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  • Hiking in the Lake District, UK
    Hiking in the Lake District, UK Photo: Jonny Gios, CC0, unsplash.com

Hikes & Walks in the United Kingdom

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Walking in the United Kingdom is as versatile as the country itself. Various national parks such as the Peak District, Lake District and Snowdonia are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. These are brilliant destinations for your active break. Go Munro bagging in Scotland or enjoy the beauty of the Jurassic Coast in the South. The UK holds plenty of well-maintained walking routes for all experience levels.

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The 10 most beautiful hikes in the United Kingdom

Orwell Country Park
Hiking Trail · East England
Ipswich Waterfront Walk - King Charles III England Coast path extension - Suffolk Food Hall to Orwell Country Park
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
8.8 km
2:10 h
43 m
37 m
A 5.5 mile extension to the King Charles III England Coast Path avoiding the Orwell Bridge crossing.  The route takes you through parks and tracks to the Ipswich Waterfront.
Discover Suffolk
Whitesands, Pembrokeshire.
Hiking Trail · Pembrokeshire
Whitesands to Solva: Wales Coast Path
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
20.3 km
7:30 h
236 m
267 m
Arguably one of the most breathtaking parts of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, this route from Whitesands to the harbour village of Solva passes through St Nons and Caerfai.
Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire
Hiking Trail · Suffolk
Rattlesden Heritage Trail - The Half Moon and the Rising Sun Trail
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
1
3.8 km
0:55 h
27 m
27 m
A 2.5 mile circular walk starting from The Brewers and the Village Hall.  The Rattlesden Heritage Trails will take you on a journey of footpaths, tracks, fields and pedestrian pathways in the village centre.
Discover Suffolk
Brough of Deerness
Hiking Trail · Orkney
Rundweg am Mull Head
Toprecommended route Difficulty T2 moderate
3 km
1:00 h
33 m
33 m
Kurzer Rundweg im Mull Head Nature Reserve entlang der schroffen Klippenküste mit Vogelkolonien zu den Überresten einer Wikingersiedlung.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Lower Falls Bridge
Hiking Trail · Perth and Kinross
Falls of Bruar, Rundweg
Toprecommended route Difficulty T1 easy
2.8 km
1:00 h
113 m
113 m
Kurze, aber lohnenswerte Wanderung über steinerne Brücken zu den wildromantischen Bruar Falls im Cairngorms National Park.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Newport, Pembrokeshire.
Hiking Trail · Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Newport to Pwllgwaelod
Toprecommended route Difficulty T2 difficult
12.2 km
4:20 h
275 m
271 m
This 8-mile linear walking route along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path starts and ends at a beach, and passes a couple more along the way! Think epic sea views and lots of picnic stops.
Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire
View over the village, towards Milford Haven and the Pembroke Refinery.
Hiking Trail · West Wales
Dale, Marloes and Abandoned Airfield hiking loop
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
1
8.6 km
2:10 h
59 m
59 m
A wonderful hike from the coast at Dale, inland to Marloes an over the headland along a long lost WWII airfield.
Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire
Yesnaby Castle
Hiking Trail · Orkney
Küstenwanderung bei Yesnaby
Toprecommended route Difficulty T2 moderate
8.2 km
2:30 h
86 m
86 m
Die Wanderung an der Westküste von Mainland Orkney bietet spektakuläre Ausblicke auf schroffe Klippen und einzigartige Felsformationen.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Wanderung am Loch Affric
Hiking Trail · Scottish Highlands
Swisstrack-Wanderung am Loch Affric
Toprecommended route Difficulty T1 moderate
8.4 km
2:15 h
118 m
117 m
Atemberaubende Landschaft am Glen Affric Glen Affric⁩⁦ ist ein ca. 30 km langes Tal („Glen“) in den schottischen Northwest Highlands.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Burgruine im Loch Eilein
Hiking Trail · The Cairngorm Mountains
Swisstrack-Wanderung um den Loch an Eilein
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
5.5 km
1:20 h
18 m
18 m
Wanderung in den Rothiemurchus im Cairngorms Nationalpark, Schottland. Die Umrundung des Loch an Eilein durch den wunderschönen Pinienwald bietet schöne Ausblicke auf den See und die Burgruine im See.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
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Where to go hiking in the UK?

When you have a day off, or even a week, there is nothing better than to explore nature. For some, walking is like meditating – getting away from daily life and listening to the stories of your surroundings while butting one foot in front of the other mile after mile. The UK has many magical and mystical places that you can only enjoy on foot.

We’ll show you around and introduce you to the best places in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Get inspired and start planning your next walking or hiking trip!

  • Hikes & Walks in Cumbria
  • Hikes & Walks In The Cotswolds
  • Hikes & Walks in the Highlands
  • Hikes & Walks on the Isle of Anglesey

England – over hill, to sea

In between its dazzling cities, England surprises with a vast land full of deep forests, endless heathland and plenty of peaks giving the landscape an attractive shape.

