Guide

The best walking holidays in the UK

Simon Heptinstall

The United Kingdom is a walking holiday paradise: Hundreds of thousands of miles of well-mapped public footpaths, beautifully varied landscapes, excellent hospitality, and easily accessible. It’s no wonder this is a nation of walkers.

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The Best Coastal Walks In The UK

Simon Heptinstall

With over 11,000 miles of coastline on the main island of Great Britain alone (nearly 20,000 miles when you include the entire archipelago), coastal paths feature highly on many walking holidays and long-distance ways. Aside from fresh sea air and varied, frequently impressive, seascapes, the main advantage to a coastal walking holiday is the relative ease of navigation.

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Family walking holidays in the UK

Simon Heptinstall

There are some great family-friendly walks in the UK.

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Short Walking Breaks In The UK

Simon Heptinstall

The UK’s long-distance paths might hog all the limelight but not everyone has two weeks spare (or the legs, for that matter!) Fortunately there’s a near inexhaustible number of locations and routes for shorter walking breaks, ideally suited for a more relaxed two- or three-day walking holiday. Most

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UK walking holidays for beginners

Simon Heptinstall

If you think walking in the UK is all about interminable days on long-distance paths, or scaling Ben Nevis in the driving rain, it’s time to reassess your idea of what a walking holiday can entail.

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Budget walking holidays in the UK

Simon Heptinstall

The UK’s tourist hotspots get very pricey very quickly, but venture away from the crowds and you’ll soon find plenty of spectacular spots for a cheaper walking holiday.And, thankfully, cost-conscious walkers don’t need to lose out on the glorious British scenery: there are plenty of superb trails and walking locations slightly outside of the main regions that offer very affordable holidays in incredible landscapes.

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Hadrian's Wall Path

Daniel McCrohan

Hadrian's Wall path is a unique walking trail that not only crosses the width of England, but also follows the course of Britain’s largest Roman monument – a 1,900-year-old, 73-mile long fortification that once marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire. I can't think of many

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Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Daniel McCrohan

Whisper it quietly; this might just be the best coastal path in Britain, and one of the UK's best walks overall.

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The Pennine Way

Simon Heptinstall

The Pennine Way, the oldest and one of the toughest of the waymarked UK walking trails, follows the rugged ridge of uplands that form the backbone of northern England.

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The South West Coast Path

Daniel McCrohan

The South West Coast Path is the longest walking trail in the UK, and also one of its most famous and highly rated.

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The South Downs Way

Daniel McCrohan

If you're looking for an easy-going UK walking holiday, I think the South Downs Way might be the one for you.

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Isle of Wight coastal path

Daniel McCrohan

As a long distance walk, the Isle of Wight coastal path is quite short but it provides an opportunity to walk right round the shoreline of England’s largest island. You might find that on return to the start point there’s great satisfaction in completing an island’s circumference, regardless of the length!

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The Yorkshire Wolds Way

Daniel McCrohan

One of the quieter and lesser-known of the UK's walks, the Yorkshire Wolds Way leads across the glorious rolling farmland and chalk landscapes of East Yorkshire, an unspoilt corner of England largely neglected by popular tourism.

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The Monarch’s Way

Daniel McCrohan

Easily one of the lesser-known of all the long-distance walking holidays in the UK, walking the Monarch’s Way offers some historical interest without the blockbuster fame of

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The White Horse Trail

Daniel McCrohan

The White Horse Trail is a circular long distance walking route through the Wiltshire countryside linking eight white horse chalk figures and visiting historic sites like Avebury, Silbury Hill and the Kennet and Avon Canal.

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The best walking holidays in Scotland

Taylor St. John

If you started with a blank sheet and listed all the things you’d want in an ideal walking holiday destination, you’d end up with a list that sounds very much like Scotland. Varied scenery? Check.

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The West Highland Way

Fergal MacErlean

The West Highland Way, the oldest and most popular long-distance walk in Scotland, appeals to serious walkers, strolling day trippers and even runners who race the 96 miles in under 35 hours! I would advise a more leisurely pace, around a week to complete the full walk.

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The Great Glen Way

Fergal MacErlean

The Great Glen fault line bisects the Scottish highlands to create an epic backdrop for this spectacular hike, one of the best walks in Scotland.

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The Rob Roy Way

Fergal MacErlean

One of the more historical of Scotland's best walks, the Rob Roy Way is named in honour of the 17th-century folk hero who captures the popular imagination to this day.

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The Speyside Way

Fergal MacErlean

The Speyside Way is one of four officially designated long distance walks in Scotland (the others are the West Highland Way, the Southern Upland Way and the Great Glen Way).

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The Fife Coastal Path

Fergal MacErlean

Tamer than most of Scotland's walking trails, the Fife Coastal Path passes through picturesque seaside villages, old smuggling caves, and fabulous beaches.

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St Ninian's Way (Carlisle to Whithorn)

Fergal MacErlean

Much lesser-known than other Scottish walks, the 250 mile St.

