UK's most popular trail comes across autumn colours and 'spectacular' waterfall

Autumn heralds the ideal season for a weekend escape, with the landscape transforming into a tapestry of fiery hues and the leaves taking their final bow.

It's the quintessential time to venture out and discover the finest rural vistas our nation has to offer. Recently crowned as the UK's favourite hike, this stunning trail is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders and features a breathtaking waterfall.

Nestled in the heart of Eyri National Park in Wales, the Aber Falls circular route spans 6.8 kilometres and typically requires around two hours to traverse though there's no rush; many prefer to meander along at a leisurely pace to fully embrace the natural beauty.

The path offers a gentle gradient with just a handful of challenging descents, catering to walkers of various experience levels. However, it's worth noting that its popularity means it can become quite crowded.

Early risers are rewarded with tranquillity, avoiding the throngs of visitors that arrive later in the day.

Outdoor specialists at Blacks have meticulously sifted through AllTrails and Google search data from October 2023 to September 2024, alongside average temperature and precipitation records, to pinpoint the top hiking destinations for this autumn and winter, reports the Mirror.

Aber Falls emerged as the frontrunner, thanks in part to its comparatively mild weather conditions. During the latter months of the year, temperatures average around 8C, complemented by a stellar 4.8-star rating on AllTrails.

An enthusiastic hiker shared their five-star review on AllTrails, exclaiming: "Super beautiful! ! ! We carried on and climbed the hill and found some more waterfalls so amazing!"

On TripAdvisor, the walk to Aber Falls has been hailed as a "must visit". A particularly impressed visitor remarked: "Aber Falls is a spectacular waterfall which, considering its location, is probably the most visited in Wales, along Pistyll Rhaeadr."

They continued enthusiastically: "I got extremely lucky during my visit when huge rainstorms dumped a huge amount of rain overnight and made this waterfall into a monster. There was so much water pouring over it and with such force it was impossible to even get close to the base with all the spray flying everywhere. I got extremely wet about 20 meters from the base itself! ".