By Parkdean Resorts on 05/01/2022
The start of a new year means many of us will be entering January with resolutions to make 2022 the year we get active! So, we’re bringing you a brand new study that details all the best walking locations across the British Isles (for those who love a challenge, and for those who prefer a gentle stroll) that will ensure you reach 10,000 steps every time, and help you achieve those fitness goals.
Prettiest Walks
We ranked TripAdvisor reviews containing words such as ‘beautiful, views, picturesque, amazing’ to discover the British Isles’s prettiest walks to get in your 10,000 steps.
Coming in the top spot is Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano which is the main peak of a group of hills in Edinburgh, Scotland with 4,521,229 TripAdvisor reviews - over 1,000 of those praised the location for its beauty and incredible views. The entire route takes an average of 2 hours to complete, covering 10 kilometers, so you can expect to hit just over 13,000 steps on this walk!
Securing second place in our prettiest roundup is Dovedale, a valley in the Peak District with 45,1767 TripAdvisor reviews; more than 700 people rate the walk as beautiful, and a further 400 compliment the views of the walk. With the average route taking around 2 hours to finish, covering an average 10 kilometers, you’ll complete just over 13,000 steps on this walk too!
Landing third place in our study is Fairy Glen, a serene forest area in Wigan featuring hiking trails and a picturesque stream. Receiving 1,254 TripAdvisor reviews
Looking for more of a challenge?
If you’re looking to really challenge yourself this new year, and are looking to complete 10,000 steps twice over, we have the perfect route for you! Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is one of the largest and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in England. Located in Ripon, North Yorkshire, it has a 5-star rating on TripAdviser, as well as 4,007 reviews highlighting its beauty and picturesque settings. Taking an average of 4 hours to complete this walk, you can expect to cover 20 kilometres and reach just over 24,200 steps!
Flat Walks
The flattest walks in the British Isles have been ranked by the ease of the walk and how accessible they are to those with buggies and prams by walkers on AllTrails. Perfect for those looking to ease themselves into fitness and hit realistic step goals, flat walks are ideal for those looking to enjoy family walks too, as the walking terrain is suitable for all ages.
Landing itself as the top flat walking location is Copster Green Circular in Lancashire. Scoring 5* on AllTrails and covering a distance of 9.2 kilometers you can expect to complete this child-friendly walk in just under 3 hours, reaching just over a total of 12,000 steps, giving you plenty of time to take in the stunning views!
Coming in second place is Bolton Abbey and The Strid Circular, located in North Yorkshire. Achieving 4.6 out of 5* on AllTrails, this location is child-friendly and has been complimented for its vast, amazing views. Covering 9.5 kilometers, the average time to complete this walk is just over 3 hours which will get you an average of 12,467 steps.
Securing third place is Bridgewater Way: Boothstown to Abram in Manchester. Scoring 4.5 out of 5* on AllTrails this location is dog friendly, and takes an average of one and a half hours to complete covering 8.5 kilometers - the perfect Sunday stroll for a family day out with your pooch! You can expect to reach over 11,000 steps on this walk while taking in the beautiful views the landscape has to offer.
Challenge accepted?
Looking for a challenge? Then we have the perfect walk for you. Buttermere and Gatesgarth Circular, located in Cumbria, will get you hitting over 21,000 steps! This location scored 4.6 out of 5 on AllTrails and is the perfect walking destination for families with children and dogs. The views will have you forgetting the 16 kilometers you’re covering, but make sure you’ve packed plenty of water and snacks as this route will take you around 5 and a half hours to complete!
Hard Walks
The hardest walks around the British Isles have been categorised and determined based on the percentage incline of the terrain, and by those rated as ‘difficult’ by walkers on AllTrails who have completed each trail. It’s perfect for more experienced walkers and outdoor explorers who love to elevate their heart rate and get their blood pumping!
First in the hardest walks category is Carrauntoohil Mountain and Devil's Ladder located in Ireland. Covering a distance of 11.6 km, this walk scored 4.5 out of 5* on AllTrails for its views and highly complimented idyllic waterfall! Taking an average of 5 hours to complete with an uphill incline of 8%, you can expect to average around 15,200 steps on this walk while taking in the beautiful views of the Irish mountains.