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The Arran Coastal Way

Fergal MacErlean

One of the shorter, but still pretty challenging, of Scotland's walks, the Arran Coastal Trail gives a rewarding circuit around the beautiful, accessible, Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, west of Glasgow. The route leads around the coastal fringe of Arran’s mountainous north down its west coast to the sandy beaches, rocky shores and gentler landscapes of the south.

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West Island Way

Fergal MacErlean

Another lesser-known Scottish walking trail, the West Island Way around the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde boasts secluded beaches, a range of wildlife, and a generally flat profile.

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The Kintyre Way

Fergal MacErlean

Less well known than the West Highland Way, this 100-mile (161km) trail zig-zags down through the peaceful and energising Kintyre Peninsula.

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Walking holidays in England

Simon Heptinstall

There are two broad categories of walking holidays in England: single location (‘centre based’) or long distance (‘inn-to-inn’) walks. When I've been walking with a big group or with kids in tow, it can work better being based in one location and heading out on day hikes as the group (and weather) sees fit.

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Where To Walk In Wales

Kerry Walker

It may be the smallest nation on the mainland of Great Britain but don’t let its compact size deceive you: Wales is wild, remote and exceptionally well suited to walking holidays. Here’s a handful of Wales’ best walking areas.

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Best Walking Holidays In Wales

Kerry Walker

Sandwiched between England to the east, the Republic of Ireland across the Irish Sea, and with Scotland looming to the north, Wales can appear somewhat diminutive on a large scale atlas. But zoom in with a smaller-scale OS map and the packed contours and looping footpaths reveal a country that is vast, wild, and eminently explorable by foot.

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Family-Friendly Walking Holidays In Wales

Jeremy Head

Wales offers hundreds of marked trails from hardcore mountain hikes to placid beachside strolls. Here are three walks that are particularly suited for younger walkers.

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Northern Ireland's Best Walks

Belinda Dixon

Northern Ireland’s walking trails crest mountain peaks, wind through remote moorland and cross empty beaches. They take in picturesque ruined castles, thundering waterfalls and a coast so spectacular it features in the Game of Thrones.

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Best Cycling Holidays In Scotland

Colin Baird

Ancient, often mist-wreathed and mysterious, Scotland has a pull for those seeking solace. From dark, craggy, mountain ridges to exquisite, empty, beaches this is a country as diverse as its myriad islands, dramatic Highlands and rolling Lowlands.

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Scotland's Top Long Distance Cycle Routes

Colin Baird

From road trips to mountain biking, single-day trips to epic week-long adventures; here are six of the best long-distance cycling routes in Scotland.

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Family Biking Holidays In Scotland

Colin Baird

Scotland is a great place to bring your kids on a cycling trip. The National Cycle Network has miles of traffic-free paths and there are even more miles of country roads where vehicles are rare.

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Where To See The Northern Lights In Iceland

Timing a trip to Iceland means weighing several factors: there are the usual seasons to contend with, but also some major fluctuations in daylight hours along with, of course, the seasonal aurora cycle. The weather is most pleasant during the summer months, but the stupendously long days mean your chances of seeing the northern lights are almost non-existent.

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Where to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, may be a small city by international standards, but it has a lot going for it. Like any European capital, the city is packed with great restaurants, lively bars and a good range of hotels for all budgets.

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Where to see the Northern Lights in the Reykjanes Peninsula

The Reykjanes Peninsula is a dramatic and wild region of Iceland located on the southwestern tip of the island. This UNESCO-listed geopark is a place of outstanding natural beauty.

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Where to see the Northern Lights in West Iceland

West Iceland is remote and stunningly beautiful. With its endless lakes, towering mountains and dramatic lava fields, it’s a wonderful region to explore -- ideally on horseback.

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Where to see the Northern Lights in Westfjords

The Westfjords region is a large peninsula jutting out towards Greenland from Iceland’s extreme northwest corner. The region is dominated by sheer cliffs that plunge dramatically into the sea and a countless number of fjords, some small, some large, which are carved into the coastline.

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Where to see the Northern Lights in North Iceland

With its tumbling waterfalls, seemingly endless lakes and rivers, abundant wildlife and historic monuments, it’s not surprising that North Iceland was voted Lonely Planet’s number one destination to visit in 2015. This remote region is centred on Akureyri, the unofficial capital of North Iceland and second ‘city’ (more a town).

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Where to see the Northern Lights in East Iceland

The east can be a winter wonderland with endless ice fields, where towns are few and far between, and the northern lights are bright. Wild reindeer roam the land and wildlife such as Arctic char and trout swim in the lakes and wild horses walk the mountains.

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Where to see the Northern Lights in the Highlands

Whoever coined the phrase “the middle of nowhere” could have had Iceland’s highlands in mind. It’s a vast, unspoilt and unpopulated wilderness -- 40,000 square kilometres of endless deserts, mossy fields, and snow-covered mountains at the centre of the island.

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Where to see the Northern Lights in South Iceland

South Iceland made the news for all the wrong reasons after the 2010 eruption of volcano Eyjafjallajökull which caused air traffic disruption across the Atlantic. When it’s not causing global travel chaos, this region happens to be one of the best places in Iceland to see the country’s eponymous glaciers, the vast slow-flowing ice fields which cover 10 per cent of the island.

