Our Favourite Scenic UK Walks

We are so lucky in the UK to have some truly stunning landscapes right on our doorstep. Wherever you live, I guarantee there’ll be some amazingly scenic walks not too far from you. It’s one of the best things about walking, that not only do you get the physical and mental benefits from the fresh air and exercise, but you get to experience the beauty of nature. We’ve done a lot of walks over the last few years, so I’ve rounded up a few of our favourite scenic walks.

New to walking or have nobody to go with?

Me and Luke are lucky in that we have each other to go walking with, and we are getting our kids used to coming out with us as well. If you are keen to explore the best UK scenic walks, but are new to walking or have nobody to accompany you, it really isn’t a problem. There are lots of walking groups up and down the country, as well as some great singles walking holidays across the UK, so a lack of confidence or company is no barrier!

Ben Nevis, Highlands

I have to start this round up with my favourite ever walk and quite frankly the best scenery we’ve ever encountered. We were lucky to do this walk on a sunny, clear day. When you consider that there are only around 14 clear days A YEAR at the summit, we really were incredibly fortunate. The walk up Ben Nevis is a long hard slog and took us about four hours, but the views were worth it.

The path up is well trodden and easy to navigate on a clear day

The views from the top of Ben Nevis were simply stunning

Helvellyn, Lake District

You’re going to have to take my word that this is a top UK scenic walk, as when me and Luke last did this route, we couldn’t see a thing! It started off so well, but the cloud quickly descended and visibility deteriorated rapidly.

We were blessed with blue skies and solitude at the start of our hike

From the summit of Helvellyn we should have been able to see one of the UK’s most iconic vistas across the mighty Striding Edge, but instead we could barely see our hands in front of our faces! Oh well, it just means we will have to make another trip north and tackle it on a better day.

Edale, Peak District

One of the things I love about the Peak District is that there is a walk for everyone. There are some serious peaks to take on, such as the imperial Kinder Scout, or some more family friendly routes, such as Dovedale or the Tissington Trail. One of my favourite UK scenic walks is along the spine from Mam Tor to Lose Hill with great views over the Edale Valley.

Luke looking over the Edale Valley and towards Kinder Scout

Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacons

Pen y Fan is a popular summit and it’s not surprising why. The Brecon Beacons are full of amazing scenic routes, but this accessible peak is a popular choice for experienced and beginner walkers. There’s no shame in following a well trodden path, especially when you’re not an expert hiker and when the landscape is as stunning as this.

Pen y Fan is very exposed so was a tad windy at the summit

Luke and Finn take a breather on the way up Pen y Fan

South West Coast Path, Dorset

For our final favourite UK scenic walk, it’s time for a change of scenery. Walks don’t always have to feature big climbs to be scenic, some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes can be found near the coast. We’ve enjoyed some great coastal walks in Norfolk and North Devon, but special mention has to go to the South West Coast Path. We have walked stretches of it from Lyme Regis to Portland and I thought it was especially beautiful. Along the way there are big open beaches, quaint villages and rugged coastline. I also really enjoyed exploring Portland and the famous lighthouse.

We walked part of the South West Coast path a couple of years ago

Hopefully by sharing some of our favourite UK scenic walks I’ve given you some inspiration. There is so much out there to explore, so why not start ticking off your wishlist right now!

What is your favourite scenic walk in the UK?

This post is written in collaboration with HF Holidays. All words and photos are my own.

Great Langdale Walk

This summer we spent a brilliant five days camping at one of our favourite campsites, Great Langdale in the Lake District. It’s run by the National Trust and is a great family friendly campsite. The facilities have been upgraded since I last visited in 2013 and I was really impressed. It doesn’t have electric hook up (if you want some luxury, you can stay in one of the camping pods or a yurt) but actually we enjoy a more simple experience these days. It has a play area which Finn loved, as well as playing in the stream that ran through the campsite. It also has a laundry and drying room, a well stocked shop and it boasts some of the best scenery of any campsite we’ve stayed at. It’s also a perfect base for a Great Langdale walk.

Another bonus is it’s location. There are a couple of pubs within walking distance, plus the pretty town of Ambleside is a short drive away. There is also a Co-op a couple of miles away at Chapel Stile. I also like the fact that you can do several walks straight from the campsite. If you fancy a challenge you’re right near to the Langdale Pikes, and it’s even possible to hike to Scafell Pike if you’re feeling particularly adventurous. However, don’t worry if you’re looking for some more family friendly routes, as there really is a variety of walks in the vicinity.

Here’s a really easy 3 mile circular route we enjoyed up to Blea Tarn.

Click here to see the route on OS Maps

This route starts at the end of the campsite, if you’re heading away from the reception, go past the climbing wall and you need to take the footpath on your left hand side. As you go through the gate, this first section is quite steep as the path zig zags upwards, however it’s a short climb and then at the top you get some great views.

After the initial short, sharp climb you can take it easy and enjoy the views.

Once that first climb is done, the rest of the walk is either flat or downhill, so it’s not too tough at all. Our four year old managed perfectly fine with a couple of breathers and the promise of an ice cream at the end! When you reach the top, cross over the road, keeping the cattle grid on your left. Take the footpath immediately on your left hand side and this takes you to Blea Tarn. This section around the water is nice and flat and easy to follow.

The path around Blea Tarn is easy to follow and relatively flat, so it’s a great route for the whole family.

As great as Finn is, he is prone to being a bit whiny, so I find that walks with things to look at and lots of distraction goes a long way to keeping him happy. On this Great Langdale walk we stopped for a while so he could look at the water, watch some ducks and have a little paddle in his wellies.

Like all kids, Finn is drawn to water

AS we reached the top end of Blea Tarn we turned left, (if you wanted to make this Great Langdale walk longer, you can head straight on at this point) and followed the path around the tarn and headed back to the road. We followed the road back to our starting point, and headed back down the hill to the campsite. The road is narrow, so take care as it can be a busy road.

Have you ever camped at Great Langdale? Do you know any other great family friendly walks in the area?