A LEADERBOARD produced by Walkhighlands and backed by data has revealed the most popular Wainwrights in the Lake District National Park.
Users of Walkhighlands have logged 6,450 ascents of Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, making it the most popular peak in the park.
At 6,427 ascents, Helvellyn, which is England's third highest mountain, narrowly missed out on the top spot.
Scafell Pike is perhaps most commonly tackled from Wasdale Head, via the Corridor Route.
A view from the summit of Scafell Pike. (Image: Unsplash)
Helvellyn is often climbed from Glenridding, taking on the fearsome but iconic scramble, Striding Edge.
Skiddaw, which towers over Keswick, can be tackled from Spooney Green Lane after Latrigg and came in at number three on the Walkhighlands leaderboard of most popular Wainwrights.
Cat Bells, perhaps the most accessible of the Wainwrights for beginners, was ranked fourth on Walkhighlands' leaderboard with 4,904 ascents.
Data is collated from Walkhighlands' users who log an ascent on the website.
Cat Bells overlooking Derwentwater and Keswick. (Image: Unsplash)
Cat Bells is likely to be much more popular amongst the general population, particularly casual walkers.
Latrigg, a similarly accessible and family-friendly fell has only seen 3219 ascents logged by the serious hikers of the Walkhighlands website, placing it in 26th place.
At fifth place on the Walkhighlands leaderboard, Blencathra has seen 4767 ascents by users in total.
Blencathra is located between Keswick and Penrith, visible from the A66 and stands at 868 metres.
A snow-covered Blencathra from Latrigg. (Image: Unsplash)
Depending on the route hikers take, ascending Blencathra involves tackling Sharp Edge, a visually striking Grade I ridge walk with a steep drop either side.
Great Gable, another iconic but challenging 800-plus metre climb, is ranked at number nine on Walkhighlands' leaderboard.
Walkhighland's users have logged 3707 ascents of Great Gable, which is affectionately referred to as a 'climbers' mountain,' so called because of the range of exciting routes it offers.
Great Gable is widely believed to be the birthplace of English rock climbing as Walter Parry Hasket Smith's ascent of the Napes Needle formation in the 1800s is seen as a seminal moment, establishing the activity as a sport in its own right.
Perhaps surprising given its close proximity to Whinlatter and its inclusion in the Thornthwaite Round, Barf ranked 115th on the leaderboard of Walkhighland's most popular.
Hikers and fell runners regularly summit Barf and Lord's Seat from Whinlatter before returning to the visitor centre on the forest's fire roads.
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