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Where to see the Northern Lights in Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands)

Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands) is an archipelago located off the mainland’s south coast. Heimaey, the main island, is home to around 4,100 people and can be reached by a short flight from Reykjavik, or a ferry.

Guide

The best walking holidays in Europe

Paul Bloomfield

Europe is a famously popular and, in places, crowded travel destination. Escaping the bustle on a walking holiday in Europe's more-remote corners is a good way to escape the day trippers, tour buses and cruise ships that plague the continent’s busier hotspots.

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Walking holidays in the Alps

Rudolf Abraham

Organised walking holidays in the Alps come in two broad categories: inn-to-inn or centre-based. Inn-to-inn walking holidays typically follow one of the official waymarked long distance walking trails; your accommodation will be pre-booked and your overnight luggage will be transferred for you from point to point.

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Walking in the Pyrenees

Paul Bloomfield

The Pyrenees are among the absolute best of all Europe's walking destinations.

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Walking Holidays In The Tyrol Mountains

Paul Bloomfield

If you’re looking for classic Alpine scenery but have already had your fill of the more famous French and Swiss Alps (or just prefer somewhere a little less popular) then I think the Tyrol mountains may be for you. The westernmost finger of Austria, sandwiched between Bavaria and northern Italy, is essentially all mountain – the Tyrol (and its westerly neighbour, little Vorarlberg) is a coherent picture of classic Alpine scenery.

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Walking Holidays In The Black Forest

Paul Bloomfield

Compared to some of its neighbouring hiking heavyweights, Germany is (unfairly, in my opinion) one of Europe’s underrated walking holiday destinations.

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A Summer Staycation: UK Holiday Ideas

Lottie Gross

The prospect of a summer holiday closer to home might not appeal to all, but don't panic! There's so much more to the UK than faded beach resorts and jam-packed tea rooms. Treat this as an opportunity to eschew the long haul flights and reacquaint yourself with the underrated joys of your own backyard.

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Top places for yoga breaks in the UK

Ellie Ross

Yoga may have its roots in ancient India, but it’s spread around the world – and the UK is no exception. Since first landing on the scene here in the early twentieth century, its popularity has soared.

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Family Adventure Holidays In Wales

Jeremy Head

Wales is without question one of the world's best places for family activity breaks. What's particularly handy is there's something for literally everyone.

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Where To Go For A (Crowd-Free) Short Break In The UK

Lottie Gross

As UK holidaymakers mentally prepare for a summer holiday closer to home, thoughts may be drawn to tacky amusement arcades in faded seaside towns, or packed village tearooms and traffic-clogged country lanes. But look beyond the over-popular tourist hotspots and you’ll find plenty of hidden and underrated corners of the UK that are perfect for a peaceful short break, but still with plenty to see and do.

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Family-Friendly Activities In The Peak District

Helen Moat

Spanning five counties, the Peak District National Park’s varied landscapes, brimming with hills, valleys, rivers and reservoirs, provide an ideal backdrop for family-friendly adventures.A visit to the Peak District can be as exhilarating or as relaxing as you like, with activities ranging from the gentle – walking with alpacas and riding the monthly musical folk train – to the thrilling – hang gliding, rock climbing and caving.

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Climbing Courses In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood

The Peak District’s exposed geology and ease of access have made it one of the most popular climbing spots in the country.The gritstone edges of the ‘Dark Peak’ are ideally suited to bouldering and trad climbing, while the limestone crags and quarries in the ‘White Peak’ are renowned for both trad and sport climbing.

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Caving & Potholing Courses In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood

The Peak District boasts some incredible caving and potholing opportunities, with tourists and school groups trailing through large caverns daily. The area is littered with caves and old mines ripe for exploring.

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Paddleboarding, Canoeing, Kayaking & Wild Swimming In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood

With abundant rivers, canals and reservoirs, the Peak District is a playground for watersports and the hardy people of the area are happy to venture out whatever the weather. There are courses and experience days across the Peak District with key locations being Combs Reservoir, Carsington Water, Tittsworth and Derwent River.

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Landscape Photography Courses In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood

With a variety of landscapes that shift dramatically with the seasons, the Peak District is a great place to hone your photography skills.Many beauty spots can be accessed by bike, hike or car and cafes are scattered across the district to pause and refresh your creativity.

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Gorge Walking In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood

Gorge walking, also known as river scrambling or Ghyll scrambling, is a fun group activity for children and adults alike (depending on the location) that sees you scrambling up waterfalls, swimming through rivers and jumping off rocks into pools. It has similarities with caving, but above ground.

Guide

Navigating & Orienteering Courses In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood

One of the main draws of the Peak District is its hiking and walking. From multi-day hiking holidays across rough terrain to afternoons walking the copious well trodden paths, there is something for all abilities and fitness levels.

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Walking holidays in Ireland

Yvonne Gordon

Ireland has a well-developed walking industry and is geared up for self-guided inn-to-inn multi-day walking holidays, where your luggage will follow via a daily baggage transfer service. On some of the more popular walking routes it’s easy to organise your own baggage transfer, alternatively book a self-guided holiday with one of the country’s many operators.