Best places for outdoor adventures in the UK
-
If you click a link with an * and buy from a company’s website, I may receive a small payment, at no extra cost to you.
This is what helps me fund the Outdoor Girl site, and keeps it free to use with no annoying pop up adverts.
There are a couple of crucial things you need to know about this:
It never impacts my content or recommendations. If it’s in, it’s something I genuinely think will be helpful
I only link to other sites that I like, know, or trust (ones that I would be happy to use myself)
There will be no extra cost to you if you buy via one of these links
For a more detailed explanation, please see my policy on affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links.
The Cantilever Stone on the Glyders, Eryri (Snowdonia)
I love the variety of landscapes we have in mainland UK. Want mountains? We’ve got the Lake District, Wales, and the Scottish Highlands. Fancy the coast? We’re surrounded by the sea and have around 11,000 miles of coastline. Looking for wild and remote moorland? We have plenty of that too.
It’s great because we can choose the what type of adventures we have. But I get it, where on earth do you start when you’re looking for inspiration? That’s why I decided to share 12 of my favourite places for an outdoor adventure. Do one a month and that’s a full year of adventure planned out 🙌
Before I get going though, I wanted to let you know that at the bottom of this post, I’ve also added links to other articles that share even more ideas and information. I’ve also written a whole series of blog posts that cover every single county in England.
12 of my favourite places for outdoor adventure in the UK
I thought long and hard about how to list the places - by season, by fun factor, or something else?
Instead, I figured it would be easier for you if they were in some kind of geographical order, so went with Scotland, England, and Wales.
Favourite outdoor adventures in Scotland
Ok, I’m going admit something here. When I first thought about writing this blog post, it seemed like a fun way of sharing a few fab adventures. Then I began thinking of all the places I’ve been and realised I’d given myself a tough job.
Pretty much everywhere I’ve been in Scotland has been amazing! So these are some lesser shared places and, if you want to explore more, this link gives you the search results for Scotland on my blog 😉
1. Cycling around Loch Ossian, Corrour
At 408m above sea level, Corrour in the Scottish Highlands is the highest mainline railway station in the UK. It’s only accessible by train or a twenty-mile walk / bike ride. The good news is that you can easily get a train from Fort William, taking approximately an hour. You can also get the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Corrour.
We booked our bikes on the train from Fort William then cycled down to Loch Ossian Hostel before circumnavigating the loch. The tracks were wide and well maintained, so it was a relatively easy 9 mile pedal in a setting that felt very remote, surrounded by incredible mountains.
The Corrour Station House was a great place to stop for food and drink - but it’s not open in the winter months. Double check the opening times if you’re planning on eating there as it’s the only place you’ll find.
>> See Loch Ossian circuit on the Walk Highlands website (you can walk or cycle the route)
2. Walking up Beinn Resipol on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula
During a week away on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, staying at Resipole campsite, we decided to walk up the local mountain. Beinn Resipol is on the western edge of the Highlands and, at 845m is classed as a Corbett.
The walk was around 7.25 miles there and back, but it was a long day out due to terrain and elevation. The path to the summit went straight from the campsite and whilst boggy, rough, and rocky at times, we found it ok to follow.
I’ll never forget cresting a rise to see the entire Highlands opened out in front of me. What an awe inspiring sight. The summit views were incredible, looking out across the Inner Hebrides (Rum and Eigg), and inland towards Ben Nevis.
>> See the Beinn Resipol walk on the Walk Highlands website.
Note: Resipole Farm Holiday Park no longer offers camping / camping pods but the holiday park does still have self catering cabins.
3. Off-grid eco cabin at The Lazy Duck, near Aviemore
On the back of a tough period of time, we booked a week away in the Cairngorms. Our destination was The Lazy Duck, staying in an eco cabin away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. It was the perfect place for me to rest and recover from a bout of covid and shingles.
The area is full of gravel riding, so Mr ODG headed out on the gravel ride we’d planned. Meanwhile I stretched my body with gentle yoga on the sunny deck. By the end of the week, I felt well enough to take a slow walk to the summit of Meall a’ Bhuachaille. At 810m, it’s classed as a Corbett but the walk was only 5.25 miles. It felt incredible to stand on a mountain summit again, looking out over to Cairngorm mountain.
>> See the Meall a’ Bhuachaille walk on the Walk Highlands website.
