So, here\u2019s my selection of the best beach, pub, mountain, woodland and circular walks across the UK \u2013 and the runners-up!<\/p>\n
These include a Cornish coastal walk ending at a pub, a dramatic Lake District waterfalls route, an easy walk through the Cairngorms and a classic South Wales mountain ridge circuit.<\/p>\n
Your favourite walk<\/p>\n
We\u2019d love to hear what your favourite walk is too, whether it\u2019s a firm family favourite, a stunning day out or one with a special personal meaning for you.<\/p>\n
Get in touch<\/a><\/p>\n Best beach walk This starts in the pretty village of Rhossili \u2013 next to a beach frequently named as one of the top ten in the world \u2013 and then takes you up along the ridge line of the downs, to enjoy stunning views over the bay and the Bristol Channel. <\/p>\n You\u2019ll drop down for the return leg and walk back at beach level to the village \u2013 watch out for the wreck of the Helvetia, a Norwegian Barque that ran aground in 1887, which is visible at low tide.<\/p>\n At the start of the causeway to the tidal island of Worm\u2019s Head, a board will tell you when it\u2019s safe to cross. If it is, cross to the island (you may spot seals in the coves below you) before returning back to Rhossili to finish.\n<\/p>\n Distance: 7.68 miles\/12.3km Runners-up<\/p>\n Portballintrae to Ballintoy, Giant\u2019s Causeway, Northern Ireland Full route details and best beach walks<\/a><\/p>\n Best mountain walk A tough category to choose, but this three hour walk up Cat Bells ticks all the boxes.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n It is short, steep and hugely rewarding with views over Derwentwater. This mini mountain is universally loved and makes a great introduction to hill walking, or a quick treat for the more experienced.<\/p>\n Follow the clear path from the car park at Hawse End steeply uphill. As you climb the views will become more spectacular. There\u2019s\u00a0a final short but straight forward rocky scramble to reach the summit and you\u2019ll be treated to one of the best views in the Lake District.<\/p>\n Return by following a path heading south and then forking left onto the Cat Bells bridleway. Head back to Hawse End this way<\/p>\n Distance: 3.5miles\/5.7km, Runners-up<\/p>\n Mam Tor and the Great Ridge,Peak District Full route details and best mountain walks<\/a><\/p>\n Best pub walk Call me old-fashioned, but this classic Peak District walk claims this crown.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n The Old Nags Head pub, dating back to 1577, marks the start (or end) of the iconic 268-mile Pennine Way, which follows the backbone of England from the Peak District to the Scottish Borders.<\/p>\n This is a challenging circular moorland walk, but it will just make that pint taste sweeter at the end.<\/p>\n You head past the pub at the start, so avert your eyes and follow the Pennine Way through fields and valley paths before heading up the former packhorse route of Jacob\u2019s Ladder on to the open moorland. <\/p>\n Come off the Pennine Way here and follow the Kinder Plateau through gritstone rocks and tors until you drop down to the village of Grindstock and then return to Edale and your reward at the pub.<\/p>\n Distance: 7.5miles\/12km Runners-up<\/p>\n Birling Gap, from the Tiger Inn, Sussex Full route details and best pub walks<\/a><\/p>\n Best circular walk An absolute stunner and I was lucky enough to have wall-to-wall sunshine when I completed it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n This has a bit of everything \u2013 a sweet village, sand dunes, crashing waves and a castle.<\/p>\n Make sure you check the tide times as you could find yourself stranded on Holy Island.<\/p>\n The walk starts in the village and takes you past the ruined priory and along the harbour-front to the castle. From there you join a footpath that follows the east coast of the island north. <\/p>\n Continue past quiet coves (perfect for lunch stops) until you reach a series of sand dunes and then the causeway road. <\/p>\n Cross this and join another footpath, this time along the west coast of the island and continue back to the village to finish.<\/p>\n Distance:\u00a04.3miles\/7km Runners-up<\/p>\n Burford circular, Cotswolds Full route details and best circular walks<\/a><\/p>\n Best woodland or forest walk It may not be the longest walk, but it feels fitting that our winner is Sherwood Forest, especially as this walk takes in the Major Oak.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n According to local legend, this 800-1,000-year-old tree was where Robin Hood and his Merry Men slept. It has a girth of 33ft and a canopy of 92ft.<\/p>\n This is a gentle, level trek for the whole family that begins at the visitors\u2019 centre and follows a gravel track, before joining The Greenwood Trail. You next reach the Major Oak, which is now surrounded by fencing and support struts.<\/p>\n Then continue on a clear path through dense woodland to the other must-see, the Stag\u2019s Head tree. From there it\u2019s a very easy loop back to the visitor\u2019s centre.<\/p>\n Distance: 2.5 miles\/4km Runners-up<\/p>\n Grizedale Forest, Lake District Full route details and best woodland walks<\/a><\/p>\n Love walking?<\/p>\n If you love walking why not try one of Saga\u2019s walking holidays?\u00a0<\/p>\n There’s a choice of destinations, from the mountains of Montenegro and Italy, levadas of Madeira, volcanic terrain of Gran Canaria and Lanzarote or the rugged coastline of Spain. <\/p>\n You can even walk the Santiago trail from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.<\/p>\n Take me there<\/a><\/p>\n (Hero image credit: AWL Images)<\/p>\n
\nRhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula, South Wales<\/p>\n
\n What\u2019s it like: Moderate, steep uphill initially and to finish, then undulating coastal walking. Can be muddy on the return in wet weather.<\/p>\n
\n Crasterto Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland
\n Holkham Beach, Norfolk
\n Old Harry Rocks circuit, Dorset
\n Dunnottar Castle walk, Aberdeenshire<\/p>\n
\nCat Bells, Lake District<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/walking-cat-bells-lake-district-awl-823x581.jpg\")
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\n Adam Burton \/ AWL Images
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\n What\u2019s it like: Challenging, mountain paths, with some sections that are steep and rocky.<\/p>\n
\n Pen y Fan Horseshoe, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
\n Stac Pollaidh, Scottish Highlands
\n Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) via Pyg Track
\n Slieve Donard, Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland<\/p>\n
\nKinder Scout via Edale \u2013 The Old Nags Head<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/walking-the-old-nags-head-awl-823x710.jpg\")
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\n Alan Copson \/ AWL Images
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\n What\u2019s it like:\u00a0Challenging. Moorland paths, some steep sections.<\/p>\n
\n Cookham Thames Path, with The Bounty, Berkshire
\n Knoydart Peninsula, The Old Forge, north-west Scotland
\n Glenariff Forest Park Waterfalls, with the Ponderosa Bar, Ballymena, Northern Ireland
\n Zennor Head walk with the Gurnard\u2019s Head, Cornwall<\/p>\n
\nHoly Island and Lindisfarne Castle Circular<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/walking-lindisfarne-castle-getty-823x549.jpg\")
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\n \u00a9 Emily M Wilson 2022
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\n What\u2019s it like: Moderate, mostly level walking, clear coastal paths.<\/p>\n
\n Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, Yorkshire Dales
\n Loch Affric, Scottish Highlands
\n Cwm Idwal, Gwynedd
\n Hampstead circular walk, London<\/p>\n
\nSherwood Forest walk<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/walking-sherwood-forest-great-oak-getty-823x576.jpg\")
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\n \u00a9 2019 Lyn Randle
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\n What’s it like: Easy and level, along clear tracks, which are often fenced.<\/p>\n
\n Fritham Loop, New Forest
\n Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
\n Kielder Forest, Northumberland
\n Uath Lochans, near Aviemore<\/p>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/phillipa-cherryson.jpg\")