The United Kingdom is home to some of the most scenic and diverse walking routes in the world—ranging from rugged coastal paths to rolling countryside trails and historic pilgrim ways. Whether you’re after multi-day hikes or stunning day walks, here’s a list of the best walking routes in the UK, organized by region and type:
🏞️ National Trails & Long-Distance Walks
1. South West Coast Path (England)
- Distance: 630 miles (1,014 km)
- Duration: 6–8 weeks (or split into sections)
- Highlights: Cornwall’s rugged cliffs, fishing villages, Devon’s beaches, Exmoor moorlands
- Vibe: Coastal epic with ever-changing sea views
2. West Highland Way (Scotland)
- Distance: 96 miles (154 km)
- Duration: 5–8 days
- Highlights: Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, Ben Nevis views
- Vibe: Remote, wild, iconic Scottish Highlands adventure
3. Hadrian’s Wall Path (England)
- Distance: 84 miles (135 km)
- Duration: 6–8 days
- Highlights: Roman forts, rolling hills, Northumberland scenery
- Vibe: History + hiking combo
4. Offa’s Dyke Path (England/Wales border)
- Distance: 177 miles (285 km)
- Duration: 12–16 days
- Highlights: Welsh Marches, historic Offa’s Dyke, border culture
- Vibe: Green, peaceful, historically rich
5. Pennine Way (England)
- Distance: 268 miles (431 km)
- Duration: 16–21 days
- Highlights: Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Hadrian’s Wall
- Vibe: Britain’s first national trail, and one of its toughest
🏔️ Mountain & Hill Walks
6. Snowdon (Wales)
- Popular Route: Llanberis Path (easiest), or Crib Goch (knife-edge ridge for experienced walkers)
- Elevation: 1,085 m (3,560 ft)
- Vibe: The highest peak in Wales with epic views across Snowdonia National Park
7. Scafell Pike (Lake District, England)
- Height: 978 m (3,209 ft)
- Vibe: England’s highest mountain—great for sunrise or sunset hikes
8. Ben Nevis (Scotland)
- Height: 1,345 m (4,413 ft)
- Route: Tourist Track or CMD Arete for pros
- Vibe: The UK’s highest peak—challenging but rewarding
🌿 Scenic & Moderate Day Walks
9. Seven Sisters Cliff Walk (Sussex)
- Distance: ~13 miles (Seaford to Eastbourne)
- Highlights: White chalk cliffs, rolling grasslands, sea breeze
- Vibe: Iconic coastal walk with dramatic photo ops
10. Malham Cove & Gordale Scar (Yorkshire Dales)
- Distance: ~7 miles circular
- Highlights: Limestone cliffs, waterfalls, ancient footpaths
- Vibe: Short, scenic, geological wonder
11. Helvellyn via Striding Edge (Lake District)
- Distance: ~8 miles
- Highlights: Mountain ridges, Red Tarn, panoramic summits
- Vibe: Thrilling ridge walk—not for the faint-hearted
12. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs (Scotland)
- Best for: Gentle lochside strolls or rugged hill hikes
- Top routes: Ben A’an, Conic Hill, or The Cobbler
- Vibe: Lakeside beauty meets Highland spirit
🧭 Pilgrimage & Cultural Walks
13. The Pilgrims’ Way (England)
- Distance: ~120 miles (Winchester to Canterbury)
- Highlights: Historic churches, English countryside, Canterbury Cathedral
- Vibe: Spiritual and cultural heritage trail
14. St Cuthbert’s Way (Scotland to England)
- Distance: 62 miles (100 km)
- Highlights: Melrose Abbey, Eildon Hills, Lindisfarne (Holy Island)
- Vibe: Peaceful and deeply historic
🚶♂️ Honorable Mentions
- Isle of Skye Trails (Scotland) – The Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, fairy pools
- Causeway Coast Way (Northern Ireland) – Giant’s Causeway, castles, cliffs
- Cotswold Way (England) – Rolling fields, pretty villages, country pubs