We love to help our guests explore the best of the UK, from discovering where to find the best bacon sarnie, through to revealing some of the best hidden gem locations for a UK break. This month we’ve been looking into the most popular walks around the UK. This country boasts breath-taking coastal walks, majestic mountain peaks and awesome architecture that can all be explored and admired on foot.
Ranking the ‘best’ walks is a tricky business, especially with such a diverse selection of landscapes to choose from. Urban walking routes are just as brilliant as rural pathways as a way to connect with the local history around you, and can be every bit as dramatic and beautiful as the countryside walks.
To help us shortlist some of the most visually stunning walks in the UK, we’ve turned to Instagram. Ramblers love using the app to share fantastic images of their walks, capturing and sharing the scenery, weather and landmarks seen on their journey.
Looking at the number of hashtags relating to popular UK walks, we found the routes that have been shared on the photography platform the most. We then cross-referenced the data with the length of that particular route, thus revealing which UK walks have been Instagrammed the most per kilometre.
Route length and Instagram data for 70 of the UK’s most popular walks were analysed, and we’ve categorised the walks as either Rural or Urban. By taking into account the length of each walking route, as well as the number of Instagram hashtag mentions, our list has allowed some lesser-known walks to take the spotlight.
The UK’s most picturesque walks according to Instagram
Most Instagrammed urban walks per kilometre
Parkland Walk
1. Parkland Walk, London
- Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, London
- Just under 5 kilometres, 2,131 posts per kilometre
London’s longest nature reserve, Parkland Walk, is mostly all contained in Haringey, but does also include a stretch in Islington.
The route follows an old course of a railway line that used to run from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, incorporating plenty of viaducts and old station platforms. Instagrammers love the intriguing architecture – be sure to look out for the Spriggan Sculpture – as well as the striking graffiti artworks which lie nestled amongst shady leafy pathways.
The Queen’s Walk
2. The Queen’s Walk, Southbank London
- Tower Bridge to Lambeth Bridge
- Approx. 6 kilometres, 856 posts per kilometre
A hugely popular walk with people visiting London, and locals alike! This route along the Southbank takes in some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, all within a relatively short distance. Sights include Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Shard, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern.
The ‘dolphin lampposts’ are an iconic part of this route, which is actually a section of the longer Jubilee Walkway (which came 15th in our list).
Bath Skyline
3. Bath Skyline Walk
- Circular loop starting and ending at Bathwick Hill at Cleveland Walk
- Just under 10 kilometres, 820 posts per kilometre
The city of Bath is nestled in beautiful rolling hills, and whilst this walk isn’t purely ‘urban’, it’s so easy to access from Bath’s city centre, and shows those following the route the green pastoral beauty of the city’s location.
Highlights of this route include Sham Castle, Bathwick Wood and the Palladian Bridge (pictured). Find full route details on the National Trust website.
Regent’s Canal
4. Regent’s Canal Walk, London
- Little Venice to the Limehouse Basin, London
- Just over 14 kilometres, 447 post per kilometre
This waterside walk is one of the best ways to explore London at a calmer and more peaceful rate. This 9 mile route down the canal begins at Little Venice in Maida Vale, and takes you past famous landmarks such as Camden Lock, King’s Cross and Regent’s Park, finishing up at Limehouse Basin on the River Thames.
If there isn’t time to do the whole route, the first two mile stretch taking you to Camden Lock makes a nice shorter stroll.
East India Dock
5. Thames Path
- Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier, Woolwich
- 294 kilometres, 349 posts per kilometre
The Thames Path has been classed as both an Urban and a Rural route; given how long the full route is, it takes in both cities and countryside. #ThamesPath is one of the most used walking-related hashtags on Instagram, with users sharing the beautiful scenes they encounter along (nearly) the full length of one of the UK’s most famous rivers.
For an urban walking experience, try the section between Greenwich and East India Dock which takes in both some fantastic maritime history and modern architecture, and includes the Gun Pub (a historic pub that was once popular with Lord Nelson).
Derry City Walls
6. Derry City Walls Walk, Londonderry
- Circular loop starting and ending at Foyles Street
- Roughly 1.6 kilometres, 343 posts per kilometre
The only remaining walled walk in Ireland, the 17th century walls of Derry are a really popular route for people who want to soak up the ancient city’s Renaissance architecture and layout.
The short circular route takes in the wall’s four original gates including Bishop’s Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher Gate and Shipquay Gate.
