Four Fabulous UK Hiking Holidays

Level: Moderate–Challenging
This shorter hike gives you the opportunity to take in The Lakes like never before. Stretching around 30 miles between Keswick and Windermere, with pit-stops in Grasmere and Patterdale, the route makes for an idyllic retreat to reflect, or even eulogise, in the steps of the great lake poets.

Where to Walk
Starting in the market town of Keswick, you’ll find yourself following the path along Derwentwater through to the picturesque Borrowdale Valley. The path then takes a rockier turn, but the route remains clear, with optional intermediate or tougher variants of the walk to choose from. You’ll then arrive in the bucolic village of Grasmere – the home of William Wordsworth. The poet once named Grasmere ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’ – so be sure to spend a night here to appreciate this lakeland gem.

Eight miles from Grasmere lies Patterdale – another modest village beneath the Helvellyn mountain range. For a more challenging walk, you may wish to venture to Patterdale via the summit of Helvellyn, and drop down to the shores of Ullswater. We recommend resting your head for the night in Patterdale before undertaking the 13-mile trek to Windermere on day three of your hike. Here, you will leave the shores of Ullswater and head upstream under Raven Crag, passing through Threshthwaite Mouth with its stunning views over the Troutbeck Valley. The hike will draw to a close on the renowned shores of Lake Windermere. For hikers that left a car in Keswick, there are many transport links available in Windermere, with fast routes back to Keswick.

Level: Intermediate–Moderate
The Great Glen Way is a 77-mile long distance path, starting out in the well-connected base at Fort William, before winding along the shores of some of Scotland’s most renowned lochs towards Inverness.

Where to Walk
To get to Fort William, take the West Highland Line from Glasgow, often described as the most scenic rail journey in the world, passing through the spectacular surroundings of Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis. The railway line takes you across the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films, so you’ll be sure to arrive at your hiking destination feeling spellbound by the sights. If you’re not looking to kickstart your getaway by rail, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a mere 25-minute drive west of Fort William.

Once in Fort William, you can begin your hike along The Great Glen Way, the 77-mile trail that leads you out of the the popular village and on to Inverness. You’ll begin journeying along the shores of Loch Linnhe, right in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Take in the breathtaking views of the UK’s highest mountain, standing tall at 1,345 metres, or for more advanced hikers, why not dare to brave the summit itself?

For a more intermediate–moderate hike, head inland towards Neptune’s Staircase, showcasing fascinating Victorian engineering through a series of locks in the Caledonian Canal. Follow the route along the riverside path towards Gairlochy, a 13-mile trek along the picturesque banks of Loch Lochy, before arriving at the infamous Loch Ness at Fort Augustus. The hike then leads you through Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit and reaches its final destination in south-west Inverness. The Great Glen Way can take four or five days to complete, depending on experience and optional detours you may wish to take. However, the route serves as the perfect introduction to walking in the Highlands, with low-route variants making it a perfect starting point for beginners.

Level: Intermediate–Moderate
Enjoy our region’s most impressive castles and unrivalled coast on this 28-mile hike from Warkworth to Bamburgh. As well as exploring Northumberland’s wondrous castle-scapes, you’ll also dip into the seaside villages of Alnmouth, Craster and Seahouses along the way. With our top pick of dog-friendly stays, your canine comrade can come along on the journey too!

Where to Walk
Start at Warkworth, where you will be greeted by the medieval Warkworth Castle, before heading north towards Alnmouth. This short five-and-a-half-mile walk will ease you into the hike nicely, (although you might need to detour inland to cross the estuary at Alnmouth, before you continue north to Craster, past Boulmer, Sugar Sands and Cullernose Point.

Once into Craster, a small fishing village with bags of charm, and home to the famous kippers, you’ll see Dunstanburgh Castle ahead, and the path takes you to its turreted keep entrance. It’s worth a detour to explore the castle on its whin sill headland with expansive panoramic views. Past the castle, you’ll follow the edge of the golf course towards Low Newton. A pint at The Ship will refuel you before you set off across the point and down into the vast stretch of Beadnell Bay.

For the final 12 miles, the hike takes you from Beadnell through to Bamburgh. A pit-stop in the buzzing village of Seahouses is a must, with plenty of fish and chips and ice cream to fuel the rest of your journey. Breathe in the refreshing sea air as you admire the spectacular views across to the Farne Islands on your right before you approach your final destination of beautiful Bamburgh.

Level: Moderate
Explore the rolling hills of the Dales and take in the historical glacial landscape of Malham Cove, with its limestone landscape dating back millions of years.

Where to Walk
Base yourself in Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and leave the door open for a number of nearby walks in the surrounding countryside. Kickstart your getaway with a wander around Malham’s Circuit – a fascinating circular walk that leads you into the path of the limestone giants that have become synonymous with Malham. Climb up Malham Cove, a 70-metre-high curving cliff (there are steps) boasting white limestone and panoramic views of the grassy valley below. The vast arc was covered at least three times with glacial sheets of ice, over one and a half million years ago. From the cove, head north to the glacial lake, Malham Tarn. The route will also lead to Janet’s Foss, a striking waterfall and pool (Janet was said to be the Queen of the fairies who lived in a cave behind the waterfall), and Gordale Scar, where the beck tumbles down over the overhanging limestone, 330 feet high. The circuit should take around five hours to complete, but be sure to go at your own pace to fully absorb the stunning surroundings.

The beauty of basing yourself in Malham means you can design your hikes to your liking. We recommend dedicating a day to try out the circular route that leads you into Wharfedale, or head to Airton for an easier trek apart from a short climb to Haw Crag above Bell Busk.

You may also wish to  spend the night in the rocky surroundings of Burnsall. From here you can pay a visit to the miniature gorge of Troller’s Gill. The hike offers an idyllic stroll through stone-wall lined fields, with the delightful village of Appletreewick the perfect stop-off on your way back to Burnsall.