Walking
Britain is the perfect place for walking holidays. The countryside is covered by a network of footpaths and tracks, and the options are limitless. You can walk from place to place in true backpacking style, or stay in a village for a week or so, exploring the surrounding area on gentle day-walks.
For information and inspiration, there’s loads of local Tourist Information Centres where you can pick up free leaflets, booklets and maps describing everything from half-hour strolls to major expeditions. Also check out the Ramblers (www.ramblers.org.uk/).
Freedom to Walk
As most land in Britain (even in national parks) is privately owned, walkers are lucky that 'rights of way' or public paths across private property are well established in the lower, inhabited areas of scenic beauty. This historical legacy opens up massive tracts of countryside for walkers to enjoy by allowing you to wander through fields, woods, even gardens and farmyards.
Where to Walk
Here’s a quick rundown of Britain’s best walking areas, covering everything from gentle farmland to high mountains:
Lake District
The heart and soul of walking in England – a wonderful area of soaring peaks, deep valleys and, of course, beautiful lakes.
Yorkshire Dales Valleys
Moors and hills, and a jewel of northern England. Some fairly mountainous bits but mostly lower, smoother and less foreboding.
The Cotswolds
Classic English countryside and excellent for shorter walks.
Isle of Wight
Good first choice if you're new to walking in Britain or simply not looking for high peaks and wilderness.
Dartmoor
A huge and spectacular expanse of moorland – the emptiest, highest and wildest area in southern England.
Exmoor Grassy
Heather-covered hills cut by deep valleys and edged by spectacular cliffs, great beaches, quiet villages and busy seaside resorts.
Pembrokeshire
A wonderful array of beaches, cliffs, rock arches, stacks, buttresses, islands, coves and harbours.
Snowdonia
A mountainous region in north Wales and a mecca for serious walkers.
Glen Coe & Ben Nevis
Complex geology and the forces of nature have created scenery par excellence and endless great walking opportunities.
Western Highlands of Scotland
For serious and experienced walkers this remote and starkly beautiful area has stunning glens and lochs, and the finest mountains in Britain.
Long Distance Walks
Most walkers savour the chance of completing one of Britain’s famous long-distance walking routes. There are hundreds, of which 11 are national trails in England and Wales. Scotland has four similar long-distance routes.
More are planned, but here are some classics to get you started. You don’t have to do them end-to-end – you can walk just a section for a day or two, or use the route as a basis for exploring the surrounding area:
South West Coast Path (610 miles)
Seaside resorts, fishing villages, secret coves, shipwrecks and cliff-top castles.
Cotswold Way (100 miles)
A walk through history and classic countryside.
Cumbria Way (68 miles)
Follows valleys through the Lake District with top-quality mountain views.
The Pennine Way (256 miles)
The grand-daddy of them all, along the mountainous spine of northern England.
Coast to Coast Walk (190 miles)
Three national parks and spectacular scenery, sea-cliffs, plains, mountains, dales and moors.
Thames Path (173 miles)
Running the length of Britain’s best-known river from Gloucestershire to London.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path (189 miles)
A rollercoaster walk along the rugged coastline of southwest Wales.
West Highland Way (95 miles)
From Loch Lomond to Glen Nevis; Britain’s most popular walking route.