Favourite outdoor adventures in England
4. Exploring the Northumberland hills
Huts in the Hills in Northumberland was another favourite get-away-from-it-all hut stay. With running water, heating, an indoor bathroom, and wood burner, it was a bit more luxurious. But it was still quiet and remote, with an outdoor cast iron bath and candle lanterns where you could lie back and watch the incredible night skies.
While there, we went walking from the hut over moors to the Ingram Valley and the fab Ingram Cafe. We also drove to Rothbury for an amazing 8-mile circular walk over high moorland and the Simonside Hills. It took us past Bronze Age hill forts with engravings, and past crags to reach the 429m summit of Simonside. The views all day were simply incredible.
>> See Northumberland National Park’s Simonside loop from Rothbury on Komoot
5. Walking the Kentmere Horseshoe
Having spent years walking, climbing, and biking in the more well-known areas of the Lake District, we decided to check out Kentmere. Located on the south eastern fringes of the Lakes, near Staveley, it’s somewhere we usually whizzed past while driving to the more popular areas.
One bright, sunny, early spring morning, we set out walking the 12.8 mile Kentmere Horseshoe. Wow! It was stunning. I can’t say it was easy walking - although I’d like to give it another go now I’m used to longer distances - but the views more than made up for any leg fatigue!
>> Read my blog post: Walking the Kentmere Horseshoe
>> See the Kentmere Horseshoe route on the Walk Lakes website.
6. Walking and biking at the Dales Bike Centre, North Yorkshire
Located in Swaledale in the northern Yorkshire Dales, the Dales Bike Centre is a fantastic base to explore from. There are miles and miles of tracks to ride, run, or walk. Some of the biking can be challenging on high and remote moorland. But there’s also the 12-mile Swale Trail in the valley bottom, aimed at families and mountain bikers wanting an easier route.
We’ve visited loads of times - for mountain biking weekends, a quick cafe stop on the way home from Scotland, and during the ever popular Ard Rock Enduro festival weekend. Sometimes I fancy tackling the high moorland mountain biking, other times I want an easier ride or walk. Occasionally, I choose to curl up with my book in the cafe while Mr ODG goes out on a ride.
>> See cycling routes on the Dales Bike Centre website
7. Trail running in Dalby Forest, the North York Moors
Another of my all-time favourite retreats is Gumboots and Wellingtons near Thornton-le-Dale. Located in a tiny hamlet with no passing traffic, no television, no Wi-Fi, and no mobile signal, it feels like a real break from the modern world. But with a twist of luxury. There’s a comfy bed, running water, heating, and a sofa to snuggle up in front of the wood burner - plus the owners are onsite for chats and emergencies.
By car, it’s easy to get to the North York Moors for walks and bike rides, or to Pickering where you can catch a steam train to Whitby. But, for me, the beauty of staying there is the walks and bike rides that don’t need a car.
We’ve ambled along the river to the nearby pubs and cafes in Thornton-le-Dale, and we’ve cycled on bridleways to Dalby Forest (which is full of mountain biking trails). On our last visit, we followed footpaths and ran into Dalby Forest instead, then dunked ourselves in the river on the way back.
>> Read my blog post: Mini getaway in the North York Moors
8. Walking in the quiet Peak District National Park
Shhhh 🤫 don’t tell everyone but there’s a part of the Peak District that’s much (much) quieter! The northern fringe of the National Park is wild and remote moorland. It took me a long time to appreciate it but now, it’s one of my favourite places.
The Pennine Way National Trail goes through part of this area, over Black Hill and down the Wessenden Valley. Black Hill was once my nemesis, fraught with tales of walkers being sucked into the peaty bogs. Thanks to Moors for the Future, it’s now one of my favourite summits and I think I’ve walked it from every direction in every season.
I also love exploring the paths and tracks below Black Hill. Holme village, right on the Peak District border, has a fab pub and there’s a great 5-mile circular walk which we sometimes run instead.
>> Read my blog post: Wessenden and West Nab from Snoopy’s snack van
9. Grit climbing in the Peak District
Ok, I know most of this blog post has been about the lesser-known places but grit climbing in the Peak District is so good (and world famous) that it had to be included. My first outdoor climb was on Peak grit, so it holds a special place in my heart. I’ve visited so many crags right across the Peak over the years, both grit and limestone.
