United Kingdom's trails prepare for their busiest weekend of the year due to time shift; AllTrails shares top hiking strategies to experience tranquility amidst the crowds
Hikers in the UK can anticipate increased daylight hours and longer sunsets as the clocks change this weekend, providing ample opportunity to explore trails after work. According to a new survey conducted by popular hiking app AllTrails, the last weekend of March in 2024 saw the highest app usage and the most popular day for hiking was March 30.
As the weather warms up, many Britons will turn to hiking for its mental and physical health benefits, with 81% of surveyed individuals indicating that they feel happier after a hike or outdoor walk. Stress relief is another key factor, with 46% of Britons considering walking in nature their top stress reliever.
However, the surge in hikers may lead to increased congestion in popular spots like Yr Wyddfa (formerly Snowdon), which attracts around 600,000 climbers annually. This can result in long queues to the summit, increased erosion, and questionable parking, as was recently demonstrated in the Peak District when hikers blocked roadways and slowed down mountain rescue teams.
Gareth Mills, UK Country Manager for AllTrails, suggests that lesser-known trails offer similar views, challenges, and a sense of achievement while providing a simpler, more peaceful hiking experience. By utilizing the app's filters, hikers can find alternative routes based on ease, difficulty, distance, and desired views. AllTrails offers a vast database of trails, providing users with a wealth of options to avoid overly crowded areas.
The app also offers real-time information on trail conditions and crowd levels, helping hikers make informed decisions and potentially distributing the load more evenly across different routes. By spreading out hikers throughout the day, congestion during peak hours can be reduced.
AllTrails' UK expansion aims to address overcrowding issues while allowing hikers to enjoy the outdoors without disrupting local communities or harming the environment. By providing detailed trail information and encouraging more considerate behavior, the app could reduce overcrowding concerns and contribute to a more enjoyable hiking experience for all.
Many of AllTrails' features are available for free, but for a yearly fee, users can access additional perks such as searching for trails based on distance, weather conditions, route conditions, and mosquito activity. To learn more about AllTrails, please refer to our review.
As the length of days increases, many hikers will flock to the UK's hills. For those seeking solitude amidst the natural beauty, AllTrails offers a practical solution to finding lesser-known but comparable routes, ensuring a more relaxed and peaceful hiking experience.
- With the improvement in mental health and overall well-being as a motivating factor, individuals increasingly rely on technology like AllTrails to discover less congested trails for a serene hiking experience.
- While embracing the health benefits that sports like hiking can offer for both physical and mental wellness, it's crucial to consider the potential impact on the environment and local communities, encouraging the use of apps to make smarter, more sustainable choices.
- In light of the rising interest in health-and-wellness, lifestyle evolutions, and the travel industry focusing on outdoor activities, AllTrails' invaluable resources and features encouraging responsible hiking can significantly contribute to preserving the natural world and maintaining a sustainable, peaceful experiences for hikers worldwide.
