TOP 6 HIKING SPOTS
IN THE UK
The UK is like one giant garden. There are perhaps few other places where you have such an abundance of relatively unchallenging hiking spots in such local proximity. You can live almost anywhere in the UK and have great walking routes practically on your doorstep – or at least within an hour’s train journey. Get yourself a map with all the winding footpaths and bridle trails and step outside to enjoy the soft hills and beautiful views. Here are our top hiking spots in the UK
NORTH DEVON
Starting at the bottom, in the South West of England, we have the North Devon coastline. There are plenty of walks around here and, everywhere you turn, it might seem like the only route is up. However, the steepness of these footpaths is worth it for the view at the top. Stand at Hartland Point or Crow Point and look out at the straggly, dramatic coastline.
There are plenty of hikes to do in North Devon. You could start at Lee, a quiet village with an intimate rocky beach, and follow the Coast Path through farmland and over cliffs to Bullpoint Lighthouse. Or, you could walk out to Morte Point and look out at the crashing blue sea and hope to spot a seal or two among the lethally sharp rocks below. Then follow the narrow, winding footpaths to Woolacombe. There, you could stop for a picnic or an ice cream on the large sandy beach before taking the steep climb up to the village of Mortehoe and treat yourself to a well-deserved cream tea. North Devon is one of the most dramatic and beautiful places to hike around in the UK.
DARTMOOR
If you prefer a slightly less hilly part of the world, then Dartmoor to the south is a gentle hiking spot. It is full of ancient woodland, stone circles, picturesque farmland and chilling ghost stories at every turn. You could walk to Lover’s Leap, where the heartbroken are known to jump into the River Dart in despair, and follow the lovely waterside footpaths. Or along the Dartmoor Way to through Okehampton and Princetown.
For miles around you, the moors stretch out in stunning greens and browns. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, Dartmoor is one of the only places in the UK where you can wild camp. Set up a hiking tent in a deserted patch of land and spend the night on the ground before continuing your walk the next day. Just be sure to clear up after yourself and respect the land.
SOUTH DOWNS
The South Downs is a lazily undulating part of the country. It is less dramatic than other parts of the UK and, therefore, a less daunting place. If you enjoy gentle walks along long stretches of English countryside, the South Downs offers just that. Climb to the open top of Chanctonbury Ring, a legendary place shrouded in mystery and folklore.
A small crop of trees stands out against the expanse of grass, crowning the hill, and you can look out below at the sprawl of towns and villages. From there, you can follow the ridgeway along the South Downs Way towards Findon and the Cissbury Ring dubbed the most historic hill on the South Downs by the National Trust. The South Downs Way is a walk full of natural beauty and peaceful countryside.
SNOWDONIA
In Wales, Snowdonia National Park is perhaps a little more of a challenging hiking spot. Aside from Snowdon itself, there are plenty of challenging hikes throughout this National Park. You could visit the gentle Abergwynant Woods or the rugged mountainous Minffordd Path. There is an abundance of woodlands and waterfalls (if you are feeling brave you might want to paddle in its icy waters), hills, caves and countless sheep.
If you do decide to tackle Snowdon Mountain, there are six routes to the summit. The gentlest of which will take you about three hours each way. Llanberis Path is a long but relaxed incline to the summit. The Miner’s Track starts nice and easy making you wonder whether you are climbing a mountain at all before you hit what seems like a sheer cliff face as you begin to climb the 723 metres to the top. The most challenging path is Crib Goch – meaning ‘red ridge’ in Welsh. But, be warned, it is for experienced hikers! Once at the top of the mountain, if you are lucky and the weather is clear, the views around are breathtaking.
PEAK DISTRICT
Further up the country, there is the Peak District. Stretching across Derbyshire to the Pennines, this natural park is full of rocky climbs and scraggly hills. There are plenty of short walks you can do, climbing up the Roaches and hiking along the top of the ridge and back again, taking in the
scenery.
Or the harder Kinder Scout walk from Edale Village to Kinder Scout, the highest point in Derbyshire. To the south of the Peak District in Staffordshire, there is Thor’s Cave, a stone age cave, just outside the beautiful village of Wetton. From there, you can follow the Manifold Way following the River Manifold through the stunning countryside.
LAKE DISTRICT
Finally, the Lake District which has it’s fair share of top hiking spots in the UK. You could spend endless days here walking among dry stone walls and through untouched crops of the land. There are many mountains to climb: the daunting Scafell Pike, the rippling Cats Bells or the jagged Helvellyn. You could walk along the challenging fells of Buttermere Valley, with stunning views of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater. Or take a few hours to walk among these lakes below.
You could stand at the top of the mountain and watch the shadow of the clouds drift lazily over the valley. Or you could visit the stone circle at Duddon Valley before hiking through the Dunnerdale Forest or along the river Duddon. This rich landscape is a place of unrivalled beauty.
These are just some of the many wonderful hiking spots around the UK. A hiking holiday, or even just a day trip, is a rewarding experience. You might be exhausted. You might, as you’re fighting against gravity to get to the top of that next hill, wonder why you ever thought it was a good idea. But when you reach the top, or when you stop for the day, there is no other feeling like it. Sure, you get more blisters than you would be sunbathing abroad, but you experience more stunning views and have far more stories to tell when you get back. Hiking is fun, healthy and environmentally sustainable.
