The best walks in the UK: 11 Great British routes
From the very tip of the Scottish Highlands to the South West Coastal Path, the UK is littered with mind-blowing scenery and well-maintained walking routes. It’s almost an impossible task to choose from the wealth of options, but we’ve managed to narrow down 11 of our favourite walks in the UK.
1. Helvellyn and Striding Edge
Location: Lake District
Difficulty: Hard
Walk length: Seven-and-a-half miles
Terrain: Rocky mountain terrain
Scafell Pike may be England’s highest peak but this ascent of Helvellyn and Striding Edge is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular climbs in the UK. The circular route navigates a narrow ridge, with excitement provided by the sight of the valley falling away below. Panoramic views of the Lake District from the top of Helvellyn are a payoff worth the ascent.
2. Lizard Point Circular
Location: Cornwall
Difficulty: Medium
Walk length: Four-and-a-half miles
Terrain: Well-marked coastal paths with some rocky boulders
Cornwall’s winding cliff-top walk starts at Lizard Point Car Park and heads immediately south towards Lizard Point, at the southern tip of the UK. Continuing along the Cornish cliffs, this part of the walk offers spectacular views and a picnic spot of champions at the emerald waters of Kynance Cove.
3. St David’s Head Coastal Walk
Location: Pembrokeshire
Difficulty: Medium
Walk length: Four miles
Terrain: Easy coastal paths
This circular walk both begins and ends at Whitesands Beach, a stretch of Pembrokeshire sand that you’ll definitely want to explore on your return. Continuing along a clifftop path, the St David’s Head Coastal Walk provides excellent views of tiny islands dotting the coast, and an inland strewn with purple heather and prehistoric ruins.
4. Giant’s Causeway Red Trail
Location: Northern Ireland
Difficulty: Easy
Walk length: Two miles
Terrain: Rugged clifftop paths
Giant’s Causeway Red Trail, on the north coast of Northern Ireland, passes through some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic scenery, including the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The recognisable sight of 40,000 basalt columns sticking haphazardly out of the sea will accompany you along this bleak and elemental hike
5. Malham Cove and Gordale Scar
Location: Yorkshire Dales
Difficulty: Medium
Walk length: Seven-and-a-half miles
Terrain: Rugged and rocky with some steep climbs
Malham Cove and Gordale Scar circular walk takes in some of the geological highlights of the Yorkshire Dales. The smell of wild garlic will lead you to Janet’s Foss waterfall, one of several waterfalls on this diverse hike. The narrow canyon of Gordale Scar is a towering limestone wonder, which requires some scrambling to navigate.
6. Pen y Fan and Corn Du Circular
Location: Brecon Beacons
Difficulty: Hard
Walk length: Four miles
Terrain: Well-made mountain footpaths
As an ascent of the highest mountain in South Wales, Pen y Fan and Corn Du Circular walk is a suitably tough yet enjoyable hike. Both of these Brecon Beacons summits were used for burials during the Bronze Age times, lending them an aura of mystery as you pass remnants of ancient chambers. Couple this with the outstanding views, even reaching the Bristol Channel on a clear day.
7. Bakewell to Chatsworth
Location: Peak District
Difficulty: Easy
Walk length: Eight miles
Terrain: Predominantly flat woodland and parkland trails
With a starting point at the famous Peak District market town, and ending at one of the best-loved stately homes in the UK, this walk explores the quintessential British countryside. At any time of year, the Bakewell to Chatsworth walk has a different character; from autumn leaves and crisp icy fields to glorious blue skies and fields of bluebells. Enjoy views of Chatsworth House along the way.
8. Craster to Seahouses
Location: Northumberland
Difficulty: Medium
Walk length: Ten miles
Terrain: Sandy dunes, cliff tops and small villages
Beginning at Northumberland’s fishing village of Craster, the Craster to Seahouses walk is one of the standout sections of the Northumberland Coast Path. Hugging the North Sea coast, there are lots of wildlife spotting opportunities from seal to osprey, as well as plenty of life in the rock pools. And the bleak ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle sit in view the whole time, creating drama across the landscape.
9. Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay
Location: North Yorkshire
Difficulty: Medium
Walk length: Seven-and-a-half miles
Terrain: Well-maintained clifftop paths
Yorkshire has such an outstanding diversity of walks, but this coastal jaunt from Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay is up there with the best in the region. Not only do the sea views provide some beautiful walking scenery, but the area is replete with history. Starting at Dracula’s historic base of Whitby, the walk takes in medieval abbeys and ends at North Yorkshire’s Robin Hoods Bay.
10. West Highland Way
Location: Scottish Highlands
Difficulty: Hard
Walk length: 96 miles
Terrain: Varied – from woodland tracks to moorland and fields
West Highland Way is one of Scotland’s most iconic multi-day hiking trails, traversing the lochs, moorland and woods of the Scottish Highlands in approximately six days. Beginning just north of Glasgow, at Milngavie, and ending in Fort William, this long-distance trail will take you through some of the very best landscapes that Scotland has to offer. It can be split into shorter trips if desired.
11. Birling Gap to Belle Tout Lighthouse
Location: East Sussex
Difficulty: Easy
Walk length: Two miles
Terrain: Flat and grassy clifftop paths
There are many walks around the Birling Gap in East Sussex that give fantastic views over the famous white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters. We’ve chosen the family-friendly (and dog-friendly!) circular walk from Birling Gap to Belle Tout Lighthouse, which is short, easy and perfect for all the family to enjoy.
