Popular hiking destinations in the UK

There is an abundance of natural beauty in the landscapes across the United Kingdom and many with unique aspects that are truly spectacular as well as a challenge to walk and hike which can make it difficult to choose the destination that is right for you so here are some of the most popular hiking destinations around the British Isles that you should consider as your next trip –

1. The Lake District, England

A perfect location for hiking where you can enjoy astonishing views wherever you turn the Lake District consists of hundreds of miles of walks some suited to experienced hikers whereas others are accessible to everyone.  The main places to go within the 450 mile national park, especially if you want to make the most of the natural wonders available are Scafell Pike which is the tallest peak in England, the deepest lake; Wastwater and the biggest; Windermere all of which are stunning to see with plenty of walks for everyone, but if you want a challenge; The Old Man of Coniston provides a tough uphill walk but with spectacular views at the top.  You can also walk parts of the Lakeland Trail Marathon when it’s not an active event especially around Lake Coniston for a stunning view of the peaks all around you and the lake itself.   Many of the routes are mapped and some are guided making it easy to plan out where you want to go.

2. The Coleridge Way, Exmoor

This 36 mile hike will take you from Nether Stowey to Porlock on the South West Coast Path and along the way you will come across varied landscapes and terrain like woodlands, farmland, moorland, heathland and wooded valleys making for not only a challenge to walk but a chance to see beautiful English scenery.  The route has villages along the way so if you decided to do the full hike in one go there are plenty of places to stay the night, it is one of the best ways to see British heritage and scenery and if you want to further your trip then it’s easy to join the South West Coast Path and the West Somerset Coast Path for truly spectacular coastal views and walks you won’t want to miss.

3. The Pennine Way

If you want a challenge then the Pennine Way will certainly give you that, covering a staggering 268 miles between Edale and Kirk Yetholm it takes you along a route that traverses the Pennines the ‘backbone’ of England by way of the stunning Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Hadrian’s Wall and into the Cheviots.  On average it takes 16-19 days to hike the full length but it can be broken down into smaller walks, especially with the many towns and villages you cross by and the beautiful views and varied landscapes on offer from the misty peaks of The Pennine Mountains to the diversity in the flora and fauna of the Yorkshire Dales.  It is recommended to start south of the route so the strong winds are at your back all the way.

Besides these there are many other hikes and walks throughout the United Kingdom that offer challenging routes to amazing landscapes all filled with rich heritage and culture so wherever you choose to go you won’t be disappointed. Check out Nightgear.co.uk for military style walking equipment.