Exploration
The 10 best one-day hikes in the UK
Want to become one with the great outdoors? Of course you do. From Yorkshire peaks to Celtic crags, these testing hikes will help you get to grips with nature, and get a sweat on, too.
This great, sceptered isle of ours offers untold treasures across its 242,495 km². For a relatively small country, we can more than hold our own when it comes to stunning scenery, draw-dropping vistas, and punishing adventure trails. In fact, from Wales to Scotland, England to Northern Ireland, there’s almost too much choice when it comes to stepping foot outside.
Here are some of the UK's best single-day excursions. Some are fit for beginners, others require a bit more juice in the tank. All will get your heart racing. So read on and remember, once you step out onto the road, you never know where it’s going to take you…
Word of warning: please use common sense when hiking: tell someone where you’re going; take plenty of water with you; don’t set out on the hottest or coldest day of the year; don’t take selfies near cliff edges… You know the drill. If you’re ever in doubt as to whether you could complete a given route, be smart and go with a guide.
01
Ben Macdui, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Distance: 12 miles
Suggested hiking time: 8 hours 30 mins
Loch Etchachan, Cairngorms
© RockRiver Expeditions
A roller coaster of a route where you start high, following a series of ascents and descents throughout the day. Start at the car park at Coire Cas and head up alongside the main ski run to the summit of Cairngorm, taking in the views of the Rothiemurchus forest and Aviemore beyond. From here, follow the path that takes you down through Coire Raibeirt to the shores of Loch Avon, and up the other side to meet Loch Etchachan.
Now it’s time to climb again, this time to the massive cairn marking the summit of Ben Macdui, the second highest mountain in Britain. From here you can be rewarded on a clear day with views of the west side of the Lairig Ghru, Carn Toul and Braeriach. To descend, follow the path north which brings you out alongside Coire an Lochain and back to the car park.
02
The Glyders, Snowdonia, Wales
Distance: 7 miles
Suggested hiking time: 5hrs
This is a deceptively hard day, but well worth it for the photo opportunities. Leave your car at Ogwen Cottage and head behind the buildings and around the east side of Llyn Idwal. The steep climb up Devil’s Kitchen will take your breath away. Keep climbing up the scree and you’ll be at the top of the highest summit of the day at 1,001m. From here you head to The Castle of the Winds rock formation and then onto the boulder collection that makes up the Glyder Fach summit. Just ahead on the plateau is the iconic Cantilever stone – a must for the photo collection.
Experts suggest avoiding the Bristly Ridge descent, and instead take the right turning down to meet the Miner’s Track and along to Bwlch Tryfan. From here you could follow the miners track back to Ogwen but with Tryfan looking tantalisingly close, and if you have the energy in your legs, you could also choose to continue on to the summit for another photo classic – the Adam and Eve twin monoliths – before retracing your steps to Bwlch Tryfan and down to Ogwen.
03
Old Harry Rocks, Isle of Purbeck, England
Distance: 10 miles
Suggested hiking time: 4hrs
Old Harry Rocks
© RockRiver Expeditions
The Jurassic Coastline is a World Heritage Site. This walk takes in the most famous landmark on this stretch of Dorset coast – Old Harry Rocks. Starting at Knoll Beach and heading south, follow the coastline and you’ll pass pretty beach huts, features from World War Two and then Old Harry Rocks come into view.
The walk across Ballard Down can be refreshing on a breezy day, but it’s easy walking. Pass the obelisk, then follow the path down and across the road and up the other side to cross Godlingston Heath passing Agglestone Rock or Devil’s Anvil. This sandstone block weighs 400 tonnes and, according to legend, was thrown there by the devil himself. At the end of the Heath you can pick up the Poole Harbour Trail and head north east to South Haven Point, before turning south again to follow the sandy beach past the lagoons and back down to Knoll Beach.
04
Yorkshire Three Peaks, Pennine Range, England
Distance: 24 miles
Suggested hiking time: 12 hours
View from Whernside
© RockRiver Expeditions
Climbing the three highest peaks in Yorkshire is no mean feat, it’s a walk that includes over 1,600m of ascent so you will need to be fit. It’s a good idea to start at Chapel-le-Dale and proceed in an anti-clockwise direction from Horton, tackling Pen y Ghent as your first peak. The walk starts with a gentle uphill as the imposing peak looms ahead, and gradually gets steeper as you get nearer. The final ascent to the summit is steep and may require you to use your hands as you climb up.
Enjoy the view from the trig point before heading down again following the path north west across Horton Moor picking up the Ribble Way. Follow the path alongside the viaduct past the Force Gill aqueduct built by the Midland Railway. Take a left turn to pick up the Pennine Journey path to the summit of Whernside.
