Adventure enthusiasts and travel photographers have a new bucket list to chase, thanks to the latest research from leading tour operator, Explore Worldwide.
Delving deep into a colossal dataset from over 500 walking locations, the company has unveiled the most photographed trails and peaks on our planet.
To find which destinations are tagged the most in pictures of trails, hiking and walking tour experts at Explore Worldwide recorded the number of results returned when [location + walking trail] or [location + hiking trail] is searched for on Shutterstock and Unsplash platforms. Those results were then compared for over 414 countries, regions, cities, states, 63 mountain ranges and 33 walking trails – over 500 locations in total. The places which returned the highest number of stock image library results were named as the most picturesque trails. Data sources: shutterstock.com, unsplash.com. All data is correct as of July 2023.
Topping the chart as the most captured trail by photographers is the GR20 trail in Corsica. The mesmerizing Everest Base Camp Trek follows suit, with the iconic Westweg trail in Germany’s Black Forest holding the third spot.
Top 10 Most Photographed Walking Trails
| Rank | Name | Location | Country | Continent | Photo Count |
| 1 | GR20 | Corsica | France | Europe | 45,187 |
| 2 | Everest Base Camp Trek | Himalayas | Nepal | Asia | 13,711 |
| 3 | The Westweg | Black Forest | Germany | Europe | 13,105 |
| 4 | Camino de Santiago | Northern Spain | Spain | Europe | 10,738 |
| 5 | Inca Trail | Andes | Peru | South America | 10,170 |
| 6 | Appalachian Trail | Eastern United States | United States | North America | 9,754 |
| 7 | The Jordan Trail | Jordan | Jordan | Asia | 9,343 |
| 8 | West Coast Trail | Vancouver Island | Canada | North America | 8,700 |
| 9 | Laugavegur Trail | Iceland | Iceland | Europe | 5,992 |
| 10 | The Lycian Way | Turkey | Turkey | Asia | 5,945 |
When it comes to mountain ranges, Europe firmly dominates the rankings. The Alps, with its vast expanse across several countries, stands proud as the most photographed mountain range. North America’s Rockies and Europe’s Dolomites follow, celebrating nature in all its grandeur.
Top 10 Most Photographed Mountain Ranges
| Rank | Mountain Range Name | Country | Continent | Photo Count |
| 1 | The Alps | Multiple Countries | Europe | 856,670 |
| 2 | The Rockies | Multiple Countries | North America | 441,681 |
| 3 | The Dolomites | Italy | Europe | 174,422 |
| 4 | The Himalayas | Multiple Countries | Asia | 158,606 |
| 5 | The Carpathians | Multiple Countries | Europe | 142,714 |
| 6 | The Caucasus | Multiple Countries | Europe, Asia | 108,124 |
| 7 | The Tatra Mountains | Slovakia, Poland | Europe | 85,401 |
| 8 | The Andes | Multiple Countries | South America | 78,176 |
| 9 | The Scandinavian Mountains | Norway, Sweden | Europe | 48,789 |
| 10 | The Pyrenees | Multiple Countries | Europe | 37,473 |
Australia, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, also found its gems spotlighted. The Great Ocean Walk, renowned for its panoramic views of wild nature and big skies, is the continent’s most photographed trail. It’s followed by the challenging Overland Track in Tasmania and the extensive Larapinta Trail.
The 3 Most Photographed Trails in Australia
| Rank | Route Name | Location | Photo Count |
| 1 | Great Ocean Walk | Victoria | 3,418 |
| 2 | Overland Track | Tasmania | 621 |
| 4 | Larapinta Trail | West MacDonnell Ranges | 318 |
Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide, commented on the findings: “Unveiling the world’s most photographed trails and mountain ranges is an exciting endeavor. We hope this list not only awakens the spirit of adventure in enthusiasts but also showcases the beauty our planet has to offer.”
