Hikes in the United Kingdom
Hikes in the United Kingdom range from a short Skye walk of about 3.8 km out and back to the 96-mile West Highland Way thru-hike. The five trails here include point-to-point, loop and out-and-back routes, difficulty from moderate to strenuous, and an official season of April to October.
This collection gathers five trails across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. Two are long point-to-point walks: the West Highland Way through the Scottish Highlands and the Causeway Coast Way in County Antrim. The other three are day-hike style routes: Snowdon in Eryri, Striding Edge and Scafell Pike in the Lake District, and the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye. Together they cover multi-day thru-hikes, coastal cliff paths, scrambles and short but steep walks, so the page suits both first-time visitors and walkers planning a longer trip.
The routes at a glance
-
West Highland Way · Scottish Highlands · Scotland
The West Highland Way is a 96-mile point-to-point thru-hike from Milngavie to Fort William, typically walked over 5-8 days. It is rated moderate to strenuous because of sustained daily mileage and an exposed crossing of Rannoch Moor, though there is no technical climbing. It suits walkers ready for a multi-day trip.
- Distance
- 96 miles / 154 km, point-to-point (Milngavie to Fort William)
- Difficulty
- Moderate to strenuous (long-distance, multi-day; no technical climbing, but sustained daily mileage and an exposed crossing of Rannoch Moor)
- Official season
- April to October
-
Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa · Eryri (Snowdonia) · Wales
Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is an out-and-back day hike in Eryri. The Llanberis Path is about 9 miles round trip with roughly 982 m of gain and is officially the easiest and longest route. The Pyg Track and Miner's Track are more demanding, and Crib Goch is a strenuous Grade 1 scramble.
- Distance
- 9 miles / 14.5 km round trip via the Llanberis Path (4.5 mi / 7.25 km one-way to the summit); other official routes are shorter, roughly 7-8 miles round trip (Pyg Track, Miner's Track)
- Difficulty
- Moderate (Llanberis Path is officially the easiest and longest route); the Pyg Track/Miner's Track are more demanding, and the Crib Goch route is a strenuous Grade 1 scramble
- Official season
- April to October; winter needs mountaineering skills
-
Lake District — Striding Edge & Scafell Pike · Cumbria · England
This entry covers two Lake District routes. Striding Edge to Helvellyn is about 12.9 km as a loop from Glenridding and involves an exposed Grade 1 scramble. Scafell Pike via Hollow Stones is about 9.7 km out and back, a steep, rocky ascent to England's highest summit. Both are strenuous.
- Distance
- Two separate routes: Striding Edge to Helvellyn is roughly 12.9 km (8 miles) as a loop from Glenridding; Scafell Pike via Hollow Stones (Wasdale) is roughly 9.7 km (6 miles) out-and-back from the National Trust Wasdale car park
- Difficulty
- Striding Edge: Strenuous — an exposed Grade 1 scramble requiring a head for heights; Scafell Pike: Strenuous — steep, rocky ascent to England's highest summit
- Official season
- April to October; winter is a mountaineering outing
-
Isle of Skye — Quiraing & Old Man of Storr · Inner Hebrides · Scotland
Two short Skye walks with a moderate rating. The Old Man of Storr is about 3.8 km out and back, and the Quiraing is a loop of roughly 6.8-8.4 km. Both are steep and rough underfoot, with exposure to unfenced drops, so they suit walkers comfortable on uneven ground.
- Distance
- Old Man of Storr: ~3.8 km / 2.4 mi round trip (out-and-back, ~1.9 km one way). Quiraing: ~6.8–8.4 km / 4.2–5.2 mi circular loop (sources vary on exact loop length).
- Difficulty
- Moderate — short walks but steep, rough underfoot, and exposed to unfenced drops
- Official season
- April to October
-
Causeway Coast Way — Giant’s Causeway · County Antrim · Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coast Way runs about 50-53 km point to point from Portstewart to Ballycastle, with the Giant's Causeway roughly mid-route. It is typically walked over 2-4 days. Rated moderate, it is a low-lying coastal path, but it includes some steep, exposed cliff-edge sections.
- Distance
- ~50–53 km / 31–33 mi, point-to-point, Portstewart to Ballycastle (Giant's Causeway falls roughly mid-route), typically walked over 2–4 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate — low-lying coastal path overall, but with some steep, exposed cliff-edge sections
- Official season
- April to October
How to choose between them
Start with how much time you have. The Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing are short walks, while Snowdon and the Lake District routes are full day hikes. The West Highland Way and Causeway Coast Way need several days. Next, consider effort: Striding Edge and Scafell Pike are rated strenuous, and Striding Edge is an exposed Grade 1 scramble needing a head for heights. Snowdon's Llanberis Path is the officially easiest route on that mountain. Route type matters too, since two trails are point-to-point and need a plan for getting back to your start.
When to go
Every trail in this collection lists an official season of April to October, so the collection sits in the warmer half of the year. Snowdon and the Lake District routes are noted as needing mountaineering skills in winter. Because conditions and access can change, confirm current dates and any local restrictions with each managing authority, such as the national park authorities, the National Trust, the Highland Council or the West Highland Way and local councils, before you travel.
Common questions
How many hikes are in this collection?
There are five trails: the West Highland Way, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the Lake District's Striding Edge and Scafell Pike, the Isle of Skye's Quiraing and Old Man of Storr, and the Causeway Coast Way. Together they span Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
Which UK hikes here are point-to-point?
The West Highland Way runs 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, and the Causeway Coast Way runs about 50-53 km from Portstewart to Ballycastle. Both are point-to-point, so plan how you will return to your starting point.
Which routes here are the most demanding?
Striding Edge and Scafell Pike are both rated strenuous. Striding Edge is an exposed Grade 1 scramble requiring a head for heights, and Scafell Pike is a steep, rocky ascent. Snowdon's Crib Goch route is also a strenuous Grade 1 scramble.
When is the official hiking season?
All five trails list an official season of April to October. Snowdon and the Lake District routes are noted as mountaineering outings in winter. Check dates and conditions with the managing authority for your chosen trail before you go.
Sources
Facts come from each route's official managing authority, linked on its trail guide:
- West Highland Way / local authorities — westhighlandway.org (West Highland Way)
- Eryri National Park Authority — eryri.gov.wales (Eryri National Park Authority) (Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa)
- Lake District National Park Authority — lakedistrict.gov.uk (walking in the Lake District) (Lake District — Striding Edge & Scafell Pike)
- Highland Council & landowners — forestryandland.gov.scot (Forestry and Land Scotland) (Isle of Skye — Quiraing & Old Man of Storr)
- National Trust & local councils — nationaltrust.org.uk (Giant’s Causeway) (Causeway Coast Way — Giant’s Causeway)
Conditions, permits and access rules change without notice — confirm current information with each managing authority before you go. See our editorial policy.