There is something to love about every season, but in my opinion, spring is simply the best time for hiking in the UK. There’s plenty of sunlight, the days are warm without being too hot, and the land is exploding with colour and life.
It helps that there’s a few Bank Holidays to take advantage of, which can help you maximise your holiday allowance and escape for a few short walking breaks around the UK.
One of our favourite ways to enjoy a walking holiday in a short time is by choosing a circular route, which lets you start and finish in the same location. This makes onward travel easy and saves time because you can just jump straight back in your car or on the train.
So, to help give you some inspiration for your next springtime hike, we’ve teamed up with walking holiday experts Contours Holidays to bring you 5 of the best circular walks in the UK.
Contours offers each of these walks as self-guided holidays, which includes accommodation, route guidances, and luggage transfer where appropriate. You can find out more about Contours and their range of short walking holidays here.
Cotswold Round
The Cotswolds is one of our favourite areas to explore on foot, with charming villages and towns nestled amongst attractive rolling hills and leafy woodland. In spring, rare butterflies flit in the wildflower-lined footpaths, while fields of poppies, lavender, and barley quilt the hills.
The Cotswold Round is a 49-mile circuit through some of the prettiest Cotswold landscapes, anchored by the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. Along the way, it passes attractive settlements like Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water.
It can be done in 4 days at a moderate pace, or you could take more time to enjoy exploring the villages and towns along the way. For those short of time, you could also check out the two-day Cotswold Short Break, which is still packed with iconic Cotswold scenery.
Three Dales Way
The limestone-scarred valleys of Yorkshire evoke both an ancient and a pastoral beauty that makes the area such a joy to explore. Along the Three Dales Way, you’ll walk between Wharfedale, Littondale, and Malhamdale, with highlights including the vast Malham Cove, the collapsed cave system of Gordale Scar, and the rumbling waters of the River Wharfe.
The 32-mile circular route is a moderate three-day walk which begins and ends in Burnsall, and features overnight stops in pleasant Yorkshire villages where you can relax after each day of walking in a cosy pub with hearty fare and a local ale.
Lakeland Round
The Lake District is one of the loveliest areas in the world for walking. Whether you’re after big mountain scenery and a challenging hike to go with it or a gentle stroll along a shimmering lake, the Lake District has something for everyone.
The 74-mile Lakeland Round combines all of this into a circular hike that’s a best-of of the Lakes. From Ambleside, you’ll visit all the major valleys of the National Park, with spectacular scenery to enjoy every single day. It’s for perfect for those who have yet to explore the Lake District.
For an easier and shorter option, check out the Derwentwater Round, which is a two-day, stile-free walk that’s designed to be accessible for families, beginner walkers, or those with mild mobility impairments. Plus, it’s designed as a single-centre walking break so you don’t have to change your accommodation, which makes it even easier to enjoy.
Land’s End Round
Explore the dramatic coastline and lush interior of Cornwall on the 60-mile Land’s End Round, which provides some of the best ocean scenery in the UK. From trails over rocky, wildflower-strewn headlands to golden beaches and seaside villages, if you love being by the sea, this one’s for you.
By combining the Far West of Cornwall section of the South West Coast Path with the ancient pilgrimage of St Michael’s Way, you’ll experience the best of Cornwall starting and finishing in Penzance, which also has good train connections to make getting there and back easier.
Snowdon Round
Rich with natural beauty and industrial heritage, the glacial valleys and rugged mountains of Eryri / Snowdonia resemble Tolkien’s mythological landscapes of The Lord of the Rings, and it’s easy to feel a world away once you start exploring this beautiful corner of the country.
The 56-mile Snowdown Round has been developed to cover the very best of the area, with lakes, mountains, forests, man-made ruins, and moors all on display. While this route has been designed to explore the foothills of the imposing mountains, for those seeking a bigger challenge, the 61-mile Snowdon Round Mountain Route takes you atop the mighty Glyderau range and the summit of Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon itself – the highest peak in Wales.
Discover more circular hikes and short walking breaks with Contours
Contours offers a huge range of circular hikes like the ones above, right across the UK. From coastal strolls to mountain adventures, they offer something for everyone.
Plus, they also provide single and twin-centre walking breaks, which let you stay in the same place each night and uses transfers to bring you to and from the trail each day, which is a great option for families or those who simply don’t fancy packing up all their belongings each night.
With the route, guidebooks, accommodation, and luggage transfers all provided, Contours take the hassle out of organising a multi-day hike so you can relax and enjoy the walk.
You can discover more about Contours’ range of walking holidays here.