New analysis by the Ordnance Survey (OS) has identified the most popular hiking destinations and routes in the UK.
The national mapping agency analysed over 800,000 walking and cycling routes logged in its app and online mapping system and found Cumbria to be the most popular destination for hiking in the UK.
Derbyshire, North Yorkshire and Gwynedd were also named, while Inverness in Scotland and England’s Somerset also made the top 10.
Top 10 busiest regions for OS activity
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- North Yorkshire
- Gwynedd
- Powys
- Hampshire
- Devon
- Gloucestershire
- Inverness
- Somerset
The data also found that Edale village in the Peak District was the most popular beginning and end point for a walk.
Top five starting points for walkers in Britain:
1. Edale, Peak District
2. Fairholmes, Peak District
3. Pen-y-Pass, Snowdonia
4. Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Yorkshire Dales
5. Ambleside, Lake District
For those looking to beat the crowds, Ordnance Survey also identified some of the least-walked areas.
They included north Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and north Aberdeenshire.
The Isle of Sheppey in Kent, Spalding near The Wash and Sunk Island in the Humber Estuary also didn't get as much foot traffic as others.
If you'd rather stay closer to the capital, check out the best hikes near London.
