Visit Borth to Aberystwyth For UK’s Best Coastal Walks As Experts Reveal Their Top 15 Coastal Walks To Try This Year

The outdoor experts at GO Outdoors have named the best coastal walks in the UK to try this summer. 

Georgina Eastabrook, Senior Content Executive at GO Outdoors explains the importance of walking and the benefits that come from a coastal walk. “Coastal walks aren’t just relaxing, they’re a nice break from the mountains and hills. A walk in the sea air is said to make you sleep for longer and feel more relaxed, whilst offering up some stunning views that are hard to beat. We have selected 15 areas of the coastlines around the UK, and a walk alongside for you to enjoy them.” 

15 Coastal Walks To Try In The UK:

Walk	Grade	Distance	Approx Time (hrs)
Craster, Northumberland	Easy	15.45km	4:15
Old Harry Rocks, Dorset	Moderate	6.10km	1:50
Sandwood Bay, Sutherland	Easy	6.65km	1:55
Holyhead, Anglesey	Moderate	14km	4:20
Causeway Coast Way	Moderate	7.75km	4:50
Whitehaven, Cumbria	Moderate	14.25km	4:25
Norfolk Coast Path	Easy	11.90km	3:40
Bullers of Buchan, Aberdeen	Moderate	8.65km	2:45
Three Cliffs Bay, Gower	Easy	3.35km	1:10
Durdle Door, White Nothe	Difficult	11.50km	3:55
The Mull of Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway	Moderate	10.75km	3:20
Borth to Aberystwyth, Ceredigion	Moderate	11.35km	3:50
St Abb’s Head, Berwickshire	Moderate	5.75km	1:55
Stack Rocks to St Govan’s	Easy	5.85km	1:35
Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby	Easy	11.65km	3:40

Stack Rock’s to St Govan’s is a walk filled with photo opportunities on the glorious Pembrokeshire Coastline. Starting at Stack Rocks, you can also visit the famous Green Bridge of Wales nearby (though not part of this walk so a slight detour is needed). The untouched nature of this area means it’s teaming with wildlife at varying times of year, so it’s worth bringing your binoculars.

The trail goes along Castlemartin Range and passes a number of bays on your way to St Govan’s church. The steps down to St Govan’s are said to never be the same number going down as they are coming up. Please note that as this trail goes over a military range, it is closed when training is happening. So do check ahead.

The Bullers of Buchan is some of the finest area of coastline in Aberdeenshire. You can choose to start your walk there and head to Boddam, or for a longer walk, it’s worth starting a little lower at Cruden Bay. Aside from the stacks, arches and caves of the Bullers of Buchan, along the way you can see plenty of caves, the ruin of Castle Boddam and the Buchanness Lighthouse.

The area is also rich in wildlife with many sea birds to be seen, along with seals and porpoise. 

The best walks for bird watchers:

Holyhead, Anglesey
The little island of Anglesey off the North of Wales offers a wealth of walks and things to do. Anglesey also has a 125-mile coastal path around the edge which can be broken down into a number of routes to try over a holiday. Our favourite is the route from Holyhead to Trearddur Bay, arguably the prettiest section of the coastal path. This walk will take you up Holyhead Mountain and lead to the fantastic photo opportunity that is South Stack Lighthouse. With areas of the walk owned by the RSPB, it’s a great walk for bird watchers or wildlife fans.

Craster, Northumberland

The walk from the village of Craster to Low Newton takes in some of the picturesque coastlines in Northumberland. Along the route, you’ll be met with the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle as well as the fantastic beach of Embleton Bay. Wildlife fans may also be interested in the Newton Pool nature reserve en route.

Whitehaven, Cumbria 
The walk from St Bees to Whitehaven takes in some of the best coastlines in Cumbria. Part of the Cumbrian Coastal Way and the English Coast Path, this walk isn’t a leisurely stroll and will test you in places. Along the route, you will cross points of interest like St Bees Head (An RSPB nature reserve, ideal for birdwatchers), the remnants of past industry and head toward the simply beautiful town of Whitehaven.

The best place for a quiet walk: 

Sandwood Bay, Sutherland, Scotland 

Sandwood Bay may be one of the nicest beaches in Britain, and a beach that even when busy, never truly *feels* busy, likely due to there being no facilities at this beach and no car park to reach it directly. This walk will take you from 

Blairmore to the rewarding views of the beach over an 8 mile+ walk across moorland track.