If there’s one thing that the United Kingdom has in abundance of, it’s packaged sandwiches. That, and an incredible network of footpaths and long-distance walking trails that offer something for everyone.
In fact, the Long Distance Walkers Association lists over 1,700 long-distance routes, which also happens to be approximately how many sandwiches are eaten in the UK every 15 seconds.
The only problem is that with so many opportunities to explore on foot, it can be hard to decide which walking trail to follow.
That’s why we’ve joined forces with walking holiday and long-distance trail experts Contours Holidays to bring you six of the best UK walking trails you might not have heard of but are absolutely worth adding to your list for 2025.
Here’s six of our favourite UK walking trails that are hidden gems.
Wye Valley Walk
There’s something special about following a river from its source to its mouth, and there are few rivers that are more delightful to trace than the River Wye.
Starting in the remote Hafren Forest in the heart of Mid Wales, you’ll follow the Wye as it emerges from the mountains and tumbles through the Welsh countryside, meanders through orchards and farmland in Herefordshire, and carves through limestone gorges as it approaches the mighty River Severn.
Following the full 142 miles of the Wye Valley Walk will bring you through some of the prettiest landscapes in Wales and England as you let nature chart your course for you and follow the natural route of one of the UK’s longest rivers.
Fast facts:
Distance: 142 miles
Time: 8-14 days walking
Difficulty: Moderate – Strenuous
Kintyre Way
The Kintyre Way is one of the longest of Scotland’s Great Trails, although at 102 miles in total, it’s still achievable to walk from end to end within a week.
Traversing the beautiful and remote Kintyre peninsula from Tarbert in the north to Machrihanish on the southern end, this route meanders from coast to coast, providing spectacular views across the Atlantic to Northern Ireland and over the Firth of Clyde towards the mainland.
Each day of the walk gives you a different taste of Scottish scenery, from deep forest glades one day to majestic uplands the next. Plus, you’ll discover quaint fishing villages along the way, and for the complete Scottish experience, you can sample unique Campbelltown whisky.
If you want to discover Scotland but avoid the crowds on the West Highland Way, the Kintyre Way is a perfect choice.
Fast facts:
Distance: 102 miles
Time: 5-8 days walking
Difficulty: Moderate/Demanding – Strenuous
Kennet and Avon Canal
You don’t need to head to the most remote parts of the country to discover some incredible walks, and the Kennet and Avon Canal is the perfect example of this.
Built over 200 years ago, the canal links Bristol to Reading via a man-made waterway between the rivers Avon and Kennet. Once a prosperous trade route, the canal fell into decline following the creation of the Great Western Railway. Today, it has been restored to its former glory, and it’s a fantastic way to discover some of the most picturesque countryside and villages in England.
Because the trail follows river banks and canal towpaths, it’s a fairly gentle route to walk, and there’s a stile-free route option as well for easier mobility.
Don’t be fooled though, because the scenery rivals anywhere else on this list, and with places like the city of Bath and engineering marvels like the Caen Hill flight of locks and the Dundas aqueduct along the way, walking the Kennet and Avon Canal is a fantastic choice for a relaxing walking holiday through beautiful countryside.
Fast facts:
Distance: 96 miles
Time: 5-13 days walking
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate – Demanding
Coleridge Way
This landscape along this 51-mile route once inspired one of Britain’s most famous literary figures, and now you can seek your own poetic inspiration by following the Coleridge Way.
Passing through the Quantock Hills, Brendon Hills, and Exmoor, you can enjoy a mixture of heather-clad moorland, ancient oak woods, lush secluded valleys, and charming villages as you follow in the footsteps of famed Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
You can also visit his former home at Nether Stowey, where he wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner amongst other famous works, and you’ll also walk along some of Coleridge and fellow poet William Wordsworth’s favourite paths through the gorgeous landscapes of Somerset and Devon.
Fast facts:
Distance: 51 miles
Time: 3-6 days walking
Difficulty: Moderate – Demanding/Strenuous
St Oswald’s Way
Explore Northumbria’s coastline and countryside on this richly historic walk, named after powerful medieval Northumbrian king St Oswald, from the holy island of Lindisfarne to Chollerford near Hexham.
This 101-mile walk is packed with fascinating sites, including Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle, and Hadrian’s Wall, and traverses rolling countryside and stunning coastline in this peaceful corner of England. It’s the perfect route if you’re after a peaceful escape, and each day has something new to discover.
You don’t need to be religious to follow this old pilgrim’s route, but the sense of history beneath your feet is powerful. Find out more about St Oswald’s Way here.
Fast facts:
Distance: 101 miles
Time: 6-12 days walking
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate – Demanding/Strenuous
Downs Link
Similar to the Kennet and Avon Canal walk, the Downs Link is an easy amble along disused railway lines through the gorgeous Surrey and West Sussex countryside.
Almost the entire 41-mile trail is free from stiles and sharp climbs (with the option to avoid stiles completely), giving you the chance to relax and enjoy being in nature as you walk from Guildford to Shoreham-by-Sea.
Along the way, you’ll encounter plenty of wildlife, enjoy shady woodland, tranquil rivers, and quiet villages, all at your own pace.
Fast facts:
Distance: 41 miles (36 miles for the stile-free route)
Time: 4-6 days walking
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Discover more of the UK’s hidden gems with Contours Holidays
Contours has been offering self-guided outdoors holidays since 1996, and offer a huge range of customisable walking getaways across the UK.
That includes all of the walks above, which you can choose to split into sections, so whether you’ve got a few days or a whole month of holiday, you’ll be able to experience each of these incredible walks in a way that suits you.
Contours will arrange accommodation for each night of your walk, breakfast for each day, daily luggage transfers, a full info pack including Ordnance Survey or Harvey maps, guidebook, and itinerary for the entire route, and around-the-clock emergency support.
By booking a walking holiday with Contours, everything will be taken care of, and you’ll still have the freedom and flexibility to be your own guide along the way.
You can check out the full range of walking holidays available here.