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Easy Hiking Trails in England

1,032 routes in England qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 2.9 km and 65 m (213 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.5 km.

That is 50 percent of the 2,073 routes we map in England. They are shorter than the local average, 2.9 km against 21.7 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 65 m (213 ft) against 476 m (1,562 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Easy routes keep both distance and climbing modest, so they work for a first day in a new area, for family groups, or for a half day when the weather is uncertain. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area. A good share of them are loops, so you can park once and finish where you started.

Trails

Easy

Green Chain Walk section 2

England · United Kingdom

Distance
5.5 km
/ 3.4 mi
Elevation gain
122 m
Typical duration
1 hr 20 min
  • Forest
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Easy

link to Abbey Wood station

England · United Kingdom

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
17 m
Typical duration
11 min
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Peak Pilgrimage

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Mountain
  • Pilgrimage route
Easy

Yorkshire Wolds Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
30 m
Typical duration
20 min
Easy

Capital Ring (Section 02)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
128 m
Typical duration
1 hr 24 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Capital Ring (Section 07)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
6.3 km
/ 3.9 mi
Elevation gain
138 m
Typical duration
1 hr 31 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Capital Ring (Section 13)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
6.0 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
133 m
Typical duration
1 hr 28 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Capital Ring (Section 14)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
6.4 km
/ 4.0 mi
Elevation gain
141 m
Typical duration
1 hr 33 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Capital Ring (Section 15)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
6.1 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
135 m
Typical duration
1 hr 29 min
  • Waymarked route

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
Green Chain Walk section 2England5.5 km122 m1 hr 20 minEasyApril to October
King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Alt Route via WarblingtonEngland1.9 km42 m28 minEasyApril to October
King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Bosham Inland RouteEngland0.7 km16 m11 minEasyApril to October
King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Emsworth Low Tide Alt RouteEngland0.8 km17 m11 minEasyApril to October
King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Inland Route to Itchenor FerryEngland1.1 km25 m17 minEasyApril to October
King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Thorney Island BypassEngland1.5 km33 m22 minEasyApril to October
South West Coast Path (Avoiding Mansands Beach)England0.8 km18 m12 minEasyApril to October
South West Coast Path (Staddon Lane Alternative Route)England0.8 km18 m12 minEasyApril to October
South West Coast Path (alternative route)England0.9 km20 m13 minEasyApril to October
Buttermere to Rannerdale Walk, North Lakes OutdoorsEngland4.6 km102 m1 hr 7 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Thorney Island Bypass, King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Emsworth Low Tide Alt Route, King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Inland Route to Itchenor Ferry. 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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