England
Cape Cornwall, Cornwall
Distance: 8.3km
We are past the shortest day of the year and the western reaches of Cornwall are where the light starts to incrementally extend into the late afternoon. The headland of Cape Cornwall, jutting its chin out into the Atlantic, is the centrepiece of this glorious coastal walk from the village of St Just. southwestcoastpath.org.uk
Talland Bay & Looe, Cornwall
Distance: 8km
The fishing town of Looe is the halfway point of this walk from Talland Bay Beach, where you can explore the rock pools before setting off. The coast here is little visited out of season and offers plenty of variety, with views of sea, crinkled coastline and inland across the countryside. southwestcoastpath.org.uk
Killerton, South Devon
Distance: 7km
This serene estate and its handsome Grade II registered historic parkland are perfect for a gentle stroll. A wander takes in the small, enchanting Danes Wood, an Iron Age fort, wizened sweet chestnuts, glades and a densely packed collection of giant redwoods. nationaltrust.org.uk
Simonsbath, Exmoor
Distance: 4km
Exmoor in winter sounds forbidding, but a new all-access section of the Two Moors Way between Simonsbath and the old Wheal Eliza iron ore mine makes a hike less intrepid. The trail follows the steep-sided River Barle through moorland, with views of medieval bridges and the Iron Age hill fort of Cow Castle. visit-exmoor.co.uk
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol
Distance: 5km
Fingers crossed for a crisp, clear day to enjoy this walk through the 340 hectare estate that sprawls behind the west bank of Clifton Suspension Bridge. Its routes explore groves of beech trees, skirt through a deer park and offer panoramic views of Bristol and the undulating Cotswold skyline. visitbristol.co.uk
Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, Gloucestershire
Distance: 20km (one-way)
A lengthy, but easy, hike. Swans treat the canal as a runway and you’ll pass the extraordinary spectacle of Purton Hulks, Britain’s largest ship graveyard. In late afternoon, you may even spot starlings roosting around the Slimbridge nature reserve. canalrivertrust.org.uk
Elstree to Cockfosters, London
Distance: 17km
The 240km London Loop is the walker’s equivalent of the M25. This leg takes in landscapes more readily associated with the New Forest. Scratchwood, better known for its motorway service station, is a wonderful oak woodland survivor from the Ice Age; Monken Hadley Common was once part of a royal hunting forest. innerlondonramblers.org.uk
Oare Marshes, Faversham, Kent
Distance: 8km
A circular wander through this nature reserve navigates a collage of freshwater dykes, salt marshes and sea wall. Overwintering birds, including bar-tailed godwit and red-breasted merganser, are the showstoppers. The route juxtaposes wells drilled for a local explosives factory with shipwrecks and a disused 12th-century church. explorekent.org
Shanklin to Sandown, Isle of Wight
Distance: 5km
The Isle of Wight isn’t just a summer, bucket-and-spade destination. Sandown Bay, bookended by brooding, guillotined headlands, is thrilling at this time of year. At Yaverland Bay, winter waves take chunks out of the soft Cretaceous coastline to regularly reveal dinosaur fossils. visitisleofwight.co.uk
Harting Down, West Sussex
Distance: 6.4km
This undulating circular walk along the South Downs will quickly burn off the Christmas calories. Panoramic views take in the Weald and the North Downs, a timeless vista studded with Iron Age ridge boundary markers and yew trees (home to sheltering wrens and thrushes) on the slopes of Little Round Down. nationaltrust.org.uk
Brancaster Staithe, north Norfolk
Distance: 6km
You will enjoy a stirring combination of dunes and winding tidal waterways on this glorious walk. Look out for the mournful Second World War wreck of SS Vina on Scolt Head Island. Time this walk for mid-afternoon to watch thousands of pink-footed and Brent geese fill the skies and settle for their night-time roost. nationaltrust.org.uk
Boston waterways, Lincolnshire
Distance: 19km
A circular walk that follows some of the waterways of Boston alongside rivers and drains (canalised waterways) and passes through nature reserves. The flat landscape and fenland make for a bleakly beautiful setting amid the dramatic light of the low winter sun. lincolnshire.gov.uk
Manifold Valley, Staffordshire
Distance: 5.5km
The Staffordshire wing of the Peak District is often neglected , but offers superb seasonal hiking. Starting from Hulme End, east of Leek, this route follows the River Manifold and Manifold Way through a limestone wooded valley, around Ecton Hill and looping back along country lanes. localwalks.co.uk
Oswestry Old Racecourse and Common, Shropshire
Distance: 6km
The old racecourse is a gem of a site perched on a high plateau above Oswestry. The route from the town winds up through open woodland and unimproved grassland to heathland, where it follows the 3km, figure-of-eight 18th-century horse-racing track. From here you take in far-reaching views to east and west. shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk
