The World’s Top 20 Picturesque Hiking Routes

It’s time to update those travel bucket lists! Outdoor sports and outdoor shoe specialists Zalando conducted research on the world’s most Instagrammable hiking routes. From analysing nearly five million Instagram hashtags from the world’s most famous hiking trails, they were able to produce a list of the world’s top 20 most picturesque routes. Amateur Photographer has more details:

Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Advisor with Mountaineering Scotland, says: “The dramatic landscapes, wildlife and flora, ease of access (particularly on the West Highland Way), human history and unrivalled right to roam laws make Scotland a top place to visit.

“There has been a massive increase in the numbers of people enjoying the Scottish mountains and countryside, as would be expected with Covid-19 and the associated difficulties travelling abroad. The rise of the ‘staycation’ is certainly very evident. When lockdown was lifted last summer, Scottish Mountain Rescue saw a 35% increase in the number of call-outs, compared to the same period in the previous year.

“When hiking, it’s important to be respectful and considerate to others and the environment. Solid preparation is also vital. We’ve just launched an initiative called ‘Sofa 2 Summit’, which is a free online resource for those who are new to the hills. It’s a great place for people to start when planning their adventures.”