Walking in and near Weymouth

UK Llamas

West Dorset has been voted the most popular area of outstanding natural beauty so why not discover rural Dorset in the company of our lovely Llamas with personalised guided walking tours. ... more

Away from the buzz and bustle of the city, all you can hear is the crunch of leaves under your feet and the musical calls of birds. You smell the delicate wild flowers, and your eyes are treated to the light filtering through the high trees, or the panoramic sweep of the English countryside. This is the feast for the senses that awaits you when you walk and hike England's scenic trails.

There are thousands of miles of hiking and walking trails throughout England, ranging from longer, challenging multi-day treks, to short and easy hour-long nature walks. Walking is arguably the best way to explore England's countryside, as you can really absorb its charming beauty. When you reach the top of the hill, all the huffing and puffing to get there will be completely worth it, as you gaze upon the awesome view below you.

Camera? Tick. Hiking Boots? Tick. Water Bottle? Yes. Then you're ready for an invigorating, enjoyable journey on foot in England's stunning countryside.

Walking in Sheffield you'll come across one of the most magnificent hiking trails in England. The Pennine Way starts in the Midlands town of Edatle and then takes hikers north for 430 km, from the Peak District National Park along the Pennine ridge through the Yorkshire Dales up into Northumberland, across the Cheviots, and right up to the Scottish Borders. This is an ideal trail for the energetic traveller who really wants to get a feel for England's natural beauty.

There's also plenty of historical interest along the way. The Southern Pennines were the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, and you also pass Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, before entering the huge Pennine area that was used for every different kind of mining activity. You eventually head to the ancient Roman Wall and beyond that the territory of the Scottish Border rivers.

The Pennine Way winds through remote and challenging countryside, and of course you'll have to be an experienced navigator and be prepared to experience the extremes of British weather. It'll definitely be worth it, though, as it's a unique and rewarding way to explore the north of England.

Walking in Keswick and keen to head off on an epic, multi-day hiking trip? Try the Coast to Coast, which takes hikers across both Cumbria and Northumbria as its 300 km route winds from the Irish Sea to the east coast. Hikers have the choice of roughing it in camp sites along the way, or stopping off in B&Bs that cater specifically to walkers on this popular trail. If you are walking in Scarborough you might like to start the trip from the other direction.The Coast to Coast crosses three of England's best National Parks, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

England's longest trail is the South West Coast Path, which offers a spectacular walking holiday. The 1,008km walk hugs the stunning, dramatic coastlines of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, and even goes to the most westerly tip of Britain at Lands End. Hikers begin walking in Lynmouth near Minehead, on the edge of the Exmoor National Park and eventually end up in Pool in Dorset. A large part of the coastline which the trail traces has been declared a World Heritage Site, due to its unique geological make-up, so hikers are sure to see some incredible scenery. There's also plenty of historic interest along the way, ranging from early Celtic structures to remnants of 19th century tin mining. There are nine different sections, so you don't have to walk it all at once, but any part of this incredible trail will be a memorable achievement.

Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks in England's South West are home to some of the most romantic and dramatic scenery in England. Dartmoor features high moorlands scattered with granite Tors, deeply cut valleys and cascading waterfalls, while Exmoor Park is equally scenic and home to the famous Exmoor ponies. A perfect way to explore the wild landscapes of Dartmoor and Exmoor is to hike the Two Moors Way, Devon's oldest regional footpath, which links the two parks. The 63km trail starts near Lynmouth, and cuts through swathes of pristine countryside, including rugged moors, densely wooded valleys and rich, green farmland. The trail is not particularly strenuous, and the pretty villages you pass along the way will provide plenty of opportunity for en-route refreshment.

The entire English countryside is covered in nature trails and walks, some of which are easily accessible even to wheelchairs and pushchairs. Yorkshire is criss-crossed with many amazing walking trails that cover the region's diverse and beautiful landscapes. Some of the best are in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with its limestone pavements and valleys with sparkling waterfalls. Walking in Leeds, hikers can brave the Yorkshire Dales Way, a long distance hiking route. There are also many shorter walks In this region, and the park is rich in birdlife as well as dramatic geological formations.

Care for challenging day's walking in Keswick? The Lake District, the only truly mountainous region in England, provides many challenging day hikes. Those walking in Windermere will be spoilt for choice as well. The picturesque countryside of the Cotwolds has been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and provides hikers with plenty of opportunities for walking in Bath. Wherever you go, taking a walking tour of England's idyllic countryside will be fantastic for both your body and mind.