Hiking Tours · UK HIKING TOURS
Good uk hiking tours cap their group sizes and fill weeks ahead. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how hard they really are.
Hike Yr Wyddfa with a local guide such as Simon, Tom, Keith, or Hywyn. This small-group outing takes about six hours, begins in Llanberis, and includes steady guidance, mountain stories, summit views, and support on the walk back down.
“We had an amazing time our guide Tom was the best he made the experience with all his advice and chatted to us all the way”
Travel from Inverness to Skye in a comfortable 16-seat minicoach with guides such as Tim or Murdoch. Walk the Cuillin Mountains, Fairy Glen, Quiraing, and Old Man of Storr, stop in Portree for lunch, and photograph Eilean Donan Castle. Expect a long, active day with changeable weather.
“Our tour guide Tim was not only funny & informative, he was THRILLED about the weather on the day we took this tour. It's about a 3 hour bus ride overall, but Tim kept us entertained with stories, tidbits & fun trivia. In Portree, had a lovely lunch at Relish (recommended by Tim) & got sandwiches for takeaway dinner (which we ate on the way back to Inverness that evening). The hikes at the Fairy Glen, The Quiraing & The Old Man of Storr were moderately difficult (wear hiking boots/shoes) with stunning views. Tim checked in on our group all the way up & back on each hike. The bus…”
Join Rishi for a 4 to 5 hour hike from central Edinburgh into the Pentland Hills. Expect a steep climb, wide views, Highland cows, sheep, birds, local stories, snacks, water, and an all-day bus ticket for the ride back.
“Rishi led an excellent tour of the Pentland Hills. We had a short bus ride to an easily accessible trail that was moderate hiking on good terrain. The hills were magnificent and we saw about a dozen Highland cows and two white wild horses. Rishi had a great wealth of knowledge to share about Edinburgh history, Scottish history in general, and geographical and geological history of the area, Rishi even pointed out numerous interesting facts about the flora and fauna of as we walked. Following the uphill we descended to a little reservoir and surrounding reforestation woods and then ended the hike by going through what I consider to be…”
Hike Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park in two hours with guides such as David or Sabine. You’ll use quieter local paths, hear stories about Edinburgh’s geology, wildlife, and past, and reach the 251-metre summit. Expect uneven ground, wind, and a real uphill workout.
“This hike kicked all of our butts but it was worth it! Dave, although fast paced, had great comments throughout and always made sure to wait up for those who were a bit slower. I would highly recommend for any one who enjoys nature and likes a little challenge!”
Spend 13 hours exploring the Isle of Skye from Inverness with guides such as Tim and Murdoch. Walk at Sligachan and the Old Man of Storr, visit Portree, Fairy Glen, Quiraing and Eilean Donan Castle, and enjoy stories, music and Scottish humor between stops.
“We were wowed at every turn (sometimes literally) by Murdoch's storytelling, knowledge of history and attention to detail. My husband and I were truly impressed by how seamlessly each stop along the way flowed, and skill with which Murdoch navigated the group dynamics while effortlessly telling tales from history that matched up with areas we were passing through or locations where we were about to stop. The hikes were well managed and described with enough detail that each person could decide what were appropriate paths that matches their level of ability and interest. I'm often anxious about a tour not having enough bathroom breaks, but this one had plenty of…”
Climb Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat with a small group and a local guide such as David, Zander, Chris, or Alexander. Expect a roughly two-hour walk through Holyrood Park, with city views, Scottish history, wildlife, rest stops, and route guidance on steeper ground.
“This tour was fantastic! Our guide, Alexander, clearly had a real passion for Scotland. He led us up Arthur’s Seat with care, always checking in to make sure everyone was doing well. When we reached the top, it actually started to rain and the rocks got pretty slippery—but Alexander guided us down safely, knowing exactly where to step. If you’re worried about the difficulty of the hike—don’t be! It was really well tailored to the group’s fitness level. Along the way, Alexander shared stories about the landscape and Scottish history, weaving them in beautifully and keeping us entertained the whole time. After the tour, some of us visited the Holyrood…”
Meet Andy at Cardiff’s National Museum and ride in a small electric minivan to Pontneddfechan. Over about 15 km, follow rough forest paths to the Brecon Beacons’ waterfalls, hear local geology and industrial history, walk behind a fall, and possibly swim in the final pool.
