From colourful forests and peaceful lakes to wild coastlines and historic estates, pull on your walking boots and discover some of the most beautiful UK walks for the colder months.
With the clocks going back and the temperature dipping, it’s tempting to turn up the heating and reach for the TV remote control. But don’t put away your walking boots just yet.
Whether it’s kicking up fallen leaves, watching mist curl through a valley, or leaving the only footprints on an empty beach, there is something extra special about walking at this time of the year.
And nothing can beat that feeling at the end, when tired and with glowing cheeks, you end your walk with a pint or a cuppa.
Here are eight colder weather walks to help you to stir from the sofa.
They aren’t about covering miles or reaching summits, they are about making memories, in ancient forests, historic estates, lochs, lakes and wild coastlines.
With an ancient Caledonian pine forest, a ruined 13th-century castle on an island in a loch and a history to curl your toes, this lovely walk has it all.
Start at the Loch an Eilein car park and walk around the lake taking in views of the stone castle ruin rising from the water. It once guarded the strategic route against cattle raiders and rival clans, now its home to nesting ospreys.
The shores were voted Britain’s favourite picnic spot, so take your time, and enjoy the pine forests and mountain views. You may even see a red squirrel.
A wonderful mix of beaches, woodland, lily ponds and dramatic cliffs. Start at the Stackpole Quay car park, then follow the coastal path taking in the sands of Barafundle Beach and the stone arches of Stackpole Head before heading inland.
You’ll cross reed beds to reach Bosherston and its lily ponds. Keep going and cross Eight-Arch Bridge and head back to your parking through the deer park.
Tollymore was Northern Ireland’s first state forest park, established in 1955, and it’s hard to beat. The 630-hectare site sits at the foot of the Mourne Mountains and boasts 16 bridges crossing two rivers. This walk has some steep gradients, but the reward is worth it.
Start at the Trassey car park and walk east into the northern section of the forest park. You’ll cross bridges and head through beech and conifer woods before heading uphill on the Drinns Trail. Taking in the two hills known as the Drinns, you’ll gain height and enjoy great views, before dropping back to the car park.
Fancy some of the highlights of the lakes without a big climb? This low-level route offers some of the Lake District’s most revered sights, including Cathedral Caves and Slater Bridge.
Park at Skelwith Bridge and cross the bridge towards Coniston and the Cumbria Way. Follow the path through farmland and forest until you reach a bridge over a river. You’ll soon see a gate marking the Cathedral Caves – an impressive cavern system that’s worth a short diversion.
Then go through Little Langdale and on to Elterwater, a reed-fringed lake with stunning views towards the Langdale Pikes, before going over the river and heading back to the car park.
Ideal for late autumn colour, stunning views and the beautiful woodland of the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate. This walk follows the ancient ridgeway through open chalk downland with sweeping views towards Oxfordshire.
You’ll climb Ivinghoe Beacon, a hill fort that dates from the Bronze Age, before descending into some of the Chilterns’ most unspoiled villages and through the ancient woodland of the Ashridge Estate.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire A wonderful walk in any season, taking in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the abbey ruins, water gardens and deer park. Allow a full day here to explore.
The route does not include the paid areas of the site (free for National Trust members), so would be a great finish to a visit.
Start at the visitor centre and skirt the abbey and gardens, following its boundary before heading into a river valley and then uphill and into Studley deer park and back to the car park.
Betws-y-Coed is probably the best-known village in Snowdonia – full year round with hikers heading up over the high peaks. This walk edges away from the bustle and up through woodlands to a hidden high-level lake with views of the park’s most famous peaks.
Start at the car park near the railway station and then into the Gwydir Forest and steeply uphill. It’s a bit of a lung buster but worth it and there are helpful benches for a breather.
Follow the path around Llyn Elsi, a reservoir that opened in 1914, through the pine and broadleaf woodland, enjoying views across to Moel Siabod and the Carneddau mountains.
A truly historic woodland (see main image above), Savernake was recorded in a charter in AD 934 and Henry VIII met Jane Seymour here. Starting at Postern Hill car park, this route follows the Long Harry track to the hub of the forest, the Eight Walks, from where all the major forest walks spin off.
Turn right onto Sawpit Drive, then right onto New Road Bottom track and then right again onto Great Lodge Drive, before heading back towards the car park on Church Road and Grey Walk tracks.
Check our other walk guides:
Find out about Saga’s walking holidays here…
Saga’s walking holidays are perfect for exploring Europe’s stunning destinations on foot. They’re suitable for all fitness levels and offer a well-balanced mix of guided walks and relaxation.
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