The nation’s passion for fresh-air adventures is reaching new heights, with one trail earning the crown as Britain’s firm favourite. This year has seen British trail activity climb an impressive 68%, a notable outdoor resurgence despite this summer being the chilliest since 2015.
Enthusiasts have been soaking in everything from soothing strolls and peaceful coastal paths to the formidable challenge of mountain treks. AllTrails UK country manager Gareth Mills said: “The UK offers an incredible variety of outdoor experiences, from challenging mountain tracks to serene village walks, with diverse landscapes providing something for anyone interested in getting outdoors.”
He adds that trail-goers are tuning into the finer details, with a spike in searches on their website for trail traffic and elevation data in 2024. Topping AllTrails UK‘s list for 2024 is the Ben Nevis Mountain Track – famed for being as arduous as it is awe-inspiring.
The mountain’s presence in Scotland is unmistakable, attracting over 150,000 adventurers each year, and an estimated 130,000 of them ascend to its peak. AllTrails suggests spring to early autumn as the best seasons for the hike, cautioning would-be climbers about winter’s more demanding conditions.
Rave reviews flood in on AllTrails from those who’ve conquered the Ben Nevis path, including one who said: “Amazing but exhausting! The way down is much harder than the way up, especially as the rocks can be quite slippery when wet.”
One hiker said: “Really great walk, harder coming down. Had poor visibility on the way up but got a lovely cloud inversion at the top. Absolutely stunning. Weather was decent, too; just need to wrap up at the summit.”
Another added: “Fantastic day hike. Went in the snow which definitely adds quite a bit of effort to the last ~2 miles of climb when present. Trekking poles highly recommended if there is snow, otherwise it’s a pretty straightforward climb Views from the top were beautiful on a clear day.”
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) via Llanberis Path in Wales was named the second-best hike in the UK, known for its challenging terrain, while Scotland’s Old Man of Storr Loop took third place.
AllTrails has also identified the most family-friendly trails for those seeking child-appropriate walks, with Scotland’s enchanting Fairy Pools taking the lead, followed by the magical Fairy Glen and Castle Ewen.
In urban and village walking categories, London’s Hampstead Heath Circular claimed the top spot, with York City Walls Circular and Manchester’s Roe Green Loop Line and Bridgewater Canal Circular being favourites among city dwellers.
The UK’s top walking trails of 2024
Most popular hikes
- Ben Nevis Mountain Track, Scotland
- Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) via Llanberis Path, Wales
- The Old Man of Storr Circular, Scotland
- Malham Landscape Trail: Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, and Malham Cove, England
- Scafell Pike from Wasdale Campsite, England
- Kinder Scout and Kinder Downfall Circular, England
- The Roaches and Lud’s Church Circular, England
- Rydal Water and Cave Circular, England
- Arthur’s Seat, Scotland
- Fairy Pools, Scotland
Best urban and village walks
- Hampstead Heath Circular, London
- York City Walls Circular, York
- Roe Green Loop Line and Bridgewater Canal Circular, Manchester
- Historical Bath City Walking Tour, Bath
- Cambridge City Circular, Cambridge
- Glencoe – Glencoe Lochan Circular, Ballachulish
- Oxford Tour Circular, Oxford
- Water of Leith Walkway, Edinburgh
- Ness Walk Circular, Inverness
- Hay-on-Wye and River Wye Circular, Hereford
Family favourite walks
- Fairy Pools, Scotland
- Fairy Glen and Castle Ewen, Scotland
- Buttermere Circular, England
- Conic Hill, Scotland
- Orrest Head Circular, England
- Bamford Edge Ladybower Circular, England
- Styal and Airport Circular, England
- Grasmere Lake Circular, England
- Tom a’ Ghrianain (Signal Rock), An Torr, and Hagrid’s Hut Circular, Scotland
- Dovestone Reservoir Circular, England