Nothing beats getting out of the house and exploring the great outdoors on foot. Not only is it great for you physically, but being in nature is hugely beneficial for your mental health too.
Travel restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic meant we had to look to the UK for our holidays. Many then realised that Britain has plenty of beauty spots that often get overlooked simply because great weather cannot be guaranteed.
While it doesn’t cost you anything to step outside and go for a walk, it’s worth making sure you are properly equipped with the right gear if you’re heading to a more remote location. You’ll need to establish a budget to make sure you can get all the items you’ll need.
Once you’ve got all your equipment, you can be confident when heading out on some of the best hiking trips in the UK.
Hadrian’s Wall
Built by the Romans to protect against the unconquered north in AD122, Hadrian’s Wall spanned the width of England.
The National Trail follows its 84-mile path and is a must for history buffs. There are plenty of ruined forts and museums to explore along the way, so you won’t be short of sights to see.
South West Coast Path
There’s nowhere quite like the South West – the weather is great, the water is clear and the scenery is phenomenal (all in the summer, of course!).
The South West Coast Path is a great way to see it all. It runs for an incredible 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset, covering the north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall before concluding at Poole Harbour in Dorset.
You can either pick a few sections you’d particularly like to do or attack the whole thing. If you wanted to do the latter, there’s a 52-day itinerary available to make sure you stay on track!
Scafell Pike
At 978 metres, Scafell Pike in the Lake District is England’s highest peak. This makes it a particularly popular spot for walkers, with 2021 seeing unprecedented numbers attempting to scale the mountain.
It’s located in a beautiful setting but one that can be treacherous in the wrong conditions. If you decide you want to hike up Scafell Pike, make sure you have a map and compass so you don’t veer off any of the three main routes to the summit.
The Glyderau
If you fancy a hike that’s a little shorter than some of the above options, a walk taking in both Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach will take around five hours.
You’ll enjoy a stunning view of Mount Snowdon and likely avoid the crowds that can gather on the highest peak in the UK outside of Scotland – both on the ascent and at the summit.
Ben Nevis
Of course, no list of the best hikes in the UK would be complete without a mention of the highest mountain in the British Isles.
It takes around 7–9 hours to complete the Mountain Track, which is popular with walkers. If you’ve got extensive experience and fancy more of a challenge, the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête can take 10–11 hours and will have you scrambling across boulders in some parts.
It’s worth it when you get to the summit, though, with panoramic views of the Highlands and even Northern Ireland on a clear day.