The 20 most Instagrammed urban UK walks per kilometre
Rank |
Walk location |
Approx length (km) |
Hashtags per km |
Route details |
1 |
Parkland Walk, London |
5 |
2131 |
From Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace |
2 |
Queen's Walk, Southbank, London |
6 |
856 |
The Queen's Walk: Tower Bridge to Lambeth Bridge |
3 |
Bath City Walk, Somerset |
9.6 |
820 |
Circular loop from Bathwick Hill at Cleveland Walk |
4 |
Regent's Canal Walk, London |
14.5 |
447 |
Little Venice to Limehouse Basin |
5 |
Thames Path |
294 |
349 |
Cotswolds to Thames Barrier, Woolwich |
6 |
Derry City Walls Walk, Londonderry |
1.6 |
343 |
Circular loop from Foyles Street |
7 |
Cambridge Colleges Walk, Cambs |
7.6 |
234 |
Circular loop from Cambridge train station |
8 |
Forth & Clyde Canal Towpath |
56 |
193 |
From Bowling to Edinburgh |
9 |
Durham (River Banks & Maiden Castle) |
5.4 |
182 |
Circular loop from Old Shire Hall |
10 |
Leeds (Civic Centre & Canal) |
7.5 |
129 |
Circular loop from Leeds Town Hall |
11 |
Wandle Trail, London |
20 |
97 |
Along River Wandle from Croydon to Wandsworth |
12 |
York (Walking the Walls) |
7.7 |
76 |
Starting from banks of River Ouse (YHA) and circuit of city walls |
13 |
Hyde Park, London |
6.8 |
71 |
Hyde Park's Outer Circular Walk |
14 |
Jubilee Walkway, London |
24.1 |
62 |
All five sections, see: www.gojauntly.com/the-jubilee-walkway |
15 |
Jubilee Greenway, London |
60 |
25 |
Marked Loop from Buckingham Palace |
16 |
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, London |
11.3 |
23 |
Figure of 8 route, can start at Hyde Park Corner |
17 |
Hampstead Heath Circular Walk, London |
5 |
23 |
Circular loop from Hampstead ponds |
18 |
Stirling Circular Loop, Stirlingshire |
13.1 |
16 |
Circular loop from Stirling train station |
19 |
Saxon Shore Way, London |
262.3 |
15 |
From Gravesend to Hastings |
20 |
Carlisle (Ramblers Circular Route) |
8.7 |
15 |
Circular Loop from Sands Car Park |
Most Instagrammed rural walks per kilometre
Pen Y Fan
1. Pen Y Fan Walk, Brecon Beacons
- Circular loop from Storey Arms Outdoor Centre A.K.A. The Motorway
- 6.4 kilometres, 22,437 posts per kilometre
Regular ramblers to the peak of Pen Y Fan affectionately call the gentlest route to the top ‘The Motorway’; this circular loop from Storey Arms Outdoor Centre is a highly popular trail with visitors and day- trippers, being a modest trek that is manageable for the majority.
The 4 -mile routes takes you right to the top of the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons, whilst providing stunning views of the wild open moorland.
Mam Tor
2. Mam Tor & The Great Ridge Walk, Peak District
- Great Ridge Route starting at Castleton
- 10.4 kilometres, 8,669 posts per kilometre
A route for ramblers looking for an exhilarating walk, the Great Ridge Route is 500m above sea level at its highest point, and takes in incredible views of the Edale and Hope Valleys.
It’s a great walk all year around with the height giving you dramatic views of the sky and land. Stock up on refreshments in the town of Castleton before you set off!
Scafell Pike
3. Scafell Pike Walk, Lake District
- Scafell Pike via Hollow Stones Route
- 10 kilometres, 7,955 posts per kilometre
Starting at Wasdale Head, the Hollow Stones route is one of the shortest trails to the top of Scafell Pike. It’s roughly 5K to the top and 5K backdown again, in which time you’ll have hiked up nearly 900m!
Watch out on the descent that you’re on the right trail back down (map and compass advised!) otherwise you could end up with a long walk back to the car at the bottom!
Slieve Donard
4. Slieve Donard Walk, Mourne Mountains, County Down
- Slieve Donard Trail
- 9.5 kilometres, 3,408 posts per kilometre
Being the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, Slieve Donard is a popular destination for ramblers and hikers. The highest peak in the Mountains of Mourne, Slieve Donard has a long history filled with myths, legends and saints.
