Trekking Holidays in the UK: 5 British Treks Not to be Missed

There are some fairly spectacular and beautiful places in the world but there is something about the British Isles that has a unique appeal. Don’t worry, we’re not about to go all swivel-eyed patriotic on you. But these 5 British treks not to be missed show we should not overlook our very own backyard. With some incredible trekking holidays in the UK to discover, maybe this year you should try staying on these shores.

**Originally published in December 2014 this article was most recently updated in March 2025**

Trekking Holidays in the UK

Sometimes you only really get to see a country on foot. With no petrol stations or motorway services, getting out there on the trail lets you really discover the beauty of Britain.

While the below are all long distance multi day UK Treks routes it is worth mentioning that you can stay in a destination and go on day hikes. Head to the Lakes, Snowdonia, the Highlands, The Peak District, Pennines and many other places and you can book a base and hike to your hearts content.

You can even book specialist walking holidays. Why not stay in a spa hotel and hike in the day and relax in luxury. Equally there are plenty of UK yoga retreats that include hiking, or walking holidays that combine other activities.

5 British Treks Not to be Missed

Here is a selection of some truly spectacular multi-day treks UK.

Southern Upland Way

This coast-to-coast path across southern Scotland is 340 km long and has a reputation as one of the toughest in the UK. The trails are perfect for those who like to spend a bit of time on their own because you won’t find many others out there. It’s a pretty daunting trek and you won’t find much in the way of amenities. However, the rewards are… well, we’ll let you see for yourself.

The length of the Pennine Way

This trek is likely to be slightly busier as it’s the UK’s premier trekking path. Known as the spine of the UK, as it runs right up the middle, follow the path from its beginning at Edale through the Peak District to the Yorkshire Dales and the Scottish Borders. With plenty of rest stops along the way, this is a great trek for beginners and pleasure seekers.

Cotswolds Way

The archetypal example of this ‘green and pleasant land’, this 164 km path through the Cotswolds takes in the gently sloping limestone hills from Bath to Chipping Camden. This isn’t quite the dramatic scenery offered by the Peaks or Lakes but its charm is undeniable and it’s without question one of the best trekking holidays in the UK.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path

The remotest part of Wales, the windswept beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast is hard to deny. Huge beaches line the coast and protect the land from the swells and crashing waves of the Irish Sea. Pass through picturesque villages that seem unchanged from generations ago.

Check out this guide to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to find out why it is one of the British treks not to be missed. You’ll need around two weeks to complete the whole 299 km of the path and you really won’t regret it.

Yorkshire Three Peaks

A classic hikers challenge is to try all the three highest peaks in the UK. Scaling Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike might be impressive but you’ll need a car to get between them and that defeats the whole point of trekking.

However, you can go between Yorkshire’s three highest peaks all on foot. You can even do it in twelve hours if you hurry. Although giving yourself a couple of days leaves some time for relaxing too. Either way you won’t have to drive anywhere and you can combine it with other walks to create one of the best trekking holidays in the UK.

We hope you have been inspired by these top 5 British treks not to be missed. Be sure to check out our United Kingdom trekking page for more great ideas.