The 6 Best Winter Walks in the UK

Whether it’s a coastal walk you would like to attempt to blow off the cobwebs, or you’re fancying a more challenging woodland walk to help burn off some of the Christmas calories, then we have got you covered.

This list encompasses a range of walks, all with different distances, difficulty levels and suitability for families, those with mobility issues and more. Including walks from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, these are the 6 best winter walks in the UK.

1. Captain Cook’s Monument to Roseberry Topping, North Yorkshire

Two icons of the North Yorkshire landscape, a walk from Captain Cook’s Monument to Roseberry Topping is a fantastic way to spend a winter’s morning. Starting in the quaint village of Great Ayton – where there is ample on-street free parking, you make your way up towards Captain Cook’s Monument atop Easby Moor.

The monument is a tribute to the world-famous explorer, Captain James Cook, who spent much of his early life in nearby Great Ayton. While the monument has an elevation of 324m above sea level, the walk up to the monument is fairly gentle, making it suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities.

Once you are on the top of Easby Moor, there are signs guiding you towards Roseberry Topping. Due to its appearance, it is often compared to Matterhorn Mountain in the Alps and is sometimes referred to as North Yorkshire’s Matterhorn.

The walk to Roseberry Topping from Captain Cook’s Monument is fairly flat and along the way, you can expect to see moorland, woods and seemingly endless fields. After you arrive at Roseberry Topping, you guessed it, you’ve got to climb it!

Thankfully, you have already arrived about halfway up the hill, and there are steps to the top. While this is the most challenging part of the walk (take extra care if it is icy), you are rewarded with 360° views of North Yorkshire, from purple heather on the moorland to the sparkling waters off the coast.

This route is a circle, so you can head back towards Great Ayton, and enjoy a hearty meal at one of the village’s many cosy pubs – you’ve earned it!

Distance: 12.2km (7.6 miles)

Time: 3 hours 50 minutes

Difficulty Rating: Moderate to Challenging

2. Peatlands Park, Dungannon, County Armagh

Found in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, a winter walk through the 266-hectare Peatlands Park in Dungannon is one of the best ways to spend a winter’s day with the family.

There are many walks available in the park, so if you have small children, you may want to opt for a shorter walk, with a few more stop-offs so they can rest their little legs.

However, if you would like a wheelchair-accessible walk, then this circuit of Peatlands Park is ideal. Starting from the main car park, you will complete a full circuit of the perimeter of the park, going from east to west, ending at the Visitor and Education Centre, just a short distance from the car park.

You will walk past the miniature railway in the park (worth going on if you have small children), and through some woodland, crossing over Lagg Stream, which cuts through the park from north to south.

You will then carry on eastwards, making your way eventually to the perimeter of the park, and walk around Derryadd Lake, where you might have the chance to see some of the local wildlife, such as swans and the famous yellow water lilies which are a well-known feature of the lake.

After making your way around the lake, you will bypass the Derryane Bog (hence the park being known as Peatlands Park), and make your way up into more woodland, which offers a slight respite from the cold air being blown around by the lake and bog.

After crossing over the Lagg Stream once again, you will make your way down the border of Mullenakill National Nature Reserve, an 8000-year-old raised bog, before ending your walk at the Visitor and Education Centre, where you can learn more about the park or enjoy a nice coffee and a slice of homemade cake.

Distance: 8.8km (5.5 miles)

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Difficulty Rating: Easy

3. Holkham Beach, Norfolk

One of the key characteristics of the Norfolk coastline is the salt marshes that sit side-by-side with the beaches, making for some of the most unique scenery in the country. As such, this beach walk across Holkham Beach is one of the best winter walks in the country.

Norfolk is also known for being a relatively flat county, and the beaches reflect this too – you won’t have any steep inclines to navigate (which can be especially tricky during the winter months), instead, you will experience beach, salt marsh and pine forest in less than 5 miles of walking.

While the distance is not incredibly long, it still takes time to do this walk, as walking on sand is significantly slower than walking over other terrain, so make sure you put aside the necessary time to undertake this walk – and wear suitable clothing. We recommend good hiking boots, and layering up – you can always take layers off if you are too warm, and it’s better to be too warm than too cold.

The route takes you through the Corsican Woods, which straddle the beach for the first part of the route, before emerging onto the saltwater lagoon – home to numerous species of birds such as grebes, redshanks, lapwings and more.

Follow the boardwalk from the lagoon, back through the pinewood forest (where you can hear both the rustle of leaves and the crashing of the waves at the same time), and out onto the next stretch of beach, until you reach the colourful beach huts, marking the end of your route.

