Top 10 UK Walks

1. High Willhays and Yes Tor, North Dartmoor

The High Willhays and Yes Tor walk in North Dartmoor provides an excellent route for those wishing to test out their map reading skills whilst walking through some scenic countryside. Set alongside an MOD base, it's important to be careful during this walk. However, detailed pre-walk planning should make for an enjoyable afternoon's walking.

Name and location of walking route: High Willhays and Yes Tor, North Dartmoor

Walk distance: 7.5 miles (12km)

Total walking ascent: 0.22 miles (360m)

Duration of walk: Four to five hours

Terrain of walk: Open rolling moorland with some footpaths to follow but they can be faint or non-existent. Great terrain for practicing your walking navigation skills!

2. Pen-y Fan via Cribyn, Brecon Beacons

The Pen-y-Fan via Cribyn walking route in the Brecon Beacons offers a testing climb in parts to walkers but also provides a very scenic and enjoyable amble. This is a fine walk to test out your leg muscles, as well as your navigation skills.

Name and location of walking route: Pen-y-Fan via Cribyn, Brecon Beacons

Walking distance: 7.5 miles (12km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.46 miles (740m)

Duration of walk: Five hours

Terrain of this walk: Well trodden footpaths offer the novice hill walker a great opportunity to practice their navigation skills. Much of the route is over fairly easy ground apart from the short but very steep slog up Cribyn but the views from the top are more than worth the effort.

3. Wooltrack Point to Marloes, Pembrokeshire

This walk from Wooltrack Point to Marloes in Pembrokeshire offers some stunning coastal scenery along the beaches of Wales. It is an easy-going, gentle walk that proves a great introduction to the world of hiking. Here's the realbuzz.com guide on planning your walking route.

Name and location of walking route: Wooltrack Point to Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Walking distance: 7 miles (11km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.26 miles (415m)

Duration of walk: Four hours

Terrain of walk: This walking route follows the well marked and trodden Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and small country tracks. The going is fairly steady without too much ascent and it is an ideal opportunity for those new to hiking to hone their navigation skills.

4. Fox Inn to Hathersage via Stanage Edge, Peak District

The Fox Inn to Hathersage via Stanage Edge in the Peak District offers stunning moorland scenery and starts and ends with a pub. It is a great walking route to ease yourself into hill walks but is a bit muddy so you might want to bring some sturdy walking boots.

Name and location of walking route: Fox Inn to Hathersage via Stanage Edge, Peak District

Distance of walk: 6.4 miles (10.3km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.14 miles (233m)

Duration of walk: Three to four hours

Terrain of this walk: Obvious well trodden paths which can be rocky and muddy. Some steep climbing followed by walking on open moorland with stunning views. There are also some small sections on quiet roads. Remember to take care walking on roads, walk on the side facing oncoming traffic, make sure you are highly visible and at night carry a torch.

5. Helvellyn via Birkside Gill, Lake District

The Helvellyn via Birkside Gill walk in the Lake District offers a more challenging hill walk through some mountainous terrain. It is a beautiful walk that passes through some stunning settings. However, it is perhaps best attempted by serious hikers or others who are quite fit already.

Name and location of walking route: Helvellyn via Birkside Gill, Lake District

Distance of walk: 6.52 miles (10.5km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.59 miles (948m)

Duration of walk: Five hours

Terrain of this walk: Initially steep climbing either in or alongside Birkside Gill, quickly gives way to more gentle slopes until the summit and a gentle walking descent back to the start.

6. Cromer to Felbrig, Norfolk

A leisurely three hour walk with sea views, a pub, a stately home, wildlife, flowers and great views. This is a circular route starting from the village of Cromer situated on the North Norfolk Coast. The route itself covers parts of two long distance paths, Weavers Way and the Norfolk Coastal Path.

Name and location of walking route: Cromer to Felbrig, Norfolk

Distance of walk: 5.47 miles (8.8km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.08 miles (130m)

Duration of walk: Three hours

Terrain of this walk: With only 0.08 miles (130m) of climbing on well marked paths covering a mixture of woodland and open fields. This is a very leisurely and enjoyable walk, well suited to novice walkers wanting to concentrate their energies on map reading and navigating rather than slogging up steep hills!

7. Sgurr Mor Horseshoe, North West Highlands

The Sgurr Mor Horseshoe walking route takes in the summit of Sgurr Mor at 0.69 miles (1,110m) but also the two neighboring Munros, making it a worthwhile day out. There is rough and steep ground to cover in places which will really test your physical fitness, but this gives way to long sustained periods of easy movement over sweeping ridges and jaw dropping scenery, making it one of the best walks on the North West Highlands.

Name and location of walking route: Sgurr Mor Horseshoe, North West Highlands

Distance of walk: 11.8 miles (19km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.73 miles (1180m)

Duration of walk: Seven to eight hours

Terrain of this walk: A mixture of well trodden paths and pathless terrain, but covering steep ground, this route is a tough test not only for your physical fitness but you navigational fitness too!

8. Beinn Dearg Mhor via Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach, Skye

Walkers will love Beinn Dearg Mhor on the Isle of Skye. Although is not the biggest of mountains that you could face, it more than makes up for it with the quality of scenery to be enjoyed. Set in the Red Cuillins, this walking route allows you to savor the magic of Skye without the need for extreme mountaineering skills. This is one of the most enjoyable walks in the UK.

Name and location of walking route: Beinn Dearg Mhor via Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach, Skye

Distance of walk: 6.52 miles (10.5km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.57 miles (923m)

Duration of walk: Three to four hours

Terrain of this walk: The route follows a series of unexposed ridges and well trodden paths in the heart of the Red Cuillin. The route is physically demanding with an ascent of just over 0.56 miles (900m) but is a real test to how far your navigational and hiking skills have come. A word of warning, there are many loose scree slopes to be found in the Red Cuillin which not only sap your energy but can pose a serious risk of ankle injury. Make sure proper hill walking footwear is worn.

9. Cadair Idris via the Pony Path, Southern Snowdonia

Cadair Idris is an alternative walk for those heading to the Snowdonia National Park. Located in the south of the National Park, it offers a quieter time for walkers who want a gentler introduction into what Snowdonia has to offer, rather than the obvious walk up Mount Snowdon itself.

Name and location of walking route: Cadair Idris via the Pony Path, Southern Snowdonia.

Distance of walk: 4.35 miles (7km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.45 miles (729m)

Duration of walk: Three to four hours

Terrain of this walk: Easy going walking underfoot on well trodden and well marked paths. Even in poor visibility the route can be followed using the small cairns marking the way.

10. Waterfalls and Cave Walking, North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire provides some stunning opportunities for walking and cave walking. This excellent walking route takes in the village of Langcliffe, and climbs up the moors for views of the Three Peaks. You can then head for the spectacular Catrigg Force waterfall, and then into the limestone cliffs above Settle.

Name and location of walking route: Waterfalls and Cave Walking, North Yorkshire

Distance of walk: 5.59 miles (9km)

Total ascent of walk: 0.29 miles (448m)

Duration of walk: Three to four hours

Terrain of this walk: Walking on well trodden paths without too much in the way of an ascent means that you can kick back and really enjoy this exciting and adventurous walk! This walk provides a great opportunity to master the skills of map reading on an enjoyable and physically undemanding route.