Anyone who visits London for the first time is sure to concentrate on eternal sights like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum.
21.07.2023 - 08:22 / roughguides.com / River Wye
Dramatic coastlines, heather-strewn moorlands, steep ridges, plunging river valleys and dense pine forests: Britain has a superb selection of scenery for such a small island. One of the best ways to experience the UK’s varied landscapes is by hiking some of its lovely, well-trodden routes. You’ll find a plethora of incredible day hikes in the UK that can be attempted by walkers of all abilities.
Hikes in the UK range from full-day treks to strolls that take just a few hours, and come in all levels of difficulty. Many take in the superlative scenery of Britain’s 15 national parks, which have a great selection of trails. There’s plenty to delight nature lovers and avid ramblers, but be sure to properly plan for your hike and walk to your ability level.
Well, what are you waiting for? Strap on your hiking boots, fill a flask, pack your favourite snacks and get ready to experience some incredible day hiking routes in the UK.
Trail length: 17–18 miles
Difficulty level: Moderate
The Wye Valley, stretching along the border of England and Wales, is recognized as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and for good reason too. It's the perfect place for hill and river walks that showcase the UK's lovely rural charms. Plump for the Wye Valley Walk, a long-distance national trail that follows the course of the River Wye.
You can choose various sections of the trail for day hikes and weekend hikes – or opt for a full walking holiday and do the lot. One of the best day hikes on the Wye Valley Walk is the Ross on Wye to Hereford section. It's one of the longer day hikes on the list and you'll need a reasonable level of fitness to tackle some of the scrambling sections. The route combines gentle river walking with woodlands and hilly inclines – a high point of 180m is reached at Capler Camp.
Autumn is the best time to attempt this trail: when the leaves begin to change their colours, it becomes one of the prettiest hiking trails in the UK. Pack a picnic to round out the country experience.
The Wye Valley Walk is a beautiful trail that takes in small orchards, postcard-perfect villages and rolling fields. Finish up at the small city of Hereford and treat yourself to proper pub food at the historic Black Lion Inn.
Hereford Cathedral with the Wye river and bridge © Caron Badkin/Shutterstock
Trail length: 6.5 miles
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
The Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland runs from Belfast to Derry and is consistently rated as one of the top road journeys in the world. This incredibly scenic route also offers great hiking through wild landscapes with sweeping sea views. The diverse terrain features stretches of dreamy, golden sands, dramatic cliff sections and oceans of vivid blue and emerald green.
Enthus
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