Best Hiking in the UK This Summer: Trails That Are Open, Beautiful and Not Snowdon

[Gaz90]

The summer of 2026 has produced ideal walking conditions across much of the UK following an unusually wet spring that has left upland water sources flowing, wildflowers in exceptional bloom and grass lush even in normally dry areas. With record temperatures hitting 38 degrees across England in June the mountains of Scotland, Wales and the Lake District are offering genuine relief, and the National Trust and National Park authorities are reporting visitor numbers above 2019 pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

For those who want to avoid the most crowded trails, the options beyond the well-worn routes are compelling. The West Highland Way in Scotland, 96 miles from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William, has waiting lists for bothy bookings but quieter weekday walking. The Fife Coastal Path, 117 miles along the Fife coast from Kincardine to Newburgh, remains relatively undiscovered compared to its quality. The Brecon Beacons in Wales, now officially rebranded as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, offer walking routes that can feel genuinely remote despite being two hours from Cardiff or Bristol. The Hadrian's Wall Path is reliably magnificent in summer and the Wall section between Housesteads and Steel Rigg in Northumberland is one of the finest four miles of walking in England.

The Lake District peaks of Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Great Gable are all well maintained and offer serious walking. Scafell Pike as the highest point in England draws crowds in peak season but morning starts before 7am produce entirely different experiences. The Yorkshire Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough are consistently underrated relative to the Lake District and the Dales Way connecting them to the wider network is one of England's finest long-distance routes.

Hadrian's Wall Path - National Trailswww.nationaltrail.co.uk