These 12 Fall Hikes in the UK Make Sweater Weather Worth It

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Are you looking for the best fall hikes in the UK? If so, you’re in luck because the United Kingdom is one of the best places in Europe to experience the great outdoors. The nation has everything, from rugged mountain ranges and picturesque countryside to national parks covered in fall foliage and fairytale-esque forests.

Furthermore, the UK has 16 national trails to tackle if you’re searching for your next big hiking challenge. To learn more, here are 12 of the best hikes in the UK for fall. The entries on our list were selected because they offer outstanding natural beauty, memorable experiences, impressive views, and a fine fall foliage display.

Savernake Forest Walk, Wiltshire, England

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Savernake Forest, situated south of Marlborough, is an ancient forest considered an area of scientific importance because of its high concentration of ancient trees. In the fall, the trees along the Savernake Forest Walk come to life with a vibrant display of red, orange, and golden-hued leaves, making it one of the best hikes in the UK for fall.

This forest covers an area of approximately 4,500 acres (1,821 hectares), but the forest walk allows you to see the best of the park in just 5.9 miles (9.5 kilometers). Thanks to the forest’s flat terrain, you can complete the walk in 3.5 hours. The Grand Avenue, a long red and orange beech tree corridor, is a key highlight.

The Cleveland Way National Trail, North Yorkshire, England

Hiking enthusiasts in the UK often challenge themselves by taking on one of the 16 national trails. The Cleveland Way National Trail is one of the best hikes in the UK for fall. This 109-mile (175-kilometer) walking route takes hikers through the beautiful and ever-changing landscape of North York Moors National Park.

In September, you can see the moorland heather in bloom and admire the changing color of the leaves as they become a fall foliage delight. This picturesque trail starts in Helmsley and ends in Filey Brigg. Along the way, you’ll pass Robin Hood’s Bay, Scarborough, and Whitby, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It will take you approximately nine days to complete the trail.

Loch Affric Circuit, Inverness, Scotland

Scotland is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and epic hiking trails, so, unsurprisingly, one of the nation’s best trails is on our list of the best hikes in the UK for fall. The Loch Affric Circuit is an 11.25-mile (18-kilometer) hiking trail that treats adventurers to impressive loch views, fall foliage, and magical woodland.

You’ll walk through misty pine forests and red and orange moorland and along narrow paths that hug Loch Affric. The fun doesn’t stop there, as the trail is also backed by picturesque mountains like Sgùrr na Lapaich and A’ Chralaig. This route isn’t easy, but the exceptional views are worth the struggle. Most hikers take between four and six hours to complete the trail.

Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail, Glenfinnan, Scotland

At just 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail in the Highlands of Scotland is one of the best hikes in the UK for fall if you can’t walk too far but still want to experience the country’s impressive scenery. It passes one of Scotland’s most famous attractions: Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Glenfinnan Viaduct was made famous by Harry Potter. Fans of the world-famous movie franchise will recognize the viaduct from the scenes of the Hogwarts Express traveling across the viaduct. If you time this hike right, you can still see a steam train cross the viaduct. Besides movie heritage, a significant draw to this trail is the views. In the fall, the views of Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Shiel, surrounded by fall foliage, are mesmerizing.

Causeway Coast Walk, Northern Ireland

Taking the Causeway Coast Walk is one of the best ways to experience Northern Ireland’s immense coastal landmarks, lush scenery, and fall foliage. This beautiful 14-mile-long coastal path commences at Carrick-a-Rede, where you’ll find the magnificent Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. You’ll follow the coast to the Giant’s Causeway, a fascinating natural wonder.

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Along the Causeway Coast Walk, you’ll be treated to outstanding views of Northern Ireland’s scenic coastline and rugged cliffs. You’ll never tire of admiring the glorious golden-sand beaches, verdant cliffsides, and lush fields covered in golden-green foliage. Topping things off nicely, you can also explore the hamlet of Portbradden and White Park Bay Beach during the hike.

Tollymore Forest Park Trail, Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Another dreamy hiking trail in Northern Ireland is the Tollymore Forest Park Trail, which offers outdoor enthusiasts an abundance of fall foliage an hour’s drive from Belfast, the capital city. This 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) hiking trail makes it one of the best hikes in the UK for fall for several reasons.

First, it’s a relatively easy walk with flat terrain and well-maintained paths. Second, the forest is jam-packed with vibrant fall foliage from September to late November. You can discover beautiful waterfalls, ancient trees, old stone bridges, and multi-colored foliage. Finally, Tollymore Forest Park was featured in Game of Thrones, making it a favorite with fans of the hit TV series.

