The Most Popular Walk in the UK: Ranking the Top Pick

Voting rules: Choose the walk you think is the most popular!

Updated on Sep 1, 2023 11:29

Discover the undiscovered, trek the uncharted, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the UK's most sought-after walking trails. StrawPoll invites you to join the ultimate quest to rank the most popular walk in the UK! Be it the rugged charm of the Coast to Coast Walk, the enchanting allure of the Cotswold Way, or the wild expanse of the West Highland Way - we have it all! With thousands of avid walkers voting and sharing their experiences, we are unveiling a treasure trove of hidden gems and unforgettable adventures just waiting to be explored. So, don your hiking boots, let your wanderlust guide you, and make your voice heard in our quest for the ultimate walking escapade. Don't see your favorite trail on our list? Worry not! Suggest your hidden gem and help us create an all-encompassing collection of the UK's finest walks. Let the journey begin!

What Is the Most Popular Walk in the UK? (September 2023)

1

54
votes
The Pennine Way

Tom Stephenson

This is a challenging long-distance walking trail that runs for 268 miles across the Pennines, from Derbyshire to the Scottish borders. It is popular with hikers who enjoy the scenic views and varied terrain.
Description

The Pennine Way is a long-distance footpath in the United Kingdom, famously known as the backbone of England. Spanning approximately 267 miles (429 kilometers), it starts at Edale in the Derbyshire Peak District and ends in Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. The trail primarily follows the Pennine Hills, offering walkers a diverse and breathtaking landscape along the way.

Distance: 267 miles (429 kilometers)

Start Point: Edale, Derbyshire, England

End Point: Kirk Yetholm, Scotland

Route: Primarily follows the Pennine Hills

Terrain: Varied, ranging from moorland to limestone pavements
2

28
votes
Mogens Engelund · CC BY-SA 3.0

The West Highland Way

This is a 96-mile walking trail that runs from Milngavie, near Glasgow, to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. It is a popular route that offers stunning views of Scotland's rugged landscapes.
Description

The West Highland Way is a famous long-distance walking trail in Scotland, United Kingdom. It stretches for approximately 96 miles (154 kilometers) and runs from Milngavie, a suburb of Glasgow, to Fort William, a town located in the Scottish Highlands. The path takes walkers through a diverse landscape, including lowland moors, rolling hills, and beautiful lochs, offering breathtaking views of the Scottish countryside. The trail is well-marked and reasonably accessible, attracting a wide range of walkers, from beginners to experienced hikers.

Length: 96 miles (154 kilometers)

Starting Point: Milngavie, near Glasgow, Scotland

Finishing Point: Fort William, Scottish Highlands

Terrain: Varied: lowland moors, rolling hills, lochs

Difficulty: Moderate
3

28
votes
Geof Sheppard · CC BY-SA 3.0

The South West Coast Path

This is a 630-mile walking trail that follows the coastline of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset. It is popular with walkers who enjoy the stunning sea views, rugged cliffs, and sandy beaches.
Description

The South West Coast Path is a 630-mile long National Trail in the United Kingdom that follows the stunning coastline of the South West region. It is considered one of the most popular long-distance walks in the UK, attracting hikers from around the world with its breathtaking views, diverse landscapes, and rich history.

Length: 630 miles

Location: South West region of the United Kingdom

Start Point: Minehead, Somerset

End Point: Poole Harbour, Dorset

Difficulty: Challenging
4

17
votes
Ballista at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

The Cotswold Way

This is a 102-mile walking trail that runs through the picturesque Cotswold Hills, from Chipping Campden to Bath. It is popular with walkers who enjoy the historic towns and villages, rolling hills, and beautiful countryside.
Description

The Cotswold Way is a long-distance walking trail in the United Kingdom, renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and charming Cotswold villages. Spanning 102 miles (164 kilometers), the trail offers a captivating journey through the Cotswold Hills, which are characterized by rolling grasslands, meadows, and ancient limestone villages. It is considered one of the most picturesque and popular walks in the UK, attracting nature enthusiasts, hikers, and history buffs alike.

Length: 102 miles (164 kilometers)

Location: The Cotswolds, England

Start Point: Chipping Campden

End Point: Bath

Terrain: Rolling hills, farmland, woodlands
5

13
votes
Adam Cuerden · Public domain

The Hadrian's Wall Path

Natural England

This is an 84-mile walking trail that follows the route of the famous Roman wall, from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway. It is popular with walkers who enjoy the historic sites, stunning scenery, and varied terrain.
Description

The Hadrian's Wall Path is a long-distance hiking trail located in the United Kingdom. It follows the route of the historic Hadrian's Wall, a Roman fortification built in AD 122 to mark the northern boundary of the Roman Empire. The trail spans approximately 84 miles (135 kilometers) across northern England, from Wallsend on the east coast to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast.

Distance: 84 miles (135 kilometers)

Location: Northern England, United Kingdom

Start Point: Wallsend, Tyne and Wear

End Point: Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria

Scenic Views: Stunning views of the surrounding countryside, rolling hills, and rugged landscapes
6

16
votes
Freda White · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Glyndŵr's Way

This is a 135-mile walking trail that runs through the rolling hills and remote valleys of mid-Wales. It is popular with walkers who enjoy the unspoiled landscapes, historic sites, and quiet countryside.
Description

The Glyndŵr's Way is a popular long-distance footpath in the United Kingdom, spanning 135 miles (217 kilometers) through mid-Wales. Officially opened in 2002, it follows the path believed to have been taken by Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh prince and leader of the Welsh rebellion in the early 15th century. The trail showcases the picturesque landscape of Wales, passing through rolling hills, heather-clad moorlands, peaceful farmlands, and enchanting forests.

