8 of the best winter hikes in the UK
Frosty hills, snow-covered paths and crisp mornings… these eight walks will make you fall in love with winter
1. Lulworth Range, Dorset
Worbarrow Bay in the winter sun | VisitBritain/ Stephen Spraggon
Managed by the Ministry of Defence, this stretch of coastline has hardly changed over the last century, giving it a real sense of wilderness, especially on a chilly January morning. One of the highlights is the eerie village of Tyneham – deserted since 1943 – to rugged Worbarrow Bay. Check here for opening times.
2. Brecon Beacons, Wales
If you’re not an experienced winter hike it’s best to stay below the snow line | Visit Britain
There’s walks for everyone in this hilly region of Wales but unless you’re experienced hiking in winter conditions we’d recommend staying low. Try this scenic walk from Brecon to Pencelli, taking in the Monmouth and Brecon Canal.
3. Mendip Hills, Somerset
Rural Britain at its best |VisitBritain/ Stephen Spraggon
The Three Priddy Droves walk shows the Mendips at their best, especially when the rolling farmland glistens in the morning frost. The walk is 4.5 miles long but takes in Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve and Priddy’s Bronze Age Barrows.
4. Loch Lomond, Scotland
Loch Lomond with a sprinkling of snow | Fotolia.com
The mountains surrounding Loch Lomond, Britain’s largest stretch of inland water, look even more stunning in winter than the rest of the year. Hike a section of the Three Lochs Way from Balloch to Helensburgh for some serious Kodak moments.
5. Solomon’s Temple, Derbyshire
Hike to Solomon’s temple for views over Buxton | Fotolia.com
Starting and ending at Poole’s Cavern, Buxton, this 4.5 mile walk takes in Stanley Moor (on a clear day you might even get a glimpse of Kinder Scout in the distance) and Solomon’s Temple, which overlooks the town.
6. Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire
Wicken Windmill, near Ely | Fotolia.com
Wicken Fen is the National Trust’s oldest nature reserve and a real haven for nature lovers. The Wildlife Walk gives a great taster of the local habitat – watch out for bitterns and otters – but it can easily be extended for a more strenuous hike.
7. Stoodley Pike, West Yorkshire
Stoodley Pike in the snow | Fotolia.com
This 6.75 mile walk takes in a section of the Pennine Way, and combines canal towpaths with moorland ridges and wooden valleys. A real highlight is the panoramic views from Stoodley Pike, a 400m high promontory.
8. High Sweden Bridge, Cumbria
High Sweden Bridge in the snow | Fotolia.com
This three-mile walk from Ambleside to the picturesque packhorse bridge, pictured, offers classic Lakeland scenery yet isn’t too steep to be enjoyed in winter weather. The Bridge itself is typical of the region, and dates from the late 1700s.
