12 Best Places to Surf and Hike in the Same Trip

Sometimes the best surf trips aren’t just about waves.

Sometimes it’s about what’s waiting inland too. I’m talking mountains, valleys, jungle trails, and volcano summits that give your quads as much of a workout as your shoulders in the very same trip.

I’m personally guilty of the classic surf-hike mashup holiday and, I’ll be honest, sometimes I’m not sure which takes center stage in my planning. At the very least, having a trekking route on the doorstep can be a sure-fire way to dodge boredom when the swell dies (as it so inevitably always does!)

Here are 12 spots that we think will hit the right notes for hiking-ready surfers in 2026.

The Algarve, Portugal

Golden beaches, rugged cliffs, and coastal trails that go on forever.

The surf in the Algarve

The Algarve has become something of a year-round hub for surfing in Europe.

The Costa Vicentina coastline is where it shines. It’s west facing, picks up loads of NW swell and has beaches like Arrifana and Amado, which are a picture of consistent waves for beginners and intermediates

Other spots – Carrapateira, Zavial – can dish out more powerful rides when the swell is pumping in the peak winter. Surf schools and camps are everywhere, and although the main spots can get busy in summer, a rental car can still open up totally deserted breaks.

The hiking in the Algarve

This isn’t mountain hiking, but it’s some of the prettiest coastal walking in Europe. The Rota Vicentina takes you across old fishing villages, rolling hills, and river valleys, all while hugging craggy cliffs above turquoise water that come socked with fog by morning but clear and crisp by afternoon.

Day hikes are straightforward and not too strenuous, meaning you can surf in the morning and walk in the afternoon. Spring and autumn are best when it’s cooler and the wildflowers are out.

Best time to go: Surf is best October-March, hiking is perfect spring and autumn (March-May, Sept-Nov). Honestly, any time works in the Algarve.
Where to stay: Endless Summer Surf House sits on the cliffs above Arrifana beach. It’s a charmer only a short distance from beginner-friendly waves.

Asturias, Spain

Where wild Atlantic waves meet the limestone peaks of the Picos

The surf in Asturias

The Asturian coast is dotted with surf towns that fly under the radar compared to other Spanish mainstays in the Basque Country (we’re looking at you San Seb and Zarautz!).

Llanes, Rodiles, and Salinas are the big names, offering beachbreaks and rivermouth setups that suit a range of abilities. Surf infrastructure is decent too, with rentals and schools in each main town, but lineups remain less crowded than southern France.

The only major downside is a hint of localism.

The hiking in Asturias

The Picos de Europa mountains rise just an hour inland.

Here you’ll find jagged peaks, deep gorges, and old shepherd trails linking remote villages. Routes like the Cares Gorge trail – fast becoming one of the most famous in Spain – are accessible for day hikers, while multi-day treks test endurance.

It’s rugged country, with ascents that demand fitness and mountains that look every inch the Alps. The reward is alpine scenery that’s a world away from the sand and sea.

Best time to go: September and October for consistent surf and cool hiking conditions.
Where to stay: Apartamentos Albatros have beaches on the doorstep and mountains just behind. They’re modern and lovely too.

Wales, UK

Under-the-radar surf breaks and mountain peaks within sight of each other

The surf in Wales

The Llyn Peninsula is the surfing hub of North Wales. Spots like Porth Ceiriad and Hell’s Mouth pick up the bigger Atlantic swells that push up the Irish Channel and can be epic on the right day.

Expect shifting beachbreaks and reef options, suitable for intermediates and up. Infrastructure is low-key – think surf clubs and a few rental spots, but never full-blown camps.

What’s important to note is that this is Celtic, cold-water surfing at its finest. Mornings and H2O will be brisk. Beaches will be wild, windswept, and empty. It takes a certain type, but if you love it, you love it. And I love it.

The hiking in Wales

Wales’ crowning jewel is Yr Wyddfa (once known as Snowdon to help the English colonists), the highest peak in the country.

Multiple trails lead up, ranging from straightforward walks to steeper scrambles like the Watkin Path. Around it spreads Eryri National Park, full of ridgelines, lakes, and wild valleys.

You can hike in the morning and still make it to the coast for an evening surf session.

Best time to go: Autumn (Sept-Nov) offers good swell and manageable hiking weather. Winter can be good too but what the daylight hours.
Where to stay: Awelon – a modern cottage with Scandi charm close to Llyn’s best surf beach.

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Jungle trails and surf breaks where monkeys outnumber people

The surf in Manuel Antonio

This corner of the Central Pacific coast gets consistent swell all year. The main beach near Manuel Antonio National Park has sandy peaks that are fun for learners and intermediates, though they can close out when it’s big.

