Cumbria has the best walking country in Britain, according to the readers of a prestigious American magazine called British Heritage.

Hadrian's Wall was declared winner of the 'Best Walking Route' category for the Hadrian's Wall path, which is due to open in summer 2003.

The path follows the length of the wall from Cumbria to Newcastle taking in spectacular scenery, as well as the forts and museums along the wall while avoiding busy roads.

The Lake District was declared runner-up as the region with the best walking routes.

The magazine said: "Gentle hills, towering rocks, forest glades, waterfalls and, of course, lakes, make up the wealth of landscape variety in this compact and accessible area with many trails.

Walker will find much to choose from in terrain and vistas from well travelled to solitary."

The Lake District was also short listed for the most scenic Countryside category by readers of British Heritage.

The 2002 Travellers Choice Awards were chosen by the readers of the magazine after nominations from a panel of expert advisors.

The winners are all listed in the April/May edition of the magazine, which is sold throughout the USA to North American travellers and history enthusiasts who are looking for in-depth coverage of British traditions.

Chief executive of Cumbria Tourist Board Chris Collier was delighted that the region had been recognised with two top awards.

"To win one award is a great achievement but for one region to have both shows just how important walking and outdoor activities generally are in Cumbria.

"It is great that those wonderful walks alongside Hadrian's Wall have been recognised in time for the first sections of the Hadrian's wall path to open.

In the Cumbrian sections, there are some truly spectacular views across the border country around the World Heritage Site.

While there are many well known walks in the Lake District, it was the huge variety of walking routes which won praise from the readers of the magazine."