Best walks in the UK

The best walks in the UK

Miles without Stiles, Lake District

Miles without Stiles actually consists of over 50 different walking routes across the Lake District, all intended to be as accessible as possible. As the name suggests, none of the routes have stiles to climb over, and there are no steep hills either, making it much easier for people with limited mobility to explore this spectacular part of the UK.

The Lake District is awash with top pubs, restaurants and rooms. If you’re in the Windermere area you could opt for The Samling Hotel, a 12-bedroom Georgian house with fine-dining restaurant. Read our full review.

51 routes, ranging in length, Miles without Stiles

Looking south towards Dale Head and Fleetwith Pike.

Kinder Scout Mass Trespass Walk, Peak District

The history of this trail can be traced back to 1932 when around 500 walkers, mainly from Manchester, trespassed en masse, walking from Hayfield to Kinder Scout in a bid to secure access rights for everyone to enjoy.

A circular route starting and ending in Hayfield, this can be a challenging walk, so if you’re feeling famished afterwards, we recommend The Pack Horse pub as a great place to refuel on gastropub favourites like lamb rump or chicken and wild garlic kiev. Or, head there beforehand and try out their bar snacks menu, for dishes such as whitebait with gochujang mayo and pork and fennel salami bites.

Circular, 8 miles, 5-6 hours, Kinder Scout Mass Trespass Walk

Family walkers and long-distance hikers take the footpath along the ridge from Hollins Cross towards Back Tor in the Peak District National Park, on 23rd August 2023, in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)

Vindolanda and Hadrian's Wall, near Hexham

If walking the entirety of the Hadrian’s Wall Path (84 miles) in one go is a bit daunting, this 6-mile walk will let you experience a little bit of English history without having to commit multiple days to it.

As a post-walk treat, head down to Hexham afterwards and visit Michelin-starred Hjem for its exquisite tasting menu, as recommended in our best set menus guide. And if you're around the Newcastle area, find the best place to eat and drink, including independent cafes and indoor markets.

Circular, 6 miles, 3-4 hours, Vindolanda and Hadrian's Wall

Porthcurno to Land's End, Cornwall

This walk is the perfect way to take in England’s spectacular south-west coastline. It’s a popular route during the spring and summer months, so you'll meet plenty of other walkers along the way, and with views like this it's easy to understand why.

If you’re doing this walk as part of a longer holiday in Cornwall, have a look at our best Cornwall hotels for food lovers and discover the best places to eat in Penzance with our helpful guides.

Point-to-point, 4.8 miles, 2-2.5 hours, Porthcurno to Land's End

Hampstead Heath Circular, London

If you live in the capital but still want to experience some fantastic green spaces, there are several walks you can do through Hampstead Heath in north London. This circular route takes you through beautiful woodlands, swimming ponds and gardens and is popular with dog walkers, runners and bird-watchers.

When you’re done exploring, hop on the Overground or Northern Line from Hampstead and head back into the city for a much needed meal. If you’re venturing out early for your walk, try one of London’s famous brunches from our best brunches in London guide, or if you’re in need of some good pub grub, check out our guide to pubs in London with great food.

Circular, 4.6 miles, 2 hours, Hampstead Heath Circular

Mount Snowdon, Snowdonia

Tick one off the bucket list and hike up Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales and England. There are six paths up Snowdon. If this is your first time, the Llanberis Path is considered the easiest, with a total round trip distance of 9 miles, and a total climb of 975 metres.

The village of Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon has some wonderful places to stay and eat, so it’s the perfect place for a long weekend of hiking and sightseeing. Places can get quite booked up in peak periods, so if you fancy staying somewhere a little further out there’s Palé Hall on the edge of Snowdonia, great for a peaceful retreat. Read our review.

Round trip, 9 miles, 7-8 hours, Mount Snowdon trails

The Loch Leven Heritage Trail, Perthshire

Scotland has some of the best scenery and walks in the UK. This one at Loch Leven, Scotland’s largest freshwater loch, will take you the full way round so you can really take in the views. As a National Nature Reserve it's a haven for wildlife, with the trail linking natural, historic and cultural heritage.

Head to local farm shop Loch Leven’s Larder to fuel up before hitting the trail. If you’ve got more time in the area, have a look at our top food-lovers' breaks in Perthshire for further inspiration.

Circular, 13 miles, 5-6 hours, Loch Leven Heritage Trail