We recommend bringing some snacks for along the way and a flask full of tea or coffee so that you can make the most of stopping along the way for photo opportunities or a quick rest.

Distance: 7.7km (4.8 miles)

Time: 3 hours

Difficulty Rating: Easy to Moderate

4. Macduff to Portsoy, Aberdeenshire

You may be thinking that any sort of hike in northern Scotland during the winter might be out of bounds, but this route between two historic fishing villages on the north Aberdeenshire coastline is more than suitable for winter.

Starting in the quiet village of Macduff, you can park in the aquarium’s car park all day (for a fee), and make your way further west along the coastline to Portsoy, another historic fishing village, characterised by its unusually-shaped cottages on the harbour front.

This route takes you through beach, woodland, fields, cliff-tops and more, making for a fascinating walk. If you have a particularly active dog, we recommend bringing them on this walk – dogs are allowed off-lead the whole way, so you can let your four-legged friends burn off as much energy as they want to on this 8.5-mile trek.

Starting from the lighthouse at the tip of the harbour in Macduff, make your way through the village along the beach towards neighbouring Banff. On the way, you can make a short detour to see the Temple of Venus, a monument to the Ancient Greek goddess atop the Hill of Doune, constructed for the Earl of Fife in 1737.

Carry on into Banff, making your way along the coastal path, which has a fairly steep incline, but when you reach the top, you are rewarded with views of the icy Banff Bay below, and you can see across to Macduff where you started.

Then, walk along the country lanes, and through designated paths in fields where you can spot Highland cows grazing, before crossing over the Burn of Boyne, near Portsoy.

Upon reaching Portsoy, you can either make your way around the outskirts of the town or walk through the town, before ending your journey at Portsoy Harbour. And the best way to end the journey? Some freshly cooked fish and chips while sitting on the harbour, overlooking the icy waters of the North Sea.

Distance: 13.7km (8.5 miles)

Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty Rating: Moderate

5. Dunster, Somerset

One of the shorter walks on this list, a wander through Dunster in Somerset is a must-try for anyone local to the area – or visiting the area – this winter. Thanks to the slightly warmer weather that Somerset experiences when compared to the rest of the UK – particularly that of Scotland and northern England, this walk is generally ice-free, making it suitable for children and older walkers.

While this walk is doable any time of year, it is most magical at Christmas time, so we would recommend attempting this walk in late November or December.

The best starting point is by the Yarn Market on the High Street, and follow it down until you reach the River Avill, which you will cross over on the Gallox Bridge. The name of this bridge derives from its use in the 15th century as the “Gallows Bridge”.

After crossing the river, you will come to a deer gate, and take the left path which leads you through Dunster Deer Park. If you are lucky, you might see a few of these shy creatures grazing, or resting near the woodland borders. The magnificent Dunster Castle overlooks almost the entire route and is definitely worth a visit if you are a history buff.

Follow the path up to Aller Hill, where you can see commanding views over the Bristol Channel, even being able to see South Wales on a clear day. You can also see Exmoor from here, too.

You simply follow the same route back, and end your trek in one of the many traditional pubs on Dunster High Street for a hearty meal or a warming whisky by a roaring log fire.

Distance: 6.4km (4 miles)

Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty Rating: Easy to Moderate

6. Llyn Elsi from Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, Wales

Another short walk, but worth it for the scenery alone, and ideal for those seasoned walkers or those who want a challenge. Found in Conwy, Wales, this walk from Betws-y-Coed up to Llyn Elsi, while short, can be fairly challenging in the winter, so it is imperative to bring suitable clothing and footwear before attempting it.

The start of the route is quite steep, so be extra vigilant if the conditions are icy. Take your time on this stretch, as this is the part of the walk that will use up most of your energy. We recommend bringing some high-carb or high-protein snacks to enjoy along the route, to help keep you fuelled up, as well as a hot flask of tea or coffee to keep you warm, and some water to keep you hydrated.

Start at St Mary’s Church in Betws-y-Coed, and make your way up the steep path into the woodland. You will hear the gentle trickle of the stream, and eventually come across it. There are plenty of benches along the stream, making for the perfect place to take a short break.

Continue the ascent through the woodland until you come out of the woodland and arrive at Llyn Elsi – the beautiful lake. Many walkers have described the view as breathtaking, as you emerge from the woodland, and immediately at the water’s edge, with incredible views of Snowdonia National Park all around you.

Walk around the perimeter of the lake, taking plenty of opportunities to get some stunning photos, and then retrace your steps, eventually arriving back in Betws-y-Coed after a couple of hours' worth of walking.

Distance: 6.3km (4 miles)

Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty Rating: Challenging