THE New Forest has been named Europe's best national park for hiking.
Hampshire's stunning visitor spot, which boasts idyllic glades, open moors, and cliff top walks, has ranked top in a poll of more than 80 of Europe's national parks, from Slovenia’s famed Slovak Paradise to Croatia’s incredible Krka.
Securing top spot in the data by outdoor gear specialist Cotswold Outdoor, the New Forest boasts the best choice of amenities and activities, housing six campsites, 25 viewpoints/historical landmarks and a great choice of 216 hiking trails.
It is Europe’s sixth most popular, boasting 973,022 hashtags on Instagram, 22,200 average global searches and a 4.8 rating.
Where hike difficulty is concerned, the park’s average hike distance and duration (9.3km and 2.2hrs, respectively) are among the easiest on the continent.
Making up the top five are the Lake District, Spain’s national park, Teide, Calanques National Park (France) and Krka National Park (Croatia).
"Keeping fit can go hand-in-hand with exploring the planet’s most beautiful natural backdrops, as both have the ability to make us feel happy and renewed," said a Cotswold Outdoor spokesperson.
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