Blue Mountains tops list for producing the ‘happiest’ hikers
It’s dubbed as one of the best places to go for a walk when visiting Australia — but now, this spot in NSW has made it on a new world list.
There’s no denying that a bushwalk in the Blue Mountains is one of the most unique experiences one can do Down Under.
But now, a new study has recognised the trails in the mountains as some of the best in the world — with visitors to the region deemed ‘the most happy’ at the end of a hike.
A new study commissioned by walking holiday provider Inghams, analysed over 300 Instagram posts with the help of a smile-recognition software to reveal which walking trails worldwide make us smile the most.
Coming in top spot was ‘The South West Coast Path’ in the UK, followed by The Thames Path. But in third position was the Blue Mountains, with an overall enjoyment score of 98.38.
The hiking provider analysed walking sites on social media taken on popular trails around the world, from Australia’s Blue Mountains to The Pyrenees.
“We used facial detection software to find and compare the size of the smiles captured in the posts, generating a happiness score and providing a tangible measurement of how happy travellers are as they embark on different walks around the world,” a spokesperson for Inghams said.
“The United Kingdom dominates the rankings, with four out of ten walking trails [in the top 10]. England claims the two top spots, with visitors having a truly joyous time exploring the South West Coast Path and the Thames Path.
“Besides the UK, Canada’s walking trails are also ranking highly, with the Appalachian Mountains (ranking 5th), the Bruce Trail (ranking 6th) and the Canadian Rockies (ranking 8th) securing their spots within the top 10 happiest walks worldwide.”
The Blue Mountains, known for its dramatic scenery and ample walking trails, boasts some of the most beautiful hikes in the country.
One of the standouts, introduced in 2021, is the 1.5km Katoomba Falls Night-lit Walk which gives visitors access to a unique trail once only walkable during the day.
The stunning and popular night walk gives visitors access to a unique, night-time viewing experience of outstanding natural features such as Orphan Rock, Witches Leap, Katoomba Falls and Katoomba Cascades. The lit-up trail, at certain vantage points, also sees the Three Sisters in full glow.