“I was a great day!! The hiking itself is really beautiful and the guide excepcional. We were a small group and it was really appreciated because there's more confidence to talk to each other and enjoy the experience. Andy can give you conversation and it makes you feel like you know him like for ages, and Lyric (his dog) is so cute and makes the way entertaining with his jumps and races! Very cooool experience. I recommend it 100%! You won't regret it!”
Join guide Andy for a six-hour English-language hike from Pontneddfechan, near Glynneath. You’ll follow Welsh countryside paths to eight waterfalls, including Sgwd Gwladys, Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, and the walk-behind Sgwd yr Eira. Bring lunch, sturdy boots, and moderate fitness.
“It was an awesome experience all the regular routes were easy-medium difficulty. But if you want to see everything and get down to some of the hidden parts of the waterfall it does take some skills, but doable. Definitely recommend but anyone with mobility difficulties I would reconsider vs do some hiking at home before coming here.”
Join Lewis for a three-hour walk from Calton Hill to Arthur’s Seat, with city views, Holyrood Palace, historic monuments, wildlife, and plenty of rest stops. The five-mile route includes a moderate 232-metre climb and finishes at Holyrood Car Park.
“The tour was great- Lewis did a really nice job sharing information and answering questions, without talking non-stop. The topics ranged from history to architecture to info on the plants and animals that live in the park. Overall, it was a great experience and I’m really glad that I decided to get a guide- I learned much more than if I’d just set out on my own. Thanks, Lewis!”
Join local guide Marcus for a two-hour, small-group hike from the King’s Gallery to Arthur’s Seat. Gain 250 metres, hear stories about Edinburgh, plants, and wildlife, then descend after sunset with a provided head torch.
“I loved it! HIGHLY recommend. Less noise, peace, beautiful views and a great tour guide.”
Join Andy, Kate, or another Wales Outdoors guide for an eight-hour hike from Cardiff to six waterfalls in Bannau Brycheiniog. Travel by electric vehicle, walk about 10 miles through wooded valleys, pass Dinas Rock, and bring swimwear if you fancy a waterfall dip.
“Great guide in Graham. Really interesting facts on foraging , the history of the area and Welsh language. Would definitely recommend this to others. It was great not having to look at a map and just enjoy all the scenery.”
Join Mountain Marcus or Sarah for a two-hour sunset walk from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Arthur’s Seat. Expect a moderate climb, local history, wildlife, a head torch for the descent, and a Scottish snack at the summit.
“Marcus is a phenomenal guide, helping navigate the best routes and the terrain. He brought walking poles and flashlights (which were very helpful for the way down, especially if it rains as it did on our tour). It’s hard to capture how magnificent the views are throughout the entire trek, but they are. He genuinely has a passion for the outdoors and sharing with guests; we are grateful. Highly recommend!”
Join Mountain Leader Andy from Pontneddfechan for a six-hour, 15km circular hike to eight Brecon Beacons waterfalls. Expect 400m of gentle ascent, muddy ground, forest paths, waterfall viewpoints, and chances to walk behind the falls. Small groups are limited to eight.
“I do encourage anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of the Breton and Beacons in a nice joyful company to join Andy in this trip. The route allows you to experience various landscapes in a good pace, making it suitable even for those who don’t have prior experience. I totally recommend it.”
Travel from Edinburgh by minibus with an Intrepidus Outdoors guide such as Ross, Mikey, David, or Gordon, then tackle Ben Nevis via the Mountain Path. Expect a demanding 17-kilometre hike, 1,352 metres of ascent, changeable weather, and Highland views when conditions allow.
“Ross and Mikey from Intrepidus took a group of eight from a hostel in Edinburgh to the Summit of Ben Nevis and back again within a day in what was an unforgettable, stress-free, start to a stag-do weekend. We had incredible luck with the Read more”
Meet Rishi at King’s Theatre for a half-day hike through the Pentland Hills. Walk 5 to 6 miles with 493 meters of climbing, learn about Celtic history, geology, plants, and wildlife, and use the included all-day bus ticket to return to Edinburgh.
“Rishi was a great guide. The hike was great fun. He took great care of everyone. In addition to the hike, Rishi gave us lots of information about the landscape, Edinburgh and nature. We felt very comfortable and would definitely book a hike with him again. Thank you Rishi for this great experience and the hike.”
Water, rock, ice or forest. Choose the terrain and the list follows.
