Best Long Distance Hikes in May
30 trails ranked for May — by monthly climate and walking season
May is a shoulder-season month with real range: excellent spring walking in Mediterranean hills, Atlantic islands and lower mountains, but still too early for many high passes. Expect longer days, active accommodation seasons in popular areas, and conditions that can swing quickly after rain or late snow.
Pictured: GR70 (Stevenson Trail) — a top pick for May Conditions in May
- ▸ Alps and high mountains: lower valleys open, but passes remain snowbound and huts limited.
- ▸ Mediterranean Europe: spring is excellent, with flowers, manageable heat and busy holidays.
- ▸ UK and Ireland: longer days help, though Atlantic fronts and boggy ground persist.
- ▸ Scandinavia: daylight expands, but uplands can hold snow and rivers run high.
- ▸ Japan: mild lower routes suit May; higher volcanic and alpine areas vary.
Planning tips
- ✓ Check snowline, hut opening and transport before committing to high crossings.
- ✓ Book popular coastal and Mediterranean accommodation around public holidays.
- ✓ Carry wet-weather gear; spring storms can change conditions quickly.
Tour du Mont Lozère
View trail →
France · 118 km · 6 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 11°C average (-1–27°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct.
GR70 (Stevenson Trail)
View trail → France · 272 km · 12 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 11°C average (-2–26°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Jul & Sep–Oct.
European Long-Distance Path E6
View trail →
Slovenia · 350 km · 15 days · Hard Typical May weather: 14°C average (1–28°C), wet. Best months: May–Sep.
Alta Via dei Monti Liguri
View trail →
Italy · 440 km · 20 days · Hard Typical May weather: 14°C average (1–28°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Sep–Oct & May.
Rhodope Mountains Trail
View trail →
Bulgaria · 150 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 14°C average (0–31°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Aug–Oct & May.
GR65 (Le Puy Camino)
View trail → France · 735 km · 28-32 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 11°C average (-2–26°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct.
Rennsteig Trail
View trail →
Germany · 169.3 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (-2–28°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct.
GR30 (Tour of Auvergne Volcanoes)
View trail → France · 198 km · 9 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 14°C average (-1–30°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Sep–Oct & May.
Tour du Mont Mézenc
View trail → France · 17.5 km · 1 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (-2–27°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: May–Jul & Sep–Oct.
Westweg
View trail → Germany · 285 km · 12-13 days · Hard Typical May weather: 14°C average (-1–30°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: May–Jun & Sep–Oct.
Rob Roy Way
View trail →
United Kingdom, Scotland · 127 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 9°C average (-2–23°C), wet. Best months: Apr–Nov.
GR3 (Loire Valley Trail)
View trail → France · 1243 km · 50 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (-2–27°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct.
GR4 (Massif Central Segment)
View trail → France · 260 km · 12 days · Hard Typical May weather: 14°C average (-1–30°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: May & Sep.
Staffordshire Way
View trail →
United Kingdom, England · 148 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 11°C average (-1–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Harzer Hexenstieg (Witches' Trail)
View trail → Germany · 97 km · 5 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (-2–28°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Jun & Aug–Oct.
Severn Way
View trail →
United Kingdom, England, Wales · 344 km · 14 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (0–27°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Nov.
GR700 (Regordane Way)
View trail → France · 240 km · 10-12 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 14°C average (-1–30°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct.
South Downs Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 160 km · 8 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (1–25°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jul & Sep–Nov.
Arran Coastal Way
View trail → United Kingdom, Scotland · 105 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 10°C average (2–21°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Nov.
GR49 (Verdon Regional Trail)
View trail → France · 100 km · 6 days · Hard Typical May weather: 14°C average (-1–30°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct.
Höga Kustenleden (High Coast Trail)
View trail →
Sweden · 135 km · 6-9 days · Hard Typical May weather: 8°C average (-4–23°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Oct.
The Ridgeway
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 139 km · 6 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (0–25°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jun & Sep–Nov.
Western Way
View trail →
Ireland · 179 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 11°C average (1–25°C), wet. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Cotswold Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 164 km · 7-10 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (-1–26°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jun & Aug–Nov.
Glasriket Trail (Kingdom of Crystal)
View trail → Sweden · 130 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 11°C average (0–23°C), low rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Pindus Traverse
View trail →
Greece · 350 km · 20 days · Expert Typical May weather: 14°C average (1–31°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: May–Jun & Sep.
Speyside Way
View trail → United Kingdom, Scotland · 137 km · 6 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 9°C average (-1–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
European Long-Distance Path E7
View trail → Slovenia · 600 km · 30 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 14°C average (1–28°C), wet. Best months: May–Oct.
The Dales Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 129 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 10°C average (-2–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
White Horse Trail
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 146.5 km · 7-9 days · Moderate Typical May weather: 12°C average (0–25°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jun & Sep–Nov.
How this list is ranked: each trail's monthly climate normals (average, minimum and maximum temperature plus rainfall, from NASA POWER satellite-era data, adjusted for the trail's altitude) are combined with its published walking season and its overall HikeList Score. Rankings refresh as trails are added. Always check current conditions before travelling.