Home Walking Walking in the UK National Parks National Parks, Coastal Trails, and Countryside Routes

National Parks, Coastal Trails, and Countryside Routes

by alan.dotchin

The UK is home to some of the best walking and hiking areas, with national parks, coastal trails, and countryside routes offering a variety of landscapes. Here are some of the top areas for walking in the UK:

1. National Parks & Mountainous Areas

These areas feature rugged terrain, hills, and mountains, perfect for challenging hikes and scenic walks.

  • Lake District (England) – Home to England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike, and stunning lakes like Windermere & Derwentwater.
  • Peak District (England) – Offers rolling hills, deep valleys, and famous routes like Kinder Scout & Mam Tor.
  • Snowdonia (Wales) – Includes Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest mountain in Wales, plus scenic ridges.
  • Brecon Beacons (Wales) – Famous for the Pen y Fan climb and beautiful waterfalls.
  • Cairngorms (Scotland) – A vast national park with Munros (mountains over 3,000ft) and wildlife.
  • Ben Nevis & The Highlands (Scotland) – The UK’s tallest mountain (Ben Nevis), plus dramatic landscapes.
  • Dartmoor & Exmoor (England) – Open moorlands, rugged tors, and picturesque river valleys.

2. Coastal Walks & Clifftop Trails

For those who enjoy sea views, cliffs, and fresh coastal air, these are the best:

  • South West Coast Path (England) – A 630-mile route covering Cornwall, Devon, Dorset & Somerset.
  • Jurassic Coast (England) – A UNESCO site with fossil-filled cliffs and landmarks like Durdle Door.
  • Pembrokeshire Coast Path (Wales) – Rugged coastline, beaches, and wildlife along 186 miles.
  • Causeway Coast Way (Northern Ireland) – Walk past Giant’s Causeway and stunning cliffs.
  • Northumberland Coast Path (England) – Castles, dunes, and wildlife along a wild coastline.

3. Rolling Countryside & Scenic Valleys

For gentler rural walks with beautiful landscapes:

  • The Cotswolds (England) – Rolling hills, villages, and meadows along the Cotswold Way.
  • Yorkshire Dales (England) – Famous for Malham Cove, Ingleborough, and the Three Peaks Challenge.
  • Chiltern Hills (England) – Woodlands, historic towns, and walking trails like the Ridgeway.
  • Shropshire Hills (England) – Remote and peaceful, featuring The Long Mynd & Stiperstones.
  • The Wye Valley (Wales & England) – Follows the River Wye, with trails through forests and limestone gorges.

4. Famous Long-Distance Walking Routes

For those looking for multi-day hikes across the UK:

  • Hadrian’s Wall Path – 84 miles following Roman history from coast to coast.
  • The Pennine Way – 268 miles through Northern England, including the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales.
  • The West Highland Way – 96 miles through Scotland’s Highlands, from Glasgow to Fort William.
  • The Thames Path – 185 miles following the River Thames from source to London.
  • Offa’s Dyke Path – 177 miles along the England-Wales border, with historic landscapes.
  • St Cuthbert’s Way –
  • Coast to Coast – Robin Hood bay
  • Cumbria Way –