On the Trail —Hiking and Trekking Trails Across the British Countryside
Britain may not be blessed with year round sunshine but when the weather is fine there’s no shortage of walking and hiking routes to be enjoyed. The UK is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and they’re just waiting to be explored.
Pull out you’re sturdy trekking boots and those all-weather hiking trousers and get set some for some unforgettable trails around Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.
The West Highland Way
At 95 miles long this isn’t a journey that you can undertake on foot in a day or two. This stretch of Scotland begins just north of Glasgow and continues up to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Almost 90,000 people travel this route every year to take in points of interest including the magnificent Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor and Ben Nevis. The famous Devil’s Staircase is another highlight of this trip and the rocky ridge of Aonach Eagach contains two Munro summits of over 3,000ft.
Famous Welsh trail
Wales is home to some simply gorgeous routes routes and Snowdonia in the north provides ample opportunities to don some waterproof gear, stretch your legs in comfortable hiking trousers and take in the scenery. The majestic Tryfan Mountain will no doubt be the main goal of your trek though the Snowdonia National Park. This has been named Britain’s favourite mountain although not its highest, a title held by Ben Nevis. Hillwalkers do love Tryfan as puts them to the test with a summit of 3,011 feet — the panoramic views will make glad you persisted right to the top.
The Lake District
You can’t mention hiking trails around the UK and not include the scenic splendour of the Lake District. You have an abundance of routes to choose from in this North West region of England, one of the most popular being the 14 mile Coniston Round fell walking route. If you’re looking for some challenging peaks then Helvellyn Mountain will be your destination, the highest point of which is nearly 3,117 feet. For unspoilt beauty alone the Western fells should not be missed and for some reason you can trek through this region and rarely bump into another soul.
Across the Irish Sea
Northern Ireland contains a variety of great walks that pass through quaint little beaches, rocky coastlines and dramatic Atlantic Ocean views. County Antrim is home to White Park Bay in the Causeway coastal area and this three mile walk is nothing if not spectacular. The coastline sweeps out in front of you and the golden beaches are easily accessible. For something a little more challenging head to the Robber’s Table in County Tyrone for a nine mile circular walk that provides superb views of the Donegal Mountains as well as the High Sperrin Mountain range.
These are just a few of the many hiking routes that can be accessed across Britain. Traversing the UK’s most scenic spots is never too difficult but keep an eye on the weather forecast to ensure you don’t get caught unawares.
