Forget San Francisco and LA: Experts say this city is the ultimate hiking destination

Urban trails like the Lands End Trail and those in Golden Gate Park make San Francisco a prime destination for hiking enthusiasts. Los Angeles is similarly appealing, offering mountain hikes, deserts, wetlands, and canyons. However, neither city ranks as the best in the world for hiking, according to a recent study.

Study ranks 180 cities worldwide

UK-based running and fitness retailer Sports Shoes ranked 180 cities across the globe using a “hikeability score.” The score considers the number of nearby hiking trails, their popularity, and the average review score from hikers.

Los Angeles came in fifth with a hikeability score of 95 out of 100 and an average rating of 4.7 from nearly 3,700 reviews. San Francisco scored slightly higher, with a hikeability rating of 96 and an average review score of 4.6 from almost 3,000 reviews, earning it a joint third place.

U.S. cities dominate the top 20

The United States had strong representation in the top 20, including:

• Portland, Oregon – sixth (94)
• Las Vegas, Nevada – seventh (93)
• Nashville, Tennessee – joint 11th (88)
• Seattle, Washington – joint 11th (88)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – joint 13th (87)
• Washington, D.C. – joint 13th (87)
• Boston, Massachusetts – 17th (85)

Rio de Janeiro claims top spot

But Rio de Janeiro topped the global list with a perfect score of 100, followed closely by Mexico City (98). Sports Shoes highlighted Rio as “the most hikeable city break in the world. Situated between mountains and the sea, tourists who visit can enjoy the vibrancy of the city itself, hike through rainforest, explore the historic city centre, and even join a samba class."

One of Rio’s most popular hikes, the Pão de Açúcar e Morro da Urca trail, offers a scenic alternative to the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain. A moderately difficult climb, it is among the best-reviewed routes on AllTrails. The Pedra da Gávea hike, rated ‘hard’ due to steep terrain and the need for climbing gear, holds the top ranking with a 4.9 out of 5.

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