Treks / Countries
Hikes and treks in the United Kingdom
We cover 9 routes in the United Kingdom: 3 day hikes and 6 multi-day treks. The gentlest is Pen y Fan (easy); the toughest is Pennine Way (hard). The highest point is 1,345 m on Ben Nevis Mountain Track.
Compare the routes
| Route | Type | Distance | Days | Highest point | Difficulty | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pen y Fan | Day hike | 7 km | 1 | 886 m | Easy | All year |
| Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) via the Pyg Track | Day hike | 12 km | 1 | 1,085 m | Moderate | May to October |
| Ben Nevis Mountain Track | Day hike | 17 km | 1 | 1,345 m | Demanding | May to September |
| Causeway Coast Way | Multi-day | 51 km | 2–3 | varies | Easy | April to October |
| West Highland Way | Multi-day | 154 km | 5–10 | 550 m | Moderate | April to October |
| South Downs Way | Multi-day | 160 km | 8–9 | 271 m | Moderate | April to October |
| John Muir Way | Multi-day | 215 km | 7–10 | varies | Moderate | April to October |
| Coast to Coast Walk | Multi-day | 300 km | 12–14 | 780 m | Demanding | May to September |
| Pennine Way | Multi-day | 431 km | 16–19 | 893 m | Hard | May to September |
The routes in detail
Day hike
United Kingdom (Wales) · near Cardiff
Pen y Fan
The highest peak in southern Britain, in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). A short, popular walk with a big view.
≈ 7 km
886 m high
Day hike
United Kingdom (Wales) · near Liverpool
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) via the Pyg Track
The most popular route up the highest mountain in Wales, starting from Pen-y-Pass with views of glacial lakes.
≈ 12 km
1,085 m high
Day hike
United Kingdom (Scotland) · near Glasgow
Ben Nevis Mountain Track
The main path up Britain's highest mountain from Glen Nevis. Long and rocky, with a summit often in cloud.
≈ 17 km
1,345 m high
2–3 days
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) · near Belfast
Causeway Coast Way
A coastal walk past the Giant's Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and ruined castles on Northern Ireland's north coast.
≈ 51 km
5–10 days
United Kingdom (Scotland) · near Glasgow
West Highland Way
Scotland's most popular long-distance path, from Milngavie to Fort William. Long days on mostly good paths, with rain and midges as the main opponents.
≈ 154 km
550 m high
8–9 days
United Kingdom (England) · near London
South Downs Way
A walk along the chalk hills of southern England from Winchester to Eastbourne, ending at the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters.
≈ 160 km
271 m high
7–10 days
United Kingdom (Scotland) · near Edinburgh
John Muir Way
A coast-to-coast walk across Scotland's central belt, from Helensburgh to Dunbar, birthplace of the conservationist John Muir.
≈ 215 km
12–14 days
United Kingdom (England) · near Newcastle upon Tyne
Coast to Coast Walk
Alfred Wainwright's walk across northern England from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay, through three national parks.
≈ 300 km
780 m high
16–19 days
United Kingdom (England) · near Manchester
Pennine Way
Britain's first National Trail runs along the backbone of England from Edale to the Scottish border, over moors, limestone and Hadrian's Wall.
≈ 431 km
893 m high
Before you go
- Check if you're fit enough with the two-minute readiness quiz.
- Travel insurance for trekking: altitude limits and what rescue really costs.
- Packing list and the gear budget calculator.
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