If you’re looking for your next active holiday or day out, the UK has plenty to offer.
May is National Walking Month, so it’s the perfect time to explore some of the country’s best walking routes.
Whether you love to be beside the sea, or you can’t get enough of stunning hilltop views, you’ll find inspiration in this list of the UK’s most-loved walks.
1. The Causeway Coast Way, Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coast Area is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site, so if you choose this walk, you won’t be short of stunning views and breathtaking scenery.
This popular 51km trail is part of the Ulster Way, which takes a 1,000km circuit of Northern Ireland.
The Causeway Coast Way section offers a relatively easy, low-lying walk from the charming seaside town of Ballycastle on the northern-most coastal tip of Northern Ireland to Portstewart, a popular tourist town in Londonderry.
You’ll pass through some of Northern Ireland’s biggest tourist attractions including the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
The route covers a variety of terrains, from beach walks and promenades to clifftops and some stretches of road.
Even if your navigation skills are somewhat lacking, you’re unlikely to get lost as the trail mostly follows the coastline and there are signposts along the way.
Most people take two to three days to complete the route, but if you fancy a challenge, you could attempt to do it all in one long day – allow around 14 hours if you’re relatively fit and walking at a brisk pace.
2. The West Highland Way, Scotland
Immerse yourself in the wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands on this epic 96-mile walk from Milngavie to Fort William.
The West Highland Way opened in 1980 and it was Scotland’s first officially designated long-distance route. Since then, it’s become hugely popular with hikers of all ages and abilities.
A typical itinerary runs over eight days with each section varying in length, terrain, and difficulty. However, you can make your journey as challenging or as leisurely as you like by stretching the full route over a longer period.
The whole trail offers striking scenery, but some of the highlights include:
- Outstanding views from the summit of Conic Hill
- The Falls of Falloch
- Picturesque Glen Nevis
- The steep zig-zag path that has become known as the Devil’s Staircase.
There’s a variety of accommodation options along the way, but places book up quickly, especially in the peak seasons of spring and autumn. You might also choose to treat yourself to baggage transfer, so you don’t have to cart a huge rucksack along 10-15 miles each day.
3. Helvellyn, Cumbria
Helvellyn was voted the nation’s favourite walk in a National Trust poll in 2018. While it’s a more strenuous walk than some of the others listed here – at 3,117 feet, it’s the Lake District’s third-highest mountain – the incredible views from the summit make it worth the effort.
You could also choose a less challenging route to the top as there are several alternatives. However, they all require a good level of fitness.
Helvellyn lies in the heart of the Lakes, between Ullswater, Thirlmere, and Grasmere. So, it’s a perfect walk if you’re planning a longer getaway as you’ll be spoilt for choice with beautiful countryside and pretty villages to explore.
4. Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Wales
This spectacular 299km National Trail will take you through some of the most varied coastal scenery in Britain, from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south of Wales.
The path lies almost entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which is Britain’s only coastal national park.
Most of the walk is at cliff-top level and the views can be breathtaking. Freshwater West, Caer Bwdy Bay, Strumble Head Lighthouse, and Skomer Island are just a handful of the unbelievable views you can enjoy on this trail.
If you have a fair level of fitness, you shouldn’t find this walk too strenuous. The main challenge of this route is its length – though of course, you don’t have to complete it all in one trip!
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This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
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