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Hiking Trails Under 5 km in United Kingdom

There are 2,375 hikes in United Kingdom in our database that fit. They average 2.4 km and 53 m (174 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 5.0 km.

That is 50 percent of the 4,739 routes we map in United Kingdom. They are shorter than the local average, 2.4 km against 14.9 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 53 m (174 ft) against 327 m (1,073 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Short routes for a spare couple of hours, an evening walk, or a day when the weather only gives you a window. 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

Summit Trail, Belfast Area

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
4.4 km
/ 2.7 mi
Elevation gain
97 m
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Easy

Rogie Falls Riverside Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
31 m
Typical duration
20 min
  • Waterfall
  • River
  • Forest
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

Cascade Trail

Wales · United Kingdom

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
  • 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

Waterfall Way

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
78 m
Typical duration
52 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
Easy

Dumyat summit

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
2.5 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
55 m
Typical duration
36 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Panoramic viewpoint
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

Raven Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Coastal
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Wildlife watching
Easy

Red Trail, Mount Stewart

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
2.7 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
60 m
Typical duration
40 min
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
  • Wildlife watching
Easy

Beach Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

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

River Walk at Wallington

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.4 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
74 m
Typical duration
49 min
  • Lake
  • River
  • Forest
Easy

Barnhill Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Panoramic viewpoint

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
Pen Anglas Headland Walk, PembrokeWales1.2 km27 m18 minEasyApril to October
Summit Trail, Belfast AreaNorthern Ireland4.4 km97 m1 hr 4 minEasyApril to October
The Legendary Trail of Dinas Emrys, CraflwynWales1.6 km36 m24 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

If you only have time for one, start with Pen Anglas Headland Walk, Pembroke, Summit Trail, Belfast Area, King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head: Emsworth Low Tide Alt 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

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