The top 10 most popular walks in the Lake District can now be revealed.
Compiling data on Instagram hashtags and Google searches, Grasmere-based Daffodil Hotel & Spa revealed the most popular destinations for walkers.
The research has revealed that:
- Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in Britain, is the Lake District’s most popular and most Instagrammable fell walk, with 601,673 searches and over 88,000 Instagram hashtags.
- Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, ranks as the most popular lake for walks in the Lake District. It has been searched for online over one million times and happened to be the most Instagrammable walk in the Lake District, with 882,276 Instagram hashtags.
Daffodil Hotel spoke to Amy Irvine, an avid fell walker who has completed many of these popular walks. She runs an Instagram page, Roaming the Lakes, dedicated to her adventures around the Lake District.
“The Lake District has always been my home but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I fell in love with fell walking. I definitely took growing up here for granted but now I’m so grateful to call this beautiful part of the world my home,” said Amy.
“Hiking is one of the only ways I can switch off from the outside world. I have seen so many improvements to my physical and mental health since taking up fell walking as it helps clear my mind, reduces any feelings of stress and is a great workout! I regularly hike with my three dogs, as it gives me the chance to bond with them and take photographs of them enjoying the great outdoors.
“I’m currently on a mission to complete all 214 of the Wainwrights in the Lake District – I’ve just ticked off number 95! I’ve already climbed both Catbells and Haystacks, and they are both amazing walks. Catbells has amazing views of Derwentwater, where Haystacks boasts impressive views of Buttermere and Crummock Water, it’s easy to see why Haystacks was Alfred Wainwright’s favourite. I’m saving Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, as my last Wainwright to climb.”
Here is the list of the most popular walks:
- Windermere (lake)
Instagram hashtags – 882,276
Annual Google searches – 779,200
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 1,661,476 - Ullswater (lake)
Instagram hashtags – 159,360
Annual Google searches – 997,500
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 1,156,860 - Scafell Pike (fell)
Instagram hashtags – 88,473
Annual Google searches – 513,200
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 601,673 - Catbells (fell)
Instagram hashtags – 55,982
Annual Google searches – 319,300
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 375,282 - Haystacks (fell)
Instagram hashtags – 45,108
Annual Google searches – 241,700
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 286,808 - Derwentwater
Instagram hashtags – 150,970
Annual Google searches – 84,300
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 235,270 - Blencathra (fell)
Instagram hashtags – 39,188
Annual Google searches – 193,500
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 232,688 - Whinlatter (fell)
Instagram hashtags – 24,294
Annual Google searches – 175,300
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 199,594 - Coniston Water
Instagram hashtags – 29,018
Annual Google searches – 145,600
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 174,618 - Thirlmere (lake)
Instagram hashtags – 22,071
Annual Google searches – 133,500
Combined searches and hashtag mentions – 155,571
