Best Long Distance Hikes in September
30 trails ranked for September — by monthly climate and walking season
September is one of the strongest months for long-distance walking: Alpine passes are often at their most settled, Mediterranean regions begin to cool, and summer crowds thin. But daylight shortens, northern weather turns quicker, and accommodation can still be tight in popular mountain areas early on.
Pictured: Oulanka National Park Trail — a top pick for September Conditions in September
- ▸ Alps and Pyrenees: stable high walking often continues, but huts begin winding down.
- ▸ Mediterranean Europe: heat eases, though exposed lowland stages can still feel harsh.
- ▸ Scandinavia: autumn colour builds, daylight contracts, and wet, cold spells arrive faster.
- ▸ UK and Ireland: good clarity between Atlantic fronts; bogs re-wet after unsettled periods.
- ▸ Japan: mountain humidity drops, but typhoon disruption remains a serious planning factor.
Planning tips
- ✓ Book popular mountain huts and valleys, especially for early September.
- ✓ Carry warmer layers; clear mornings can turn cold quickly at height.
- ✓ Check end-of-season transport and accommodation before committing to remote stages.
Via Alpina
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France · 400 km · 20 days · Hard Typical September weather: 17°C average (4–30°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Österlenleden
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Sweden · 188 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 12°C average (-1–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Nov.
Oulanka National Park Trail
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Finland · 82 km · 4-7 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 7°C average (-4–20°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Jura Crest Trail
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Switzerland · 310 km · 14 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 14°C average (1–27°C), wet. Best months: May–Oct.
Alta Via dei Monti Liguri
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Italy · 440 km · 20 days · Hard Typical September weather: 17°C average (4–30°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Sep–Oct & May.
Pyhä-Luosto National Park Trail
View trail → Finland · 30 km · 2-3 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (2–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Jun–Oct.
Staffordshire Way
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United Kingdom, England · 148 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (3–25°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Zelené Pleso (Green Lake Trail)
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Slovakia · 15 km · 1 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 10°C average (-3–26°C), wet. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Lötschental Panoramic Trail
View trail → Switzerland · 9.4 km · 1 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (-1–26°C), wet. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Oeschinensee Panorama Trail
View trail → Switzerland · 8.5 km · 1 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (-1–26°C), wet. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Höga Kustenleden (High Coast Trail)
View trail → Sweden · 135 km · 6-9 days · Hard Typical September weather: 10°C average (-3–21°C), wet. Best months: Apr–Oct.
Trans Swiss Trail (Route 2)
View trail → Switzerland · 488 km · 30 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 15°C average (2–30°C), wet. Best months: Jul–Oct.
Glasriket Trail (Kingdom of Crystal)
View trail → Sweden · 130 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 14°C average (4–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Speyside Way
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United Kingdom, Scotland · 137 km · 6 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 11°C average (2–23°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
The Dales Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 129 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 12°C average (1–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Tour du Canigou
View trail → France · 84 km · 5 days · Hard Typical September weather: 20°C average (10–32°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Glyndŵr’s Way
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United Kingdom, Wales · 217 km · 9 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (2–25°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Grindelwald to Wengen Circuit
View trail → Switzerland · 15 km · 1 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (-1–26°C), wet. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Bohus Coast Trail
View trail → Sweden · 376 km · 14-21 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (0–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Cleveland Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 175 km · 8-9 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (3–26°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Wye Valley Walk
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 219 km · 10-12 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 15°C average (6–26°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Stenshuvud National Park Trail
View trail → Sweden · 4 km · 1 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 12°C average (-1–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Nov.
The Eden Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 129 km · 6 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 12°C average (2–22°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Nov.
Cateran Trail
View trail → United Kingdom, Scotland · 103 km · 4-6 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 12°C average (1–21°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–Nov.
Rob Roy Way
View trail → United Kingdom, Scotland · 127 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 12°C average (1–22°C), wet. Best months: Apr–Nov.
Ribble Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 116 km · 6-7 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (3–27°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Arran Coastal Way
View trail → United Kingdom, Scotland · 105 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (4–21°C), wet. Best months: Apr–Nov.
Lago Ritom to Piora Valley
View trail → Switzerland · 8.5 km · 1 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (-1–26°C), wet. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Swiss Glacier Trail
View trail → Switzerland · 30 km · 3 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 13°C average (-1–26°C), wet. Best months: Jun–Sep.
Severn Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England, Wales · 344 km · 14 days · Moderate Typical September weather: 15°C average (3–28°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–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.