The best UK long-distance walks you can do in a week

2. BORDERS ABBEYS WAY
Ruined medieval abbeys

Where: Begins and ends in Tweedbank, which can be reached within an hour by train from the centre of Edinburgh.
How long: 68 miles
How many days: 4-6 days
How hard: suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness
Season: year-round, but between early spring and the end of autumn you will have more hours of daylight

Taking in 4 of Britain's grandest ruined medieval abbeys, the route is as rich in history as it is in pastoral charm. It passes through the towns of Melrose, Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick and Selkirk and the villages of Denholm and Newton St Boswells. The route is a well waymarked and is one of Scotland's Great Trails.

Fun fact: Kelso Abbey, founded in 1128, is the oldest abbey you'll pass on the trail.

3. NORFOLK COAST PATH
Coastal cliffs and beaches

Where: Beginning near Thetford, the route heads north west to near Hunstanton, then follows the heritage coast to Hopton-on-Sea.
How long: 90 miles
How many days: 7 days
How hard: The path is a waymarked National Trail so easy to follow and suitable for all abilities.
Season: year-round

The trail combines the best of inland and coastal walking in Norfolk, and is one that, being well waymarked, largely flat and within easy reach of public transport for most of its length, is ideal for people new to long-distance walks.

Fun fact: The sandy beaches in Norfolk are broken up by groynes – wooden fences that stop beach sand being washed away by long shore drift.

4. SUFFOLK COAST PATH
Coast, cliffs and heaths AONB

Where: From Lake Lothing in Lowestoft, along Suffolk's stunning Heritage Coast to Landguard Point in Felixstowe.
How long: 60 miles
How many days: 7 days
How hard: Easy walking for those of moderate fitness.
Season: year-round, but spring and autumn best for bird watching

Along the way you will find stunning beaches, glorious heathland, quaint villages and bustling seaside towns such as Aldeburgh and Southwold, and pass through an area of outstanding natural beauty of coast and heathlands.

Fun fact: Landguard Point was the site of the last opposed seaborne invasion of England, by the Dutch in 1667.

5. NORTHUMBERLAND COAST PATH
Coastal scenery and birdlife

Where: From Cresswell in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north.
How long: 62 miles
How many days: 4-6 days
How hard: Suitable for those with a reasonable level of fitness.
Season: spring, summer and autumn (expect snow on high ground in winter)

Described as the cradle of Christianity in England, Northumberland's history is long and varied and the trails reflect this with visits to some magnificent architecture – rambling castles, Norman churches, medieval abbeys – as well as sites of enormous archaeological and geological interest, quiet villages and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Fun fact: Earl Grey tea originated in Northumberland – bergamot oil was added to offset the strong taste of lime in the local water.

6. THE SANDLINGS WALK
Suffolk coast and heathlands AONB

Where: From Dunwich to Southwold.
How long: 59 miles
How many days: 7 days
How hard: Easy walking for those of moderate fitness.
Season: year-round, but spring and autumn best for bird watching

The route explores the heathland region that lies immediately inland from the Suffolk coast. With the exception of the first stage, between Ipswich and Woodbridge, the route of the Sandlings Walk lies entirely within the confines of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB.

Fun fact: Eric Arthur Blair based his famous pen name, George Orwell, on the river near his parents’ home in Southwold.

7. THE RIDGEWAY
Views, Downs and Chiltern Hills AONBs

Where: From Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire.
How long: 87 miles
How many days: 7 days
How hard: Suitable for all abilities.
Season: year-round, but spring and autumn have the best conditions

This guide takes you on a journey of discovery to some extraordinary sights, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avebury's Neolithic stone circle and the famous Uffington White Horse. The trail is characterised by the lengthy stretches following an ancient track along the ridge line of the North Wessex Downs, dropping to the River Thames at Goring Gap, and then continuing along the line of the Chiltern Hills. The views are immense in all directions.

Fun fact: The Ridgeway is Britain's oldest trail.

8. COTSWOLD WAY
Views, picturesque villages, historic Bath

Where: Between Chipping Campden and Bath
How long: 102 miles
How many days: 7-10 days
How hard: Suitable for all abilities.
Season: year-round

The trail follows the escarpment down its western ridge with far-reaching views across the Severn Vale towards the Welsh hills. Plunging down regularly to visit honey-coloured villages and old market towns along the way. This is rural southern England at its best.

Fun fact: The trail visit three counties: Gloucestershire, Worcestershire (briefly) and Somerset.

9. SOUTH DOWNS WAY
Chalk downs, river valleys, views

Where: Between Winchester and Eastbourne, passing entirely through the South Downs National Park.
How long: 100 miles
How many days: 7-10 days
How hard: Suitable for all abilities.
Season: year-round – this is one of the driest and warmest parts of England

Generally easy underfoot, the Way links many ancient and historical tracks, fine wooded areas, delightful river valleys and lovely villages. Highlights include Beachy Head, the Long Man of Wilmington, Ditchling Beacon, Clayton WIndmills, Butser Hill and Winchester.

Fun fact: Beachy Head is a chalk headland near Eastbourne and is the highest cliff in Britain.

10. GREAT GLEN WAY
River, loch, mountain scenery

Where: From Fort William in the south west to Inverness in the north east.
How long: 79 miles
How many days: 5-6 days
How hard: An ideal introduction to long-distance walking.
Season: year-round

The Great Glen is one of Scotland's most remarkable features – a ruler-straight valley along an ancient Highland fault line. The glen is threaded by the scenic Caledonian Canal, linking Loch Lochy and Loch Oich with Loch Ness, and offers walkers a low-level route from coast to coast.