Weardale Walk, Sevenoaks, England

The Weardale Walk is a stunning circular route in Kent, Southern England, that follows a hilly route through the Weald of Kent. This scenic walking trail links Emmetts Garden with Chartwell, the former home of Winston Churchill. It’s only 5 miles (8 kilometers) long and passes through the ancient woodland areas of Hosey Common and Toys Hill.

In the fall, this beautiful walking destination explodes with an array of vibrant colors. You’ll encounter paths lined with tall trees that display bright red, yellow, and orange leaves. When the trail opens up, you’ll be awe-struck by the scenic beauty of Kent’s breathtaking countryside. Most people allow approximately three hours to complete this hiking trail.

Cader Idris Pony Path, Snowdonia, Wales

At 2,930 feet (893 meters), Cader Idris, one of the highest mountains in Eyri, Snowdonia, is one of Wales’s most iconic natural landmarks. Every year, the mountain draws in outdoor enthusiasts, landscape photographers, and hikers with the promise of serene landscape views, pristine lakes, and challenging hiking trails.

Hiking the Cader Idris Pony Path –one of the best hikes in the UK for fall – is one of the best ways to experience the mountain. The Cader Idris Pony Path is the lesser-known of three trails leading to Cader Idris’s top. It’s 6 miles (9.5 kilometers) long and starts at Ty Nant. In the fall, Cader Idris’ lush landscape changes color. The green foliage turns into a tapestry of fall colors.

Rob Roy Way, Highlands, Scotland

If you’re all for dramatic landscapes, strenuous hiking trails, and fall foliage, the Rob Roy Way in the Scottish Highland is one of the best hikes in the UK for fall. This exhilarating hiking trail starts near Loch Lomond and passes three breathtaking lochs on the way to Killin before you stop at one more loch before reaching Pitlochry.

To complete the Rob Roy Way, you must walk 79 miles (128 kilometers) through Scotland’s scenic countryside. It will likely take you six or seven days to complete the trail. Significant points along the walking route include Venachar, Lubnaig, Earn, and Loch Tay. Of course, Scoltand’s fall foliage-covered landscape is also an attractive proposition.

Derwent Valley Heritage Walk, Peak District, England

The Derwent Valley Heritage Walk offers two picturesque hiking trails. Beginners seeking an easier way to admire Peak District National Park’s stunning fall landscape can take on the 5-mile (8-kilometer) trail that takes up to three hours to finish. Meanwhile, expert hikers seeking a challenge can conquer the 55-mile (88-kilometer) trail that takes six days.

Whichever route you take, you’ll be treated to a fine display of fall foliage across the Derbyshire Dales. You’ll also visit several cultural attractions, including Derwent Valley Mills and Chatsworth House. For a day trip, we recommend hiking the section from Baslow to Rowsley. This section follows the river and allows you to explore the grounds of Chatsworth House.

Glyndŵr’s Way, Mid Wales

Best Hikes in UK for Fall Glyndŵr’s Way, Mid Wales — © Spotmatik / Adobe Stock

Along Glyndŵr’s Way, hikers explore open moorland, rolling hills, lush forests, and dense woodland. This 135-mile (217-kilometer) long national hiking trail is one of the best hikes in the UK for fall if you want to experience the best of Wales’ breathtaking countryside. It takes its name from Owain Glyndŵr, Prince of Wales and Medieval Welsh nationalist leader.

You don’t have to walk the entire trail in one go, but many experienced hikers do. It usually takes them nine to ten days to complete, depending on experience. The trail starts in Knighton and ends in Welshpool. This challenging route will be lined with a kaleidoscope of colors in the fall, from golden-hued fields to vibrant red and orange leaves.

The Wales Coast Path, Wales

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Europe Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Wales — © Patrik Stedrak / Adobe Stock

Wales is the world’s only country with a continuous marked path around its coastline, offering hundreds of miles of untouched natural beauty. The Wales Coast Path, or Llwybr Arfordir Cymru, in Welsh, provides 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) of unbroken, breathtaking coastal walking trails around the entire Welsh coast.

You can’t complete the trail in one go for obvious reasons, but you can cut it into smaller sections to tick it off bit by bit. The coastal path’s foliage slowly turns from green to orange, gold, and red in the fall. This, along with the pristine beaches and thunderous waves, makes the trail one of the best hikes in the UK for fall. Popular destinations along the coastal path include Anglesey, Llandudno, and Carmarthen Bay.