Best UK Treks: Top 18 Routes For Long-Distance Trekking In Britain

Trekking is undoubtedly one of the most sublime activities to feed your adventure-thirsty soul. From waiting for your lost trek companion to finding yourself in the mountains, trekking is truly one of the most exhilarating experiences that one can have. However, this experience can turn into a disaster if you don’t select a good route that is suitable for your body type and equally beautiful.

And if you have been trekking in the past, you would know how important it is to choose the right route, to make the hike doable and delightful.

However, finding the perfect route could be a bit of a challenge. It takes extensive research and contact with the locals to find out what each route offers. This takes a great deal of effort and time, but don’t worry because we are here to guide you through the process and help you find some of the best trekking routes in the UK. Let’s get started!

1. South West Coast Path

   Ideally, the southwest coast path is the longest trail in the UK as it stretches over a distance of more than 625 miles. But, from this extended stretch, you can easily pick a small trail, and our best recommendation would be from West Lulworth to Weymouth. The distance of this short trail is just 13 miles, and it would take only a day for you to complete this beautiful coastal adventure.

2. Hadrian’s Wall

   Hadrian’s wall is a solid combination of beauty and history. This wall has played a huge role in Britain’s history as it worked as a protective fortification for the Roman. Besides, the natural beauty of this region is simply out of this world. The stretch from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway is a 135 km long trail and a moderate level hiking route. So if you’re looking for a short and quick trek, this is it!

3. Great Glen Way

   The Great Glen Way is nothing but a week-long getaway into the natural beauty of Scotland. This trek is 79 miles and will definitely cause you to challenge yourself, physically and mentally. However, the views, sceneries, and landscapes truly make the struggle worth it. Other than these, this route also covers two of the most magnificent locations of the UK, which are Loch Lochy and Loch Ness.

4. The Lizard Coastal Walk

   This coastal trek is one of the most scenic routes you will find in the UK, and of course, the entire stretch is far too long, but you can definitely cover a shorter trail such as the southern coast of Cornwall to the Kynance Cove. This 11 km trail will slowly take you into a lovely cliff path, just along the clear sea! Once you pass the Pen Olver, you will see a pair of huts in which Guglielmo Marconi himself had stayed during his venture.

5. Cuthbert’s Way

   Simple and sweet is the best way to describe this trail! The Cuthbert’s Way is situated at Northumberland and is one of the easiest treks you can do. No matter your trekking level or past experience, we assure you that you will enjoy this route. It is packed with lush, green patches, which makes the journey all the more refreshing. This 30 km stretch is just the right place to detox from the daily city hustle.

6. South Downs Way

   You cannot miss out on the gorgeous English seaside, as this trek takes you to a whole new world of the British countryside. This is a 100-mile long coastal trek, and it takes approximately eight days to complete it. Not to mention, you will find some authentic and extremely charming small towns in this route, which are full of rusty pubs, where the townies visit for a beer or two after a hard day’s work.

7. Thames Park

   Thames park is one of the challenging trekking routes and is most suitable for slightly experienced trekkers. It stretches over a distance of 184 miles, and it takes nearly 13 days to complete. The best part is that it goes along with one of the greatest rivers of the UK- the River Thames, right from its source. This route is also suitable for first-time long-distance trekkers as it is easy to find accommodation and supplies.

8. West Highland Way

   The West Highland Way comes in the list of the topmost visited treks in the UK, which means there is certainly something amazing that this place offers. Well, to give basic insight, it is stretched across a distance of 96 miles, and it takes around 8 to 9 days to complete. There are several spots for camping, so make sure you carry your tents and barbeque supplies along for a unique, thrilling experience amidst the mountains.

9. South Downs Way

   This route screams beauty and versatility, majorly because of its naturally exquisite surroundings and a wide variety of wildlife. It is a relatively longer trek of 160 km, but the scenery and landscapes are so attractive that you wouldn’t feel tired at any point. You will also encounter cute little villages along the way, and the people there are super welcoming and would make sure that you have a wonderful trip.

10. Ben Macdui, Cairngorms National Park

    This is a super-short, one-day trek in the UK, as it is a stretch of only 12 miles and takes not more than nine hours to complete. However, let me tell you that even in this short route, you will experience a variety of things in terms of landscapes, difficulty level, and so on. In addition, you will find several patches where you would have to ascend and descend every few minutes, which makes it a technically challenging route.

11. Glyndwr’s Way

    If you want a long, quiet, and peaceful escape from your hectic routine, this route is just for you! With around 135 miles to cover, it takes around 10 to 12 days to finish this, but oh! the beauty is just surreal. This route is full of green patches, narrow trails and has the power to refresh your mind with its calmness. The views are splendid, and more than anything, finding accommodation is a piece of cake!

12. Coire na Tulaich

    This trek is not for everyone and requires a specific physical and mental dedication to even begin with the route. It happens to be one of the most dangerous treks in the Scottish highlands and also one of the most photographed ones! It is packed with some highly risky and even life challenging climbs, which is why only trained professionals or incredibly experienced trekkers are advised to take this hike.

13. Stanage Edge

    This is, by far, the most popular trek in England and is known for its extraordinary beauty and scenic landscapes. Throughout this route, you will encounter adorable villages such as the Hathersage, where you can stay and relax. Other than that, this moderate-level hike features elegant mountain cafes to have a cup of coffee as you soak in the fresh air and mesmerizing beauty of the long, green stretches of the Hope Valley.

14. Malham Cove

    This is a one-day hike and probably one of the most beloved short treks among trekking enthusiasts. The difficulty level is easy-moderate, and the distance is just 6.5 km. But within this short distance, you will find tons of beautiful places to take hundreds of pictures that will definitely spice up your Instagram. There are rivers, waterfalls, canyons, rocky structures, and so much more in just one short route.

15. Lairig Ghru

    If you are looking for a thrilling adventure but don’t have many days to travel, then Lairig Ghru must be on your bucket list! This is a short, 2-day long trek, which means that you can easily book a weekend and tick this off your list real quick. However, let me warn you, this 19-mile long route is not for the weak, as it has slightly risky climbs, some challenging patches, and can get super windy at times.

16. Stonehenge

    This trekking route is a major tourist attraction, so if you wish to have a diverse company, then we suggest you do it! Stonehenge is a mysterious set of stone structures, and no one to date has been able to find the meaning behind its construction and overall existence. This mystery has attracted tourists worldwide, and this route is specifically designed for this spot.

17. North Downs Way

    This is yet another route full of history and natural beauty. The North Downs is one of the easier treks, and the distance is not more than 245 km. However, we would still recommend that you take at least 14 to 15 days to cover this route, solely because it is packed with fantastic locations, which you should explore. From Roman forts and cathedrals to grand castles, this trial has everything!

18. Cumbria Way

    Cumbria Way is found to be the second-best inland treks in the UK, closely followed by The Pennine Way. This route is of a distance of 76 miles, and it takes around seven days to complete. However, we suggest you take at least nine days as this trail is full of surprises and breathtaking locations that deserve a closer look. This adventurous journey is most enjoyable when taken slow.