One thing is for sure; the UK has lots of stunning hike locations up its sleeve. Are you an avid hiker wanting multi-day hikes? Or do you prefer to just potter an hour or two to the prettiest viewpoint? Don’t worry, because the UK has walks to suit every hiker.
Catch sunrise over Edinburgh at Arthur’s Seat or embark on a 630-mile hiking holiday along the Cornish Coast – the choice is yours. This guide will cover the very best hike locations in the UK. Let’s get started.
Wistman’s Wood
Length: 2.8 miles
Location: Princetown
Picture gnarled, moss-covered trees and a tiny little forest path snaking between them. Wistman’s Wood is like something out of a fairy tale. You could easily convince yourself that you’ve stepped into a Lord of The Rings scene. If you want a magical, memorable hike location in the UK, Wistman’s Wood is for you.
Wistman’s Wood is short but sweet, taking around two hours to complete. You start at a car park opposite the Two Bridges Hotel and take a circular route through the woodland. Untechnical, quick, and easy, hiking Wistman’s Wood is fantastic for families and those unsure of their fitness levels.
Arthur’s Seat
Length: 2.4 miles
Location: Edinburgh
Looking at Arthur’s Seat, it’s incredible to think it was once an ancient volcano. The summit is Edinburgh’s most famous natural attraction, and tourists flock to make the hike for a stunning view over the city below.
For the best experience, set your alarm to an hour before sunrise and bring a flask of coffee. Hike Arthur’s Seat by torchlight, sipping your morning coffee while admiring sunrise at the prettiest viewpoint in Edinburgh.
It takes around two hours to complete the 2.4-mile loop. The initial climb is steep and gets your heart racing, but at the summit, the walk plateaus, and you can walk the rest of the loop leisurely.
Cotswolds Way
Length: 102 miles
Location: Chipping Camden to Bath
The Cotswolds Way requires stamina, previous training, and at least five days of holiday. The route stretches from the scenic market town of Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds to the city of Bath. Hikers pass the Cotswolds AONB, walking through old country villages and beautiful natural scenery like the Cotswold Lavender Fields. Finishing in Bath, Roman heritage greets you – perhaps you can treat yourself to a dip in the UK’s only natural thermal pool too.
For a multi-day hiking holiday, The Cotswolds Way is a great choice. The hike has plenty of old-world charm, pastoral beauty, and historic sites dotted along the way.
The South West Coast Path
Length: 630 miles
Location: Somerset to Dorset
Fancy a challenge? The South West Coast Path is the UK’s longest National Trail. Stretching a monstrous 630 miles, you’ll need around two months to hike it at once. Of course, many people walk the path in sections – which is probably more feasible if you are juggling annual leave.
The trail passes hundreds of attractions, including Tintagel Castle, Durdle Door, and St. Anthony Head. Our advice? Pack a camera and visit as many as possible. You can also plan stops at coastal villages along the way, perhaps stopping for a whale-watching cruise or surfing lesson.
Old Man of Storr
Length: 2.4 miles
Location: Isle of Skye
The Old Man of Storr is the postcard image of the Isle of Skye. The ‘Old Man’ is a dramatic standing rock formation and section of the Trotternish Ridge. It’s beautifully contrasted by the ultra-green hills and coastline behind it. The spiky pinnacles have caused quite a stir over the past few decades, and it’s easy to see why.
A return hike takes two hours, and the trail is untechnical and easy. Wear waterproof boots if you are hiking in wet months, as it can get quite muddy. The final section is completely exposed, too, so you’ll need warm, waterproof layers.
Hadrian’s Wall
Length: 84 miles
Location: Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway
Hadrian’s Wall is where hiking meets history. You’ll be following a Roman wall across the north of England – passing old forts and soldier stations. The wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was originally built to separate the Roman empire from the Picts.
Hadrian’s Wall is now known as one of the most stunning hike locations in the UK. Most tackle the wall over three or four days, and you can easily fit Hadrian’s Wall into a long weekend.
Seven Sisters Cliff Walk
Length: 14 miles
Location: Seaford to Eastbourne
The Seven Sisters are one of the best-known sights in the UK. The snow-white chalk cliffs drop dramatically into the Strait of Dover and are a natural attraction you must see in person to fully appreciate. Keep your eyes peeled for whales while walking the cliff-top trail. On a good day, you can often see the coast of France on the horizon as well.
Allow a full day to complete the Seven Sisters Cliff Walk. Tackling the hike is a stunning way to spend a day, and we recommend investing in a good-quality camera.
Causeway Coast
Length: 31.5 miles
Location: Portstewart to Ballycastle
It’s no secret that Northern Ireland has a stunning coastline, and the Causeway Coast is one of the most scenic hike locations in the UK. Starting at Portstewart, you’ll pass ancient castles, the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-A-Rede Bridge, and Ballintoy Harbour – a Game of Thrones filming location.
Most people tackle the Causeway Coast Walk in two days. If you get a chance, stop for a whale watching tour, boat trip to Rathlin Island, or detour to Bushmills Distillery.
Mount Snowdon
Length: 9 miles
Location: Snowdonia
Snowdon is one of the most beautiful peaks in the UK. The Welsh mountain attracts millions of hikers every year, flocking to tackle the peak and explore its attractions along the way. Mount Snowdon has everything from hidden infinity pools to challenging ridges and old copper mines. Mount Snowdon is one of the best hiking locations in the UK if you want a sense of achievement and adventure.
There are multiple routes up Mount Snowdon; choose the route best suited to you and your technical ability. The most popular amongst first-timers is the Llanberis Path, which is approximately 9 miles and takes around 3 hours to reach the summit.
Dales Way
Length: 80 miles
Location: Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere
There are few places as strangely beautiful as the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Dales Way cuts through the national park, linking Yorkshire with Cumbria in a multi-day hike across bleak moorlands and along forest-shaded rivers. Hikers get a mixture of terrain and attractions – passing infrastructure like the Ribblehead Viaduct and tiny villages like Buckden.
The Dales Way takes between four days and a week to hike. It’s an extremely popular multi-day hike, and part of the charm is staying in little country inns along the way.
Feeling inspired? These ten most stunning hike locations in the UK are sure to tempt you into a hike or two. Who knows, maybe you could combine a few with a UK road trip or add a short hike onto a city break. The options are endless.