Walk the length and breadth of the Lake District, and you'll see why it is one of the UK's most famous beauty spots. Wild boar and deer live in Sussex countryside, and the Seven Sisters tops the area off. If you like the coastal walks there, you should also check out the routes connecting Norfolk and Suffolk. The Norfolk coast has a long history of maritime and architectural links and is a popular destination for walkers and cyclists.

The White Peak is one of the UK's most spectacular mountain ranges and is home to some of the country's most spectacular scenery. The Dragon's Back range is often cited as the only true peaks in the Peak District; a line of pinnacles said to resemble the 'plates' along the spine of a stegosaurus dinosaur.

The rolling hills of the Staffordshire Dales are a world away from the madding crowds of the Grand National. This route is part of the Dimmings Dales National Park in North Yorkshire.

United Kingdom
Hikes & Walks in England

England holds a variety of beautiful and well-maintained walking routes, which are appealing to a huge number of walkers. ...

Outdooractive Editors

Scotland – warmhearted roughness

Yes, sometimes it rains in Scotland. But often enough, there is some sun.

Besides that, everyone can hike when the weather is good. But there is some joy in climbing a mountain when the conditions seem to be against you. Don’t be afraid of a bit of rain and enjoy the mystic country of Scotland.

The most important spots you shouldn’t miss are:

  • Munro Ben Nevis, the highest mountain of Scotland
  • Inverness and Fort William as outdoor sports hot spots
  • Loch Ness and its legendary monster
  • Edinburgh, explore the Athens of the North

 

The Scots are excellent hosts and know how to make your stay unforgettable. Don’t hesitate to start a conversation with them – they might let you in on some secrets and recommend you their favourite hikes and walks.

United Kingdom
Hikes & Walks In Scotland

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Scotland with our comprehensive travel guide on walks and hikes. From the rugged ...

Outdooractive Editors

What to wear hiking in the UK?

The keyword here is layering. For example, if you are out in Scotland, the weather can vary in one hour. Carrying a thin raincoat is always recommended. To protect yourself from wind up on the mountain tops, bring a thin headband or a loop scarf that you can wear around your neck or as a headband. Make also sure you have sturdy hiking shoes. They should have an excellent tread to give you grip even if the path is wet.

Wales – Coastal walks and National Parks

Explore the top of Mount Snowdon or take a walk along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path alongside the turquoise sea as you explore Wales' two incredible national parks - Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.

Spend some action-packed active breaks with your family and friends and learn about the culture and history of this unique country while hiking through Wales from North to South. The hiking network is well established and offers routes suitable for hikers of all levels.

Do you want to know where to hike in the UK? Well, Wales is a great start. The difficulty of the routes there start from easy but can also get quite tricky. So, whether you are a beginner on your first adventure or an expert explorer, Wales has got a lot of summits with an excellent view.

Fall in love with Wales!

United Kingdom
Hikes & Walks in Wales

With two fantastic national parks, Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, Wales has great walking routes and amazing scenery. ...

Outdooractive Editors

Northern Ireland – challenging miles with a view

The Belfast Hills are a good place to experience the hustle and bustle of the city down below while high up in the calm. You can easily reach the 478 meters (1,568 feet) tall Divis peak from the city centre.

In addition to enjoying the surroundings, you will also be able to see Scotland's peaks in the distance from the Ridge Trail.

The Mournes offers more challenging hikes you may enjoy. If you want challenging hikes, you can set out on three days to conquer six of Northern Ireland's highest peaks, beginning with Slieve Donard and ending with Meelberg. With challenging routes across the highest peaks and spectacular views, The Mourne Wall Challenge is for experienced hikers. The Sperrin Mountains offer megalithic structures like more than 90 stone circles and challenging routes.

Province · United Kingdom
Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, is a land of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. ...

Outdooractive Editors
Explore our Travel Guide for United Kingdom
Dog-friendly hiking Accessibility offers Accommodation Webcams Great places to visit with the family places to eat and drink Ideas for bad weather

Reviews

  97,069
Bamford - Edale October 2025 by Sheena
Today · Community
Comment
Ullswater Way - Dalemain loop by Claire
Yesterday · Community
Nice gentle walk - great for kids too with a variety of terrain (up through woods, across farmland, down country lanes and back by the river). Also well signposted :-)
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Comment
Burrator Reservoir-Sheepstor Circular by Andy
2 days ago · Community
Comment
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Find hikes in neighboring regions

Ireland

Nature regions

  • Hikes & Walks In The Lake District
  • Hikes in Cumbrian Lake District Coast
  • Hikes & Walks In The Peak District
  • Hikes in the Scottish Highlands
  • Hikes & Walks In Eryri (Snowdonia)
  • Hikes & Walks in the Yorkshire Dales
  • Hikes in Highland Coast
  • Hikes & Walks In South Downs National Park
  • Hikes & Walks in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons)
  • Hikes in Severn Estuary Coast

Discover other hikes within United Kingdom

England Guernsey Isle of Man Jersey Northern Ireland Scotland Wales

Similar activities in the United Kingdom

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