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru – 91 points
5. Bastei Rock Formation, Germany – 90 points
6. The Narrows, USA – 87 points
7. Étretat Cliff Hike, France – 85 points
8. The Loop, Australia – 84 points
9. Seven Sisters Cliffs Walk, England – 83 points
10. Causeway Coast Way, Northern Ireland – 82 points
11. Mount Rainier Skyline Trail, USA – 81 points
12. Kalalau Trail, USA (Hawaii) – 81 points
13. W-Trek, Chile – 81 points
14. Mist Trail, USA – 79 points
15. Trolltunga, Norway – 78 points
16. Sentiero Azzurro, Italy – 76 points
17. Schrecksee, Germany – 76 points
18. Watzmann Crossing, Germany – 75 points
19. Caminito del Rey, Spain – 74 points
20. Loop Trail Around Lake Bled, Slovenia – 74 points
