Family Friendly Hikes in the UK

Are you looking for the perfect family hike? As a family we love hiking as it gets you outside in the fresh air, amongst beautiful scenery. You need nothing more than a pair of trainers or walking boots, a route, some water and snacks (absolutely vital with kids). Our family loves hikes with a bit of adventure – rocks, water, scrambling, climbing, stunning views – anything to keep up the interest!

In this post we and fellow family travel bloggers share some of our favourite family friendly hikes in the UK. With hikes in all areas of the UK, there is something for families with children of all ages.

FAMILY FRIENDLY HIKES IN THE UK

ENGLAND

STANTON MOR, PEAK DISTRICT by TraveLynn Family

Stanton Moor is one of our favourite family walks in the Peak District and is very doable for very little ones (our youngest first walked this unaided at 22 months old). It’s only 2 kilometres, circular, reasonably flat and has so much to explore – unusual stones, rocks to climb, woodland, open views and muddy puddles!

At the start of the walk is a large rock that looks like a corkscrew – it’s begging to be climbed by the grownups if you’re up for the challenge. The walk continues round to the left, however, we often like to take a detour down the old quarry to play amongst the boulders. A snack at the Nine Ladies Circle is standard; a Bronze Age circle used by the Druids. Enjoy the views over to Bakewell as you loop back round to the beginning.

If you vist over summer, the moors are covered in a thick blanket of purple heather. With the change of season, the heather turns to a rusty red. Just beautiful. 

JURASSIC COAST, DORSET by Kids and Compass

The Jurassic Coast stretches for 95 miles along the south-west coast of England, through the counties of Dorset and the eastern part of Devon. It’s designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it deserves its accolade! Dramatic sandstone and chalk cliffs line the shore, and the sea has carved some incredible features and gorgeous bays into the coastline.

While pretty much all of the Jurassic Coast is beautiful, personally, my favourite part is the walk between Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in Dorset.  It’s not too long a walk so it’s suitable for small children, although there’s quite a steep section at the start of the walk.  The hike takes you up above Lulworth Cove, where you’ll get a fantastic view back to Lulworth and out over the sea towards the Isle of Portland.

If you walk further you’ll arrive at two stunning bays after a couple of miles.  Man O’War Bay is the first and it looks almost Mediterranean in the right conditions.  It’s a gentle cove for the kids to relax in after their hike.  Next to it is one of England’s most famous sights – the beautiful arch of Durdle Door.  It’s a steep walk down to these beaches so make sure you’ve got suitable footwear on.  Visit the Jurassic Coast and it’s bound to become one of your favourite places!

DARTMOOR LAMA WALK, DEVON by The Family Freestylers

Head to Dartmoor to truly experience a hike with a difference that’s perfect for all the family.

Explore Dartmoor on gentle 2 hour guided hike with llamas and hot chocolate with Dartmoor Llama Walks. It’s a win win scenario, particularly with families with younger children (note children need to be of walking age – no riding on llamas I’m afraid).  Whilst your children are happy ensconced with their furry friend, absorb some of England’s most breathtaking scenery as the Tors of Dartmoor unfold before you.  Dartmoor has many faces from deep hidden gorges packed with mossy trees and raging rivers to vast moorland undulating for as far as the eye can see with rocky pinnacles punctuating the horizon.  Incredulously up here you can even spy the distant Atlantic beyond Torquay, only an hour away.

The easy 2 hour hike is over an otherworldly, endless moorland of broody hues and rising crags. Very Lord of Ring-esque. This is one of the most memorable hikes we have ever done. From the beaming smiles of everyone in the group (even the adults), to the wonderful peace and quiet as I contemplated the beautiful landscape (doesn’t happen very often on our hikes), to the gentleness of these humorous animals.

Teetering on central Dartmoor, just a stone’s throw from the tiny picturesque village of Poundsgate, this is the perfect Autumn or Winter adventure. Steve, local to the area, and the owner of Dartmoor Llama Walks with his wife Diane, is a wealth of information pointing out the Dartmoor tors on the horizon one by one. The popular Hot Chocolate Walks (2hrs) start in November whilst their half day (4 hr walks, min age 8) run all year round.

KINDER SCOUT, PEAK DISTRICT by Veggie Vagabonds

The Peak District will always have a special place in our hearts. Having both gone to University in Sheffield we spent a lot of our time in the Peaks discovering all of the hiking trails and natural wonders. There really are so many fantastic hikes in the area but our favourite and one that would be particularly enjoyable for children is Kinder Scout.

Kinder Scout is a moorland plateau that lies between Sheffield and Manchester. On a clear day you can see the beginnings of Manchester and on an even clearer day people say you can see North Wales.

The hike is best accessed from the surrounding villages of Hayfield or Edale although there are many routes which link to further afield locations. At a comfortable pace the hike will take roughly 4/5 hours so it’s the perfect opportunity to take your picnic along with you and eat surrounded by nature.

