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| Underrated areas of outstanding natural beauty |
Finding the right place can be tricky as there are so many breathtaking places to see across the globe so here’s a handy guide of some of the popular walking destinations in UK to visit so you can place one foot in front of the other and explore the places you’ll love.
The Lake District, England
One of the most stunning areas in the UK, the Lake District is the largest National Park in England and one of the most popular walking destinations in UK. The Lake District has a vast number of places to see and terrain to traverse for any outdoor enthusiast. You have hundreds of miles of walks to choose from, some take you around lakes Wastwater and Windermere; respectively England’s deepest and largest lakes or you can climb Scafell Pike if you fancy a challenge.
At certain times of the year the Lakeland Trails take place so if you time it right you can enjoy the wonderful views of Lake Coniston and the surrounding mountains and peaks while running a full or half marathon, or even the option of a smaller races if your time is limited. No matter what your age or ability they have a race for you. Alternatively you can run your own trails from the guided and mapped routes accessible all year round.
Snowdonia, Wales
The National Park of Snowdonia features a number of peaks you can explore along with the famous Mount Snowdon which is a must if you want to test your abilities. If you would prefer walking as oppose to climbing or mountaineering there are a number of tracks and walks around the summit that offer a challenge like the Llanberis Path, but the Pyg and Miner’s tracks will not only put you through the paces but give you plenty of Welsh heritage and culture along the way too.
For a quieter day after hiking through this beautiful part of the world then the Snowdon Mountain Railway is a must see with plenty of nearby towns and villages to explore. Another way to enjoy the local mountains and landscapes at a distance but giving yourself an easier trail to walk is to walk the Llyn Coast Path which is part of the incredible 870 mile long Wales Coast Path.
The West Highland Way, Scotland
This is one of the most challenging of the options as the West Highland Way compromises of three ultra marathons; The West Highland Way Race, The Highland Fling and the Devil O’ The Highlands totalling 96 miles all taking you through some of the most spectacular scenery that Scotland has to offer, but there are smaller trails that are between 2 and 20 miles you can hike or run along and spend the rest of your time enjoying the views and exploring the nearby towns and villages the routes go through.
However you do find that the weather can change frequently so it’s best to prepare for every possibility with the right running base layers. As Ben Nevis is at the end of the entire trail you can see the largest mountain in the British Isles and even climb it for a real challenge and an incredible experience like nothing else.
You’ll find many other off-road marathons, races and a lifetimes worth of walking and hiking routes throughout the United Kingdom as well with equally stunning landscapes and varied heritage and local culture to explore too.
One thing to remember though in any prolonged walks, climbs and trail running you participate in having the right gear like clothing, base layers, rucksacks to carry your essentials and comfortable, supportive and protective hiking boots and trail running shoes is important as choosing inadequate gear can cause any number of issues so be sure to check out retailers like FitnessFootwear while you’re planning your trip.
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