Wales
Castell Dinas Brân, Valle Crucis Abbey and the Llangollen canal, Denbighshire
Starting at the bridge over the River Dee at Llangollen, climb up to the haunting ruins of the 13th-century Dinas Brân hill fort for panoramic views of the countryside and the Cistercian Valle Crucis Abbey. Return along the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union Canal, built by Thomas Telford to link Mid Wales and Shropshire with the River Mersey.
Aber Falls and the North Wales Path, Gwynedd
This walk visits the spectacular Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls), where the Afon Goch falls 120m into the valley below. An impressive section of the North Wales Path – also part of the North Wales Pilgrims’ Way – opens up spectacular views over to Anglesey, Puffin Island and along the coast towards the limestone headland of the Great Orme and beyond.
Teifi marshes nature reserve, Pembrokeshire
From the bustling market town of Cardigan, this circular route follows the River Walk along the River Teifi and passes through Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, one of the best wetland reserves in Wales. It covers
265 acres and includes many different types of habitat, which can be explored following specially marked themed trails – why not take a diversion to visit the curlew, mallard or kingfisher hides?
Tintern and Offa’s Dyke, Gwent
Starting out on the riverside path, this lovely walk gives a taste of the beauty to be found in the Wye Valley. Following part of the Offa’s Dyke Path leads to an amazing viewpoint down to the ruins of 12th-century Tintern Abbey below. The Offa’s Dyke Path is the only national trail to follow a man-made feature. Built by Offa, King of Mercia between 757 and 796AD, the dyke formed a rough boundary between the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia and the Welsh kingdom of Powys.
Scotland
Dunblane to Ashfield along the river, Stirling
Follow the riverside path along Allan Water, keeping an eye out for birds including river dippers (robin-sized birds with white breasts) as you go. Pretty gardens on the way to Laigh Hills Public Park are a good spot for children to stop off to enjoy the playground on the way to the quiet hamlet of Ashfield. On the return leg, you can explore Dunblane Cathedral and look out for the gold post box commemorating the Olympic victory of local hero Andy Murray.
Crinan Canal Argyll & Bute
A relaxed, linear walk along the canal (often called the most beautiful shortcut in Scotland) between Crinan and Ardrishaig. Enjoy watching the boats saunter by as you pass some of Scotland’s best scenery, looking out for wildlife including butterflies, herons and even otters. Helping to open and close the 15 locks along the way can make for a fun addition to this superb walk.
Perth city walk along the banks of the River Tay Perth and Kinross
A pleasant stroll along the banks of the Tay through Perth, crossing over Moncrieffe Island. Wander through Norie-Miller Park, home to wildlife, gardens and art, including a number of sculptures along the east bank of the river. There are also plenty of benches on which to sit and enjoy the views.
Gynack Mill, Cairngorms
This short, easy walk follows the picturesque wooded banks of Gynack Burn, exploring the history of the town of Kingussie, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Follow in the footsteps of the Treasure Island author Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent his holidays in Kingussie in the 1880s, sailing paper boats on the burn.
England
Wadebridge, Cornwall
The River Camel rises on Bodmin Moor and flows for 30 miles to Padstow. One of its loveliest portions runs through the attractive town of Wadebridge on the north Cornwall coast. This circular walk from Wadebridge follows a section of the Camel Trail along lovely woodland paths and quiet roads, where you might spot birds including the pied wagtail, common sandpiper, greenshank and blue tit.
Dulverton and Hawkridge loop, Somerset
A statue of literary heroine Lorna Doone will greet you at the start of this walk from Dulverton on the southern edge of the Exmoor National Park. The stroll through the surrounding wooded valley will reward walkers with sightings of three Iron Age hill forts and fine views over the River Barle.
A walk round Greenwich, London
A delightful wander around Greenwich with stunning views of the City of London, the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf. Originally a Saxon village called Green Wic – wic meaning port – Greenwich has always been a place where boats were tied up. This walk explores the area’s rich history, passing many historic landmarks, including the former Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark, one of the last tea clippers to be built, in 1869.
A circular walk from Trent Lock, Derbyshire
Starting at Trent Lock, a major waterway junction where rivers and canals meet, this is an almost flat walk on paths and along a quiet lane, all without stiles. There are lots of birds, large skies and wonderful water scenery in the shape of rivers, canals and ponds.
