Top 8.
Porter’s are known to walk an average of between 15 and 18 miles Every. Single. Day!
We thought, what better way to highlight this incredible effort by porter’s across the nation than to talk about joyful walks you can do to relax, get some fresh air and help improve your mental health in a natural environment removed from the stresses of the world.
With that in mind, here are our favourite walks across the UK – hopefully something for everybody!
(in no particular order…)
1. Glencoe
The entire route from Glencoe to Fort William is breath-taking and you honestly won’t know where to do a walk as you’re that spoilt for choice with incredible scenery in every direction you look. The Three Sisters of Glencoe are a place you can walk through the Lost Valley which will give you some of the best views of the area – the walk is about 2.5 miles and the terrain takes in a rocky path, which can be steep for some in parts, so maybe one for more assured walkers. You can even go skiing up this mountain range!
image: visitscotland
2. Isle of Skye
The entirety of the Isle of Skye is a beautiful walk waiting to happen – highlights include the Fairy Pools and The Old Man of Storr but we would advise taking in the sites of Quairaing and The Fairy Glen, both of which are like visions from a fairytale, you will not believe the sights you are witnessing. All 4 sites can be visited in one day (with transportation) though, so plenty of time to take in all the lovely sights Isle of Skye has to offer. image: visitscotland
3. Glenfinnan, Scotland
Harry Potter fans will absolutely love this walk – you can do a variety of different walks around the Glenfinnan area and there are many differing start points, but it’s the end point of one of the walks which captures all the attention. The actual Glenfinnan Trail is about 2.5 miles and takes you along a pathway under the Glenfinnan viaduct and up the hillside to see panoramic views of Loch Shiel and the perfect vantage point to the Jacobite Steam Train aka The Hogwart’s Express pass over the viaduct, both of which are featured in four of the Harry Potter films.
image: discoveringbritain.org
4. Buttermere, Lake District, Cumbria
A lovely 4 and a half mile circular route around Buttermere Lake – no big climbs for this one, just a nice gentle stroll around a scenic route, with the towering hillside around you. Utter bliss, total perfection.
image: visitlakedistrict
5. Yorkshire Wolds Way, East Yorkshire
We’re pretty biased when it comes to this one – depending which way you choose to do the walk, you either start or end not very far from our office! Gentle sloping wolds along an arc-like route which takes you through sleepy villages, rural countryside, woodland and the coast at Filey – you even take in the sights of the unique art trail along the route as well as the magnificent feat of engineering that is the Humber Bridge. 79 Miles long, meaning this one is usually done in 3-6 parts, but an adventure you won’t forget.
image: visiteastyorkshire
6. Snowdon, Wales
Mount Snowdon (apologies to any Welsh people who are looking to change its name!) is a great one to climb with 6 different options with varying difficulty, so a route for people of all abilities and takes roughly 3 to 4 hours to reach the summit. There’s even a mountain railway to take you to the top if you really can’t be bothered (but, Shh! This is a post about walking!!). Even if you don’t wish to ascend the mountain, there are many walks surrounding it which are just as great as the ones going upwards – but beware, it’s said the red dragon who adorns the Welsh flag lives in a lair in this location!
image: visitwales
7. The Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall
With multiple routes of differing distances ranging between 3.5 miles to 7.5 miles, this location has something for everyone, the fact it is so far South it’s more likely to be sunny than elsewhere in the UK and has beautiful scenery throughout all walks is just an added bonus! An amazing coastal walk to blow off the cobwebs and worries, feeling like you could be a world away - coupled with that refreshing sea breeze, it’s like going on a yoga retreat without the bendy bits! image: visitcornwall
8. Derwent Valley, Peak District
This 4 miles loop takes in some amazing scenery and some fantastic features in the form of Ladybower Reservoir, the Derwent Dam and at certain times of the year, the lost underwater village of Derwent. image: bbc.co.uk