While overseas holidays to limited destinations are now an option, if you’re planning a summer staycation, why not consider a UK walking holiday?

England and Wales have 16 long-distance trails, while Scotland has a further 29 Great Trails, encompassing mountain passes, gently sloping valleys, and jagged clifftops. They are a great way to experience the beautiful countryside and awe-inspiring landscapes the British Isles has to offer while keeping fit too.

They all offer unique challenges but remember that you don’t necessarily have to conquer the whole route in one go. You might tackle a small section or plan a series of circular routes, using the trail as a base to explore further afield.

Here is a look at five of the best trails to consider for a summer getaway.

1. West Highland Way

One of 29 routes that make up the nearly 2,000 miles of Scotland’s Great Trails, the West Highland Way stretches 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William.

Travelling south to north is recommended, building up the stamina and expertise needed to conquer some of the northern half’s more challenging stages. These include the Kingshouse to Kinlochleven section.

Here, you’ll begin at a filming location for the James Bond film Skyfall before ascending the Devil’s Staircase to the highest point on the West Highland Way, Buachaille Etive Mor. At its 550-metre peak, you’ll find a cairn and breathtaking views towards the Mamores mountains.

Elsewhere, you’ll walk along the banks of Loch Lomond, through ancient woodland and past plummeting waterfalls. Keep an eye out too for ospreys and golden eagles. As you approach the endpoint at Fort William, you’ll pass the country’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis.

2. Hadrian’s Wall Path

Still in the north, but at the easier end of the walking holiday spectrum, is a trail steeped in history. The 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall path runs coast-to-coast from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway, tracking the path of the famous Roman wall.

Constructed in the 2nd century AD, Hadrian’s Wall is a Unesco world heritage site. While only a few sections of the Wall are still visible today, the route is dotted with Roman forts and museums offering a glimpse into a fascinating period of history.

Back in the present, aside from a hilly section around the halfway point, you’ll find a gently undulating path suitable for those of average fitness. Travel open moorland and keep an eye out for the wildlife at the Solway salt marshes.

3. Cotswold Way

The Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) is famous for its distinctive stone buildings and quaint market towns and villages.

The trail covers the full length of the Cotswolds, running for just over 100 miles from Chipping Campden down to the city of Bath. From Sudeley Castle and Broadway Tower to the Roman Baths of the Unesco world heritage site, you’ll find historical monuments all along the route.

Other points of interest include the Neolithic burial chamber at Belas Knap and the Cistercian Hailes Abbey, founded in 1246.

From rolling farmland to beech woodland and wildflower meadows, the beautiful scenery is captivating, more than making up for the frequency of steep climbs. They do, however, mean that you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness if you intend to complete the whole route.

4. South Downs Way

The 100-mile long South Downs Way will take you east from the historic city of Winchester to Britain’s highest chalk cliff at Beachy Head. This marks the full width of the South Downs AONB.

Explore the medieval cathedral of Winchester then head toward Devil’s Dyke. At a mile-long, the valley is the longest, deepest, and widest “dry valley” in the UK and is said to have been dug by the Devil himself.

Elsewhere along the route, you’ll pass over the head of the Long Man of Willington and close to the White Horse of Wilmington. You’ll also find the series of chalk cliffs known collectively as the Seven Sisters.

Following ancient droveways along the narrow chalk ridge of the Downs, the walk provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. Without ever being too far from civilization, you’ll feel the tranquillity of leaving the busyness of life behind.

From chalk rivers to grasslands and beautiful ancient woodland you’ll find magnificent wildlife is always close by too.

5. South West Coast Path

Arguably the UK’s toughest long-distance walk, the South West Coast Path is a National Trail that clocks in at 630 miles.

Beginning at Minehead in Somerset, the path follows the whole of the South West peninsula, taking you along the North Devon coast to Cornwall and from there back through South Devon to Dorset. Your epic trek will end at Poole Harbour.

Tackling the route in one go will take approximately eight weeks but why not pick a smaller section and explore at a more leisurely pace?

From the stunning beaches of North Devon to the rugged cliffs of Cornwall and the Jurassic Coast, you’ll pass through stunning resort towns, quaint fishing villages and expansive views out across the Bristol and English Channels.