Frodsham to Manley, Cheshire
Distance: 9km
Take in a stretch of the Sandstone Trail, an elevated route that presents views over the Cheshire farmland to Welsh hills often capped with snow. The walk takes in a wooded sandstone edge, clifftop paths and a horizon-spanning panorama of the Mersey estuary and Liverpool from the summit of Overton Hill. sandstonetrail.co.uk
Winter Hill, Greater Manchester
Distance: 20km
When the mist is down and the wind is up, Winter Hill is well named. But on a clear day, this bleak plateau, which is easily accessible from the centre of Manchester, offers stirring views across hills and dales – chief among them being the lumps and bumps of the Peak District and Pennines. gmwalking.co.uk
Buckden to Starbotton, Upper Wharfedale, North Yorkshire
Distance: 8km
The River Wharfe and its tributaries dominate this far-flung valley on a walk rich in variety. Wharfedale features ancient semi-natural woodlands, moorland habitats and even shingle riverside beaches, where you may see oystercatchers. Enjoy views of the head of Wharfedale and use stepping stones to cross Buckden Beck. yorkshiredales.org.uk
Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire
Distance: 10km
A good choice for children with pent-up chocolate energy to expend. Brimham’s weird and wonderfully shaped giant rock formations will have them playing hide and seek, while a stretch of moorland will tire them out too. Look out for spooky rock formations, such as the Druids Writing Desk. nationaltrust.org.uk
Cawfields Quarry, Northumberland
Distance: 5.6km
This glorious walk in Hadrian’s Wall territory takes in a former quarry and offers uplifting views across a classic Northumberland landscape of rolling countryside and sheer crags. A stretch of the wall includes fine examples of a milecastle (a small fort), a Roman turret and large earthworks. northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk
Warkworth to Craster, Northumberland
Distance: 20km
Take in a wonderful slice of Northumberland’s seascape on this leg of the county coast path. Start by inspecting Warkworth’s spectacular medieval castle before heading north along a trail that mingles with dunes and coastal grasslands and subsequently winds around the Aln Estuary en route to Craster’s sturdy, wind-battered harbour. northumberlandcoastpath.org
St Bees, Cumbria
Distance: 5km
The rocky promontory of St Bees Head, the westernmost point of Cumbria, is the Cinderella of England’s seaboard fringes. In winter it is an elemental place to escape the ever-busy Lake District. Take the clifftop path along the red sandstone bluff to Fleswick Bay, where the beach is strewn with huge slabs of honeycombed sandstone. visitcumbria.com
Haweswater & Harter Fell, Lake District
Distance: 6km
An artificial reservoir in the north-east of the national park, Haweswater is always quieter than its natural counterparts, but also has it own raw beauty. At its valley head a steep and craggy loop winds up to the summit of Harter Fell – one to try in clear weather. walklakes.co.uk
Scotland
Monks Rigg, Pentland Hills
Distance: 6.5km
You enjoy remarkably fine views, in return for an easy walk in the Pentland Hills south of Edinburgh that takes in moorland and woodland. The route follows the old Monks Road up over the 497m summit of Cap Law into the heart of the Pentlands before returning via the Braid Law col. walkhighlands.co.uk
Strathaven, Lanarkshire
Distance: 5km
The peaceful countryside and rolling hills around the market town of Strathaven, south of Glasgow, make for stress-free walking. The village is set by the River Avon, where you have a high chance of spotting an iridescent kingfisher above the burbling waters. The walk leads to a ruined mill above the Spectacle E’e waterfalls. visitlanarkshire.com
Birnham Hill, Perth & Kinross
Distance: 6.4km
Perthshire’s woodlands are stunning at this time of year; the bare branches of the oaks make it easier to spot black grouse, while the evergreen pines add a dash of colour to the landscape. The Birnam Hill Path climbs through woods and across moorland to King’s Seat at 365m and Stair Bridge with magnificent views of Perth. walkhighlands.co.uk
Falkland and East Lomond, Fife
Distance: 7km
Require a change of gear after the lethargy of Christmas Day? This outstanding walk will deliver it. From the fetching village of Falkland, the route climbs sharply to the domed windswept summit of East Lomond for views across the Forth estuary, followed by a descent through an undercut behind a waterfall. walkhighlands.co.uk
Arbirlot Falls, Arbroath, Angus
Distance: 7km
The diminutive Elliot Water is your companion for this family-friendly walk though Angus countryside. The route is easy-going and tracks the line of a disused railway. It leads to the 8m-high Arbirlot Falls and takes in the stout sandstone St Marnock’s Kirk. visitangus.com/arbirlot-falls
