South West Coast Path, England
Every time we pick the South West Coast Path as a walking trail finalist we wonder if we’re being biased. But then we look at the unrelenting splendour and variety of coastal eye candy and culture that the 630-mile trail delivers… and we’re convinced again. If you’ve got nine weeks spare (not necessarily all in one go!) Encounter Walking Holidays has it all covered, from Minehead in north east Devon to Poole in Dorset.
Price: From £409 pp, inc. 6 nights B&B, luggage transfers, daily walking itineraries
Skye Trail, Scotland
The beautiful, mountainous Isle of Skye off the west of Scotland is a wonderfully rugged hiking destination with highland sea views at every step.
Unmarked and often without even a physical trial to walk on, the challenging Skye Trail follows much of the amazing Trotternish Ridge before tracing a route along the remarkable but largely deserted coastal cliffs, delivering amazing views of the infamous Cullin Ridge along the way to the northern-most point of the Isle of Skye. Explore Outdoors runs guided, supported tours.
Price: £729 for 8 nights B&B
Coast-to-Coast, England
If there is one walk in the UK that simply can’t be ignored it is this 190-mile classic. Invented by the fell walker’s walker Alfred Wainwright, this stunning trail crosses three National Parks and some of England’s finest scenery.
Starting by the Irish Sea, you’ll cross the Lake District into the Pennines, before taking on the North York Moors and reaching your goal on the east coast. Contours offers a self-guided tour along the route with bag transfers and B&B lodging.
Price: from £840 for 13 nights/12 days
Ulster Way, Northern Ireland
The 26-mile Causeway Coast Way section of coastal walking is one of the highlights of the Ulster Way – the 625-mile circular walking route which takes a wide loop of the whole of Northern Ireland.
Starting at Portrush, the trail takes you past coastal castle ruins, Giant’s Causeway itself, long deserted sandy beaches, vertiginous cliff-top trails, and views of Scotland’s Mull, Islay and Jura to Ballycastle. Let’s Go Walking runs a self-guided, six-day tour of the Way.
Price: from £399 for 4 nights B&B
Offa’s Dyke path, wales
This 177-mile trail along the Welsh/English border follows the earthen barrier built by 8th century Saxon king Offa, from Chepstow on the Bristol Channel to Prestatyn on the Irish Sea.
With castles and views all the way, the trail crosses the Black Mountains, the Welsh Marches of Herefordshire, Powys and Shropshire, the Berwyn Mountains and the Clywydian Hills. Celtic Trails runs self-guided tours of various lengths, and ‘half-way’ trips.
Price: £975 13 nights B&B and bag transfers
celtictrailswalkingholidays.co.uk
Speyside Way, Scotland
Proving that great walking trails don’t have to summit mountains, the 80-mile Speyside Way follows the path of Scotland’s great river Spey from the North Sea coast to Aviemore in the foothills of the Cairngorms.
The trail takes you through beautiful pine forests and the middle of Scoltand’s single malt whisky producing heartlands. Go on Absolute Escapes’ 5 or 7-day self-guided tour and you’ll stop off for a few drams too.
Price: from £450 for B&B accommodation
