Skip to Content

The UK’s Best National Parks for Hiking

Snowdonia (photo: Robert J Heath)
Snowdonia (photo: Robert J Heath)

The UK is one of the best countries in Europe for hiking. Thousands of walking routes can be found across the country in many beautiful spots.

National Parks such as the Peak District, Exmoor, and Snowdonia offer incredible hiking routes and give lovers of the outdoors some of the best places to enjoy a walk in the countryside.

If you're looking at enjoying the best natural beauty the UK has so offer, exploring some of these areas is a must.

So, where are the best places for hiking in the UK? Well, we've teamed up with Peak Cottages, a travel company providing stunning cottages throughout the Peak District, one of the regions we've picked, so look at some of the best destinations in the UK for hiking.

Snowdonia National Park

One of, if not the most well-known region in Wales, Snowdonia National Park has been a firm favorite for walkers and adventurers for generations.

Overlooked by the impressive Mount Snowdon, this National Park has plenty of things to do, especially for walkers.

The many routes throughout this area are simply stunning, taking in breath-taking views from every angle.

Glacial landforms and rugged landscapes dominate this landscape, providing plenty of scenery to explore.

If you're looking for some of the best hiking routes in the country, Snowdonia is a fantastic place to start.

Views of the Dark Peak area from Bamford Edge (photo: Simon Harrod)
Views of the Dark Peak area from Bamford Edge (photo: Simon Harrod)

Peak District National Park

A picture-perfect destination in the heart of the North of England, the Peak District is a mix of mystical forests and moorland plateaus, providing some of the best walking routes in the country.

Hiking is one of the most common pastimes in this area, and it's easy to see why.

With so much stunning scenery to explore, spending a lot of time here is easily done.

The difference between the steep limestone valleys that make up the southern White Peak and the dramatic gritstone ridges in the northern Dark Peak is what makes the walking routes in this region so spectacular.

See also: Common Hiking Injuries and How to Treat Them

Woody Bay
Woody Bay (photo: Hassan)

Exmoor National Park

Making up a large part of North Devon, as well as stretching into Somerset, Exmoor National Park is home not only the native Exmoor Pony but also some of the best hiking routes in the southwest.

Dominated by hilly open moorland, it has a range of trails throughout the park.

From routes on top of hills in the region to coastal paths taking in some of the most picturesque towns and villages in the county, Exmoor has plenty of choices when it comes to walking.

Northumberland National Park

Offering a stark contrast in the landscape between the Tyne and Scottish border, Northumberland National Park is a diverse area perfect for keen adventurers and hikers.

Amazing valleys are the ideal place to start your walk from, and while some have restricted access, the ones that don't are staggeringly beautiful.

It's the largest county in northeast England and benefits from a great range of hiking routes, whether inland or along the coast. This is a National Park best explored on foot.

While these are some of our best picks, truth be told this list could have been a lot longer.

The UK has a fantastic range of scenic places to hike, and it's worth spending some time exploring these areas.

_____

This story was brought to you in partnership with Peak Cottages.

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

Dorota from Born Globals

Monday 5th of November 2018

My issue with the UK is that I am freezing every time I go there! Its climate just doesn't work with me, humidity and cold wind is killing me, I prefer to go to a place with -20 degrees C and I'll be less cold ;) But these places look so beautiful... I guess I'll just grab an additional layer of clothes (or three) and explore anyway :) Thanks for sharing.

Juan Ovalle

Sunday 19th of August 2018

Great list! Snowdonia looks beautiful!

Sudeesh

Saturday 14th of July 2018

Which time (season) is best for trying these places in UK?

Comments are closed.