Yahoo News Must-visit North Wales walk with ‘spectacular’ waterfall is now UK’s most popular
Data analysis suggests walkers will this weekend be thronging to North Wales for “Take a Hike’ Day”. Three of the UK’s six most popular hikes are in the region, according to reviews, search data and other factors.
National hiking day is on Sunday, on November 17, when people across the UK are being encouraged to try out the country’s best walking routes. If the analysis is to be believed, one of the busiest will be a moderate 6.8km (4.3 miles) circular trek that takes in one of Wales’ greatest natural wonders.
A study by outdoor equipment firm Blacks has revealed that a walk past Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr) is Britain’s most popular. At this time of year the spectacular 120ft waterfall is likely to be even more impressive and nearby there’s a chance of seeing its twin, which shows itself after heavy rain.
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On the main footpath towards the falls are the ruins of several small Iron Age settlements, including an excavated roundhouse. Several standing stones and cairns are also present on a walk that usually takes two hours 15 minutes to complete - or longer if you want to take it slow and soak up the dramatic scenery.
The circular route in Eryri National Park continues across moorland, heading along the side of Ffridd Ddu before dropping down to Abergwyngregyn. Although there are a few steep descents in places, largely the walk is not too strenuous, making it suitable for hikers of most abilities.
Route planners AllTrails said: “The Aber Falls are a spectacular sight, especially after heavy rainfall. If you’re feeling up to it, you could take a dip into the plunge pool. Keep in mind, however, that the water is likely to be extremely cold and the rocks slippery, so take extra care.”
Start and finish are the two Aber Falls car park, both of which charge a fee. Space can be limited, so if you want to side-step the crowds, make sure to arrive early. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
To reach its conclusions, Blacks assessed AllTrails ratings and Google search data from October 2023 to September 2024. It also looked at average temperatures and rainfall.
It was the sheer number of Google searches - 453,600 over 12 months - that pushed Aber Falls to the top of the pile. The next nearest in the top 10 was the Monsal Trail, a flat walk on a former railway line in the Peak District. This was rated only eighth in the UK rankings despite 386,500 searches.
AllTrails gave Aber Falls a 4.8 star rating, second only to the Fife Coastal Path in Scotland. Getting a similar rating was the third-placed Snowdon Horseshoe, an “excellent but strenuous” route up and around Yr Wyddfa. Given the mountain’s popularity and the challenge of crossing Crib Goch, it’s surprising the 11.9km walk only amassed 14,010 Google searches.
Perhaps most people prefer bitesize chunks of Yr Wyddfa rather than tackling the whole horseshoe along its surrounding ridges. AllTrails recommends it should only be attempted by “experienced adventurers” – but says it’s worth it. “The views along this trail are breathtaking at every turn,” said the company.
Also in the top six was the a 15.9km circular trail starting from the Ogwen Valley. As this takes in Pen Yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Llewelyn and Pen Yr Helgi Du, it involves plenty of climbing. It’s another route classed a strenuous where having the right gear is essential.
Some 20,460 people took a look at this route via Google. AllTrails is a fan: “It involves some tough and tricky scrambles, but the sweeping lake views from the top of the peaks make the effort well worth it.”
A circular trail to Pen y Fan and Cribyn, two peaks in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), was the UK’s most Googled trail, with over 807,000 searches. However it’s not rated highly and the route was only ranked 19th best overall. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Top 10 most popular hiking routes in Britain
Aber Falls, Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd
Fife Coastal Path, Kincardine
South West Coast Path, North Devon Coast National Landscape
Snowdon Horseshoe, Yr Wyddfa, Eryri National Park
Wales Coast Path, Gower National Landscape
Pen yr Ole Wen and The Carneddau, Eryri National Park
Hadrian’s Wall Path, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear
Monsal Trail, Peak District
St David’s Peninsula, Pembrokeshire
Box Hill and Juniper Hill, Surrey Hills National Landscape
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