TWO popular routes have been named among the best for wintery walks in Great Britain.

The John Muir Way and Belhaven Bay were named in the top 10 by Verdant Leisure.

The holiday home operator, which owns Thurston Manor, near Innerwick, collated data which examines walking routes and ranks them based on their social media popularity, visitor ratings from sites like TripAdvisor and average rainfall between December and March, so walkers know which locations tend to be the driest.

The John Muir Way, which goes from Dunbar – the birthplace of Muir – to Helensburgh, was ranked number three, while Belhaven Bay was placed one place lower in fourth.

According to Verdant Leisure, the John Muir Way is “a wild route offers multiple walks, hikes and cycling routes, perfect for walkers of all abilities”. They state: “With its 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor, the scenery on show here is second to none with forests, lakes, coastlines and old castle ruins offering plenty for the eyes to feast on, whichever trail chosen to explore.”

Meanwhile, about Belhaven Bay, they said: “The bay offers grasslands, sand dunes and rich salt marsh which spans all the way from Belhaven to the north of the River Tyne. A sandy stroll here will also mean you’re in with a chance to spot some ancient castle ruins, adding a bit of history to your walk.”