Best Hill Walks in the UK – National Parks, Scenic Areas & Famous Walks

The UK offers an enormous variety of hill walks, from famous mountain routes such as Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Ben Nevis and Pen y Fan to gentler scenic walks in national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty. This guide highlights some of the best-known walking areas across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with ideas for places to explore and inspiration for future breaks.

This page is designed as a starting point for walkers rather than a complete guide to every route. Some of the walks below are challenging mountain days, while others are easier scenic outings in beautiful landscapes. Always choose a route that matches your experience, fitness and the weather conditions on the day.

Hill Walks in the UK at a Glance

• Best for: Walkers, nature lovers, couples, active families and visitors planning scenic breaks
• Includes: Mountains, national parks, scenic uplands, famous viewpoints and popular hill-walking areas
• Difficulty: Ranges from easy countryside walks to demanding mountain routes
• Best time to go: Spring to early autumn is often the easiest period for most walkers, although walking is possible year-round with the right preparation
• Family suitability: Many lower-level scenic walks suit families, but some mountain routes are only suitable for experienced walkers
• Dog friendly: Many walking areas are dog friendly, but always check local rules, livestock guidance and lead requirements
• What to bring: Good footwear, waterproofs, warm layers, water, snacks and a charged phone
• Important: Mountain weather changes quickly, so always check the forecast before setting out

Famous Hill Walks to Inspire Your Next UK Break

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) – Snowdonia / Eryri

Yr Wyddfa is one of the most famous mountains in the UK and a major walking highlight in North Wales. Walkers come for the summit views, the sense of achievement and the dramatic setting within Eryri National Park. There are several routes of different difficulty, so it is important to choose carefully and be realistic about your experience.

Pen y Fan – Bannau Brycheiniog

Pen y Fan is one of the best-known peaks in South Wales and a popular choice for walkers who want a rewarding hill day without taking on a very technical mountain route. It is well known for broad views, open upland scenery and a strong sense of space. On clear days, it is one of the most memorable walking destinations in Wales.

Scafell Pike – Lake District

As the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike has huge appeal for keen walkers. It is a classic goal for people building up their mountain-walking experience or ticking off well-known peaks. The Lake District around it is also full of easier walks, lakeside scenery and picturesque villages, making the wider area ideal for a walking holiday.

Kinder Scout – Peak District

Kinder Scout is one of the best-known upland walks in the Peak District. It is popular for its moorland scenery, edges, reservoirs and walking history. The area suits visitors looking for a proper hill walk within one of England’s most accessible national parks.

Ben Nevis – Scottish Highlands

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK and one of the most famous climbing goals in Britain. For many walkers, it is a bucket-list peak. It is a serious mountain day and needs proper preparation, but the surrounding Highlands also offer many other scenic walking opportunities for a range of abilities.

South Downs Way – South Downs

The South Downs are ideal for visitors who want a gentler style of hill walking. The landscape is known for rolling chalk hills, open views and long-distance walking rather than dramatic mountain terrain. It is a good area for scenic countryside walks, shorter rambles and relaxed walking breaks.

Slieve Donard – Mourne Mountains

Slieve Donard is one of Northern Ireland’s best-known mountain walks and is a standout choice in the Mourne Mountains. The route is well loved for its mix of sea views, mountain scenery and a real sense of achievement. The Mournes are among the most scenic hill-walking areas in the UK.

Other Great Areas for Hill Walks and Scenic Walking

• Lake District: Famous for fells, lakes, valleys and classic walking routes
• Peak District: Great for moorland walks, edges, dales and accessible hill walking
• Yorkshire Dales: Wide open countryside, limestone scenery and attractive walking villages
• North York Moors: Heather moorland, valleys and coast-to-country walking
• Dartmoor: Tors, open moorland and a wild landscape in Devon
• Exmoor: A mix of moorland, wooded valleys and dramatic coastline
• Bannau Brycheiniog: Big views, ridges, peaks and waterfalls in South Wales
• Snowdonia / Eryri: Mountain walking, lakes, railways and dramatic scenery in North Wales
• Cairngorms: Huge Highland landscapes with a strong sense of wilderness
• Mourne Mountains: Compact but dramatic mountain scenery in Northern Ireland
• Cotswolds: More suited to scenic countryside walking than true hill walking, but still a very popular walking area

How to Choose the Right Walk

Not every walker wants the same experience. Some people want a famous summit such as Snowdon or Ben Nevis, while others are happier with gentler upland walks, scenic trails or half-day routes. When choosing a walk, think about distance, ascent, weather, terrain and how confident you are on uneven ground.

If you are visiting as a family or want a more relaxed day out, national parks such as the South Downs, Peak District and Lake District often provide a wider choice of easier walks. If you are looking for a challenge, mountain areas such as Eryri, the Highlands and the Mournes may be more appealing.

Useful Tips for Hill Walkers

• Check the weather forecast before you set off
• Wear suitable walking shoes or boots
• Take waterproof clothing and warm layers, even in summer
• Carry water and snacks, especially on longer walks
• Allow extra time for steep terrain and changing weather
• Use a map, route guide or trusted navigation app
• Tell someone where you are going if heading into remote areas
• Turn back if conditions feel unsafe or beyond your ability

Planning a Walking Break in the UK

A walking break can be built around a famous summit, a national park, a scenic county or a base town with good access to several routes. North Wales, the Lake District, the Peak District, the Highlands and the South Downs are all excellent starting points, depending on the type of scenery and level of challenge you want.

If you are planning accommodation, it can help to stay close to the walking area you most want to explore. This allows you to start early, avoid long drives and enjoy more of the surrounding landscape, villages and attractions during your trip.

Find Inspiration for Your Next Walking Trip

The UK has far more hill walks than any single page could cover, but this guide should help you narrow down some of the best-known places to begin. Whether you want a famous mountain, a scenic ridge, a moorland walk or a gentle countryside trail, there are excellent walking areas across every part of the country.

Explore More Walking Areas and Scenic Destinations

If you are looking for more ideas, these UK Holiday Breaks guides can help you find scenic areas, attractions and places to stay near some of the country’s best walking landscapes.

Explore More Walking Areas and Scenic Destinations

If you are looking for more ideas, these UK Holiday Breaks guides can help you find scenic areas, attractions and places to stay near some of the country’s best walking landscapes.

• Snowdonia / Eryri – mountain walks, lakes, railways and some of the most dramatic scenery in Wales.
• North Wales – combine walking with castles, heritage railways, coastal scenery and family attractions.
• Lake District – famous fells, lakes, valleys and walking routes for a wide range of abilities.
• Peak District – moorland, gritstone edges, reservoirs and accessible hill walking in central England.
• Yorkshire Dales – limestone scenery, open countryside, waterfalls and traditional walking villages.
• Bannau Brycheiniog – ridges, waterfalls and popular South Wales peaks including Pen y Fan.
• South Downs – rolling chalk hills, long-distance trails and gentler scenic walking.
• Scotland – Highland landscapes, lochs and famous mountain areas including Ben Nevis and the Cairngorms.
• Northern Ireland – scenic countryside and mountain walking including the Mourne Mountains.