From dramatic mountain paths to scenic coastal walks, discover the best hiking trails in the UK, organized by region, distance, and difficulty.

Fact-Checked By: Maya Whitfield—Senior Travel Editor at WakaAbuja

I learned to read a UK weather forecast the hard way, standing at the base of Ben Nevis in July with a rain jacket that turned out to be little more than a plastic bag with sleeves. That was the day I understood why every serious UK hiking guide starts with the weather, not the views. This guide covers 25 trails across England, Wales, and Scotland, sorted by region, distance, and difficulty, with the transport detail most guides skip.

I have walked most of these myself. Where I have not, I have flagged the source I used to verify the data.

Jump to: England | Wales | Scotland | Trails Near Major Cities | National Trails | Trail Safety | FAQ

Key takeaways

• The UK has 17 official National Trails, with the South West Coast Path the longest at 1,014 kilometers. Details are on nationaltrail.co.uk.
• Beginners should start with Arthur’s Seat or the Seven Sisters. Both are under 14 kilometers and easy to navigate.
• Ben Nevis and Crib Goch are not beginner trails. Both have serious exposure and changeable weather, even in summer.
• Train access is best from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Trails near these cities do not require a car.
• May to September is the best hiking season. Winter hiking in the Highlands requires full winter gear and navigation skills.
• Always carry an OS map and a charged phone. Signal coverage on remote trails is unreliable, and mountain rescue callouts often involve walkers with only a phone.

What Are the Best Hiking Trails in England?

England has the widest range of trails in the UK. The southwest coast offers cliff walks, the Lake District has the highest mountains in the country, and the Peak District is the most accessible for day trips from Manchester and Sheffield. Here are the ones worth planning a trip around.

South West Coast Path, Cornwall and Devon

At 1,014 kilometers, this is the longest waymarked trail in the UK and one of the National Trails. It runs from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset, with sections in Cornwall and Devon offering some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the country. You can walk it in sections, and most people do 10 to 20 kilometers per day. The full trail takes about 7 to 8 weeks. Parking at trailheads is generally free, but some sections charge up to 8 pounds per day (confirm the latest price directly with the operator).

Seven Sisters, East Sussex

The Seven Sisters clifftop walk is 13.6 kilometers from Seaford to Eastbourne, or you can do the shorter out-and-back from Seaford to the Cuckmere Haven. The chalk cliffs are spectacular, and the path is well maintained. It is one of the best trails near London, about 90 minutes by train to Seaford from Victoria. There is no elevation issue and no technical scrambling, but the path has some steep ups and downs that catch out casual walkers.

Kinder Scout, Peak District

Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District at 636 meters and the site of the 1932 mass trespass that helped establish public access to open country in England. The classic route from Edale is 13 kilometers with around 500 meters of elevation gain. The plateau is a moorland that can be disorienting in fog. Carry a paper map and compass if the weather forecast is unclear. Parking at Edale costs around 6 pounds for the day (confirm the latest price directly with the operator).

What Are the Best Hiking Trails in Wales?

Wales is the most concentrated hiking destination in the UK for its size. Snowdonia (Eryri) has the highest peaks in England and Wales, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the most dramatic coastal walks in Europe.

Snowdon Miners Track, Eryri (Snowdonia)

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 meters. There are six main routes to the summit. The Miners Track is one of the easiest and most scenic, at 12.9 kilometers round trip with 723 meters of elevation gain. It is still a serious mountain walk, not a stroll. Start early, ideally before 8 a.m., because the path becomes crowded by mid-morning and the car park at Pen-y-Pass fills by 7:30 a.m. Parking costs around 10 pounds for the day (confirm the latest price directly with the operator). Alternatively, use the Sherpa bus from Llanberis or Betws-y-Coed.

Crib Goch, Eryri (Snowdonia)

Crib Goch is the knife-edge ridge route to Snowdon and one of the most demanding day hikes in the UK. It involves hands-on scrambling, significant exposure, and a real risk of a fall if the weather turns. It is not a beginner route and should not be attempted in wet or windy conditions. The route is 12 kilometers with 900 meters of elevation gain, and it takes most fit hikers 6 to 8 hours. This is the route that appears in every serious UK hiking guide for a reason.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is 299 kilometers long and follows the entire Pembrokeshire coastline. It is one of the UK’s official National Trails. The most popular section is between St Davids and Solva, about 16 kilometers with moderate elevation. The path is well waymarked and never too far from a village. Parking is available at most trailheads and costs around 4 to 6 pounds for the day (confirm the latest price directly with the operator).

What Are the Best Hiking Trails in Scotland?

