The Best Hiking Trails To Visit This Spring

BY Natasha Bailey ON 23 April, 2025

As spring unfolds across the UK, it's the perfect time for families to lace up their walking boots and embrace the outdoors. With longer days, milder weather, and vibrant landscapes awakening from winter, spring is an ideal season to introduce children to the joys of hiking.

Hiking can be more than just exercise—it's an opportunity to connect with nature, instil a love of the outdoors, and spend meaningful time together.

The South Downs Way, Sussex
Gentle slopes and far-reaching views over the English Channel make this trail ideal for young hikers. In spring, chalk grasslands are speckled with orchids and butterflies.
Malham Cove and Gordale Scar, Yorkshire Dales
This dramatic limestone landscape, with its accessible paths and awe-inspiring cliffs, is a favourite for families. Look out for peregrine falcons nesting at the cove.

Wye Valley, Herefordshire
A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Wye Valley offers riverside trails and woodland paths rich in bluebells and spring birdsong.

Epping Forest, Essex
Close to London, this ancient woodland bursts into life in spring and offers a network of flat, well-trodden trails suitable for all ages.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Scotland
For those seeking a springtime adventure further north, this national park offers loch-side trails and forest walks with plenty of picnic spots.

Padley Gorge, Peak District
A magical woodland walk with streams, moss-covered rocks and short circular routes perfect for kids.

The Lake District – Rydal Water and Grasmere
A relatively easy walk combining lake views, daffodils in bloom, and a dash of literary history at Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage.

Snowdonia – Cwm Idwal
A scenic and manageable loop offering mountainous backdrops, waterfalls, and a glacial lake.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
With dramatic cliffs and panoramic views, this trail offers an adventurous feel while being accessible for confident young walkers.

The Norfolk Coast Path
Flat, wide trails with coastal scenery and plenty of opportunities for spotting seals and seabirds make this a hit with younger children.