Best UK Walking Spots

Here in the UK, we’re pretty lucky when it comes to jaw-dropping countryside. Going for a walk is a perfect activity if you’re looking for a fun, free day out or if you’re really keen, you can even extend your trip to be a walking holiday. With a mix of moors, woodlands, lakes, mountains, coastlines and more, it’s hard to narrow down what my personal favourite walking spots are, but I’ll give it a go anyway! 

Brecon Beacons

On the border between South and Mid Wales is the Brecon Beacons National Park. With 34 mountains and even more peaks, there are plenty of options if you’re looking for an uphill challenge! Pen y Fan is the tallest mountain in the Brecon Beacons at 886m and it’s a popular destination for hikers. However, there are plenty of other smaller mountains and hills which still provide incredible views of the region. Not only are there loads of uphill challenges, but there are plenty of other sights to behold, including dramatic waterfalls, like Henrhyd Falls which has a 90-foot drop, and Lower Ddwli Falls where you can go swimming!

Peak District

The Peak District National Park is a walker's paradise. The name itself is a bit of a giveaway - there are loads of peaks in the area creating spectacular views across its 555 square miles! The Peak District is divided into two halves, the Dark Peak (Northern half) and the White Peak (Southern half). They’re named like this because the geology of the areas differs greatly, but both have more than a few places to explore. The Dark Peak is named so due to the black gritstone covering the area, and the White Peak area is called so as it’s covered in white limestone. The Dark Peak has the bigger peaks to conquer, as it has Kinder Scout (633m), Bleaklow (633m) and The Black Hill (582m), the terrain is quite challenging but striking, with lots of heather and bogs. The White Peak has limestone caves like Thor’s Cave and beautiful valleys (like the limestone valley of Dovedale) to explore. 

Dartmoor

Dartmoor National Park is full of atmospheric hiking spots. It's around 368 square miles, full of sweeping moorlands, an abundance of tors (around 160!), gorges, woodlands, rivers and reservoirs. As well as beautiful scenery, there is loads of interesting wildlife to see, from wild ponies, otters and rare species of bats. Burrator Reservoir is well worth a visit, it’s 150 acres and is surrounded by beautiful woodlands. There are plenty of walking routes around it, including the Burrator Reservoir skyline loop which will take you through moors, valleys and up to see the Sheeps Tor and Down Tor.  

Jurassic Coast

The Jurrasic Coast is a beautiful coastline that stretches across Dorset and Devon. It’s about 95 miles long and you can walk across its entirety in roughly 7 days if you’re up for a challenge! The route is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its abundance of fossils, rocks and landforms, so if you’re up for some fossil-hunting, you’re in the right spot. One of the most famous landmarks along the route is Durdle Door (pictured above), a beautiful, natural limestone arch which curves out into the sea. 

Lake District

The biggest National Park in England, the Lake District has many gorgeous sights to behold and is a great spot for keen walkers. As its name suggests, there are many lakes in the National Park (16 in fact) so there is plenty to discover. The biggest lake is Windermere (10 miles long!), and there are lots of walking routes around the area, including beautiful forest walks. Not only are there plenty of lakes, but the Lake District is a mountainous area and is home to Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England (978m) which is a very scenic hike with gorgeous views from the top, and on a clear day, you can see as far away as Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man!

Yorkshire Dales

Moors, hills, valleys, waterfalls and caverns are all encompassed within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. At 841 square miles, there is plenty to explore, and it’s a fantastic destination for a walking holiday. The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a great walking route as it takes you through 6 waterfalls, an ancient woodland, a valley and a gorge - plenty of sights to keep you occupied! The giant rock formations of Brimham Rocks, a part of the National Trust, are well worth a visit as well, they were formed over 100 million years before dinosaurs roamed the earth!

Cotswolds

The Cotswolds AONB is around 787 square miles of rolling green hills, woodlands, prehistoric landmarks, sheep, and picturesque villages in southwest and central west England. To get the best sights of the Cotswolds, walking along the Cotswolds Way route is the best idea, which starts at Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire and ends in Bath. The route is 100 miles long, and you can walk along the whole route if you’re up for a challenging walking holiday (which will take between 7 to 10 days) or you can choose specific areas along the route. Sights you’ll see include Belas Knap, a Neolithic burial chamber and Hailes Abbey. 

Snowdonia

If you’re looking to hike some of the most breathtaking mountains in the UK, head to Snowdonia National Park in Northern Wales. Not only is there Snowdon, Wales's tallest mountain which stands at 1,085m, but there are plenty of others to explore in the 9 mountain ranges that make up the region (which will be a lot less busy than Snowdon!) For those who aren’t looking for mountain walks, Snowdonia offers other beautiful scenic walking spots, including stunning coastlines and woodland areas. 

Cairngorms

Scotland is home to some of the most scenic walks in the UK, and Cairngorms National Park is a great place to head to. It’s the biggest National Park in the UK (1,748 square miles!), and the area is varied and diverse, with heather moorlands, wetlands, lochs, rivers, rugged mountains and forests (just to name a few), as well as an abundance of wildlife, including red deer, golden eagles and mountain hares. One magnificent spot in Cairngorms is Loch Morlich, which is surrounded by sandy beaches and has an amazing view of some snow-capped mountains. There are loads of walks around the loch, including some peaceful forest walks. If you’re up for a mountain challenge, Cairngorms is home to the mountain Ben Macdui, which stands at 1,309m and provides beautiful views of the National Park and beyond.  

Causeway Coast and Glens

Northern Ireland is home to the Causeway Coast and Glens region, which offers some spectacular sights, including dramatic cliffs and valleys. The Causeway Coastal route is 195 miles long and is very scenic, it’s a popular destination for a road trip as it highlights some amazing natural sights, and there are plenty of places to hike. Along the Causeway Coast is the famous Giant’s Causeway which sits below the basalt cliffs, the medieval castle Dunluce and the nine Glens of Antrim which is an AONB. The Glens are well worth exploring on foot as they showcase some of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful countryside.