Scotland has the most dramatic mountain scenery in the UK. Ben Nevis is the highest peak in the British Isles, and the West Highland Way is the most famous long-distance trail in the country. Edinburgh has its own urban hikes that are worth a morning.

Ben Nevis, Highland

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK at 1,345 meters. The Mountain Track (sometimes called the Tourist Path) is the main route. It is a 17-kilometer round trip with 1,352 meters of elevation gain. Do not underestimate it. The summit is 10 degrees colder than the base and often in clouds. The path is rocky and eroded, and navigation is required in poor visibility. Allow 7 to 9 hours. Parking at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre costs around 8 pounds per day (confirm the latest price directly with the operator).

West Highland Way

The West Highland Way is 154 kilometers from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William. It is the most popular long-distance trail in Scotland and takes most people 6 to 8 days. The route passes through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glencoe. Accommodation along the way books up months in advance in summer, so plan early. The trail is waymarked and well maintained.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano in the middle of Edinburgh, rising 251 meters above the city. The main route from Holyrood Palace is 4.8 kilometers with 250 meters of elevation gain, and it takes most people 90 minutes to 2 hours round trip. It is the most accessible mountain hike in the UK by public transport. There is no parking fee at the trailhead, but parking in central Edinburgh is expensive. Take the bus or walk from the city center.

What Are the Best Hiking Trails Near Me in the UK?

If you are searching for hiking trails near you, the answer depends on which major city you are closest to. Here are the best day-trip options from the three biggest population centers in the UK.

What Are the UK National Trails?

National Trails are the official long-distance walking routes in England and Wales, managed by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales. There are 17 in total, covering more than 4,000 kilometers. They are waymarked with an acorn symbol and are generally well maintained.

The most famous are the South West Coast Path (1,014 kilometers), the Pennine Way (431 kilometers), Hadrian’s Wall Path (135 kilometers), and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path (299 kilometers). Scotland has its own equivalent network called the Great Trails, including the West Highland Way (154 kilometers) and the Speyside Way (105 kilometers). For official maps, route descriptions, and accommodation listings along each route, the best source is nationaltrail.co.uk. The site has an interactive filter tool covering duration, distance, difficulty, and landscape.

What Should You Know Before Hiking in the UK?

Check the weather before you leave.

UK mountain weather changes fast. A clear morning can become cloud and rain by lunchtime, especially in Snowdonia, the Lake District, and the Scottish Highlands. Check the Mountain Weather Information Service before any mountain hike.

Carry the right gear.

Waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, warm layers, a hat and gloves, and sturdy boots. Even in summer, the summit of Ben Nevis can be near freezing with wind chill. A paper OS map and compass are essential on any mountain route because phone signal is unreliable.

Follow the Countryside Code.

The Countryside Code in England and Wales asks walkers to respect other people, protect the natural environment, and plan ahead. This includes leaving gates as you find them, taking all litter home, keeping dogs under control near livestock, and sticking to paths on protected land. Full guidance is on the GOV.UK Countryside Code page.

Know your limits.

Do not attempt Crib Goch, Ben Nevis, or any serious mountain route without prior scrambling or mountain navigation experience. Mountain rescue teams in the UK are volunteers and respond to thousands of callouts each year, many for walkers who underestimated the terrain or the weather.

What Are the Biggest Mistakes on UK Hiking Trails?

• Starting Snowdon or Ben Nevis after 10 a.m. The car parks fill by 8 a.m. in summer, and starting late means finishing in the dark.
• Wearing trail runners on scree. Proper boots with ankle support are safer on the eroded paths of Snowdon and Ben Nevis.
• Relying on phone navigation. Signal is unreliable on most mountain routes. Carry a paper map and compass.
• Ignoring the Countryside Code around livestock. Sheep and cattle are common on UK trails. Keep dogs on leads and close gates behind you.
• Not booking accommodation on long-distance trails. The West Highland Way and the Coast Path book out months in advance in summer.
• Assuming all National Trails are flat. Several have significant elevation gain and exposed sections.
• Forgetting cash for parking. Many rural car parks accept coins only, and cards often fail in remote areas.

Frequently asked questions about hiking trails in the UK

Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust

These are the platforms I actually use to plan UK hiking trips. I always cross-check the accommodation’s or tour’s own site against at least one of these before paying.

For more planning help, see our travel planning guides, our hotel reviews, our attractions section, and our visa category. When you are ready to book, start with our discounted flights page.

WakaAbuja does its best to keep all information accurate at the time of publishing. Prices, policies, and availability change regularly. Always verify with official sources before you travel. We are not liable for errors caused by outdated information. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.