River Stour, Suffolk
This delightful out-and-back stroll along the River Stour, on the border between Suffolk and Essex, takes in the landscape famously captured by John Constable in his painting of Flatford Mill. The walk returns via the beautiful town of Dedham.
Thrupp, Oxfordshire
A lovely short walk along the towpath from the hamlet of Thrupp, exploring part of the Oxford Canal and the banks of the River Cherwell. The start and end point of Annie’s Tea Room is a perfect spot for a cuppa. Look out for the ghostly remains of Hampton Gay Manor, gutted by a fire in 1887. One of Oxfordshire’s many “lost villages”, Hampton Gay was once the site of a paper mill, which closed the same year the manor house burnt down.
Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire
This is one of a series of routes along Warwickshire’s Centenary Way. Starting from Kingsbury village, the route follows the Heart of England Way before returning via the River Tame. The name is thought to mean “Dark River” – it has the same derivation as other famous English rivers, such as the Thames, the Teme and the Tamar. You will also pass some beautiful pools in Kingsbury Water Park, which is popular with birdwatchers.
Crackpot Hall, North Yorkshire
A beautiful, circular walk through the tranquil landscape of the Yorkshire Dales. Beginning in the tiny village of Muker, follow the banks of the River Swale through the picturesque town of Keld to the spectacular and dramatic waterfall at Kisdon Force. The route follows the course of a historic path once used to transport dead bodies to the nearest consecrated ground – hence its chilling name, “the Corpse Road”.
River Otter, Devon
This pretty walk starts and ends along the Otter, with a climb up onto the colourful heathland of Mutter’s Moor and a stretch of the coast path to Budleigh Salterton inbetween. A short but steep detour up a path to High Peak will reward you with stunning views out to sea and over the dramatic red rock needles in Ladram Bay.
The River Lea, London
A short, peaceful walk along the River Lea and into the Bow Ecology Park – a former ironworks, shipyard and coal wharf turned into a wildlife haven in the urban environment. Spring is a great time for spotting some of the rare and unusual plant species in the area, such as the hairy buttercup, Walthamstow cress and unreel’s wormwood, which is thought to have been carried in by shipping.
Ringley and Clifton Industrial Heritage Trail, Greater Manchester
A surprisingly rural circular walk from Radcliffe along the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal, crossing over the Meccano Bridge at Nob End. The bridge was designed by the artist Liam Curtin, scaled up 10 times and assembled by local volunteers, as part of the project to restore the canal. The route also passes through the beautiful 48-acre Clifton Country Park in the Irwell Valley, where the lake has become an oasis for waterfowl and waders. Look out for kingfishers, herons and cormorants.
Forest of Bowland, Lancashire
A wander along the River Dunsop through the Forest of Bowland. A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bowland brims with wildlife and history – it hosts the UK’s largest breeding site for hen harriers, and is also home to merlins, short-eared owls and ring ouzels. The 17th-century Pendle witches accused of murder hailed from here, too. It’s also the home of the Whitendale Hanging Stones, which, according to Ordnance Survey, are at the epicentre of Great Britain and its outlying islands.
Ironbridge, Shropshire
A fascinating and varied walk following a stretch of the River Severn taking you past the major industrial monuments of the Ironbridge gorge and Coalbrookdale, as well as fine woodland, several museums and many pubs. Leave time to explore the rich history along the way.
Bramerton, Norfolk
A circular walk along the river through the beautiful Yare Valley, partly on the Wherryman’s Way. The 35-mile route, which opened in 2005, linking Norwich and Great Yarmouth, takes its name from the black-sailed vessels that were once a common sight on these waters. The walk visits St Mary’s Church, Surlingham with its Saxon round tower and the ruins of St Saviour’s Church (abandoned around 1705), where the much-loved naturalist Ted Ellis is buried.
Bellingham, Northumberland
This figure-of-eight walk from the town of Bellingham, on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, explores both banks of the River North Tyne and takes you along quiet lanes. Enjoy lovely views over the North Tyne Valley and back over Bellingham, before joining a brief stretch of the Pennine Way.
The Ramblers is campaigning to ensure that the neighbourhoods in which we live and work are designed to encourage walking. They have launched a new Charter for Walkable Neighbourhoods, calling on councillors to improve the urban environment for walkers – find out more at ramblers.org.uk/charter.