One of the saving graces of the past couple of years is that many of us have had the opportunity to become better acquainted with the natural wonders that surround us. And there’s nothing quite like crowning off a walk in the countryside by gazing in awe at a spectacular scene – whether it’s a dramatic coastal feature, rock formations or just a miles-long expanse of green and pleasant land.
It’s thanks, in no small part, to the Ramblers’ 85 years of campaigning that we’re able to enjoy free access to the very best of natural Britain. By fighting for walkers’ rights and safeguarding our access to thousands of miles’ worth of paths, tracks and trails, this plucky charity is helping millions of people see the countryside in its best light.
From Cornwall to the Highlands, read on to discover just seven of the stunning locations you can explore across Britain’s world-class walking network, with all the routes provided by the Ramblers. Plus, if you become a Ramblers member, you can enjoy access to all the details for each fully researched and plotted route. There’s plenty to see, so go fetch your walking boots and camera!
The Ramblers was instrumental in the 2012 opening of the Wales Coastal Path. The first path of its kind in the world to stretch around a country’s entire coastline, it offers an impressive 870 miles of walking to keep even the most ambitious hikers busy for days on end. You can enjoy a prime slice of it on this gentle two-hour walk from Amroth to Wiseman’s Bridge.
Not only can you look forward to views of the famous west Wales coast, but the route also takes you past the remains of a 19th-century railway line and passes through the verdant grounds of the National Trust's Colby Woodland Garden estate. Amroth itself is a great destination for a short family break, thanks to the Amroth Castle Holiday Centre, which offers self-catered accommodation in the surroundings of a beautiful 18th-century house.
If you want breathtaking panoramic views in Somerset, you need to head to Cheddar Gorge. This figure of eight walk enjoys spectacular bird’s-eye views of England’s deepest gorge, herds of rare Soay sheep grazing on inaccessible cliff ledges, long-distance panoramas from the top of the Mendips, Roman lead mines and prehistoric sites.
This walk is particularly rewarding during the warmer months when there’s less potential for slippery conditions, and coming in at just under six miles, is a leisurely way to see this jewel of the West Country.
These weird and wonderful rocks are one of the most unique geological landmarks in the country, and this challenging but enjoyable route is guaranteed to provide you with a view that’s worth all the hills!
Around eight miles north-west of Harrogate – a picturesque town that’s the ideal place to base yourself in – these limestone rocks are thought to have been weathered into their otherworldly shapes before, during and after the last Ice Age around 100,000 years ago. Before the 20th century, theories abounded that these rocks had been carved by Druids (hence the name, The Druids’ Playground). Confident walkers can see these rocks in all their glory on this nine-mile route via a delightful riverside path, which runs southeast from Pateley Bridge.
You’ll enjoy wonderful views of the Scottish capital when you walk up the Royal Mile to the grounds of Edinburgh Castle, but for unparalleled views of the city and the coastline beyond, you can’t beat a walk to Arthur’s Seat. This ancient volcano dominates the hills that sit in Holyrood Park and makes the perfect centrepiece for this two-hour circular walk, which starts at the Scottish Parliament near the impressively grand Palace of Holyroodhouse.
There are few better examples of the rich, diverse beauty of England than the Lake District, and its second largest lake, Ullswater, is well worth a visit. This nine-mile-long shimmering ribbon, flanked by craggy mountain faces, provides stunning views from every vantage point.
Nestled on its southernmost shore, the Cumbrian village of Patterdale makes for the ideal starting point for this route short, simple route. Setting off from the youth hostel, you’ll walk along the banks of the Goldrill Beck, then a short climb along a lane up to the return footpath, which has fine views of the south end of Ullswater and the surrounding mountains.
Normally you’d associate the Scottish Highlands with blankets of purple heather across rough, undulating terrain – less so white-sand beaches. And while the Ramblers offers plenty of routes that’ll deliver the former, the latter is the focal point of this spectacular route on the far northern coast.
Starting off at the Blairmore car park, the route takes you to Sandwood Bay and back, where you’ll find a gloriously wild beach with beautiful dunes and cliffs, including the lone rock stack Am Buachaille. Look out for swooping great skua gulls and red deer along the way.
For this final walk, we travel from the far north of our isle to its southernmost point, the picture book paradise of Cornwall. Kynance Cove makes for a lovely beach day, with its striking rocky outcrops that stretch away from the shore and into the water. It’s also home to the Lizard National Nature Reserve, where you’ll discover rare flora and fauna.
This gorgeous circular walk, lasting around two and a half hours, allows you to take in all the sights and sounds from both Kynance Cove and Lizard Point.
As a member of the Ramblers, for just £3.05 per month, you’ll get unlimited access to the Ramblers’ library of tried and tested walking routes, plus its 50,000 fun and friendly group walks. But that’s far from all there is to the Ramblers. Your membership will help increase access to green spaces, open up more places to walk and boost Britain’s wellbeing one step at a time. After all, there’s plenty to do.
With its members’ support, the Ramblers...
• Helps thousands more people every year broaden their horizons on foot because walking in nature makes us happier and healthier.
• Maintains paths to prevent them being blocked or becoming overgrown, provides advice to walkers, and helps individuals overcome more personal obstacles, like a lack of confidence to explore or knowledge of where they can walk, because the Ramblers is committed to removing all barriers to walking.
• Helps protect walking access rights. As a result of over 85 years of hard work by the Ramblers, we are now free to roam across millions of acres of land, including national parks and national trails.
Find out more about the vital work the Ramblers does and pledge your walking miles in 2022 for the chance to win some amazing prizes.
The Ramblers is generously supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, as part of the lottery’s Climate Challenge initiative. People’s Postcode Lottery manages lotteries on behalf of 20 Postcode Trusts.
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