UK walks that take some effort but feel especially worthwhile

[Lizchaz]

Can you recommend places in the uk that are worth the walk.

We were in Scotland during the week and visited Grey Mares Tail nature reserve. We walked up the side of the waterfall and on to Loch Skeen. It was 15,000 steps there and back and we climbed the equivalent of 100 staircases. I'm not the fittest so was slow and found it hard going at times. The views we saw along the way and the sense of achievement when we returned was amazing.

Another walk we've done was in the Lake District. We walked from Rosthwaite up to Watendlath, along to surprise view, down by Lodore falls then back to Rosthwaite. Again fabulous views and a great sense of achievement.

it got me thinking that now I'm 50 I should appreciate my health and mobility and make the most of it while I can.

Please share your favourite walks that you feel involve some effort but are very worth it.

I've thought of another one from a couple of years ago. Rhiwagor waterfall in wales. It was very hard going up the side, but was amazing to see the different parts of the falls.

My favourite lake district walk is Loughrigg fell fromAmbleside https://share.google/BrwCC6JNSOwuvM9bs

Mam Tor is also gorgeous but gets so busy on sunny days that I've only done it in February!
https://share.google/9IV8l01ge0m9lgStj

The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail in North Yorkshire isn't very well known and rather spectacular. There is an entrance fee which is rather steep at £11 (!) each but it is on private land and very well maintained.

If you go in the spring you might catch the bluebells in flower.

One of my favourites

I walked from Dover to Deal today, about 22, 000 steps with some inclines and breathtaking views. Lots of benches and a few pubs on the way. It's on my doorstep so I do it quite often.

The West Highland Way in Scotland.

The walk in your OP is about 7 miles, with about 300 metres of ascent?

If you are looking for similar, try https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/walk-search.php On this page you can move the sliders to choose the length and difficulty of the walks and it will show you all the popular walks in Highlands region which fit your requirements.

I'm sure there are similar websites for other areas.

I actually did a Mam Tor ridge loop through Castleton and up through Cave Dale on Thursday. Mid week walk and started at 9am from the NT car park and I did the entire ridge part without seeing a soul.

I've also done Lourigg Fell (easier route) last June when my daughter was 3. She smashed it and I do get the sense of achievement element even on those types of walks, seeing her achieve an exciting challenge. She really loves walking and I want to encourage her as much as I can

I second the Castleton - Mam Tor - Cave Dale loop. I went mid-week on a sunny but cold day in March. It gets rammed during the summer. The Jacob’s Ladder - Kinder Scout circular, also in the Peak District is good too.

The Llanberis path is the ‘easy’ route up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is doable for most walkers, it’s relatively long and steep but it’s not technically difficult.

I also like the Four Waterfalls walk in the Brecon Beacons, or Pen-y-Fan which is in the same area.

I use an app called All Trails to find and follow routes. There is a free version which will help you identify walks, or a paid version which means you can download the maps and use GPS to follow the routes to ensure you don’t make a wrong turn!

What you need is 'She walks in England'. She has a blog and also does videos on social media.

In the Lakes:
Rannerdale Knotts from Buttermere
Halllin Fell from Howtown

High Cup Nick in Cumbria on the Pennine Way.

There's various routes. It is stunning.

Lattrig above Keswick is worth it. The pentland hills just south of edinburgh are good for walks of about what you did.

Lost Lad, Curbar Edge, Stanage Edge, all in the Peak District

Ullswater in the Lakes, take the Steamer to Howtown from Glenridding and then walk back.
Same area, park at Aira Force and walk up Gowbarrow Fell

It's lovely up by the seamark at St Margaret's isn't it? My parents' ashes are scattered there. Did you get the train back?

The Pembrokeshire coastal path is beautiful.

I misread your post as saying you’d walked it all ‘without seeing a Smurf’ and had to back and check where this walk was…

The Pentland Hills in Edinburgh. The views are just beautiful

The Fairfield Horseshoe is a good one in the Lakes. I also really loved the one to High Raise from Grasmere which is underrated but the high point has you walking up a slight slope at High Raise and then the whole of the Lake District just appears out of nowhere because it’s very central so you have an amazing 360 degree panorama.

Beadnell to Craster in Northumberland along the coast path - the views of Dunstanburgh Castle are great and there's a nice pub mid way.

Tenby to Manorbier on the Pembrokeshire path is pretty too.

Thank you all so much. Lots of options to look at. I really appreciate it.

The Fife costal path. My first and favourite. Done in parts over the years , Brilliant blue skies and sunshine every single time

Possibly longer than you wanted but the Dales Way is well worth the effort and not as strenuous as some of the other long distance paths.

This was a beautiful walk @Lizchaz Sadly I didn't get onto Sandaig beach as I was unwell (very anaemic) but I hope to go back one day and actually get there

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/kintail/Sandaig.shtml