The Top 8 Walking Holiday Destinations in the UK

With an abundance of vast countryside, picturesque mountains and stunning walking trails, the UK provides an idyllic setting to get your walking boots on and get back to nature.

Whether you reside near the stunning lochs of the Scottish highlands, or you live in the bucolic midlands countryside, our handpicked guide explores the best walking holidays in the UK. Now let’s get started…

Fort William & Glencoe - Ben Nevis walk, Scottish Highlands

Starting right at the top of the country, the Ben Nevis walk is rated one of the best in Scotland, and arguably one of the best places for UK walking holidays, in general.

As the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis doesn’t need an introduction for its grandeur, as it sees over 100,000 walkers visit each year. Advanced hikers needn’t require a foreword for its walking appeal, as its impressive lochs and vast glacial valleys appeal to many. But with its overwhelming stature, walking beginners may be less inclined to visit.

Fortunately, hikers of all levels can follow a walking trail on Ben Nevis, but if you’re looking to reach the summit from the visitor centre, and back, you should expect an average time of around 7 – 8 hours.

Situated above the town of Fort William, the surrounding area provides the optimum place to stay while tackling the favoured walking trail. Our Fort William campsites guide lists the top five places to camp in the highlands resort. Depending on how long you’ll be staying, you can also check out the nearby activities and local attractions that will keep your days filled with fun and adventure in the 12 things to do in Fort William guide.

Haltwhistle - Hadrian’s Wall walk, Northumberland

Widely recognised as one of the most popular walks in the UK, just south of Scotland on the borders is the Hadrian’s Wall Path. This historical 84-mile National Trail in Northumberland features the ruins of the famous Roman wall and other architecture from this era.

The walking trail runs from coast-to-coast from Wallsend, near Newcastle on the east coast, to Carlisle on the Solway Firth on the west coast.

The Hadrian’s Wall trail is one of the best long-distance walks in the UK as it stretches across 84 miles and can take up to 6-8 days to complete. The changing landscape of the walk will allow you to sightsee the cityscape of Newcastle Upon Tyne to the historical and rustic landscapes of Carlisle and the rolling countryside of Eden Valley.

To stay well rested while on your walking holiday, you can visit the nearby glamping and camping site Herding Hill Farm which is located just a mile from Hadrian’s Wall in Haltwhistle, Northumberland. The award-winning campsite also features luxury lodges and outdoor hot tubs.

Keswick - Catbells walk, Lake District

The Lake District is one of the country’s best places for a walking holiday and Keswick in particular is one of the busiest for tourists in the vicinity of the National Park.

Your walking holiday wouldn’t be complete without completing what is widely-renowned as one of the most popular walks in the Lake District, the Catbells walking route.

The walk receives a high level of footfall from visitors across the UK as visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the moment you walk onto the fell – looking out over Keswick, Borrowdale, and Derwent Water, with views to the west overlooking the Newlands Valley and the Western Fells. For places to stay while you’re temporarily residing in this magnificent setting, check out our guide on the top Lake District campsites.

Llanberis - Craflwyn, Hafod y Llan & Llyn Dinas Snowdonia walk, Wales

Trailing over to Wales for another mountainous walk, the circular Craflwyn, Hafod y Llan & Llyn Dinas walk in Snowdonia places you in the centre stage of the audience of the stunning Snowdonia landscape.

You can observe everything from Wales's largest national park, which features Snowdonia’s craggy mountains, the epic waterfalls of the Afon Cwm Llan, and the wild and alluring heaths in the Nant Gwynant valley. Visitors can also walk along the sensational Llyn Dinas lake along the lower slope of Wales' highest peak, Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon.

Starting from the Craflwyn National Trust car park in Beddgelert, Gwynedd this moderate walk should take you approximately half a day’s trek.

While exploring one of Wales’ most beautiful landscapes, you can stay nearby in the town of Llanberis which is the most ideal spot for outdoor explorers. The town offers exhilarating climbing and mountaineering activities and blood-pumping fun at the nearby attractions of Zip World and Rope Works.

Not only does the town accommodate quaint hotels and comfortable guest houses, but campers can also go back to basics and pitch up at the Camping In Llanberis Campsite. Visitors can see the stunning surroundings on the spacious open plot of land.