Along the walk from Hayfield you will pass the impressive Kinder Reservior and further into the hike you’ll come to Kinder Downfall, a looming waterfall that freezes over in the winter. When this happens local ice climbers scale the frozen wall and it really is a spectacle to watch!

This is a great hike to do with children as you really in such a naturally beautiful location but you also have the comfort of many close by towns. These towns, Edale particularly, have some fantastic attractions on their own and offer a perfect place for some food and a rest when you’ve finished hiking!

IRELAND

TOLLYMORE FOREST PARK by Live Less Ordinary

Found beneath the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, Tollymore Forest Park is definitely one of the more scenic walks of Northern Ireland, often taken on with various hiking options in this wild and mountainous region of the Mournes. Like many of Northern Ireland’s wild landscapes, the forest park has become well known as a filming destination for the Game of Thrones Franchise, with various scenes shot at different points throughout the conifer and broadleaf woodlands.

While there is a range of hiking options in the park, each individually led by different coloured arrow waymarkers, the popular “River Trail” would be best for beginners as it follows the Shimna River past the main sightseeing spots of the forest park. Including an old stone hermitage built into a river gorge, known as the Hermit’s Cave (1770’s), as well as one of the last stone bridges of the forest called Parnell’s Bridge (1842). Otherwise much of the fun is in criss crossing the river rapids, over bridges and stepping stones, and maybe stopping for a game of Poohsticks. There are also camping, parks and picnic facilities, at the main entrance to the park.

SCOTLAND

LOCH CORUISK – ISLE OF SKYE by Go Live Young

Loch Coruisk on Skye is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been! This remote loch surrounded by the Cuillin mountains, can only be accessed by boat or arduous trek. We opted for the former and took a boat ride from Elgol on the west coast of Skye. Once at Loch Coruisk, you can opt to hike around the loch, a fantastic walk in the heart of the Cuillins, with no need to climb any peaks.

The full circuit around the loch is 7 kilomters and takes between 3.5 to 4 hours. The path is rough and boggy, but worthwhile for the views. If this is too far, then it is still worth doing a short section to experience some amazing views of the loch and its surrounding mountains, and then retracing your footsteps. Make sure to take a picnic and sit and enjoy the views for a while.

THE FAIRY GLEN – ISLE OF SKYE by Go Live Young

Exploring the Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye is a magical experience. A bizarre and delightful miniature landscape of grassy, cone-shaped hills, a fascinating and out-of-this-world place to visit. Located on the Trotternish Peninsula in the north of Skye, it is easy to combine the Fairy Glen with other locations on the Peninsula.

The Fairy Glen has no real legends or stories involving fairies that can be found. It is simply the fact that the location is so unusual, hence the name Fairy Glen.

The Fairy Glen is small and easy to explore with kids of all ages. There are a series of paths to follow up the various hills. The highest point is Castle Ewan from which there are wonderful views across the whole area. People have built rock towers and circles within the Fairy Glen which adds to the magical feel.

This is a fantastic place to explore with kids as they can follow the many paths, climb the hills and the rocky promontory and look for fairies! Our boys declared it one of their favourite places on the whole of the Isle of Skye as they were free to run around and explore this fascinating landscape.

Read Also: Top 6 Family Friendly Hikes on Skye, in Scotland

WALES

LLYNNAU CREGENNEN, SNOWDONIA by Travel With Little One

One of our favourite family hikes in the UK is around Llynnau Cregennen, the Cregennen Lakes, in the southern part of the Snowdonia National Park.

It’s a great family hike because the scenery is absolutely outstanding, and it’s not too taxing on short young legs. It’s also a bit of an adventure getting there – the road up from the village of Arthog has four farm gates which you have to open and shut before you reach the car park at the top.

There are two lakes, the first of which has a tiny forested island on it. There is a waymarked trail around them – you can either do a ‘figure of eight’ circuit or a wider circuit around the two of them. Wherever you are, the views are breathtaking. The scree slopes of Tyrau Mawr are closest, while off to the left, about five miles away, is Cadair Idris, one of the great mountains of Wales.

You also come across a prehistoric standing stone, which may have been used as a waymarker in ancient times. It’s a good idea to keep a surprise up your sleeve until the last moment. Climb the hill on the north side of the car park, just behind the toilet block, for amazing view over the Mawddach river estuary, the town of Barmouth and its wooden railway bridge.

COASTAL PATH  – CEREDIGION by Family Edventures

The Ceredigion Coastal Path follows the glorious Cardigan Bay for 60 miles from Cardigan up to Ynys Las. This beautiful section of coastal path forms part of the Wales Coast Path which is an impressive 870 miles long!

A lovely hike for families is to start in New Quay at low tide (so you can walk along the beach) and walk the stunning 6.5 miles to the Georgian town of Aberaeron.

This section of the coastpath meanders through fields, past woodlands and waterfalls which plummet into the sea below. There’s a very good chance you’ll spot a dolphin or two before reaching the colourful coastal town of Aberaeron!

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can treat your hungry hikers to a well-deserved fish and chips and honey ice cream before catching the hourly bus back to New Quay!