Length: 135 miles / 217 kilometers

Location: Mid-Wales, United Kingdom

Type: Long-distance footpath

Opened: 2002

Start Point: Knighton
7

10
votes
Doug Sim · CC BY-SA 3.0

The Coast to Coast Walk

Alfred Wainwright

This is a 192-mile walking trail that runs from St Bees on the west coast of Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay on the east coast of North Yorkshire. It is popular with walkers who enjoy the varied landscapes, from the rugged fells of the Lake District to the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales.
Description

The Coast to Coast Walk is a long-distance footpath in the United Kingdom, covering a distance of approximately 192 miles (309 km) from the Irish Sea coast of Cumbria to the North Sea coast of North Yorkshire. It is widely regarded as one of the most popular long-distance walks in the UK, showcasing a diverse range of landscapes, including mountains, moors, valleys, and picturesque villages.

Length: 192 miles (309 km)

Starting Point: St Bees, Cumbria

End Point: Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire

Counties: Cumbria, Durham, North Yorkshire

Terrain: Mountains, moors, valleys, coastal paths
8

7
votes
The South Downs Way

This is a 100-mile walking trail that runs from Winchester to Eastbourne, through the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. It is popular with walkers who enjoy the stunning views, historic sites, and varied terrain.
Description

The South Downs Way is a long-distance footpath in the United Kingdom that offers stunning views of the rolling countryside and coastal landscapes. It stretches for 100 miles (161 kilometers) across the beautiful South Downs National Park, which covers parts of Hampshire and West Sussex. The trail generally follows the chalk ridge of the South Downs, providing walkers with a unique opportunity to explore England's beautiful countryside.

Length: 100 miles (161 kilometers)

Location: South Downs National Park, Hampshire and West Sussex, United Kingdom

Terrain: Rolling hills, chalk ridges, and coastal landscapes

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Start Point: Winchester
9

4
votes
The Offa's Dyke Path

The Offa's Dyke Association

This is a 177-mile walking trail that runs along the border of Wales and England, following the route of the ancient Offa's Dyke. It is popular with walkers who enjoy the historic sites, stunning landscapes, and varied terrain.
Description

The Offa's Dyke Path is a long-distance footpath in the United Kingdom that follows the ancient earthwork known as Offa's Dyke. It runs along the border between England and Wales, spanning a distance of approximately 177 miles (285 kilometers). The path offers breathtaking scenery, traversing through a diverse range of landscapes including rolling hills, picturesque valleys, and woodlands. It is a popular choice for hikers and nature enthusiasts, showcasing the beauty of the borderlands between the two countries.

Length: 177 miles (285 kilometers)

Location: England-Wales border

Terrain: Rolling hills, valleys, woodlands

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Start Point: Prestatyn, Wales
10

1
votes
Donar Reiskoffer · CC BY 3.0

The Coast Path

This is a 630-mile walking trail that follows the entire coastline of England. It is popular with walkers who enjoy the stunning sea views, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and quaint coastal towns and villages.
Description

The Coast Path is a renowned walking trail that spans around the entire coastline of the UK. It offers breathtaking views of the country's diverse landscapes, including cliffs, beaches, coastal villages, and wildlife. The trail attracts millions of visitors each year, who embark on this epic journey to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the UK's coastlines.

Total Distance: Over 18,000 km (11,000 miles)

Location: The entire coastline of the UK

Duration: It usually takes around 2-3 months to complete the entire trail.

Terrain: Varied terrain including flat sections, steep cliffs, sandy beaches, and rocky paths.

Difficulty Level: Moderate to challenging, depending on the section.

Missing your favorite walk?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for popular walk

Accessibility

how easy it is to access the starting point of the walk, whether it's by car or public transport.
Scenery

how picturesque and stunning the views are along the walk.
Difficulty

how challenging or easy the walk is in terms of terrain, elevation, and distance.
Historic/Cultural significance

whether the walk takes you through notable landmarks or cultural/historic sites.
Facilities

availability of parking, toilets, and refreshment stops along the route can influence the popularity of the walk.
Recommendations

the opinions of reputable travel guides, websites, and local recommendations can play a significant role in determining a walk's popularity.
Social media exposure

how popular or frequently shared the walk by social media users can often also be a significant factor in a walk's popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular walk in the UK. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite walk is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

1789 views
178 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each walk once every 24 hours. The rank of each walk is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular walk in the uk

The United Kingdom is known for its scenic countryside, rolling hills, and stunning coastline, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. With so many beautiful places to explore, it's no wonder that walking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the country. From short strolls to challenging hikes, there's something for everyone when it comes to walking in the UK. Whether you're looking to take in the fresh air, get some exercise, or simply enjoy the scenery, there are countless routes to choose from. So, what is the most popular walk in the UK? Let's take a closer look at some of the contenders.

Explore other rankings

Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.