England

England’s walking landscape changes dramatically within relatively short distances. The Lake District contains its highest and rockiest mountains, with narrow ridges, glacial valleys and hundreds of possible fell combinations. Eastwards, the Pennines form a broad upland spine stretching through the Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and Peak District towards the Cheviots.

Farther south, height becomes less important. Dartmoor’s granite tors rise above open moorland and wooded valleys, while Exmoor combines rounded hills with some of England’s highest sea cliffs. The Malverns, Cotswolds, Chilterns and North Wessex Downs offer long ridges, ancient tracks and extensive views without requiring a morning spent climbing scree.

England’s footpath network also makes journeys possible on a much larger scale. The Pennine Way follows the backbone of the country, the Coast to Coast crosses three national parks, and the South West Coast Path traces more than 1,000 kilometres of cliffs, coves and headlands. Numerous shorter National Trails follow historic boundaries, rivers and chalk escarpments.

The popular summits can be busy, but empty ground is rarely far away. Choose a neighbouring ridge, an unfashionable valley or a day with slightly questionable weather and the crowds generally solve themselves.