7 Scenic Beginner-Friendly Trails for Walking Holidays in the UK

Walking is one of the simplest outdoor activities that you can choose when you want to make the most of your holidays. The UK is home to some of the most stunning landscapes, offering a perfect escape for nature lovers.

Whether you’re a first-time hiker or simply seeking an easy walk through picturesque countryside, you can find multiple beginner-friendly trails in the UK that provide breathtaking views and amazing holiday experiences.

From rolling hills and peaceful woodlands to coastal paths and historic routes, these beginner-friendly trails offer the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. If you’re planning walking holidays in the UK, Walk With Williams can help you craft memorable hiking holidays that meet your needs and preferences.

In this post, we’ve selected 7 scenic walking trails that are ideal for beginners, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature at your own pace.

The South Tyne Trail

If you have never tried walking holidays this would be the best time to discover Britain on foot. The South Tyne Trail is one of the easiest and shortest walking trails that can give you an insight into the experience. The trail begins in Alston, the highest market town in England winds through the landscape and ends in Haltwhistle. As you complete the trail you pass through various scenic woodlands and quaint villages that keep you engaged and excited.

With minimal elevation, The South Tyne Trail is just 20 miles (32 km) long and that makes it a great way to start your walking holiday experiences. Beginner walkers can appreciate the landscape and walk alongside the soothing sound of the river, enjoying wildlife sightings and serene views of the Tyne Valley.

St Cuthbert’s Way

With its rich culture and heritage, England is a great place to explore cultural and historical landmarks. St Cuthbert’s Way is a historic pilgrimage trail that follows the path of St Cuthbert starting from Melrose in Scotland to the holy island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland. While the trail is not as short as The South Tyne Trail is still a great one for beginner walkers.

The 62-mile-long trail offers diverse landscapes and geography that can keep you engaged throughout the trip. The trail does have gentle ascents but they are manageable for first-time hikers. While you are exploring this path you can see the rolling hills of the Borders to the coastal paths of the Northumberland Coast. You also get to explore quaint villages like Melrose and Scottish countryside views. This is where you can enjoy lovely meals and take rest before you continue your trip ahead.

St Oswald’s Way

Another easy historical and cultural trail that you should add to your list is St Oswald’s Way. This easy and scenic trail follows the path of the early Christian saint Oswald. This is one of the best things to do in Northumberland as it allows you to have an immersive experience as you traverse the region at your pace. This route is 94 miles (151 km) long and can provide you with stunning views of Northumberland.

Overall the path offers a good mixture of gentle slopes, flat trails, forest paths and even coastal roads that ensure that you stay excited throughout the trip. Visitors also get the opportunity to pass through ancient moorlands and expansive fields which only adds to the overall experience. With picturesque villages on the way, you can also ensure that you have enough options to stay and dine as you complete the trail.

Cotswold Way

One of the most scenic trails in England, Cotswold Way is nothing short of paradise for nature lovers. If you prefer a walking trail that can take you through some of the best landscapes England has to offer you can pick Cotswold Way. Stretching 102 miles (164 km) from Chipping Campden to Bath, Cotswold Way winds through the rolling hills and charming villages of the Cotswolds.

For beginner walkers, the gentle gradients and slopes offer a great experience preparing for moderate-level walking experiences. Cotswold Way takes you through some of the ancient woodlands and lovely limestone villages which adds to the experience. Walkers can enjoy fantastic views of the Severn Vale, historical landmarks, and plenty of local wildlife, all while walking on relatively easy terrain.

Cleveland Way

Cleveland Way is one of the best beginner-friendly trails if you are interested in more than just walking experiences. This trail allows you to experience some of the best beaches in the north of England where you can spend time alone or with your loved ones. The trail begins in Helmsley and passes through coastal towns like Whitby and Scarborough. This is where you can enjoy panoramic views of the North Sea.

This 109-mile-long trail can provide you with stunning landscapes blessed with dramatic cliffs and coastal roads. While you are here you can also take time to visit the North York Moors National Park. The diversity of this trail ensures that beginner hikers can have fun throughout their walking trip as they experience both coastal and inland landscapes. They also get the opportunity to halt at various seaside towns and enjoy local foods and flavours that add to the overall experience.

Hadrian’s Wall Path

One of the most popular beginner-friendly trails that you can choose is Hadrian’s Wall Path. Stretching 86 miles (138 km) from Wallsend to Bownes-on-Solway this path stays parallel for the most part to the famous Roman wall that cuts England into two. The trail is dotted with various historical monuments, structures and ruins that make it an ideal choice for history and nature lovers.

Unlike other beginner-friendly trails, Hadrian’s Wall Path does have certain sections that are challenging but these segments are perfectly manageable adding some sense of adventure to the overall trip. Along the way, you can capture images of Roman forts and mile castles that still tell the tale of its past. The path is well-marked and therefore you can explore it with any expert guidance.

The Yorkshire Wolds Way

Starting in the market town of Hessle, The Yorkshire Wolds Way is a great easy and scenic path ideal for those who want to make the most of their walking holidays. This 79-mile-long trail takes you through the countryside of Yorkshire Wolds and offers you an immersive and intimate experience. As you walk the path you get to stop and explore the local flora and fauna and know more about local nature and geography.

The trail is mostly flat and this means that you can enjoy this one with your family and kids as well. With plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities, The Yorkshire Wolds Way offers a charming and picturesque landscape that can keep you on your toes and discover Britain most uniquely.