England may be a small region, but the island is full of incredibly diverse landscapes, from thick, lush forests to rolling grasslands. Dotting the landscape are rivers, moors, ancient ruins, and diverse wildlife.
Some of the most well-known walking trails are known as the National Trails–these are walking, cycling, and horse riding routes that take you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of England. Some of these trails go on for miles and miles; the Pennine Way, one of the most famous, meanders 268 miles through the countryside.
A Walking Trail In England
These trails are popular for long distance walkers, (in the States they’d be called hikers – in England they are often termed ‘ramblers’) and are the result of post-World War II desires to keep areas of England special and protected from development. This led to the establishment of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty, and the Long Distance Routes.
The very first of these was the Pennine Way, which opened in 1965. Since then, tourists and locals like spend walking holidays out enjoying nature. Some of the trails in this guide will lead you through small, quaint villages, while others will wind out far from civilization for miles and miles. Others will take you exploring through the rugged coastline.
Whichever trail you take, you’re sure to see some of the most beautiful spots in England. Be sure to take your camera and extra batteries, so you can capture the natural beauty of England!
The 20 Best Walking Trails in England
1. The Pennines
The Pennines are a range of mountains and hills in Northern England, and consists of dozens of trails in and around the range. The most famous of these is the Pennine Way, which is steeped in history and winds along the mountain tops that form the rugged backbone of England for a magnificent journey of 268 miles.
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2. Malvern Hills
The Malvern Hills are south of Worcester, and despite their relatively small size, the trails wind through a surprisingly wide range of landscapes. A narrow ridge trail culminates at the summit of the Worcestershire Beacon, but the trails aren’t limited to just the ridge. Others take visitors on gentler path through rolling green countryside.
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3. South Downs and South Downs Way
South Downs cradles a 100 mile stretch from the historic city of Winchester to the white cliffs of Beachy Head. Visitors will be taken through ancient woodlands, open heath, and chalky downs. This trail is not as hardcore as others, and is suitable for a lighter rambling walk, for horseback riding, and for cycling.
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4. Lake District
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Lake District National Park is located within Cumbria. The main towns within the park are Windermere, Ambleside, and Keswick. The Lake District is broken into several smaller districts, each with their own trails that vary from easy to more challenging. The Southern Fells have the highest mountain in England, while the Far Eastern Fells are just miles of easy walking and gorgeous panoramas.
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5. Dartmoor
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Dartmoor National Park is in Devon, and is dominated by some of the wildest upland moorland in the entire United Kingdom. Visitors will see granite outcroppings, rolling countryside, and high moors during their walk. Along the trails are evidence of earlier settlements, including Neolithic sites and sites from the more recent industrial revolution.
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6. Northumberland
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Northumberland is a large county in northeast England that shares a fiercely contested border with Scotland. While walking trails in Northumberland you may see rounded hills that stretch for miles before turning into the rugged Simonsides, deep river valleys, the expansive Kielder Water, and huge tracts of forest before ending at the sandy coastline.
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7. New Forest
