At Hillwalk Tours, if there’s one thing we like as much as hiking, it’s music. The peaceful quiet of the trail and taking in the sounds that nature has to offer can be absolutely rewarding, but sometimes it just feels right to turn on the tunes.
Why Music Makes a Great Hiking Companion
Hiking is all about rhythm. It’s putting one foot in front of the other and repeating with every step. Hiking songs are an excellent way of keeping that rhythm going. The vibe of the music can really make a difference. Up-tempo music can keep your motivation going and lift your spirits on the tougher stretches. A slower, more ethereal choice of hiking music helps us to connect with nature. This can encourage us to slow down and take it all in. Additionally, music does more than shape your pace. Turn on a soundtrack for a fantasy film, and all of a sudden, your hiking adventure becomes an epic quest.
With that in mind, we curated this playlist of hiking and travel songs for those of you who enjoy a hike with a soundtrack.
How to use this Hiking Playlist
It might be easier to create this list top-ten style, but we know music taste is subjective, and biases will shine through no matter how hard we try. So instead of an old-school chart-style rundown, we’ve grouped these songs by use case and mood. After each section, you find an embedded playlist. If you want to skip right ahead and just save the music – here is the complete playlist.
What Song has the best hiking rhythm?
Most people naturally walk at around 110–130 steps per minute. Song tempo is measured in beats per minute, or BPM. Songs in the 120–140 BPM range often feel like the perfect hiking rhythm. But plenty of tracks just above 100 BPM still feel upbeat thanks to their groove and energy, so they earn a place in the up‑tempo section too. So, without further ado, let’s get rocking:
Best Hiking Songs by Mood and Pace
Up-Tempo Hiking Tunes
All these songs sit right in that energetic, feel‑good range. Perfect for powering up hills or keeping pace on long trails. Everything here is over 100 BPM, right in that natural walking groove.
The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (132 BPM)
We’ll kick this playlist off with an obvious one. Great for when the hike turns lively and you want a burst of momentum. A great bit of local flavour for hiking in Scotland. This song is the Unofficial Hillwalk Tours’ Anthem!
Willie Nelson – On the Road Again (114 BPM)
The horizon is open, the sense of adventure is building. This is a true travel song.
Run DMC & Aerosmith – Walk This Way (109 BPM)
Add some swagger to your step! Lively and energetic, it’s the perfect tune to strut down the trail to.
Katrina & The Waves – Walking On Sunshine (110 BPM)
A feel-good classic. It’s the musical equivalent of the sun breaking through the clouds. Put this on and suddenly you will feel unstoppable!
Steppenwolf – Born To Be Wild (146 BPM)
A pure adrenaline kick. A real energy lifter, sure to get you over any ascent.
Nancy Sinatra – These Boots Are Made for Walkin‘ (83 BPM, sounds like 165)
Use this song to find your rhythm and feel unstoppable. Put those hiking boots to work!
The Dubliners – The Rocky Road to Dublin (143 BPM)
An Irish classic about an epic journey, perfect for hitting any of our Irish trails.
Sigur Rós – Hoppípolla (140 BPM)
Bright, cinematic – feels like the world just opened up.
Enya – Orinoco Flow (115 BPM)
Absolutely soul-enriching and spirit-lifting, this tune pairs perfectly with trails on the coast. It’s giving Rota Vicentina (AKA the Fishermen’s Trail – a Portuguese hiking gem).
Lemon Jelly – Ramblin’ Man (135 BPM)
This one’s got that “early morning on the trail” energy. Gentle momentum, light curiosity and a sense of setting off.
Smash Mouth – All Star (104 BPM)
“Hey now, you’re an all-star!” Pure motivation. Stick this one on when you need to build some momentum.
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (130 BPM)
When your adventure needs a big, soulful, triumphant lift, throw this one on to get that “nothing can stop me now” feeling.
Slower Hiking Music
Most of these tracks sit under 100 BPM, easing the pace into something calmer and more reflective, perfect for getting lost in nature. And while some songs technically run much faster, they feel slow because the rhythm falls into a half‑time groove, so your ear follows the relaxed pulse, not the actual BPM.