For better quality, Quepos and Dominical are just up and down the road, with more powerful waves and a strong local surf scene. I’d actually reccomend staying in either one of those and then traveling down to Manueal Antonio when you want to hike.

There are more surf camps here than you can shake a plate of gallo pinto at.

The hiking in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio National Park is legendary for a reason.

Short but rewarding trails wind through dense rainforest where you’ll spot sloths, monkeys, and iguanas. Most walks are under 3 hours, making them easy to combine with surf sessions.

Views open onto hidden coves and pristine beaches where you can swim post-hike. Just watch out for the closing times of the national park and try to get in early – this one’s so famous it gets BUSSY.

Best time to go: December–April (dry season) for both surf and good hiking conditions.
Where to stay: Arenas Del Mar is luxury on the beachfront just north of Manuel Antonio.

South Island, New Zealand

Snow-capped peaks and surf breaks within a day’s drive

The surf in South Island

The east coast around Christchurch has consistent beach and point breaks, while Kaikoura offers waves with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop – it’s heaven for hiking after dawnies.

Dunedin has a strong surf scene too, with sandy beachbreaks and reefs, though it’s a little further from the main hiking hubs of Wanaka and Queenstown.

Surf infrastructure is solid in larger towns, but many breaks are empty and exposed. I always take my own stuff becuase the joy of NZ is cruising and finding a spot to yourself.

The hiking in South Island

This is one of the world’s greatest hiking destinations. Queenstown and Wanaka are gateways to alpine trails like the Routeburn (an epic romp through the Fiordland National Park) and Roy’s Peak (a day trek that’ll make you feel like your flying over the lake).

I’d always aim for one of those towns to hike, or head to Lake Pukaki, to access the variety of easy and hard trails in the Hooker Valley beneath Mount Cook.

Drive times from surf towns to hiking hubs can be long (Christchurch to Queenstown is 6–7 hours), but the landscapes make it worthwhile.

Best time to go: December to March for the prime hiking season. Surf is all year but November and March tend to be better as winter begins to fly.
Where to stay: Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments are prime bases on the edge of Kaikoura, one of the island’s best combined surf and hike regions.

Chile

Patagonian peaks, empty lineups, and a land of lefts

The surf in Chile

Chile is long, wild, and full of waves.

Pichilemu is probably the surf capital, with Punta de Lobos delivering those iconic left-hand points – think big, mechanical lefts powered by the Pacific’s consistent SW swell channels.

Further south, the breaks get emptier and colder, with heavy slabs and endless points for advanced surfers. If you can venture there then the hiking will get incredible and line ups basically turn to nothing.

Infrastructure is minimal outside major towns – bring a wetsuit and self-sufficiency.

The hiking in Chile

Patagonia offers some of the best trekking on earth. Torres del Paine is the classic, with multi-day hikes past glaciers and granite spires.

That siad, I’d say the Lake District is probably a better pick for surfers since it doesn’t demand you go quite so far south. It’s home to volcano climbs and – of course – gorgeous lakes. Looks more like Austria than south America some days.

Best time to go: Austral summer (December – March) for both Patagonia treks and more manageable surf conditions.
Where to stay: Go with Punta de Lobos Surfcamp and you’ll have a corker of a time. Four surf lessons, sauna sessions, and friends for life.

Lombok, Indonesia

Volcano trekking by day, reef breaks by dawn patrol.

The surf in Lombok

Lombok is Bali’s wilder sibling. Kuta Lombok is the surf hub. It’s just a town really, but has access to a whole southern shoreline that’s packed with reef breaks like Gerupuk, Ekas, and Mawi. There’s LOADS to get through, very high quality, generally better rights than lefts, but something for all.

To see and surf it all, get yourself a surf camp. They’re fricking lux on Lombok these days and know where and when to go to the right spot.

Of course, you also have Desert Point on the southwest coast. That’s not for mortals. It’s one of the best left-hand barrels on earth.

The hiking in Lombok

3,726-meter-high Mount Rinjani dominates this island. Hiking to its crater rim or summit is a bucket-list adventure.

Treks are strenuous, multi-day affairs with steep climbs and camping in high alpine terrain.

The payoff: Views over volcanic lakes and across to Bali’s Mount Agung. Timing is everything, as wet season closes the mountain, so plan for dry season, which is thankfully also peak surf time.

Best time to go: Dry season (May-October) for both surf and safe trekking.
Where to stay: Xanadu Surf and Yoga are one of the finest surf camps in Indo, let alone just Lombok. Do a surf week with them then head up to hike the volcano.

