The 10 best UK guided walks

With national parks, National Trails, National Landscapes, and heritage sights aplenty, the UK is a walker’s haven. But with so much choice on offer, it can be difficult to know where and how to start planning.  

That’s why one of the biggest benefits of a guided walking holiday is convenience. When you walk with HF Holidays, your route is carefully crafted by our knowledgeable teams, and you’ll have an experienced HF Holidays Leader with you every step of the way. 

Whether it’s coastal strolls in the sunshine (fingers crossed) or rugged country rambles you fancy, we’ve selected our 10 favourite walks where we’ll take away the stress of navigating – leaving you free to focus on the joy of the journey. 

The holidays to book: Somerset and North Devon or North Cornwall Coast Path 

Tracing the entire coastline of the southwest peninsula, this 630-mile-long National Trail is not only the country’s longest, but also one of its finest. It stretches from Minehead in Somerset through Cornwall towards Poole, taking in Britain’s most southerly spot, Lizard Point, the remarkable granite cliffs at Land’s End, and the dramatic Valley of Rocks amongst many more highlights. We’ve cherry-picked the very best stretches of this trail for you and having an HF Holidays Leader to guide you means you’ll learn lots about local landmarks and wildlife, too.  

The holiday to book: Cotswold Way Guided Trail  

Covering 100 miles of rolling English countryside, the Cotswold Way enchants with medieval churches, timber-framed villages, and stately homes. With an HF Holidays Leader to show you the way, you’ll get an insight into local history as you pass the ghostly ruins of the 13th century Hailes Abbey and visit the spa town of Bath with its 2,000 years of Roman history. There’s even the chance to visit Cooper’s Hill – home of Gloucestershire’s famously weird and wonderful cheese-rolling championships.  

The holidays to book: Complete St Oswald’s Way Guided Trail or St Oswald’s Way Coastal Section Guided Trail. 

Walking St Oswald’s Way, which starts at Hadrian’s Wall and ends in Lindisfarne, takes you in the footsteps of the early 7th century King of Northumbria. Coastal highlights include the gorgeous fishing village of Craster famous for its kippers, the impressive sea-facing remains of Bamburgh Castle, and the chance to walk across the narrow isthmus of sand over to the tidal island of Lindisfarne (also known as Holy Island). 

If you don’t fancy walking the entire 97 miles, you can complete the coastal section which gives you more time to explore, take things at a gentler pace, and have a free day to sightsee some more. Joining our guided trail holidays means you’ll not only cover the miles with company, but also learn all about the route’s colourful history. 

The holiday to book: 7-night North York Moors Guided Walking holiday or Cleveland Way Guided Trail 

Dubbed Yorkshire’s Matterhorn thanks to its half-cone shaped summit, Roseberry Topping isn’t the highest of mountains to conquer at just 1,040ft. But the views from the top are just as rewarding. At the right time of year, the bluebell woodland comes to life, carpeting the surrounding landscape, while you’ll also be in a prime spot to admire the heather moorland the North York Moors is famed for. You can add it on to your route if you’re walking the guided long-distance Cleveland Way, which winds its way up and down through the moors towards the coast (your HF Holidays Leader will guide you in the right direction). 

The holiday to book: Northern Ireland Causeway Coast Guided Trail 

Crossing the basalt columns that act as stepping stones over Northern Ireland’s UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway is one of the musts while walking the Causeway Coast. Equally impressive are the far-reaching Atlantic views, mist-wreathed headlands, and numerous spots that eagle-eyed visitors may recognise from Game of Thrones. Learn about long-gone Gaelic kingdoms from your HF Holidays Leader as you explore the crumbling clifftop remains of Dunseverick and Dunluce castles and test your mettle crossing the nerve-shredding Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.  

The holiday to book: Isle of Wight guided walking holiday

This 14-mile-long route from Carisbrooke to the Needles was made famous for being adored by British poet laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson. Like gleaming shark teeth emerging from the surf, the Needles are one of the Isle of Wight’s most eye-catching attractions. From Tennyson Monument you can take in views that – on a clear day – encompass the entirety of the island. A stroll over the windswept grassy meadows of Tennyson Down provide a welcome break for tired legs, and the wooded sections of the Tennyson Trail are one of the best places in England to see native red squirrels.  

The holiday to book: Norfolk Coast Path guided trail holiday 

Exploring the best of the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail, from Hunstanton to Cromer, enchants with dramatic cliffs, medieval ports, and beautiful beaches. Walking this long-distance trail also rewards with being able to spot thriving birdlife where The Wash empties into the North Sea, and visit Brancaster - the village where British naval hero, Horatio Nelson grew up. As one of Britain’s most gentle long-distance trails, this wonderful route welcomes walkers of all abilities. Joining our guided trail holiday means a HF Holidays Leader will be there, highlighting the best viewpoints and telling you about the area’s naval-rich history.  

The holiday to book: Derbyshire Gritstone Way Guided Trail 

For serious walkers, the Gritstone Way is a winner. One of the Peak District’s premier walking routes, it ticks off the rugged gritstone ridges around the Roaches and the impressive Stanage Edge – a series of cliff faces and rocky escarpments so formidable, they’re often used as a training ground for mountaineers heading to the Himalayas. On our Derbyshire Gritstone Way Guided Trail holiday your HF Holidays Leader will be on hand to take you safely along the best and most scenic sections as you walk through meadows, ancient oak woodlands, parkland, and heather clad moors.  

The holiday to book: Scafell Pike challenge 

As the highest point in England at 978 metres, Scafell Pike offers well-trodden routes and trails for casual walkers and experienced hikers. But if going it alone seems daunting, our Scafell Pike Challenge holiday is guided by an experienced HF Holidays Leader who will be there to support you every step of the way as you embark on the tough-but-rewarding trek to the summit. At the top, you’ll have outstanding views and be higher than anyone else for miles around. The best part is that it’s a challenge many can achieve. 

The holiday to book: West Highland Way guided trail holiday 

As one of Scotland’s most famous trails, the West Highland Way is nothing short of inspiring. Crossing from Milngavie to the foot of Ben Nevis at Fort William, you’ll hike along the sparkling shores of Loch Lomond to the wilderness of Rannoch Moor, surrounded by wow-worthy Scottish Munros and mountains. And with so many vistas to admire, your HF Holidays Leader can concentrate on navigating while you and a small group of like-minded walkers enjoy every step. By the end, you’ll have conquered 96 miles of breathtaking, history-steeped landscape.