Summer is nearly here in the northern hemisphere. It's time to break in the hiking boots, oil the bike chain, or dig out the swimsuit for a sunny dip in a mountain lake. Here's some facts and figures about summer in the mountains:
People in the UK who participate in hill or mountain walking
Key attractions of summer in alps: weather, food, lack of crowds, health benefits, culture
40% increase in hill and mountain walking since 2015/16
Number of rivers used for white water rafting in Canada
Verbier's Cabane Mont Fort will celebrate its 100-year anniversary this summer
Over 4.5 million Brits have tried stand up paddleboarding (SUP), a sport which is particularly popular on Lake Annecy (where SUPs cost €15 to hire for an hour).
m
2
Size of Italy's Merano Thermal Baths
Riders have been stopping at British Colombia's Halfway Lodge - set at 1930m in the Canadian Rockies - since the 1920s
Bike parks included in the Gravity Card ticket
Metres above sea level of Europe's highest building: the Margherita Hut, which can be reached on a challenging 2-day hike using crampons
