Best Solo Walking Holidays in the UK

Whether you’re looking for peace and tranquillity in the Cotswolds, or beginner-friendly trails in Derbyshire, there are a number of walking holidays for solo travellers all across the UK. Solo hiking holidays are a great excuse to get back to nature and explore some of the British countryside’s untapped gems. 

So, pack your walking boots and some water, and hop on a CrossCountry train to start your solo walking holiday. 

Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve, Aberdeen

What better place to start than a serene nature reserve that has picturesque and varied scenery? The Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve is located just south of Aberdeen, and has breathtaking panoramic views of Peterhead, Lochnagar, and Deeside. All of this is tightly contained in a natural nook outside of the centre of Aberdeen. This walk is a perfect place to get started if you’re getting into hiking more regularly, with accessible trails and signposts at regular intervals, you can explore the nature reserve with confidence.  

Getting to Kincorth Hill with CrossCountry is simple, with regular services to and from Aberdeen. From Aberdeen station, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a fifteen-minute bus ride to the nature reserve. 

Low Burnhall, Durham

Another perfectly located section of unsullied nature is Low Burnhall, located just outside of central Durham. This serene part of Durham offers everything you need in a solo walking holiday, as it provides an abundance of wildlife throughout the year alongside some local history too. The woodland also spans across 168 acres, offering a variety of terrain and idyllic views to take on throughout the trail.   

With a number of CrossCountry trains running to and from Durham station from a wide range of destinations across the UK, getting back to nature has never been easier. A bus outside of the station can take you straight to the woodland in just fifteen minutes. 

Derwent Valley, Yorkshire

Derwent Valley can be found in the heart of the Derbyshire portion of the Peak District. Known the world over, the Peak District boasts some of the most spectacular natural views and a variety of trails, for walkers and hikers of all levels. The Derwent Valley and Reservoir Walk is one for more experienced walkers, as it can take over two hours to complete. The views are very much worth the effort however, and you can expect to be met with glorious vistas and spectacular wildlife throughout. This is definitely one you’ll be glad to do yourself to completely submerse yourself in the quiet of nature. 

Sheffield is one of the closest stations to the start of this walk in Derwent Valley, due to the more remote nature of its whereabouts. Once arriving in Sheffield, a bus can take you directly to the start of the walk which takes roughly forty-five minutes. 

Bournemouth to Sandbanks, Bournemouth

If you’re looking for a coastal walk, don’t look past the Bournemouth to Sandbanks trail. With the whole walk spanning across five miles of coastal bliss, there are plenty of opportunities to take a break and enjoy the views of the clear blue water. One of the advantages to this walk is that you can start it as soon as you step off the train at Bournemouth station. From there, you can head south until you get to Bournemouth Pier, and then stroll west across the coast until you reach the picturesque part of Poole in Sandbanks.  

When on your solo walking holiday, there are plenty of classic seaside activities to get lost in during your stay, like a trip to an arcade or the Bournemouth Oceanarium. Whether you want a luxurious hotel stay in the middle of town or a quaint B&B in Sandbanks, the options are limitless to make sure you get the most out of your hiking holiday. 

Getting started on this trail couldn’t be easier with CrossCountry, with regular services to and from Bournemouth. Once you arrive, you can start making your way to Sandbanks. 

Grand Union Canal, Leicestershire

A totally different option to a coastal walk is walking part of the Grand Union Canal, more specifically, the Leicester Canal and River Walk. This peaceful stroll might be a little shorter for more experienced walkers, but it packs in a lot of local history and delicious Canalside eateries. The trail is a well-trodden one but is still peaceful, making this route a perfect option for solo walkers looking for solitude.  

Once you are finished with the walk, there is still plenty to explore in the surrounding area, and if you want to continue further along the Grand Union Canal, it has several different mapped out routes throughout its 137-mile stretch, giving you plenty of opportunities for further exploration to extend this solo walking holiday. 

Leicester is the closest station to the start of the Leicester Canal and River Walk. From the station, it is just a twenty-minute walk to the starting point.