Lou Reed – Walk on the Wild Side (95 BPM)
This is your laid-back strut. Perfect for transitioning from urban sections of your hike into nature.
Thomas Newman – Any Other Name (From the American Beauty Soundtrack, 78 BPM)
The soft piano evokes an emotional stillness. It offers a sense of observing, perfect for taking in the scenery around you. A great accompaniment to the contemplative St Cuthbert’s Way.
Fleetwood Mac – Landslide (159 BPM, feels closer to 75 BPM)
Because it’s a gentle acoustic song, it feels much slower than the actual BPM, especially given the contemplative lyrics. Makes you want to slow down and take stock.
Bob Dylan – Blowin’ in the Wind (158BPM, feels like 88)
Similar to Landslide, the nature of the song makes it feel slower than it actually is. It’s a quiet, reflective, philosophical pause in the journey.
Moby – Porcelain (95 BPM)
Slow and reflective, this song will inspire you to drift along that trail, lost in thought.
John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads (82 BPM)
A classic travelling song. It’s the sun on your face, everything feels right moment of the hike.
Enya – Only Time (83 BPM)
Enya brings that unique trademark soft, floating atmosphere only she can truly pull off, creating a sense of calm and space on your hike.
Massive Attack – Teardrop (77BPM)
The soft, slow heartbeat-like rhythm really sets a nice slow pace, perfect for scoring those cinematic landscapes.
Arvo Part – Spiegel im Spiegel (84 BPM)
Pure stillness. Perfect for a long, quiet stretch of trail.
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven (Starts at 72 BPM)
A true epic to close out this section, and interesting in terms of speed. This song gradually gets faster as it progresses, rising to 96 BPM, perfect for building momentum.
Epic Adventure Music for Hiking
Forget about beats per minute; this section is all about mood. Give your hiking adventure the epic soundtrack it deserves with this epic hiking music:
Howard Shore – The Shire (From the Lord of the Rings Soundtrack)
We all know that every hiking holiday is at its heart an epic quest, so who better to take inspiration from than Gandalf and the hobbits?
Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
Up-tempo feeling, epic and adventurous. That galloping beat is sure to help propel you toward the trail end.
David Bowie – Heroes
Defiant, yet hopeful. For a few minutes, you’re an unstoppable hero.
James Horner – For The Love Of A Princess (From the Braveheart Soundtrack)
This is truly iconic adventure music. Perfect for traversing the Scottish Highlands, where epic adventures and battles took place.
The Who – Baba O’Riley
That opening synth is pure adventure. This is the sound of raw momentum.
The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
This song has an unmistakable cinematic feel. It’s expansive and cinematic, not a soundtrack but feels like one.
Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
This is for when the weight drops, the pace quickens, and you realize the best part of the journey is happening right now.
Wardruna – Helvegen
Ancient, primal. Helvegen takes inspiration from the ancient Norse rune Raidō, a symbol of journeys and moving forward. Perfect for exploring the ancient sites on the Beara Way and Wicklow Mountains.
The Ecstasy of Gold – Ennio Morricone ( From The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Soundtrack)
A sweeping surge of momentum with that unmistakable classic western atmosphere. Perfect for walking the old cattle‑droving paths of the Rob Roy Way.
Ramin Djawadi – Main Title (Game of Thrones)
Another massive, epic feeling piece of hiking music. Pairs well with the Antrim Glens and Causeway Coast, where most of Game of Thrones was filmed.
Thin Lizzy – Emerald
Explosive and energetic. This is for your final stage of grit and glory. A great way to close out a hike in Ireland.
The Full Playlist
Listening to Music Responsibly on Hiking Trails
Listening to music can enhance your hike, but remember that you are not alone on the trail. It’s respectful to use headphones instead of speakers, though a bit of spontaneous singing is always welcome. In fact, on some trails it’s actively encouraged, as you can see in the video below, where our route manager James is testing the acoustics of a bridge on Scotland’s Speyside Way.
And most importantly, remember to enjoy your natural surroundings without music for an even better experience.
Explore Hiking Trails in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Portugal and Spain
We hope you enjoyed this guide to hiking songs. If you’re interested in listening to some of this classic hiking music while on one of the best hiking trails in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Portugal or Spain, check out our range of self-guided hiking tours.