South Sri Lanka

Palm-lined surf beaches backed by rolling tea-country hills.

The surf in South Sri Lanka

From Hikkaduwa to Tangalle, there are 20+ surf beaches within reach in South Sri Lanka. Weligama is the go-to beginner bay, while more advanced surfers head for reefs at Kabalana (which has an awesome A-frame called The Rock), Rams (in Midigama), and Mirissa.

Surf infrastructure is excellent these days, with schools, rentals, and camps everywhere. Lineups can get busy in peak season but spread out with so many options. The key is to get up early then rest and chill all day long.

The hiking in South Sri Lanka

Inland, you’ve got tropical hikes like Little Adam’s Peak in Ella, offering panoramic views over tea plantations. I’d usually suggest either Ella itself or Nuwara Eliya as a base for day hiking, but you could also throw in with an organized tour which may include pickup somewhere on the surf-washed south coast.

The Pekoe Trail is a new multi-day route threading through villages and hills. Hiking is hot and humid but scenic, with rolling green hills and waterfalls.

Best time to go: November to April for clean surf on the southwest coast and manageable hiking weather.
Where to stay: We have loads of reccomendations for surf hotels and surf camps in Sri Lanka.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Volcanic hikes above the clouds and reef breaks in year-round sun

The surf in Tenerife

Tenerife is really about the reefs. The best breaks – El Conquistador, La Izquierda – sit near the built-up tourist areas of the south (mainly Playa de las Americas) offering powerful, hollow waves for intermediates and experts, but also the occasional beginner offering.

The north coast has wilder, less crowded breaks and is the best area to venture to if you don’t like having other people around ya.

The hiking in Tenerife

Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, is the crown that caps off Tenerife.

You can hike trails through the lunar landscapes of Teide National Park or push to the summit (that requires a permit) on a thigh-busting trail that takes 5.5 hours in all.

Elsewhre on the isle, the Anaga Rural Park in the north has lush, misty forests with crisscrossing trails. Difficulty ranges from casual walks to strenuous mountain hikes there and you’re not too far from some of the best surf bays in the Canaries!

Best time to go: November to March is the best for consistent swell and cooler hiking conditions.
Where to stay: Tenerife has some cracking surf hostels that won’t break the bank.

Basque Country, France

Where reef breaks meet the Pyrenees, with the Alps just a train ride away.

The surf in Basque Country

Southern France is blessed with waves that break almost year-round. Although they aren’t all technically in the Basque, they are all easily accessible from the region – I’m talking 20-30 mins in the rental car…

Hossegor, Biarritz, and Guéthary are the heavy hitters, with hollow beachbreak barrels that have been magazine frontage for decades.

Thing about the Basque is that you can head closer to the Spanish border if the swell’s too big. Towns like Hendaye have good offerings for beginners and there are spots around there still waiting to be discovered.

The hiking in Basque Country

The Pyrenees rise within an hour’s drive inland.

You can tackle day hikes to panoramic ridges or multi-day treks through mountain passes linking Basque villages. Having a car makes it easy to reach trailheads. In fact, I’d say a rental here is a must.

And if you’re keen to extend the adventure with some of the best hiking in the world, direct trains now link the region to Chamonix in the Alps, putting Europe’s tallest mountains within striking distance.

Best time to go: September–October for the best of the yearly surf and cooler hiking weather.
Where to stay: JO&JOE Hossegor is actually in Hossegor, which isn’t quite the Basque, but it’s a great surf base if you have a car. Hiking is a little further – like an hour’s drive minimum to some big hills in the Pyrenees.

Peru

Epic left-hand point breaks and world-famous high-altitude treks

The surf in Peru

Peru is the land of lefts. Chicama is the jewel, said to be the longest left in the world, while Lobitos and Mancora in the north offer consistent points and beachbreaks for all levels. (Mancora especially is good for learners)

Infrastructure has grown, with surf hostels, guides, and board rentals easy to find in the main hubs. Crowds exist but spread thin along the sprawling coastline. And people are nice.

The hiking in Peru

This is not a surf-and-hike-in-one-day destination. I repeat: You cannot surf in the morning and hike in the afternoon in Peru.

The Andes are inland, with treks like the Salkantay and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu demanding multiple days at altitude, not to mention acclimitzation.

The best approach is to split your trip: spend 10 days trekking in Cusco’s mountains, then hop a short flight north to Mancora for a week of waves.

Best time to go: May-September for hiking in the Andes; October-April for northern surf. There are shoulder seasons in there that can satisfy both, though.
Where to stay: Algae Surf Camp – These guys are one of our top pick surf camps in Peru. They are chilled and have a great pad right on the beach in Mancora!