Coast walk tops trek to Everest

The route takes walkers through the Lake District to the east coast

A trek which begins in Cumbria has been named among the world's best walks ahead of world-famous hikes to the Inca Trail, Everest and Mont Blanc.

The Coast-to-Coast walk starting at St Bees came second in a search to find the 50 best walks in the world.

The 190-mile cross-country route was behind only Milford Track, New Zealand, according to Country Walking magazine.

The walk, which ends at Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire, was devised by the late author Alfred Wainwright.

The Coast-to-Coast walk takes in three national parks - the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors - and takes an average of 13 days to complete.

Alfred Wainwright, a fell walking chronicler, devised the trek to link the Irish Sea and North Sea via the hills, moors and valleys of northern England.

The cultural experience is typically British and specifically English Bill Scott, walker

Richard Baker, deputy editor of Country Walking magazine, said a list of up to 60 walks was sent out to guide book writers and other experts who came up with their top 50.

He told BBC News that he was not surprised at the popularity of the Coast-to-Coast: "It has mountains, valleys, moors and lakes. There is a great camaraderie on the walk.

"It also appeals to all people. It is not an easy walk and you have to be fairly fit, but it can be done in 12 days."

Bill Scott, from Vancouver, Canada, has completed the walk twice with his wife, and plans to do it next year.

He said: "I am surprised it is not first out of the 50. What I know of walks throughout the world, the Coast-to-Coast is second to none.

"It has many different facets and is a cultural experience as well as a physical and mental challenge.

"The cultural experience is typically British and specifically English. The humour, the personalities and characters of the people you meet - they have a style about them and an environment they generate themselves which cannot be emulated anywhere in the world. But it is not a walk in the park."