Stromness & Warebeth, Orkney
Distance: 6.5km
Orkney has few rivals for coastal drama and this walk is superb in winter, while you are never far from the cosy cafés of Stromness. The route follows a good coastal path out of town, with views across Scapa Flow and the brooding, Arctic-like Hoy Hills before reaching Warebeth cemetery, almost overhanging the sea. orkney.com
Howmore South Uist, Outer Hebrides
Distance: 16km
With 40km of unbroken beach to explore, South Uist’s Atlantic west coast is perfect for a bounding leg-stretcher. This route follows sandy shores and wind-pummelled dunes north from the township of Daliburgh. Waves crash on the beach, seabirds arrow past: you could only be on the north-west edge of the UK. visitouterhebrides.co.uk
Hamnavoe, Shetland
Distance: 4.5km
This is one of Shetland’s easier coastal routes, connecting the picturesque Meal Sands and the shingle beach of Urmlee and later exploring the narrow alleyways of Hamnavoe. The path follows low cliffs and takes in Norse remains, while the ascents gain enough height to take in the island of Foula to the west. shetland.org
More on Winter Walks
Wales
Angle Peninsula, Pembrokeshire
Distance: 5km (with short cut)/14km
This is an elegiac walk along the lip of Milford Haven as you follow the wind-smoothed whale-backs of the Old Red Sandstone coastline from the village of Angle. The sheltered east-facing bays are home to thousands of wintering wading birds and the inland backdrop is infilled with medieval strip cultivation. pembrokeshirecoast.wales
Source of the River Severn & Hafren Forest, Mid-Wales
Distance: 13km
The spring of the magnificent Severn is one of the most accessible river sources to reach. It is an unrelenting climb, but the path is good and much of the route is sheltered by woodland. The reward is the Narnia-like pool on the plateau of the Pumlumon Massif, where the river begins. visitmidwales.co.uk
Aberglaslyn & Beddgelert, Snowdonia
Distance: 5.6km
A good choice for a lower-level walk in Snowdonia, passing through ancient woodland, across magnificent mountain scenery and then rubbing shoulders with the spectacular Aberglaslyn gorge. Finish in the village of Beddgelert with a warming drink. nationaltrust.org.uk
Barmouth, Snowdonia
Distance: 9km
The coast along the western fringes of Snowdonia is delectable and perfect for a Boxing Day stroll. This walk takes in the estuarine landscape around the seaside resort of Barmouth as well as woodlands and expanses of farmland. Views extend across the Llŷn Peninsula and the Mawddach estuary. visitsnowdonia.info/barmouth-circular-walk
Blorenge, Abergavenny
Distance: 5km
Sugar Loaf may be the honeypot climb in the eastern Brecon Beacons but its neighbour Blorenge, to the south of Abergavenny, is less trodden and strikingly beautiful. The walk from Keepers Pond contours to the summit with views of the Usk Valley far below and glimpses of the Severn estuary and Black Mountains. breconbeacons.org/route/keepers-pond-to-blorenge
Aberystwyth & Constitution Hill
Distance: 6km
Constitution Hill provides a spectacular and uninterrupted panorama of Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay, but you have to earn the right to the view, as it is a sharp climb from sea level. The pay-off is that, on a clear day, with the aid of a camera obscura, you can see 26 mountain peaks spanning much of the length of Wales. walescoastpath.gov.uk
Llanrhidian to Cheriton, Gower Peninsula
Distance: 14km
This pleasant walk ambles along a northerly section of the Gower coast path as it skirts the marshy backwaters of the peninsula. You may spot ponies here, up to their haunches in seawater, patiently waiting for an ebbing tide. Explore Llanrhidian’s 13th-century church and the medieval manor house of Weobley Castle. visitswanseabay.com
Newport Wetlands, South Wales
Distance: 4.5km
Don’t be discouraged by the dystopian nature of the beginning of this walk, where forbidding pylons and factory chimneys stand guard. Soon you are alternating between bird-rich woodlands and dreamy views of the Severn estuary. Time the walk for late in the day and you may well take in the drama of a starling murmuration. rspb.org.uk
Northern Ireland
Minnowburn to Belfast
Distance: 7km
Belfast is ringed by a wealth of accessible nature and at this time of year the pick of it may be the woodlands and meadows of Minnowburn. The towering stems of beech trees, with their wintry, silvery grey bark, take on a haunted look. Follow the River Lagan back to the city centre. nationaltrust.org.uk
Hare’s Gap, near Newcastle, Mourne Mountains
Distance: 7km
This walk yields deep mountain views for relatively little effort. Hare’s Gap may be easily reached but it is the most dramatic pass in the Mournes, squeezing past sheer precipices and offering a panorama of peaks including Slieve Bearnagh, one of the most picturesque Mourne summits. walkni.com
