We human beings are born explorers. It is the genetic memory of our ancestors travelling and scavenging around the world which still makes our hearts long for exploring new places. Maybe that is why all of us have a hidden wanderlust and all of us love to travel around the world. However, travelling means different things to different people. Some of us love to travel to the most famous places in the world and spend some time full of luxury and relaxation, while some of us love to explore the remote corners of the world, in order to experience the untouched beauty. Some of us hurry through destinations to tick through their bucket list, and some of us like to truly enjoy and explore the life, the culture and the people of a certain place. And if you belong to the second group, then a walking tour is just for you.
Walking tours are a great way to truly explore a place in its own beauty. As you walk along the path, you will get to explore towns and cities which you would have missed if you were in a car. You will get to experience the lives of people outside the big touristy cities, you will get to appreciate the true nature and culture of a country and most importantly, you will get to avoid the pool of people which crowd the streets and the popular tourist attractions. If you find the idea of a walking tour attractive, then the United Kingdom is a destination which you will love to be in. And if you are looking forward to going on a walking holiday for your next vacation, here is how you can plan a beautiful walking holiday in the UK.
When to plan a walking tour in the United Kingdom
Planning a walking tour in the United Kingdom starts which a basic question, what is the best time to go? However, the answer purely depends on the route you will be walking along. Although the United Kingdom can be visited at almost any time of the year, there are a lot of things which you need to consider if you are going for a walking tour. The summer months are the busiest months in the UK. However, as you will be walking your whole way, it is best to avoid the summer months as you will lose much more energy and sweat. December to February are the winter months and are great for going on a walking tour if you are sticking to the plains. However, if you are walking along a route which crosses hilly areas, the winter is best to avoid as you might face a lot of snow in the mountainous stretches.
In our opinion, the best time to plan a walking tour on almost any route in the United Kingdom are the months of spring and autumn. Spring starts in late March and continues till early June, whereas the season of autumn start from the month of September and continues till November. During these months, the temperatures stay pretty moderate and the weather stays clear. You will also get to see the beautiful spring flowers or the changing hues of the leaves during autumn along your way, literally making your journey a colourful experience.
What to pack for a walking tour
Packing for a walking tour is quite different than packing for a normal trip. As you will cross the whole distance on foot, you will need a pair of good hiking shoes, to begin with. Remember to carry a lot of water with you. If you are carrying a rucksack which includes a separate compartment for a water pouch, make use of that to your heart’s content. Depending on your route, you might need to carry some walking sticks with you as well. You can bring all of your walking gear with you, or you can also rent the gear as per your convenience. Also while packing your clothes, remember to prioritize function over style, and pack a lot of light clothes made of breathable fabric.
Best walking routes in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is home to a lot of walking routes. Starting from southern England, western England, Lake Country to Scotland, there are simply a lot of walking routes to choose from. The walking routes in the UK will take you to a varied terrain, starting from mountainous ridges to valley bottom flatlands to coastal routes. Different walking routes take different times to choose from, and you can go for any of the walking tours depending on the time in your hand and your preference of landscapes. Here are some of the most popular walking routes in the United Kingdom for you to choose from.
Coast to Coast Walking Route
The Coast to Coast Walking Route is possibly the most famous walking route in the United Kingdom. The trail starts from the coast side by the Irish Sea and the journey takes you through the whole country of England to end your trip at the coast of the North Sea. St Bees is the starting point of the trip and your journey will end at Robin Hood’s Bay. The whole route is 190 miles long, and it takes about 17 days to properly explore all of the places along the route.
Hadrian’s Wall Trail
Another one of the very popular walking trails in England is the Hadrian’s Wall Trail. This historic wall was built between 120 AD and 128 AD, the whole trail follows this iconic wall. During this 83 miles long journey, you will get to explore not only this historic wall but many other important destinations and towns along the way.
Rob Roy Way
The 77 miles long Rob Roy Way is one of the most popular trails you can walk on in Scotland. The trail follows a lot of places which are closely associated with Rob MacGregor, the legendary outlaw of Scotland. You will get to learn all about this historic outlaw and hear a lot of his thrilling stories when you visit the towns along this trail. Apart from the historic stories and beautiful scenery, you might get to see a lot of wildlife when you walk along this trail.
South West Coast Path
Being the longest waymarked coastal paths in the country of England, the South West Coast Path is a great route to walk on if you have enough number of days. However, if you are on a short vacation, you can always cover a part of the route. You can be sure that your vacation will still be full of breathtaking moments. It is one of the most beautiful walking paths in England and the path follows the coastline of the country. The road is full of beautiful flora and fauna, and you might get the chance of spotting some dolphins and seals as well.
Tour of the Lake District
Tour of the Lake District is a beautiful walking route located in the Lake Country district of England. The route is 93 miles long, and you will get to explore some of the most beautiful towns and valleys of the district while you follow this trail.