Fun fact: The route follows a geological fault known as the Great Glen Fault, and bisects the Scottish Highlands into the Grampian Mountains to the southeast and the Northwest Highlands to the northwest.

11. HADRIAN'S WALL PATH
Roman wall, forts and settlements

Where: Between Bowness-on-Solway and Wallsend, Newcastle.
How long: 84 miles
How many days: 7 days
How hard: Suitable for those with reasonable fitness.
Season: April to October.

Hadrian's Wall is the finest surviving frontier work from any part of the classical Roman empire, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you walk you will find an abundance of historic remains. Not just of the Roman era, but from later centuries, in a pastoral landscape that has seen its fair share of turbulent human interaction and, notably through the mining of coal, industrial change and invention.

Fun fact: Only about 10% of the original wall remains today.

12. THE DALES WAY
Riverside, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District

Where: Between Ilkley and Bowness-on-Windermere.
How long: 79 miles
How many days: 6 days
How hard: Ideal for anyone wanting to attempt multi-day walking for the first time.
Season: year-round, but scenically at its best in Spring and Autumn.

The walk is a constant delight as it threads its way through the limestone landscapes of the Dales. The route follows rivers great and small, crossing farmland and a little moorland, before entering the Lake District which is now a World Heritage Site.

Fun fact: Famous children's author Beatrix Potter lived nearby Bowness, directly across the lake at Near Sawrey.

13. THE RIBBLE WAY
River paths, quiet tracks and lanes

Where: Following the Ribble valley, from the estuary mouth near Preston to the river's source on Cam Fell in the Yorkshire Dales.
How long: 72 miles
How many days: 5-7 days
How hard: General fitness and stamina are normally sufficient.
Season: year-round

Although not always by the river, the valley route winds through some beautiful countryside, alternating between fields, quiet tracks, lanes and wooded cloughs, with enticing views to the surrounding hills of Pendle, Bowland and the western Dales.

Fun fact: Construction of the famous Ribble viaduct began in 1870 and 1.5 million bricks were used in its construction.

14. THE CUMBRIA WAY
River valleys, low fells, lakes, mountains

Where: Though the heart of the Lake District National Park, from Ulverston in the south to Carlisle in the north.
How long: 73 miles
How many days: 5-8 days
How hard: Suitable for those with some long-distance walking experience.
Season: year-round using B&Bs, or Easter to October using campsites.

One of Britain's prettiest long-distance walks. Undulating paths ease past memorable lakes and low mountain tarns, and through picturesque villages with delightful country pubs and cottages. The official route visits Coniston, Tarn Hows, Great Langdale, Stake Pass, Derwentwater, Back o'Skiddaw and Caldbeck.

Fun fact: The route passes by Tarn Hows, which was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1929, before being bequeathed to the National Trust.

15. WEST HIGHLAND WAY
Mountain and loch landscapes

Where: From Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William.
How long: 95 miles
How many days: 6-9 days
How hard: Suitable for those with some long-distance walking experience.
Season: May-June and September-October avoid the worst of the midges.

Mainly following tracks, the gradients are nearly always easy, and the scenery grows in grandeur on its way from Milngavie just north of Glasgow along the shores of Loch Lomond, then over the hills passing Crianlarich, Bridge of Orchy, crossing Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse at the foot of the imposing Buachaille Etive Mòr, then over the ‘Devil’s Staircase’ to Kinlochleven, (it’s a climb, but really not difficult!) then on to Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis.

Fun fact: Parts of the 1995 blockbuster Braveheart were filmed around the Glencoe and Fort William parts of the route.

16. WYE VALLEY WALK
Riverside and hill walking

Where: The valley of the Wye, between Chepstow in the south and Plynlimon.
How long: 136 miles
How many days: 7-10 days
How hard: Good navigational skills and a degree of stamina required.
Season: year-round

The walk passes the historic border towns of Monmouth, Hereford and Hay-on-Wye, as well as the architectural highlights of Tintern Abbey, Goodrich Castle and Hereford Cathedral. Unspoilt scenery full of wildlife interest makes this a classic long-distance route.

Fun fact: The Wye Valley has been inhabited for at least 12,000 years.

17. SNOWDONIA WAY
Mainly low level, mountain scenery

Where: through Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park from Machynlleth to Conwy
How long: 97 miles
How many days: 6-8 days
How hard: Suitable for those with a reasonable fitness.
Season: year-round, but full mountaineering equipment required in winter.

Eryri is famous for its scenery, where the mountains meet the sea in wide sandy bays and estuaries, and where the myths of King Arthur and the stories of the old Welsh princes come to life beside clear mountain lakes and ruined castles.

Fun fact: Snowdonia contains 9 mountain ranges.

18. THE SKYE TRAIL
Stunning scenery

Where: From Rubha Hunish in the north, the Skye Trail heads along the Trotternish Ridge and past the Cuillin to Broadford in the south.
How long: 80 miles
How many days: 7 days
How hard: Good fitness and excellent navigational skills are required.
Season: spring and summer

As yet unwaymarked and only for experienced walkers and backpackers, this challenging route provides the walker with a tour of Skye's most iconic landforms – including the Trotternish Ridge and the Cuillin Ridge – as well as of its turbulent history, from the Iron Age Forts to the ruins of the Clearance villages.

Fun fact: Skye is derived from the Norse word ski meaning ‘cloud’ and ey, ‘island’.

That concludes our recommendations for long-distance walks that can be done in a week. There are countless to explore, each with its own unique character and challenges, whether it be a riverside walk, a mountainous adventure, or an adventure with some historical interest. Enjoy!