For a relatively small country, the UK is blessed with so many great walking trails and footpaths.
From treks through stunning mountain scenery to rambles along bucolic country lanes, walks through ancient history and fascinating pilgrimages, there’s truly a walk for everyone.
Each year, I manage to tick a couple of British long-distance walks off, but my list also seems to grow bigger and bigger. Especially since new walks are devised and signposted seemingly every month!
So, one of my resolutions for 2025 is going to do even more walking. To help make that happen, I’ve teamed up with Contours Holidays, who are experts in walking holidays in the UK, and know a thing or two about realising people’s dreams of completing a long-distance walking trail.
These are the top 5 UK walking trails that I can’t wait to do in 2025.
South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path has the distinction of being Britain’s longest walking trail, and it’s also one of the most enjoyable ones.
The path rises and falls with the coastline along Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset, shifting from exposed rocky headlands to hidden golden beaches, rolling farmland, and pockets of ancient woodlands.
With the soundtrack of the waves accompanying each day of walking and the refreshing salty air filling your lungs, it’s the perfect walking holiday to relax and unwind with.
The entire route is 630 miles long, but don’t think you have to do the entire thing in one go. In fact, it’s ideal for splitting into smaller sections.
I’ve only done a couple of short weekend sections so far, but in 2025, I want to set aside a week and enjoy a section along the mysterious far west of Cornwall around Land’s End or enjoy the sculpted rock formations and hidden coves along the Dorset coastline.
Best of all, the milder weather in the South West means you don’t have to wait until summer either, and if you go in early spring, you’ll miss the crowds and enjoy the beautiful blossoming landscape.
Also, in 2025, the film adaptation of Raynor Winn’s uplifting memoir of walking the South West Coast Path, The Salt Path, will be released, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. It’s an inspirational tale of courage and the healing effects of nature, and it’ll leave you filled with inspiration to walk the South West Coast Path yourself.
Fast facts:
Distance: 630 miles in total. Far West of Cornwall section 42 miles, Dorset section 80 miles
Time: Far West of Cornwall section 3-6 days walking , Dorset section 6-7 days walking
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate to Demanding
The Coast to Coast Walk
Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk is one of the most popular long-distance walking trails in the UK, and for very good reason. Not only does it combine the distinct beauty of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors, it’s a walk through some of the friendliest and most welcoming areas of Britain, and the interactions you’ll have with people along the way is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the walk.
For that reason, it was once voted the second-best walk in the world by a panel of experts, and it’s finally set to become an official National Trail in 2025.
I’ve walked sections of it before, including the stunning Lake District stretch of the walk and through the purple-clad heather of the North York Moors, but to celebrate the Coast to Coast gaining official National Trail status, I think it’s high time to walk the entire route.
Fast facts:
Distance: 190 miles
Time: 12 to 18 days walking
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
The Speyside Way
When you think of Scotland’s rugged Highlands, you might think of challenging backpacking through boggy terrain. However, the Speyside Way allows you to experience the beauty of the Highlands on more gentle, clear paths that keep mostly to low-level areas, so you can soak up the breath-taking scenery you encounter every day.
Despite being the second-oldest of Scotland’s Great Trails, it’s often overshadowed by the West Highland Way. Between me and you, that’s a good thing, because it means that there’s fewer people walking the Speyside Way.
Walking through thick woods, alongside tranquil lochs, and under the shadow of the dramatic Cairngorms mountains with nothing (and no-one) but wildlife and the sound of the River Spey to keep you company is a Zen-like experience.
I’ve certainly had my share of sodden feet while rambling across the Highlands, and the fact that the Speyside Way is almost entirely on paths that are solid underfoot sounds like a winner to me. Not to mention that it passes some of the finest whiskey distilleries in the world…
Fast facts:
Distance: 86 miles
Time: 7-8 days walking
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
The Pennine Way
England’s oldest National Trail turns 60 years old in 2025, and what better way to celebrate this iconic route than by walking it?
From glacial valleys to windswept moors, the backbone of England has some truly remarkable scenery, and offers a rewarding challenge for more experienced hikers.
One day, you’ll be standing atop some of England’s highest landscape, watching the weather change on the horizon. The next, you’ll be strolling through gentle rolling pastures, stopping in a welcoming village for a cup of tea and a cake along the way.
I’ve wanted to walk the complete Pennine Way for years now, and since it’s turning 60, I can’t think of a better excuse to finally make it happen.
Fast facts:
Distance: 265 miles
Time: 14 to 21 days walking
Difficulty: Moderate / Demanding to Strenuous
Snowdonia Slate Trail
Discovering history and learning about fascinating people and places is often one of the most rewarding parts of a hike, and when you’re able to combine that with some of Britain’s most epic scenery, well, you’ve got yourself just about the perfect walking trail.
The Snowdonia Slate Trail winds its way through the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the way, the walk passes through the rugged mountain ranges of Eryri / Snowdonia National Park, and explores the history of the slate industry, the scars of which are still present on the mountains today.
It’s not all grey-blue stone and industry, however, with the trail also passing through forests, alongside rivers, past lakes, and offering incredible views over moorland plains to the Irish Sea.
I count Snowdonia National Park as one of my favourite areas in the UK, and I’ve been lucky enough to spend plenty of time there. So for me, the best thing about the Slate Trail is that it explores some lesser-known parts of the park, and offers an insight into the people who lived and worked in the mountains and valleys for centuries.
Fast facts:
Distance: 84 miles
Time: 5-7 days walking
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Tick off your walking bucket list 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.
Plus, Contours has currently frozen its pricing until 31 December 2024, so if you book your holiday for 2025 now, you’ll lock in the current price before any end-of-year adjustments.
So why wait? Start ticking off your walking bucket list with Contours today. You can check out the full range of walking holidays available here.