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Best Coastal Hikes in United Kingdom

There are 236 hikes in United Kingdom in our database that fit. They average 31.5 km and 694 m (2,277 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 285 km.

That is 8 percent of the 2,850 routes we map in United Kingdom. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 31.5 km against 20.3 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 694 m (2,277 ft) on average versus 447 m (1,467 ft) across the wider area.

Coastal walking is exposed, open and completely different in every wind direction. These routes keep the sea in view for most of their length. The mix is broad: 76 are rated easy and 129 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day.

Trails

Expert

Norfolk Coast Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
191 km
/ 119 mi
Elevation gain
4,196 m
Typical duration
51 hr
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Berwickshire Coastal Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
47.8 km
/ 29.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,052 m
Typical duration
12 hr
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Expert

Arran Coastal Way

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
104 km
/ 64.5 mi
Elevation gain
2,283 m
Typical duration
27 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Ayrshire Coastal Path

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
150 km
/ 93.0 mi
Elevation gain
3,294 m
Typical duration
40 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Fife Coastal Path

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
187 km
/ 116 mi
Elevation gain
4,113 m
Typical duration
50 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Moray Coast Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
73.9 km
/ 45.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,627 m
Typical duration
19 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Easy

Loughside Walk at Castle Ward

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
3.3 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
72 m
Typical duration
48 min
  • Lake
  • Coastal
  • Forest
Easy

Beach Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Lake
  • Coastal
  • Forest
Expert

Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path

Wales · United Kingdom

Distance
209 km
/ 130 mi
Elevation gain
4,602 m
Typical duration
56 hr
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Saxon Shore Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
262 km
/ 163 mi
Elevation gain
5,754 m
Typical duration
70 hr
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Columba Way on North FCP

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
59.4 km
/ 36.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,306 m
Typical duration
15 hr
  • Coastal

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Coast to Coast Walk (Richmond to Robin Hood’s Bay)England113 km2,490 m30 hrExpertApril to October
Coast to Coast Walk (Shap to Richmond)England84.0 km1,848 m22 hrExpertApril to October
Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap)England95.9 km2,110 m25 hrExpertApril to October
Norfolk Coast PathEngland191 km4,196 m51 hrExpertApril to October
Berwickshire Coastal PathEngland47.8 km1,052 m12 hrExpertApril to October
King Charles III England Coast Path: Southend-on-Sea to Wallasea IslandEngland59.1 km1,300 m15 hrExpertApril to October
Arran Coastal WayScotland104 km2,283 m27 hrExpertApril to October
Ayrshire Coastal PathScotland150 km3,294 m40 hrExpertApril to October
Fife Coastal PathScotland187 km4,113 m50 hrExpertApril to October
King Charles III England Coast Path: Bamburgh to Scottish BordersEngland61.1 km1,344 m16 hrExpertApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Coast to Coast Walk (Richmond to Robin Hood’s Bay), Coast to Coast Walk (Shap to Richmond), Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap). Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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