Top 10 Wintery Walks
Dorset - Corfe Castle
This spectacular walk over Corfe Castle, one of the UK’s most photographed sites, makes for a pretty special winter walk. If you’re an early riser, catch the mist hanging over the ruins and a beautiful sunrise. If you’d like a lengthy jaunt, walk from Corfe Castle Square all the way to Kimmeridge Bay on the South West Coast Path.
Distance: Variable – 1.5 or 5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Norfolk - Blakeney Freshes
Set on the North Norfolk Coast Path, this wild winter walk stretches across Blakeney Freshes reserve. On a cold morning, catch the mist rising from the marshes and look out for flocks of golden plover and other resident birdlife.
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Lake District - Beatrix Potter Walk
One of the best winter walks for literary fans, the Beatrix Potter trail covers numerous sites with links to the author, including her home, the wooded fells of Claife Heights and the western shore of Lake Windermere. At 8 miles, the walk is perfect if you’re looking for a way to warm up while taking in the sights and sounds of the Lake District.
Distance: 13 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Wye Valley - Tintern Abbey and Devil’s Pulpit
The spectacular ruins of the 12th-century Cistercian Abbey are a sight to behold in every season, but in the winter, it is truly magnificent. On a crisp morning, with the mist settling over the River Wye, this is one of the most unforgettable walks in winter.
Distance: 7.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Scotland - The South Loch Ness Trail
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of Nessie through the winter morning mist, the South Loch Ness Trail is perfect. Starting just outside Fort Augustus, the trail leads you through years of myth and legend, as well as past beautiful wildlife and woodland. As the peaceful “undiscovered” side of Loch Ness, this magical trail is perfect for winter walking holidays.
Distance: 28 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
North Devon - Heddon Valley
Set on the coast, backed by Exmoor National Park, Heddon Valley offers a stunning walk. One of our favourite winter walks in England, you can take in the crisp, fresh air while exploring the route’s diverse landscape from the wooded valley all the way through to the rocky beach.
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Yorkshire - Fountains Abbey
Leading you through a medieval deer park, home to wild red, fallow and sika deer, the 5-mile walk at Fountains Abbey is truly beautiful, and all the more magical during the winter months. The circular route passes the 18th-century Studley Royal Water Garden and has wonderful views over Ripon and the mysterious North York Moors.
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Cumbria - Walla Craig to Ashness Bridge
Passing over the lake of Derwentwater, the jewel of the Lake District, this is one of the best winter walks for showcasing some of the region’s finest scenery. Stop at Ashness Bridge with Skiddaw as its backdrop, onr of the Lake District’s most photographed places. With scenery as spectacular as this, you’re guaranteed a magnificent and magical view.
Distance: 4.5 Miles
Difficultly: Moderate
Cotswolds - Worcestershire Beacon
The view from the top of Worcestershire Beacon is well worth the climb. This 4.5-mile hike through the Malvern Hills is an idyllic winter walking route, with far-reaching views over the Severn Valley. Start your jaunt at the Upper Wyche village and climb 425 metres to enjoy the most spectacular views.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Dartmoor - Two Bridges to Wistman's Wood
If you’d like to explore the mysterious Dartmoor landscape, this circular footpath is truly enchanting for winter walks in the UK. Passing over farmsteads and open moorland, this bracing route leads you to the mystical oaks of Wistman’s Wood. Even on a bleak winter’s day, this twisting woodland is like something out of a fairy tale.
Distance: 10 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
