Discover the UK’s Best Hiking Holiday Destinations

Are you planning a UK hiking holiday and wondering where to go? From The Lake District to The Yorkshire Dales, Ben Nevis to Snowdon, we’ve got you covered, with a rundown of some of the best UK hiking holiday destinations…

Is the UK good for hiking?

It’s fair to say that since the pandemic, and consequent lockdowns, people have become a lot more connected with nature, and the world around them. As a result, we’re seeing a huge increase in the number of people booking walking and hiking holidays.

Hiking holidays provide the perfect opportunity to explore a new destination, allowing you to get off the beaten track, find hidden gems and truly experience everything a country has to offer.

While Spain, with its beautiful coastline and idyllic weather, has been voted the world’s most popular destination for a hiking holiday, the UK is still up there as one of the best hiking destinations on the planet.

Sure, it doesn’t have the tallest mountains, but no one can argue that Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike are an easy feat. They don’t call it the Three Peaks Challenge for nothing! So, if you are planning a staycation, but want to combine it with your passion for hiking, whether you choose to visit England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you won’t be disappointed.

Where is the best place to hike in the UK?

The UK is a dream destination for hikers, with paths, hills and mountains to suit all abilities. And while we can’t promise good hiking weather at any time of year (you’ll definitely need to pack waterproofs), we can guarantee impressive coastal landscapes, lovely woodland and charming countryside views.

Some of the more obvious UK hiking holiday destinations include Ben Nevis in Scotland and Snowdon in Wales. If you’re a serious hiker these will definitely be on your travel bucket list. But, they’re not the only destinations great for hiking in Britain. Check out our 3 recommendations below for UK hiking destinations that offer something for all abilities.

South West Coast Path

If you are looking for a trail suitable for hikers of all ages and abilities, look no further than the South West Coast Path. Spanning a whopping 630 miles, it is the UK’s longest national trail and offers breathtaking coastlines views of the entire South West peninsula.

The South West Coast Path starts in the seaside town of Minehead in West Somerset, and runs along the rugged coastline of Exmoor, into North Devon, Cornwall and finally to Poole Harbour in Dorset. As well as enjoying the magnificent scenery, there is plenty to see and do on the way, including water sports activities, visits to top tourist attractions like The Eden Project, and of course, enjoying a Devonshire or Cornish Cream Tea. After all that hiking, you’ll deserve it!

The entire path would take the average hiker around 8 weeks to complete, but it’s easy to plan a shorter hiker holiday. In fact, the South West Coast Path website has some really handy information to help you plan your route, along with information about day walks and easy access paths.

As we mentioned before, this is a route that everyone can enjoy, so whether you’re planning a solo hiking holiday, a couples hiking holiday or a family hiking holiday, it’ll tick all of the boxes.

Don’t forget to search for cheap hotel rooms in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset through PlansChange.

The Lake District

The Lake District is a hiker’s paradise, and home to England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike. Although it is the smallest ‘mountain’ in the Three Peaks Challenge at 978m tall, it’s not to be underestimated! Scafell Pike is still a serious hike, but so worth the effort for the unparalleled views across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Plus, you’ll feel invincible, literally standing on the highest point of England.

Hiking up Scafell Pike will take a competent hiker at least two hours and you should expect a challenging scramble over steep, hard terrain. Look out for England’s highest war memorial, which was donated to the National Trust in 1919, in memory of those who died in the First World War.

While Scafell Pike is best left to experienced hikers, Helvellyn in the Lake District is considered a slightly easier hike, with several different routes to its summit. For those new to the world of mountain climbing, we also recommend CatBells - a modest summit or ‘miniature mountain’ offering panoramic views of the striking Skiddaw and Derwentwater below.

But of course, it’s not all about the mountains! The Lake District also boasts hundreds and thousands of picturesque lakeside hikes. Be sure to look for trails around Buttermere, Coniston Water and Grasmere.

The Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is arguably one of the most beautiful parts of the UK with its heather-covered moorland, rolling hills, dramatic waterfalls and quintessential English villages.

Whether you prefer gentle waterside strolls or challenging scrambles, the Yorkshire Dales has something for everyone.

Many keen hikers flock to the Yorkshire Dales to tick off the area’s three highest mountains, Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. This is a challenge that can be undertaken by experienced hikers in a single day (under 12 hours) and covers a 24-mile loop with over 1,600m of climbing. In return for your efforts, you’ll enjoy spectacular views, fascinating geology and an experience you’ll never forget.

Remember, you don’t have to tackle all of the peaks at once! If you’re a novice hiker, try Pen Y Ghent first. This is the lowest of Yorkshire’s famous 3 peaks, standing at 694 metres tall. You’ll still require a good level of fitness, as there are some challenging steep scrambles, but it’s a great way to test your endurance and work towards the Yorkshire Dales 3 Peaks Challenge.

Explore the UK’s best hiking routes with PlansChange

While we’ve certainly covered three of the best hiking destinations the UK has to offer, along with mountains like Ben Nevis and Snowdon, there are so many other fantastic routes to explore.

We simply can’t round off this article without mentioning the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, The Quiraing Walk on the Isle of Skye (Scotland) and the Hadrian’s Wall Path, which spans 73 miles across Northumberland and Cumbria. All of these destinations are worthy of a place on your hiking holiday travel list too.

Whichever UK hiking destination you decide on, it’s important to have somewhere comfortable to rest your head at night. For major discounts on hotel rooms look no further than PlansChange. With accommodation all over the UK, it’s the best place to find cheap hotels for your hiking holiday.