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Family-Friendly Hikes in United Kingdom

1,495 routes in United Kingdom qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 2.9 km and 64 m (210 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.5 km.

That is 52 percent of the 2,850 routes we map in United Kingdom. They are shorter than the local average, 2.9 km against 20.3 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 64 m (210 ft) against 447 m (1,467 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. 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

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
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

North Down Coastal Path

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
4.0 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
88 m
Typical duration
58 min
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Ben Lomond Viewpoint

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
71 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Loch Morlich Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
124 m
Typical duration
1 hr 21 min
  • Lake
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Lough Trail, Belfast Area

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
31 m
Typical duration
20 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Easy

Duchess Cave and Cave Crag

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
2.2 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
100 m
Typical duration
37 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
  • Cave
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

Barnhill Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Forest
Easy

Jubilee Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
26 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Forest

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
Garn Fawr Viewpoint Walk, PembrokeWales1.2 km26 m17 minEasyApril to October
Loughside Walk at Castle WardNorthern Ireland3.3 km72 m48 minEasyApril to October
Beach TrailScotland2.4 km52 m34 minEasyApril to October
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

If you only have time for one, start with Garn Fawr Viewpoint Walk, Pembroke, King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Alt Route via Warblington, King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Bosham Inland Route. 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

Related guides

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