UK Walking and Hiking Routes

There are countless walking and hiking routes the world over, and our aim is list as many as we can. This section of TrekSumo is dedicated to outdoors locations, near and far, we believe all hikers, walkers and trekkers must visit.

United Kingdom walking and hiking routes

We are a small island, but our terrain is varied: from icy plateaus in the rugged Scottish hills and mountains, to long distance coastal walks, the UK has innumerable walking and hiking routes. One of the lesser known aspects is the vast network of public footpaths – ancient rights of way crisscrossing the country – that access to routes and destinations that would otherwise be barred.

England

England forms the bulk of the UK’s landmass, and population. Hikers, walkers and long distance trekkers will find a huge variety of routes to choose from inlcluding: the South West Coast Trail, the Ridgeway and Alfred Way.

The country is criss-crossed by over 91,000 miles of public footpaths, many of which date back over a thousand years and are accessible all year round. These routes take hikers and hillwalkers through forests, over farmland through all of the 14 national parks in England.

Recommended walking and hiking routes include: Dartmoor National Park, the Lake District, the Pennine Way and any of the 14 national trails.

England walking and hiking routes.

Ireland

The most western country and also known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is made up of two components: Northern Ireland and Eire, aka the Republic of Ireland (the latter is the largest part of the country). As with the rest of the British Isles, the terrain varies between vast swathes of flat country, low rolling hills and mountains. The two mountain ranges are Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Wicklow Mountains.

Eire has a similar system of footpaths as England. Called waymarked routes, these pathways have been created, and agreed, with landowners to give hikers and ramblers access to huge parts of the Irish countryside.

Ireland walking and hiking routes.

Scotland

At 30,414 sq mi, Scotland is the second largest country in the union that is the the United Kingdom. It’s also one of the most rugged regions of the landmass. Home to Ben Nevis which, at 4,411 ft, is the highest mountain in the British Isles. Hiking and walking routes abound with trails meandering through open countryside, over mountains and along vast lochs (lakes) that dot the landscape.

Like England and Wales, a network of public footpaths allow travel on foot across Scotland. The routes go through some of the three areas (and likely most iconic and beautiful UK areas) of Scotland: the lowlands, Highlands and islands.

We recommend the following areas if you’re looking for hikes with outstanding scenery and wildlife: the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Scotland walking and hiking routes.

Wales

At over 8,000 sq miles, Wales is one of the most popular destinations for hikers, ramblers and hillwalkers Until 1536, the country was indepedent and the Act of Union opened the way to free trade AND truly a beautiful landscape. As will all other countries that make up the Union, Wales has many stunning routes you can travel.

Long distances hikers can travel the Wales Coastal Path, a staged route following the coastline of the country. The WCP is made up of seven shorter paths, including: the Anglesey Coastal Path, Ceredigion Coast Path, and what many peole consider to the most famous and popular route, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path,

Another hot destination for hikers, especially those of you who fancy testing out your heart and lungs, is the Brecon Beacons. Home to Pen Y Fan, one of the sites used in the selection process for UK Special Forces, this part of Wales has something for everyone who enjoys being in the great outdoors.

At 3560 ft, Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and can be summited via any of the 6 recommended routes to the peak.

Wales walking and hiking routes