Ten great UK walks
Monday 02 June 2008
There’s nothing as relaxing as a good old ramble in the country. Fresh air, stunning scenery – and you get some exercise too!
So if you fancy getting out there with your family and friends but are stuck for ideas, take a look at these beautiful walks.
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is a beautiful location, with stunning vistas incorporating lochs, rivers and high mountains. With around 720 square miles of land and almost 70% of Scotlands population living within an hour's drive, the park is a stunning place to visit.
www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
Millennium Coastal Path Carmarthenshire, Wales
The Millennium Coastal Park has transformed a 22km stretch of coastline into a fantastic new leisure and nature resource linked by a continuous traffic-free cycleway and footpath.
www.millenniumcoastalpark.com
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Castle Espie, Northern Ireland
Castle Espie Wetland Centre is set on the shores of the stunning Strangford Lough. Hides and nature walks allow you to get close to wild birds and explore the collection of endangered birds from around the world.
www.wwt.org.uk
Hadrians Wall Path National Trail, North East
Stretching over 84 miles, the National Trail takes walkers along some of the most beautiful parts of England. Fully signposted throughout, it's possible to walk along the stunning riverside of Tyneside, through the beautiful farmland above Tynedale, and into the rich pastures of Cumbria and the salt marsh of the Solway Estuary.
www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrianswall
Durham Coastline, County Durham
The path that runs along much of the coast leads you through a wonderful mosaic of great natural, historical and geological features with dramatic views along the coastline and out across the North Sea.
www.durhamheritagecoast.org
Forest of Burnley, Burnley, North West
The forest of Burnley was created between 1997 and 2001 when a million trees were planted in the borough. The forest surrounds the town and has over 32km of footpaths, bridleways and cyclepaths to give both walking enthusiasts and otehr visitors the chance to take in some fresh air.
www.visitburnley.com
Trans Pennine Trail, Yorkshire
The Trans Pennine Trail is an exciting route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The trail links the North and Irish seas passing through the Pennines, alongside rivers and canals and through the historic towns and cities of the North of England.
www.transpenninetrail.org.uk
Roundhay Park, Leeds
Three miles north of Leeds City Centre, Roundhay park comprises over 700 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland. The park boasts scented gardens, national plant collections, tennis courts, and much more.
www.roundhaypark.org.uk
Torrs Millennium Walkway, Derbyshire
Entering the Torrs Riverside Park, deep in a gorge below the centre of New Mills, and it immediately becomes apparent that this walk is different from any other in Derbyshire. It has a dramatic start and finish in an inspiring - and easy - four and a half mile walk.
www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/newmillswalk.htm
Bedgebury National Pinetum, Kent
With the finest collection of conifers in the world, visitors come to the pinetum to appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the setting. Here you can walk, cycle or ride through the beautiful forest.
www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury
Each of these locations have benefited from Lottery funding - remarkably Lottery players raise £25 million a week for Good Causes.
To take advantage of more great places to visit around the UK, go to www.loveuk.org and download the 'Great Days Out' pdf.
If you don’t live in a rural area but still want to enjoy nice walks, check out www.walkit.co.uk