National Parks, Coastal Trails, and Countryside Routes

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 –