An estimated 1.75million people have stepped into the calm of the national forest across Aberdeenshire and Moray during the past year.
Forestry Commission Scotland has hailed the figures which have emerged following a survey which took 12 months to complete.
While the majority of visitors were from Scotland, around 8% of those who visited National Forest Estate in the north east were on a holiday.
Environment minister Paul Wheelhouse welcomed the results.
He said: “It’s very positive news that we are seeing so many people visiting the National Forest Estate and taking the opportunity to enjoy Scotland’s outstanding natural environment.
“The Scottish Government is keen to capitalise on this success by widening out better access to our woodlands and providing a greater range of ways for people to enjoy them.”
While the largest number of visitors went to Aberdeenshire, about 500,000 went to Moray’s forests.
Calum Murray, the commission’s tourism manager for the area, said: “We manage a number of forests around Aberdeen that are hugely popular for people looking to take a break from the day to day bustle of city life.
“We are currently looking into what we can do to keep developing Moray’s forests and woodlands to attract more visitors and bring in greater benefits to the local economy.”