Ask me to pick a favourite and I’d struggle. Stanage is great for the sheer number and variety of routes - and when we used to climb in a group, it was always social. Millstone was where Mr ODG wooed me with his famous pick up line asking me to belay him. Froggatt and Burbage North have always been firm favourites. Nope, sorry, you can’t pin me down!
Hathersage is one of my favourite places to go once the climbing is done. Outside is a fab outdoor shop where you can swap tales of adventures with the staff and fuel up with egg n chips in the cafe.
>> Read my blog post: 5 great gritstone crags in the Peak District
10. Exploring the Quantock Hills
A few years ago, Mr ODG spent a big chunk of time working near the Quantock Hills, staying in the lovely village of Nether Stowey. Occasionally, I’d pack up my laptop and go along with him for the week. If I wanted a screen break, I’d head out with a map and test my navigation skills in a new area. All my exploration even led to me writing a walking route which I had published in TGO Magazine.
The Quantocks is renowned for mountain biking with a fantastic network of bridleways. After work, Mr ODG would come back to the B&B and show me his favourite routes in the area. We both have many happy memories of our adventures here.
>> See more about the Quantock Hills National Landscape
Favourite outdoor adventures in Wales
11. Exploring the Ogwen Valley
I adore the Ogwen Valley. Yep, I know it’s popular but it feels a bit less crazy than over the hill in Llanberris. I can remember walking the Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn on the north side of the A5 and hardly seeing a soul. The other side with Tryfan is busier but you can still get away from the crowds, especially climbing.
I’ve climbed on Milestone Buttress and from Heather Terrace to the summit of Tryfan. But Bochlwyd Buttress just to the east is much quieter and has some great routes. We’ve usually camped at Gwern Gof Uchaf which is close to the climbing on the smaller Tryfan Bach - always good for an evening route after driving all afternoon.
One of my favourite short walks in the area is from the parking at Ogwen Cottage to Llyn Idwal. From there, you have the famous Idwal slabs multi-pitch climbing, and the Devil’s Kitchen which goes up to Glyder Fawr.
12. Mountain biking at Coed y Brenin
Coed y Brenin was the first purpose-built mountain bike trail centre in the UK. It has different graded mountain biking routes, walking routes, and trail running routes. We stayed at a fab self-catering cottage at GelliGoch just minutes from the trail centre.
The mountain biking at Coed y Brenin is superb. We followed the MinorTaur trail one day, a blue (moderate) graded route of four loops which took us to waterfalls. We also explored one of the longer walking routes on another day.
If we’d had longer, it would have been tempting to drive down to Dolgellau and walk up Cadair Idris (893m).
Note: The cafe and shop at Coed y Brenin will stay open until 31st March 2025 and then close unless a new provider can be found. However all paths, trails, car park, and toilet facilities will remain open.
You may also be interested in reading:
15 adventures in the UK’s National Parks
5 outdoor activities in Western Dumfries and Galloway
20 of the UK’s best long-distance cycling routes for bikepacking
Best multi-day walks in the UK
Guide to outdoor adventure activities in England: county names A-D (you can pick up links for the other counties from this post)
ENJOYED THIS POST? HERE’S HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT MORE CONTENT…
I’m an outdoor enthusiast, just like you, looking to read about fun and inspiring adventures. I write from my personal experience and ideally want to keep this website ad-free (who likes annoying pop-up ads getting in the way). But web hosting and creating new content costs money, and means a fair bit of unpaid work.
If you’ve been inspired, grabbed a GPX download, or found something helpful, you can support by buying me a cuppa via my Ko-Fi account. Thank you if you can 🫶
Get new adventures sent directly to your inbox. Emails usually go out every other week.
SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER
Outdoor-Girl is run by Jacquie Budd, an outdoor adventure writer, and marketing content writer for brands that care about their impact on people and the planet.
What the * means above
If a link has an * by it, that means it’s an affiliated link and therefore helps the Outdoor Girl website stay free to use as it’s tracked to me. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment to me.
You shouldn’t notice a difference, and there will be no extra cost to you. Importantly, the content I write is NEVER impacted by these links. For more details, please read my policy on affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links.
Please find below any duplicate links of the * links above for the sake of transparency, but note this version does not help the Outdoor Girl website:
