7 Best Hiking Locations in the UK

The seven best UK hiking locations cover every kind of terrain you’d want underfoot: ancient Roman wall, cliff-edge coast path, otherworldly Scottish rock formation, rolling chalk downs, the highest peak in England, three Yorkshire summits in one day, and a 96-mile Highland epic. Below, each one with its distance, difficulty, best season, and what to pack.

If you’ve been searching for somewhere to plan your next walk, this is the shortlist. From a half-day stroll to an eight-day expedition, there’s something here for every fitness level. And given the British weather, what you wear matters as much as where you go — a few packing notes are at the end.

The 7 best hiking locations in the UK

1. Hadrian’s Wall Path, Northumberland & Cumbria

• Distance: 84 miles total (the popular 20-mile section runs from Chollerford to Birdoswald Fort)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best season: May to September
• UNESCO World Heritage Site

Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers along the wall that marked the northwest frontier of the Empire. The full path stretches coast-to-coast, but the central section near Hexham offers the most dramatic views — open moorland, intact wall sections, and the remains of forts every few miles.

2. South West Coast Path — The Lizard, Cornwall

• Distance: The full path is 630 miles; the Lizard section is a 14-mile loop
• Difficulty: Moderate (cliff paths and steep climbs in places)
• Best season: April to October
• Hidden coves, sea views, lighthouse at the southernmost point of mainland Britain

The Lizard peninsula loop takes in the dramatic serpentine cliffs, hidden coves you can swim in, and the most southerly point of the British mainland. Pubs at Kynance Cove and Lizard Village make sensible halfway stops.

3. The Quiraing, Isle of Skye

• Distance: 4.2-mile circular
• Difficulty: Strenuous (steep and exposed in places)
• Best season: May to September
• One of Scotland’s most photographed landscapes

A geological wonder of pinnacles, plateaus and landslips on northern Skye. The circular walk takes you past The Needle, The Prison and The Table — distinct rock formations that have drawn climbers, walkers and photographers for generations. Wind can be fierce on the ridge; check the forecast.

4. South Downs Way, Hampshire to East Sussex

• Distance: 100 miles end-to-end (typically walked in 8 days)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best season: April to October
• Chalk downland, Seven Sisters cliffs, ancient yew forests

Eight days from Winchester to Eastbourne along the chalk spine of southern England. The Seven Sisters white cliffs near the eastern end are the highlight, but the whole route is gentle on the legs by Lake District standards and well-served by villages with pubs and B&Bs.

5. Scafell Pike, Lake District

• Distance: 6 miles return from Wasdale Head
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Best season: May to September
• England’s highest peak at 978 m

England’s highest mountain. The classic Wasdale Head route is the shortest and steepest path up. On a clear day the summit gives 360-degree views across the whole of the Lake District; on a Lake District kind of day, the view is white. Either way, take a map.

6. Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge

• Distance: 24 miles in one day
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Best season: May to September
• Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough — all three within 12 hours

A proper test: three Yorkshire Dales summits, 24 miles, ideally inside 12 hours. The geology shifts under your feet — Pen-y-Ghent’s distinctive limestone and gritstone layers are a highlight, as is the cup of tea you’ll want when you finish.

7. West Highland Way

• Distance: 96 miles end-to-end (typically walked in 7-8 days)
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Best season: May to September
• Britain’s most-walked long-distance route

From Milngavie just north of Glasgow to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis. The route runs along Loch Lomond’s eastern shore, across Rannoch Moor, and through Glencoe — three of Scotland’s most striking landscapes in a single week. Bunkhouses and bothies sit at regular intervals.

What to pack for hiking in the UK

British weather changes by the hour. The essentials:

• Waterproof jacket — a waxed cotton jacket is the traditional country choice, naturally water-resistant and breathable for moderate effort. For higher peaks (Scafell, the Three Peaks) consider a lightweight technical shell.
• Layers — a wool or wool-blend jumper packs warm even when damp.
• Sturdy boots, broken in before the walk.
• Hat that stays on in wind — see our hat measuring guide for the right fit.
• Map, water, food, sun protection — even in cloud.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best hiking trail in the UK?

The most-walked long-distance trail is the West Highland Way (96 miles, Glasgow to Fort William). For day walks, the central section of Hadrian’s Wall Path and the South West Coast Path around the Lizard are widely rated the best.

What is the longest hiking trail in the UK?

The South West Coast Path is the longest waymarked trail in the UK at 630 miles, running from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset.

Which UK hiking trail is best for beginners?

The South Downs Way is the gentlest of the seven listed here — rolling chalk downland with no significant climbs and villages roughly every 10 miles for accommodation and food.

When is the best time of year to hike in the UK?

May to September gives the longest days, the warmest weather and the most reliable trail conditions. October can be spectacular for autumn colour, particularly in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.