The Top 10 Best Hiking Destinations in the UK
If you’re looking for an exciting and fulfilling outdoor adventure, then the UK has some of the best hiking destinations in the world. From the highest peaks of Scotland to the rolling hills of Wales, the UK is a hiker’s paradise. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trekker, there are plenty of amazing hiking trails and stunning scenery to explore. Here’s a list of the top 10 best hiking destinations in the UK for a spectacular adventure. These trails offer great views, challenging trails and plenty of things to see and do. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore all that the UK has to offer!
Top tip: You can download the OS Maps app, this will give you all the best walking trails from start to finish and a postcode to begin with. You can even download your chosen trail to use offline or if you lose signal.
Peak District National Park, England
The Peak District National Park is one of the top hiking destinations in the UK. It is the most visited National Park in the UK, with more than 16 million visitors annually. The park stretches across 562 square kilometres and includes several towns, including Sheffield and Manchester. There are hundreds of beautiful trails in the park, with around 100 trails being suitable for walkers. Hikers can enjoy spectacular scenery, including rolling hills and stunning limestone edges. Peak District National Park is a great place for bird watching, too. Hikers will see various species of birds, including black grouse and peregrine falcon. The Monsal trail is a great place to start, you will head over viaducts and through well lit tunnels.
Start at the rear of the Hassop station.
Postcode: DE45 1NW
The Coast to Coast Walk, England
The Coast to Coast Walk is one of the most popular trails in the UK. The trail runs from the southern coast at St. Bees in Cumbria to the northern coast at the Heritage Coast in North Yorkshire. It is a challenging trail that takes around 13 days to complete. The trail follows mainly through the open landscapes of moorland and mountains. The path follows public footpaths, minor roads and the Pennine Bridleway. It is suitable for hikers of all levels, but it is important to plan your journey in advance and have the right equipment. The best time to hike this trail is from April to October. This is when the weather is more settled and it is easier to find accommodation.
Start at St Bees head
Postcode: CH28 9AY
Snowdonia National Park, Wales
The Snowdonia National Park is another great hike. The park, which is located in North Wales, covers an area of 1,085 square kilometres. Snowdonia National Park is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the UK, including Snowdon, Llanberis Pass and the River Dee. There are over 700 kilometres of trails across the park, with many of them being suitable for walkers. You can enjoy spectacular views of the mountains, lakes and rivers. In addition, there are also plenty of things to see and do along the way. Snowdonia National Park is an ideal place to visit if you love photography. There are several attractions along the way, including the Llanberis Pass Mini Railway and Goedolwyn Boulder. I recommend hiking up Snowdon, many trails are varying in difficulty. The miner’s track is a great place to start if you want a challenge.
Start at Pen y Pass car park (If you want to park here, you will need to book in advance.)
Postcode: LL55 4NU
The North Downs Way, England
The North Downs Way is a challenging trail that takes around six days to complete. The trail begins at Farnham in Surrey and ends at Bear Road in Kent. It follows mainly through the open landscapes of the North Downs, The trail follows public footpaths and bridleways.
Start at Farnham
Postcode: GU9 7DX
The Cotswold Way, England
The Cotswold Way trail follows an ancient footpath that has connected towns and villages since the 11th century. The trail begins at the southern edge of the Cotswolds near the village of Parking and ends at the northern edge of the Hills near the village of Leec. The trail follows mainly through the open landscapes of the Cotswolds. The path follows public footpaths, bridleways and sections of minor roads.
Start at Chipping campden
Postcode: GL55 6JG
The West Highland Way, Scotland
The West Highland Way trail follows an old footpath that was used by shepherds to take their sheep to market in the 19th century. The trail begins at the northern edge of the Scottish Highlands near the town of Milngavie and ends at the southern edge of the Highlands near the town of Fort William. The trail follows mainly through the open landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
Start at Milngavie
Postcode: G62 8PG
The Pennine Way, England
The Pennine Way is one of the top trails to hike in the UK. It is a challenging trail that takes around 14 days to complete. The trail follows an ancient footpath that has connected towns and villages since the 11th century. The trail begins at Edale in Derbyshire and ends at the southern edge of the Pennines near the village of Robin Hood’s Well. The path follows mainly through the open landscapes of the Pennine Hills.
Start at Edale
Postcode: S33 7ZA
The South West Coast Path, England
The South West Coast Path is one of the top trails to hike in the UK. It is a challenging trail that takes around seven weeks to complete. The trail follows an ancient footpath that has connected towns and villages since the 11th century. The trail begins at the southern edge of the South West Peninsula in Somerset and ends at the northern edge of the South West Peninsula in Dorset. The path follows mainly through the open landscapes of the South West Peninsula.
Start at Minehead, Somerset
Postcode: TA24 5AB
The Great Glen Way, Scotland
The Great Glen Way is one of the top trails to hike in the UK. The trail follows an old footpath that was used by travellers between ancient villages around 500 years ago. The trail begins at Fort William in Scotland and ends at Inverness in the north. The trail follows mainly through the open landscapes of the Great Glen.
Start at Fort william
Postcode: PH33 6AA
Ben Nevis, Scotland
If you’re looking for a challenge, why not try hiking up Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles? It’s a great way to explore some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes while getting a good workout. If you’re a beginner, you may want to start out on one of the easier routes up the mountain. Once you’ve chosen your route, make sure you plan for plenty of time. It’s best to start early in the morning to get the most out of your hike. As you make your way up, take time to appreciate the stunning scenery and don’t forget to take lots of photos. And when you reach the summit, be sure to take a moment to admire the view – you’ve earned it!
Start at Glen Nevis visitor centre car park
Postcode: PH33 6PF
The UK has some of the best hiking trails in the world. These trails offer great views, challenging trails and plenty of things to see and do. When hiking in the UK, remember to bring suitable clothing and equipment for the conditions and make sure to follow safety guidelines. The trail conditions can change quickly, so make sure you are prepared.
