Finland and Slovenia see surge in hiking holiday interest

Recent trends in outdoor tourism show a growing preference for cooler climates, a phenomenon referred to as “coolcationing,” driven by concerns over European heatwaves. Data from Responsible Travel indicates a 90 per cent increase in enquiries for walking holidays in Finland between January and August 2026 compared to the previous year. Other destinations seeing significant interest include Slovenia, which rose by 67 per cent, and Sweden, which saw a 43 per cent increase.

Travelers are also adjusting the timing of their trips to avoid peak summer heat. According to UTracks, Australian walkers are increasingly choosing May and September for trips to Italy and Spain to avoid the hottest months. Additionally, there has been a 20 per cent increase in bookings for the Alps, specifically the Dolomites, while Sweden and Iceland continue to see year-on-year growth of approximately 10 per cent.