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Loop Trails in United Kingdom

There are 939 hikes in United Kingdom in our database that fit. They average 7.6 km and 167 m (548 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 209 km.

That is 33 percent of the 2,850 routes we map in United Kingdom. They are shorter than the local average, 7.6 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, 167 m (548 ft) against 447 m (1,467 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Circular routes: park once, finish where you started, and never walk the same section twice. The mix is broad: 649 are rated easy and 54 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day. A good share of them are loops, so you can park once and finish where you started.

Trails

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
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
Moderate

Hoof Trail, Castle Ward

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
12.2 km
/ 7.6 mi
Elevation gain
268 m
Typical duration
2 hr 56 min
  • Lake
  • Coastal
  • Forest
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
Expert

Borders Abbeys Way

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
108 km
/ 67.0 mi
Elevation gain
2,373 m
Typical duration
28 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Cateran Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
106 km
/ 65.7 mi
Elevation gain
2,325 m
Typical duration
28 hr
  • Long-distance path
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
Moderate

Loch A Choire Route

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
11.6 km
/ 7.2 mi
Elevation gain
255 m
Typical duration
2 hr 48 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
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

Jubilee Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

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

Isle of Wight Coastal Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
114 km
/ 71.1 mi
Elevation gain
2,516 m
Typical duration
30 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Milton Keynes Boundary Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
104 km
/ 64.3 mi
Elevation gain
2,277 m
Typical duration
27 hr
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Trail of the 7 Lochs

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
81.6 km
/ 50.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,795 m
Typical duration
21 hr
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Easy

Waterfall Way

Scotland · United Kingdom

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

Boundary Trail, Castle Ward

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
13.4 km
/ 8.3 mi
Elevation gain
295 m
Typical duration
3 hr 14 min
  • Coastal
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
Easy

Castle Ward Farm Trail, Castle Ward

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
93 m
Typical duration
1 hr 1 min
  • Lake
  • Castle and ruins
  • Wildlife watching
Easy

Coastal Path Walk, Mournes

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
3.4 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
74 m
Typical duration
49 min
  • Coastal
  • Mountain

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
Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Trail, Ullswater ValleyEngland6.8 km151 m1 hr 39 minModerateApril to October
Arran Coastal WayScotland104 km2,283 m27 hrExpertApril to October
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
Isle of Anglesey Coastal PathWales209 km4,602 m56 hrExpertApril to October
King Charles III England Coast Path: Walney IslandEngland26.0 km572 m6 hr 36 minHardApril to October
South West Coast Path (Avoiding Mansands Beach)England0.8 km18 m12 minEasyApril to October
South West Coast Path (Section 49: Isle of Portland Circuit)England22.0 km483 m5 hr 31 minHardApril 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 Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Trail, Ullswater Valley, Arran Coastal Way, Garn Fawr Viewpoint Walk, Pembroke. 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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