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.

How do people manage toilet stops, trouble with the country side is there dont seem to be any

Its not too bad if you're in woods/forest but if you're out on open land/fields, theres no where to go

Pendle Hill

There are so many that this will get very scattergun.

Would you be better to break it down into walks you can access as a day trip from your location (you can be reasonably vague).

And places you might want to visit in order to walk? Combining a few different walks over several days.

We live in a beautiful country. There are thousands of great walks. I could recommend dozens in north east Scotland but it's not that helpful if you are based in Essex. Even from the Borders it's a long way.

On not too far from the first you described, Embleton to Craster in Northumberland is one of my favourites (or the other way to Low Newton). And I'd second the Fife coastal path.

We did a good 10 mile walk up to Top Withens from Haworth.

I think you learn to care less. I've wee'd behind rocks where i know people could see me from other hills, I've wee'd with other women providing a screen and I've wee'd in a group with women in the complete open. Countryside rules are if you catch sight of someone else weeing you pretend you didn't.

A truly beautiful, peaceful place. I started about half 7 then grabbed a bus from Deal at 12 30. So about 4 to 5 hours walking with lots of sitting on benches drinking flask tea. Absolute bliss 😄

The hermitage near Dunkeld is a lovely walk, the path is well maintained, it’s a world heritage site and there are some stunning views. Lots of other walks around Dunkeld house hotel ( big tree country) out to a loch where the Ospreys nest or along the Tay into Birnam.

Croyde to Morthoe in North Devon. Stunning coastal paths, stop in Woolacombe for a spot of lunch!

I have a she wee but rarely use it.

Malham cove - Gordale Scar circular https://www.daleswalks.co.uk/walks/gordale-scar-and-malham-cove/

Lots in Calderdale https://www.visitcalderdale.com/visitor-information/walking-in-calderdale/

Snowdon via the main path is a long walk but not technical (boots are preferable though as there are some stoney sections) takes approx 4 hours up 3 hours down with medium fitness including primary aged children in the party, only downside is weather can be terrible, couldn’t see much at all and driving rain (you need waterproof clothing). Kinderscout or mam tor in the Peak District are of similar level, you don’t need to be super fit but are a sense of achievement getting to the top, use a paper map (and waterproof map holder) for added sense of accomplishment, not having to resort to your phone to work out where you are!

Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay
probably quite gentle in the scheme of things . Lovely walk though .

I work on the principle that if no-one would bat an eyelid at a man pissing somewhere, then there's no reason I shouldn't do so too. I'm quick and relatively discrete, but couldn't care less if someone clocks what I'm doing or gets a flash of my bum. Makes life so much easier.

Is there a local ramblers club you can join, or there are dedicated walking holiday companies.

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays/walking-holidays?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&mh_matchtype=p&mh_keyword=walking%20holidays%20uk&mh_adgroupid=184266306232&mh_network=g&mh_campaignid=22879566941&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22879566941&gbraid=0AAAAADprRKeSKOXwHJYStrk0r52xq5dwu&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu8_T5t37kwMVi5RQBh3ajQetEAAYBCAAEgInUPD_BwE

For a slightly different perspective, have a look at which long distance trails go near your house (they'll be marked on the OS map). You can plan to section hike the whole thing, so even fairly small walks close to home are part of a bigger project (useful for keeping the habit up during periods of bad weather or high stress).

This has been really good for keeping our family going at walking and it's one of the best things we've done as a family.

Cwm Idwal in Snowdonia is always a lovely walk and there’s the optional Devil’s Kitchen route halfway round that is well worth the climb!

Can be very busy though and not sure about availability of parking these days, as you can’t park on the road around it any more.

Any of the 3 Yorkshire peaks!

I agree there are 1000s of walks all over UK

I have completed several long distance walks in a group.
I have done lots of day walks

From extremes of Munro bagging in Scotland & staying in remote bothies. Compared to a lovely beach walk looking for fossils.

Yesterday I dud a coastal walk that ended in a bluebell wood & a pub lunch.

Prepare for 4 types of weather in 1 day to occur

You could start by walking disused railway tracks, there are several in the UK that have been turned into walks.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

We're always looking for somewhere new to travel for a long weekend or mid week break. It's a while since we've been to Cumbria and there are a lot of suggestions for there. I can start planning for September and October.