The downhill here is steep but short, and you’ll have a flat section of walking to relax the legs before getting back onto the Dales High Way to take you up to your final peak. The zig zags of the last steep section might seem endless, but then you’ll top out onto the plateau of Ingleborough with its 360-degree views of the Yorkshire Dales. The important part here is to make sure that you take the right path off the summit – it’s easy to become disorientated in the mist and end up a long way from where you want to be. The path heads east first and then south east down the hill. As it flattens you cross a section of farmland and then the railway line as you head back into Horton in Ribblesdale.
05
Snowdon Horseshoe, Snowdonia, Wales
Distance: 7 miles
Suggested hiking time: 6 hours 30 mins
Crib Goch
© RockRiver Expeditions
There are a number of routes you can choose to climb Snowdon, but the Grade 1 Snowdon horseshoe is a stand-out, ticking off a trio of 3000ers: Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain and Snowdon, as well as three classic scrambles.
Start up the Pyg Track until you reach Bwlch y Moch where you’ll have views of Llyn Llydaw and the miners' causeway. Here there is a steep but short climb up onto the start of your first scramble Crib Goch. The knife-edge crest requires confidence but if you take your time, you’ll find plenty of places for your hands and feet. At the top of the climb the route narrows and the sheer drop each side can be daunting or exhilarating depending on your experience and the weather conditions of the day.
Scramble over or around The Pinnacles and enjoy views over to Snowdon’s peak as you reach a grassy broad area and here you head onwards for your second scramble this time up Garnedd Ugain. This is less exposed than the former as long as you keep to the ridge so take the opportunity to look back at the views of Crib Goch and see where you have come from. The summit of Garnedd Ugain is marked by a trig point where you will have views of the Snowdon mountain railway and Moel Eilio beyond that. From here it’s a straightforward route to the summit of Snowdon itself.
06
Slieve Binnian, Mourne Mountains, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Distance: 7 miles
Suggested hiking time: 12 hours
This fantastic circular walking route is part of the highest and most dramatic mountain range in Northern Ireland, offering walkers the experience of a beautifully wild landscape with breathtaking views. The route follows the distinctive Mourne Wall to the summit of Slieve Binnian (747m), traverses between the spectacular South and North Tors before descending along a track past the stunning Blue Lough, Annalong Forest and back to the car park.
07
Ballintoy to Bushmills, Part of the Causeway Coast Way, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Distance: 12.4 miles
Suggested hiking time: 8 hours
This trail spans the Causeway Coast, including the coastal towns of Portballintrae and Portbradden, the impressive Dunseverick Castle and Harbour, one of Ireland ancient sites and Northern Ireland's first UNESCO Heritage Site, the Giant's Causeway. This walking route from Ballintoy to Bushmills includes beaches, rocky outcrops, and cliff top paths along the Causeway Coast Way, one of the most spectacular cliff top paths in the UK.
08
Ben More, Isle of Mull, Scotland
Distance: 7.5 miles
Suggested hiking time: 6-7 hours
Often the first or last Munro on many a list, Ben More is Britain’s last active volcano. It last blew its top 60 million years ago but still dominates the Isle of Mull, a mere ferry from Oban. Is there anything quite like being at the top of an island?
Being an isolated Munro, the views are some of the finest on the west coast. The full panorama takes in Ben Nevis to the North East, the North Atlantic Ocean and the Paps of Jura to the south. Magnificent stuff. There’s no hiding from the challenge here as a typical route starts down starts by Loch na Keal down at sea-level.
09
Marsden to Edale, England
Distance: 21.0 miles
Suggested hiking time: 10-12 hours
Peak District Gritstone Edges
© RockRiver Expeditions
A lesser-known three peaks challenge, but hugely rewarding, this classic Peak District route soars above the high bleak moorland of Black Hill, Bleaklow and Kinder Scout. The names deliberately tell the story. There are many ways to attack this walk but a direct route involving sections of the Pennine Way is the best way to beat sunset in Edale. Up and over. Repeat. Finally, Kinder Scout, a seminal moorland plateau and scene of the famous Mass Trespass of 1932 before the final descent into Edale.
10
Coniston Loop (via Wetherlam and Swirl How), Lake District, England
Distance: 11.5 miles
Suggested hiking time: 8 hours
View from Bowfell, Lake District
© RockRiver Expeditions
This is a great walk on a good day, and a challenging walk the rest of the time. The rewards? Great views in every direction and some Lakeland history along the way. Start out of Coniston itself and across the Yewdale Fells, before swinging up to Steel Edge for a rock scramble or taking an easier route.
Head up to Wetherlam as your first ascent and then taking a big loop across Tiberthwaite Fells and ascending along West Side Edge to Swirl How. Next is a good walk down through Coppermines Valley and its ruined mining infrastructure, and back to Coniston for food, drink and rest.
