Merrell - UK National Parks

Merrell - UK National Parks

To raise the profile of the 15 National Parks across the UK, Merrell along with the UK Association of National Park Authorities (ANPA) have formed a partnership. This partnership aims to engage, inspire and encourage new audiences from all backgrounds to visit the UK's National Parks by promoting their accessibility and the wide range of activities available within them.

The partnership will also help to aid the conservation of each of the National Parks as they become an even greater destination of choice for members of the public keen to experience the great outdoors the UK has to offer.

Top 15 UK National Park Walks

Walking is the most popular activity that the UK National Parks has to offer, and with miles of stunning countryside, spectacular views and local food to fuel you on your way, what better way to unwind and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul! Choosing a favourite National Park walk however is a bit like trying to choose your Desert Island Discs. Everyone has their favourites but it's a challenge to narrow down the list. While on Radio 4 Kirsty Young's guests must pick just eight tunes (plus a book and a luxury), we have 15 National Parks to choose from, and below we have picked one from each park.

There are so many different landscapes across the UK's National Parks - though sometimes you'll find all of them within one park - from rugged mountains to gentle woodlands, great open moorlands to the ‘blow the cobwebs away' breeziness of coastal paths.

Maybe you see yourself hiking up the infamously hard Pyg Track up Snowdon in Snowdonia National Park or striding across Keswick fells in the Lake District National Park?

Or perhaps you're more of a long-distance walker who dreams of completing the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park or the South Downs Way?

Not all National Park walks need to leave your thighs aching and your feet in need of a good soak though. In the UK National Parks, there are walks for all ages and abilities.

With walks for everybody, there are accessible trails that are suitable for people with pushchairs, people in wheelchairs, people with limited mobility or simply for those whose legs aren't as young as they used to be.

The UK National Parks also host moderate walks which will challenge older children and adults who just want to get out and about in the UK countryside.

The UK's family of 15 National Parks are free for all to visit - all you need to enjoy them is the right gear, some half-decent weather, a map and a sense of adventure!

The list below is just a taster of what these beautiful and inspirational landscapes have to offer - to find out more visit www.nationalparks.gov.uk

Easy walks (easy peasey)

1. Barton Broad Boardwalk, The Broads

The Barton Broad Boardwalk is easily accessible by wheelchair and takes you on a journey of discovery into a lost world which has remained isolated for half a century. This mysterious trail leads through a wildlife-filled wet woodland, emerging to give a view over the broad.

2. Blackwater Arboretum Trail, New Forest National Park

The Blackwater Arboretum Trail will allow you to experience the majestic Douglas firs and redwoods of the New Forest. Many of these date back to 1859 when it was the vogue to grow exotic trees. The trees found in the Arboretum are a beautiful collection from around the world, while the Blackwater Arboretum Trail's sensory trail encourages you to touch, smell and listen to the sound of the trees.

3. Aysgarth Falls and Freeholders' Wood, Yorkshire Dales National Park

One for movie lovers, Aysgarth Falls is a spectacular stretch of water in Lower Wensleydale. The tree-lined River Ure drops over a triple flight of waterfalls as seen in the 1991 film Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves. The walk also takes you through a local nature reserve which is full of wildlife, calling itself home to red squirrels, roe deer and dormice. It's an accessible route suitable for people who are less mobile or families with buggies.

4. Inchcailloch Island, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Take the water bus from Balmaha to an island known as the ‘jewel in Loch Lomond's crown', where you'll find history, legend and unspoilt nature. With a choice of two paths to take, each taking 30 to 45 minutes - the low path, a gentle woodland walk or the steeper climb of the summit path, Inchcailloch Island gives you stunning views there to be enjoyed.

Moderate walks (middle of the road)

5. Anagach Woods, Grantown on Spey, Cairngorms National Park

Anagach Woods surrounds the highland town of Grantown on Spey and offers some of the finest low-level walking in the Highlands. All routes in the woods are clearly marked with walks ranging from one to four hours long. While there you may be lucky enough to see the rare Capercaillie grouse, crossbills or red squirrels.

6. Postbridge circular walk, Dartmoor National Park

The Postbridge walk is a six-mile circular walk from the Postbridge Information Centre and includes far-reaching views from Hartland Tor, historical remains from Dartmoor's industrial past and a stunning waterfall. This walk is available with an audio guide including music by Dartmoor folk musician, Seth Lakeman.

7. Combe Martin and the Hangmans, Exmoor National Park

A five-mile walk beginning in the pretty Devon village of Combe Martin which is well-known for its rocks, minerals and remains of its mining past as well as its beautiful beach. This hill and valley walk also offers stunning views from the headland at Great Hangman, Britain's highest sea cliff.

8. Breamish Valley and Cochrane Pike, Northumberland National Park

On this invigorating four-mile walk in the wild and wonderful Cheviot Hills you may be lucky enough to hear skylarks or spot red kites. Throw in great views, a taste of history and you've got a full flavour walk. While there look out for the remains of two Bronze Age burials at Turf Knowe and four hut circles on Cochrane Pike.

9.Great Ayton Circuit via the Cleveland Way, North York Moors National Park

A seven-miler along part of the Cleveland Way National Trail begins in Great Ayton where Captain James Cook went to school. The walk takes around five hours and offers great views, an iconic landscape (Roseberry Topping, sometimes called the ‘Yorkshire Matterhorn'), moorland, woodland and passes Cook's monument on Easby Moor.

10.Latrigg Summit with views of Keswick, Lake District National Park

The Latrigg walk is a stunning walk which takes you on a long, gentle climb to the 368-metre summit.

A moderate walk of six miles, the Latrigg walk will reward you with one of the finest views of the town of Keswick and of the beautiful lake Derwent water beyond. The walk should take around 3-4 hours.

Hard walks (humdingers)

11. Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

You don't have to do the whole 186-mile long Pembrokeshire Coast path to get a flavour of the breathtaking coastal scenery on offer but imagine the satisfaction of completing this awesome National Trail which offers fabulous wildlife and marine life (seals, anyone?). Should you attempt it you will need to free up a few days in your diary!

12. Snowdon via the Pyg Track, Snowdonia National Park

This seven-mile route up Snowdon isn't for the faint-hearted! The most rugged and challenging of the six paths up Snowdon, the route leads up Crib Goch and along the ridge. It has to be noted that the path is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by novice walkers. The walk should take you around six hours.

13. Stanage Edge from Hathersage, Peak District National Park

A nine-mile walk from the village of Hathersage up the Stanage Edge and back, this walk offers superb views of the Derwent River, Hope Valleys, Mam Tor and Kinder Scout.

14. South Downs Way, South Downs National Park

The South Downs Way is a 100-mile long National Trail lying in the South Downs National Park. This exceptional walk which begins in Winchester in the west and takes you to Beachy Head at Eastbourne offers views of some of the finest landscapes in Britain.

15. Beacons Way, Brecon Beacons National Park

The 95-mile Beacons Way offers beautiful scenery, the ruins of Llanthony Abbey, the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, and challenging summits including Pen y Fan (886m) and Corn Du (873m). The walk continues on into the less well-known but equally dramatic Western Beacons. Divided into eight sections, the walk will take eight days to complete.