Those who reach the top can see the remains of two ancient burial cairns and, following the local tradition, many walkers carry a stone from the bottom of the mountain to place on a cairn at the top.
The Old Man of Coniston
5. The Old Man of Coniston, Lake District
- From Coniston via Church Beck
- 4.1 kilometres, 2,975 posts per kilometre
It’s impossible to ignore The Old Man of Coniston when visiting the charming civil parish of Coniston in Cumbria. The summit looms 600 metres high, just three kilometres from the centre of the village.
Given the proximity of the peak to the village, it’s a short trek to the top from Coniston, but one filled with history thanks to the industrial past of this part of the Lake District. Find out more about the route details here.
Kynance Cove
6. Kynance Cove, The Lizard, Cornwall
- Circular walk from Lizard to Kynance Cove
- 7.1 kilometres, 2,392 posts per kilometre
Both The Lizard Peninsula and Kynance Cove in Cornwall receive a lot of love of Instagram, and with so many walks in the area to choose from, we settled on this popular circular route, as a way to capture the interest in exploring this breath-taking area.
The route starts and finishes in the town of Lizard and goes down around the coast to Kynance Cove, taking in Lizard Point and a shipwreck at Pentreath beach. The way back takes you over beautiful Cornish heathland, filled with stone stiles.
The 20 most Instagrammed urban UK walks per kilometre
Rank |
Walk location |
Approx length (km) |
Hashtags per km |
Route details |
1 |
Pen y Fan Walk, Brecon Beacons |
6.4 |
22437 |
Circular walk from the Storey Arms Outdoor Centre or the nearby Pont ar Daf car park |
2 |
Mam Tor and the Great Ridge, Peak District |
10.4 |
8669 |
Great Ridge Walking Route starting at Castleton |
3 |
Scafell Pike Walk, Lake District |
10.0 |
7955 |
Scafell Pike (out and back) via Hollow Stones Route |
4 |
Slieve Donard Walk Mourne Mountains |
9.5 |
3408 |
Slieve Donard Trail starting at Donard Park (out and back) |
5 |
The Old Man of Coniston, Lake District |
4.1 |
2975 |
From Coniston tourist information centre via Church Beck |
6 |
Kynance Cove, The Lizard, Cornwall |
7.1 |
2392 |
Circular walk from Lizard to Kynance Cove |
7 |
Malvern Hills Walk, Worcestershire |
8.6 |
1185 |
From British Camp car park to Great Malvern |
8 |
West Highland Way |
154.5 |
736 |
From Milngavie to Fort William |
9 |
Yorkshire Three Peaks |
39.2 |
656 |
Circular route from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Ribblehead or Chapel le Dale |
10 |
The Fife Coastal Path |
101.0 |
441 |
Kincardine to Newburgh along the coastline of Fife |
11 |
The Devil's Punchbowl Walk, Surrey Hills |
5.5 |
424 |
Circular loop from London Rd car park taking in Hindhead Common |
12 |
South Downs Way Walk, South Downs |
160.9 |
408 |
From Eastbourne to Winchester City Mill |
13 |
Thames Path |
294 |
349 |
Cotswolds to Thames Barrier, Woolwich |
14 |
South Foreland Lighthouse Walk |
6.4 |
250 |
Linear route starting from the White Cliffs Visitor Centre |
15 |
South West Coast Path (SWCP) |
1013.9 |
208 |
From Minehead through Somerset, Exmoor, North Devon and Cornwall |
16 |
Cleveland Way National Trail |
175.4 |
188 |
Between Helmsley and the Brigg at Filey |
17 |
Cotswold Way National Trail |
164.2 |
172 |
From Chipping Campden to Bath |
18 |
Rhinefield Ornamental Drive Walk, New Forest |
5.0 |
163 |
5K circular loop taking in Blackwater Arboretum |
19 |
Malham Cove and Gordale Scar, Yorkshire Dales |
12 |
150 |
Circular walk from Malham |
20 |
Coast to Coast Walk, North England |
292.9 |
111 |
From the Irish Sea coast of Cumbria at St Bees to North Sea coast of Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire |
Methodology
We analysed the number of Instagram hashtags relating to 70 of the UK’s most popular hikes, trails and urban walking routes to find which walks have been shared the most on the social platform. We then cross-referenced the hashtag data with the length of that particular route (indicating which route was measured in the right hand column of the data tables) thus revealing which UK walks have been Instagrammed the most per kilometre.