Best Long Distance Walks In The UK

Long-distance walks are an awesome way to really immerse yourself in nature. You can cover some serious ground in just one hike, which means you can expose yourself to a huge variety of scenery and landscapes. They’re also great for building fitness, and you’re less likely to injure yourself than you are with other faster-paced sports. Having said that. It’s important to ease yourself into the world of long-distance hiking gently – don’t run before you can walk, as they say.

Although the UK might not be a number one tropical holiday destination (the weather could definitely be better), it’s probably one of the best hiking destinations in the world. It’s home to mighty mountain ranges, rustic moors, majestic lakes, meadows covered in wildflowers, dramatic coastal cliffs… the list goes on. And it’s not just this incredible diversity that makes hiking in the UK so special – it’s also how well its natural areas are preserved.

The UK is home to a whopping 15 national parks, with well-kept and clearly signposted trails weaving throughout them. Plus, the fact it isn’t sunny all the time can actually be a good thing when it comes to long-distance hikes – carrying a pack around for days in the baking sunshine can be very hard work, after all.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that the UK has long attracted hiking enthusiasts from around the world. But what are the best long-distances hike the UK has to offer? And which one is right for you? Read on the find out!

The Edale Skyline, The Peak District National Park

We know that the world of long-distance hikes can be a little daunting to begin with, so we’re kicking our list of the best long-distance walks in the Peak District in the UK with a simple day hike.

The Edale Skyline is definitely one of our favorite hikes in the whole of the UK. It begins in Edale, a small town located in the heart of England, within the borders of the spectacular Peak District National Park.

The route is circular and can be started from various points, but we recommend starting from Hope Valley, which can be accessed easily via public transport and has lots of parking spaces.

As the name suggests, the majority of this hike is way up high on a ridgeline that dips down and back up occasionally (so brace yourself for some steep inclines), and offers seriously impressive views of the surrounding National Park – you’ll witness a huge range of scenery, including luscious green hillsides dropping dramatically into the valley below, babbling brooks, and impressive rock formations. What’s more, you’ll summit various peaks that offer panoramic views as far as the eye can see.

To complete this walk in just a day, you’ll have to set off nice and early (even in the summertime) because, even at a rapid pace, the hike will take at least 10 hours to complete.

Lairig Ghru, The Cairngorms National Park

For our next hike, we’re heading right up to the north of the UK to bring you the spectacular Lairig Ghru hill pass. This 30.5 km-route will take you through the heart