Angela Merkel is said to be a keen walker. Photo: Michael Thaidigsmann CC-BY-SA-4.0

Walkers exploring the hills of northern England or the peaks of Snowdonia shouldn’t be too surprised if they come across a familiar-looking German woman.

It has been revealed that the UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May presented German Chancellor Angela Merkel with two books detailing prime walking routes during her visit to Berlin.

Ms May handed over a copy of the coffee-table Coast to Coast with Wainwright, a photographic edition describing Alfred Wainwright’s walk between St Bees and Robin Hood’s Bay, along with Terry Marsh’s guidebook Great Mountain Days in Snowdonia.

Both the UK and German premiers are keen walkers, with Ms May favouring the European Alps and Ms Merkel the South Tyrol. The books, retailing at £25 and £18.95 respectively, were a present to mark the Chancellor’s 62nd birthday.

Jonathan Williams, publisher of Cicerone, which produces the Snowdonia guidebook, said: “I am intrigued and impressed to hear that Theresa May presented Angela Merkel with a copy of Cicerone’s guide to Great Mountain Days in Snowdonia by Terry Marsh.

Ms Merkel is said to favour the South Tyrol area of Italy. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

“Amongst the best of British as well as the very best of Wales.

“I had heard that Theresa May was a keen walker and we know that Angela Merkel is as well. Snowdonia is a great choice and if Mrs Merkel can fit the trip in we would be delighted to help ensure she had a great visit.

“As Theresa May and Angela Merkel guide Britain and Germany, and indeed Europe, through the challenges they face, we look to them finding ways to build on the open and free interactions that have bought pleasure to so many walkers and trekkers as they explore each other’s countries.”