Haworth - Bronte Waterfalls Circular, West Yorkshire

Reaped in history, Haworth in West Yorkshire is a world-renowned tourist destination of its own accord, due to its links to some of the world’s most influential writers - The Bronte Sisters.

In recent years, walking in the UK has become more popular as visitors are combining their love of sightseeing with a steady source of outdoor fitness. And on the Bronte Waterfalls Circular trail, you can experience the wild moorlands the Bronte sisters wrote about. Also walk along the quaint country town’s picturesque streams, babbling brook and steady hills that aren't too difficult for hiking beginners.

Signposted with well-defined paths and charming pubs along the route, this trail is a must for those looking for a quaint countryside staycation and walking holiday.

Haworth is a tourist hotspot, so book early if you want to visit the town’s time-honoured guest houses. Alternatively, campers can visit Upwood Holiday Park a large, family-friendly campsite open all year round and a mile away from Haworth. It benefits from a range of accommodation, pitching sites and best yet, incredible views of the moors.

Dovedale - Curbar Edge walk, Peak District

The Peak District is renowned for its hidden natural treasures and vivid scenery, and for walkers, it provides the ideal terrain to see the sights.

Situated in a valley of the Derbyshire dales in the Peak District, Dovedale has trails for some of the most serene walks in the UK. Beginners can take lighter walks along the Monsale and Lathkill Dales, while more advanced hikers can take the more challenging routes of the Curbar and Stanage Edges. Other places to visit while you’re there are the Castleton Caves and the World Heritage Site of Cromford Mill.

Not only is Dovedale an ideal spot for a walking holiday, it is also recognised as a quintessential place to stargaze, the Peak District National Park is officially dubbed as a ‘Dark Sky Discovery Site’. Camping is arguably the best way to experience the National Park as it allows you to stay in the midst of the Peak District’s breathtaking landscape. The best places to camp while there have been handpicked in our Top Six Peak District Campsites guide.

Seatown - Jurassic Coast walk, from Devon to Dorset

For a long-distance walking holiday in the UK, look no further than the South West Coast Path which follows the Jurassic Coast for 95 miles between Exmouth and Swanage.

This trail is also perfect for any budding archaeologists, as fossils from the Jurassic era are commonly found visible in these iconic cliffs.

On the coast side location, you can discover some of the UK’s finest natural architecture, including the archway of Durdle Door which makes this location a must-see spot in its own right. It's even a place you can return to on an evening, as its lack of light pollution makes it another prime area for stargazing.

Other standout landforms en route also include the Ammonite Pavement, embedded with fossils and located at the western end of Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis. Also stroll across the Jurassic, fossil-filled beaches of Charmouth and Kimmeridge or hike up Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast.

From hotels with coastal views to beachside Airbnbs and vast stretches of campsites, the south west coast has a number of magnificent places to stay. For campers, Seatown and the Golden Cap Holiday Park in Dorset is a sensational place to stay on the Jurassic Coast. It’s situated just 150 yards from Seatown Beach and in the midst of 2,000 acres of National Trust land.

Bushmills - Giant’s Causeway walk, Northern Ireland

Those based in Northern Ireland looking for a walking holiday should explore the stunning natural wonder that is the Giant’s Causeway. Found on the coast of County Antrim, the magnificent 40,000 hexagon-shaped basalt columns can be seen on your walking holiday.

There are a number of walking trails you can follow, but the Clifftop Experience walk is a 5-mile hike from the ruin of Dunseverick Castle, along the coastline to the Giant’s Causeway.

For an extended hike, you can incorporate the Giant’s Causeway within the Causeway Coast Route. At 33 miles in length, this route takes approximately 2-3 days and features the Port Path and the North Antrim Cliff Path, both of which comprise the Ulster Way.

The quaint village of Bushmills is the ideal place to stay while on this walking expedition, as the Giant’s Causeway is located ​​2 miles north of the town. Need a place to pitch up while there? Feigh Farm campsite is situated on the North coast and near the Giant’s Causeway.

Your walking holiday essentials…

Whether you’re hoping to see the sights or improve your hiking endurance, it’s important to have the right equipment. Sea to Summit offers a wide range of high-quality hiking and camping equipment including storage sacks, water bottles and field repair accessories. Browse the full product range and make sure you have everything you need when you’re out on the trail.

Don’t forget to tag #seatosummituk in your social media posts when you’re exploring so we can share your experience and see how your walking trip went.