Map Of Hiking Trails In The UK
About Hiking in the UK
Hiking in the UK is one of the best ways to get in touch with with the outdoors and nature. It’s also a great way to stay fit.
In England alone there are estimated to be 140,000 miles of routes that range from a couple of hours to a few months to complete. Add that to the highlands of Scotland, the mountains and valleys of Wales and the countryside of Northern Ireland and you’ve got hiking in the UK to last a life time.
Hiking in the UK is one of the best ways to get in touch with with the outdoors and nature. It’s also a great way to stay fit.
In England alone there are estimated to be 140,000 miles of routes that range from a couple of hours to a few months to complete. Add that to the highlands of Scotland, the mountains and valleys of Wales and the countryside of Northern Ireland and you’ve got hiking in the UK to last a life time.
Hiking in the UK might not introduce you to the biggest mountains in the world, but it’s still fantastic hiking across the country. There are 140,000 miles of public rights of way in England alone, thanks to the freedom to roam legislation.
And this means you find accessible hikes an hour from your house that could last a few hours to a few months… Does life get any better?
Humans have been looking for adventure since the day of dawn by hiking across the continents to discover new and beautiful locations. But now, people are hiking in the UK just to be outside with their friends and family.
How long does hiking take?
Hiking is an activity that can vary in difficulty and can range from a half-day excursion to a full 30-day itinerary. And this can be great if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of cities and into the beautiful nature the UK offers.
Who can go hiking?
One of the great things about hiking in the UK is it’s suitable for anyone that can carry their feet. And even then, plenty of hiking paths are suitable for off-road wheelchairs to navigate…
And this really makes hiking in the UK great for anyone!
What type of hiking is in the UK?
Thanks to the mixture of landscapes in the UK, you can make your hiking experience as easy or complex as you’d like. And this could range from taking on the mountains of Ben Nevis or Snowdon or walking from city to city using the miles of canal paths found in the UK.
Some of our most popular hikes include:
And these are just a few of our favourites from the hundreds of hikes you can take on across the UK.
When is the best time to go hiking in the UK?
Of course, if you’re planning a hiking trip across the UK, it’s probably a good idea to know when to head there.
Ideally, you should plan your trips around June since you have the most daylight hours available. But that’s never stopped people from hiking through the winter to enjoy the snowy wonderland Scotland provides.
What gear is needed for hiking?
One thing you need to remember about hiking in the UK is the weather can change in the blink of an eye, so you need to make sure you’re prepared for anything, which means having the right gear.
A sturdy pair of waterproof hiking boots should be the first thing on your list, and a decent set of waterproof clothing should closely follow this. It’s also nice to have a selection of warm weather clothes and some warmer clothes with you when the cold drifts in.
But, by far the most important thing you can have with you is a map and compass. It’s easy to get lost on a route you’ve never been to, and you can’t always rely on your phone to get you home safely.
How to get into hiking?
If you’re new to hiking and don’t know where to start, there are plenty of options to get you going. Start walking your local canal, join one of the many ramblers groups across the country or get in contact with people on Facebook.
But for now, why not check out one of the main detailed hiking guides we provide so you can find your next adventure?
FAQs About Hiking In The UK
Is the UK good for hiking?
The UK has some of the best hiking in Europe with options from day hikes of a few hours to multi-day hikes that can last months. There is also a huge range of different hiking in the UK including low land hiking across rolling hills in Surrey, highland hiking in Scotland, mountain hiking Wales and coastal hikes in the south west of England.
Where is the best hiking in the UK?
The best hiking in the UK really depends on what you want to do. If you want to hike in the hills then Scotland and Wales are the best places with options such as the world famous West Highland Way. For spectacular coastal walks then you want to head to Devon, Cornwall and Dorset to the South West Coast Path.
What is hiking called in the UK?
There are 3 terms that are commonly used for hiking in the UK.
- The first is ‘Hiking’! British people use this term often when the route is longer or more challenging.
- The second term is ‘Walking’ which tends to be used for day hikes or short, but can also be used when planning a hiking holiday. E.g. ‘We’re planning a walking holiday in Wales’.
- The third term that can be used is ‘Rambling’. Similar is use to walking, this is a slightly older term and is less common these days, however you can find a number of established rambling clubs in local areas.
What is the longest hike in the UK?
The longest hike in the UK is the South West Coast Path, which is 630 miles or 1014km long. On average it takes 7-8 weeks to complete but with the record standing at an amazing quick 10 days. Most people however will choose to complete the hike in several different stages due to time commitments.
Is there hiking in England?
England has lots of varied hiking that ranges for easy hikes of a couple of hours up to hikes that will take months to complete. Being part of the UK England benefits from a national hiking trail setup that has way marked routes right across the country.
Some of the best hikes in England are:
Is it safe to hike alone UK?
You always need to make your own assessment as to whether you are safe to hike however in general the UK is considered to be safe to hike alone, or solo. It can be a fantastic way to experience the countryside and gives you a chance to relax on your own. Many people choose to hike alone each year in the UK and for those that do it’s important to remember a few tips.
- Ensure you have the right equipment
- Take enough food and water
- Have the correct items for navigation. E.g. Map, compass, gps/phone
- Let people know where you are going and check in with them regularly
Which British walk is the best?
Determining which British walk is the best depends on so many different elements and caveats. A good place to start is by looking at Britain’s National Trails which are some of the best hikes in the UK across each of the nations. For one person this might be in the Scottish Highlands for another it could be on England’s coastal paths.
How far can I hike in a day?
How far you can hike in a day depends on where you are hiking and how fit you are. For example if you are hiking around mountains you might only be able to hike 5-10km per day due to going up and down hills but on flat land you could reach 30km.
On average a good rule of thumb is to work to about 5km per hour on flattish ground and in a day covering 20-25km should be challenging but achievable to most. Very fit people who have lots of hiking experience can probably look to double this distance.
If you are hiking for multiple days then make sure you pace yourself so you are able to keep going the next day without getting injured. Whilst this is personal to individuals you can again work to an average of 20-25km being about the right distance per day.