This multi-regional country might be underestimated by many avid adventurers who know little or nothing about all its wonders. However, it is the most endowed location in Europe when it comes to landscapes, museums, upscale art galleries, castles, and beautifully preserved structures. If you love taking long scenic walks, this destination, with its rich cultural heritage and lush vegetation, has so much to offer. It offers day-long routes and longer paths that will take a week or more to trail - passing through historical sites, beautiful villages, wilderness, and coastlines all begging to be explored. And with the best walks in the United Kingdom, nothing is stopping you from experiencing the best adventures that the continent has to offer. Find out more below.
1. Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail
This six-day trek is arguably the most scenic and historical walk in all of England, and it stretches 84 miles (135 kilometers). The Hadrian’s Wall was not built by the Romans in AD 122 to serve its today’s purpose, but rather, to keep the Pictish Scots out of the region. The path starts from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria, and passes through the busy areas of Carlisle and Newcastle, significant landmarks like the fort of Segedunum, beautiful countryside, and wild moorlands, and ends at Tyneside. It is a moderately challenging track, and it was named a National Trail in 2003.
Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail
Address: Hadrian’s Wall Path Wallsend, England UK
2. Lizard Peninsula Coast
If you are a nature enthusiast, then you won’t want to miss all the fauna, flora, rare wildflowers, and dramatic scenery offered in this all-age friendly walk. This scenic path stretches from the laid-back fishing village of Helford to the bustling region of Porthleven, and it’s linked by another famous trail, the South West Coast Path. The best time to walk the Lizard Peninsula Coast is during the midsummer and spring when the weather is optimal, and lots of rare species, including the fringed rupturewort, are in their prime.
Lizard Peninsula Coast
Address: S W Coast Path, Lizard, Helston TR12 7NT, United Kingdom
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
3. West Highland Way
West Highland Way is a moderately tricky walk (as long as you avoid the high tops), stretching 96 miles (154.5 kilometers). It starts from the end of Glasgow in Milngavie to the foot of Ben Nevis, the most prominent mountain in Britain, located in Fort Williams. This path, which was opened in 1980, is the longest and the most famous in Scotland and can take around a week to complete. However, we bet the tiredness will ward off with the beautiful views of the wilderness of Rannoch Moor, the heartwarming landscape of Loch Lomond, and the Highland.
West Highland Way
Address: West Highland Way Crianlarich UK
Website: West Highland Way
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4. Causeway Coast Way
Discover the picturesque, rugged coast of Northern Ireland by taking on this two-day path, stretching 33 miles (53.1 kilometers). The route begins at Ballycastle and passes through spots of scientific and cultural importance, as well as lots of natural wonders. This dramatic path cuts through the stunning Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, the ancient Dunluce Castle, and the eye-catching Victorian resort of Portstewart along the scenic coast. While on the Causeway Coast Way, you will also be blessed with heartwarming views of off-shore rocks, sandy beaches, and wide bays.
Causeway Coast Way
Address: 44 Causeway Rd, Bushmills BT57 8SU, United Kingdom
5. Coniston Round
Posted by Sharkey's Dream on Monday, 8 April 2019
Explore the market towns, glacial lakes, and rugged mountains by trailing the one-day route of Coniston Round, which transverses the beautiful Lake District National Park. The circular path starts from descending the Dow Crag to the regular peak of Grey Friar, up the Old Man of Coniston with a height of 1969 feet (600 meters), and ends at the lovely Coniston set by the lakeside. If you love looking down beautiful views of landscapes, waterfalls, and other natural features, there are a total of seven Wainwright summits within the park, that offer even more spectacular sights.
Coniston Round
Address: Lake District National Park, Coniston LA21 8AQ, England
6. Kintyre Way
Kintyre Way is a little-known secret even in the UK, which opened in 2006 and stretches 102.5 miles (165 kilometers) from Dunaverty to Tarbert Harbour. Explore the breathtaking beauty of the wild Atlantic coastline, featuring rugged and unspoiled Kintyre Peninsula. The coastal route is filled with the fishing village along with rolling hills and magnificent, changing landscapes, which may be too challenging for the newbie, but can also be enjoyed in bits. Also, catch sights of the pesky mosquito-like midge, Scotland’s national animal along the coast, which flourish in summer and spring seasons.
Kintyre Way
Address: PA28 6HA, Scotland
Website: Kintyre Way
7. Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail
The walk takes you through 186 miles (299.3 kilometers) of the most dramatic coastline in the UK, featuring beautiful coastal towns, vast sandy beaches, rock arches, sheltered coves, and Clifftops. This challenging, national trail in Wales starts in St Dogmaels and ends in Newport. The initial section of the path is the most rigorous with sheer cliff faces and varied steep hills. However, it also features a less complicated part in between The Green Bridge and Stack Rock, featuring stunning rock formations. Measuring its ascent and descent amounts to 35,000 feet (10668 meters), which is almost the same as mount Everest’s.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail
Address: Llanion Park | Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DY, Wales
Website: Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed from Sun - Tue)
8. Cotswold Way
Experience an adventurous 10-day walk on this scenic path, which passes through historical landmarks, varying green hills, and beautiful, laid-back villages. Cotswold Way is also a national trail that stretches 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Bath in the south to Chipping Campden in the north. It’s suitable for all ages and experiences, as it is shared into many circular paths – including Belas Knap and Winchcombe paths. Along this route, you will enjoy magical views of the Cotswold escarpment and stops at some of the most significant historical sites in the region – including Hailes Abbey, Sudeley Castle, and the Roman heritage located in Bath.
Cotswold Way
Address: Cotswold Way London, England United Kingdom
9. Edale to Crowden, Pennine Way
Posted by Ben Hales on Tuesday, 11 June 2019
Pennine Way was the first path to be recognized as a National Trail in 1965, and it stretches 268 miles (431 kilometers) from Peak District in Derbyshire to the laid-back Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. However, we are going to focus on a section of the trail from Edale to Crowden, which is the most challenging but features most of the fantastic sights. Between these destinations, you will be fed with picturesque views of Peak District, the unspoiled magnificence of Kinder Plateau, and other natural wonders.
Edale to Crowden, Pennine Way
Address: Yorkshire Dales National Park DL8 3EL, England
10. South Foreland Lighthouse Walk
Exmoor Ponies above The White Cliffs of Dover Jun 2017 Going for an early morning walk with Jeltex (my UK host) along...
Posted by Tony Graham on Monday, 26 June 2017
If you are a less experienced hiker looking for the best way to experience the country’s most outstanding landscape, the South Foreland Lighthouse Walk is your best bet. This 4-mile (6-kilometer) route transverses the White Cliffs of the southeast coast of England, from White Cliffs Visitor Centre to the historic and eye-catching South Foreland Lighthouse. Aside from the untamed beauty of the natural wonders along this path, you will also discover iconic historical landmarks – including Langdon Hole, which is a system of tunnels used during WWII.
South Foreland Lighthouse Walk
Address: Upper Rd, St Margaret’s at Cliffe, Dover CT15 5NA, United Kingdom
Make life-long memories
There a lot of things to do and experience on these walks in the United Kingdom. Whether you are looking forward to beautiful summertime, discovering the beauty of nature, or walking down history lane, and more, or you just want to have some alone time, this country offers you the best options. Walk along these paths and make life-long memories.
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