Securing second place is Birkhouse Moor, Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Catstycam Circular, located near Glenridding, Cumbria. Scoring 4.8 out of 5* on AllTrails, this dog-friendly walk is rated for its beautiful views and its lake! Not one for those who are new to outdoor activities, this walk is only recommended for experienced adventurers as you’ll average a distance of 13km with an uphill incline of 6.5% in just under 6 hours. You can expect to tot up a total of 17,000 steps on this walk, meaning you’ll be well within those step goals!
Last but not least in the hard walks category is Pike of Blisco Circular, a 13km loop trail near Grasmere, Cumbria. With 4.8 out of 5* on AllTrails, this location was rated for being dog-friendly and having stunning views! You’ll be faced with an uphill incline of 7.6% on this trail and can expect to hit an average walking time of just under 6 hours with an average step count of just over 17,000 steps here too.
Challenge: go hard or go home!
Looking to push yourself to new extremes? Then we have the perfect walk for the adventurous spirit in you. Kentmere and Gray Crag Circular is a 24km walk located near Windermere, Cumbria that features a lake and is rated by avid walkers as difficult. With a 4.7 out of 5* rating on AllTrails, this dog-friendly walk will have you tackling an incline of 5.4% while reaching an average step count of over 31,000 steps! But make sure you plan in a picnic break and bring plenty of water to this walking destination, as it’ll take you around 8 hours to complete the whole trail! If this walk takes your fancy, why not make a weekend of it and stop by our nearby holiday parks in Cumbria?
Family Walks
The top family walks around the British Isles have been determined based on ratings on AllTrails suggesting these walks are easy to complete, child-friendly or pushchair appropriate. Ideal for all the family so you can enjoy a Sunday stroll whether you have young children, dogs or elderly members embracing the great outdoors with you!
Rated as the best family walk is Brockenhurst Village Walk, located in Hampshire. This 8.4 km loop trail not only has parking and is child friendly, but it also allows dogs to accompany you on a lead and is appropriate for wheelchair users too! With a rating of 4.5 out of 5* on AllTrails for its family-appropriate location, ease of access and views, you can expect to hit just over 11,000 steps - ensuring all the family are hitting those new year goals while taking just under 3 hours to complete this walk.
Rated as the second most family-friendly walking location is Capital Ring Walk Section 12: Highgate to Stoke Newington, an 8.7 km point-to-point walking trail located near Islington, London. Rated as moderate for its difficulty, this family-friendly walk scored 4.4 out of 5* on AllTrails and is highly commended for the stunning views in the area, pushchair access and parking facilities. You can expect to complete this walk in around 3 hours while hitting that all-important step goal of just over 11,400 steps! The perfect location for a family day out with the dog.
Coming in as the third best location for all the family is The Tudor Cycle Trail: Tonbridge to Penshurst. This point-to-point trail is located near Tonbridge in Kent and spans across 9.7 km. Scoring a AllTrails rating of 4.5 out of 5*, this walk has been highly rated by reviewers for its parking facilities, the ease of access for wheelchair users and the ability to bring your dog along with you (as long as they stay on a lead)! You can expect to complete this trail in just over 3 hours, while exceeding your step goal by getting just over 12,700 steps in! This is another perfect location for families who love to venture into the great outdoors with their four-legged friend.
A challenge for the family!
If you’re really looking to up your family's step game this year, this one's for you! You can more than double your step goals at Pocklington Canal Circular, located in Pocklington. Covering a distance of 17.5 km, you can expect to hit around 22,965 steps here! With a AllTrails rating of 4.3 out of 5*, this location has been highly praised for its parking facilities, wheelchair access, child-friendly surroundings, dog-friendly pathways and stunning views. But be sure to bring along a packed lunch, as it can take up to 6 hours to complete this walk. What better way to get into fitness with the family than to push yourselves to the limit!
Ready to book your next outdoor adventure?
With holiday parks all over the British Isles, here at Parkdean Resorts we’re ready to welcome you and all the family (your furry friends too) for your next staycation in any one of our perfect locations that allow you to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer!