Long summer days open up high paths, remote upland stages and routes that need a little more time. From Highland lochs and Welsh hills to the mountain trails of the Dolomites, this is the season for walking further into open country.
Summer walking is not limited to the coast. Inland routes lead through lake valleys, forests and open hills, with longer daylight giving you more time for sustained climbs and the occasional longer stage. The weather can still change quickly, particularly in the Highlands and mountains, but summer brings the broadest choice of routes and itineraries.
Follow the West Highland Way or Great Glen Way through Scotland, cross the Lake District on the Cumbria Way, or choose Glyndŵr’s Way for quieter walking through mid Wales. The Speyside Way follows riverbanks and woodland through whisky country, while the Dolomites Alta Via takes you onto high alpine paths that come into their own in summer.
Summer’s longer daylight suits the open stages of the West Highland Way, particularly as the route moves beyond Loch Lomond into Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe. The walking includes rocky lochside paths, exposed moorland and sustained climbs, but there is time to take each stage steadily before reaching Fort William.
From £615 pp
The Cumbria Way crosses the Lake District through valleys, woodland and beside the main lakes, keeping mostly below the surrounding summits. Summer gives you more daylight for the steeper sections around Langdale and Borrowdale, while the lower route offers a quieter way through one of England’s best-known walking regions.
From £375 pp
Follow the Great Glen between Fort William and Inverness, with long views across lochs, forest paths and stretches beside the Caledonian Canal. Much of the route is lower-level, though optional high routes and steady climbs add variety. Summer daylight leaves time to pause above Loch Ness and take the longer stages at your own pace.
From £790 pp
Glyndŵr’s Way winds through the quieter hills of mid Wales, following old tracks between farmland, forest and open upland. Its remote stages and repeated climbs make the longer summer days particularly useful. This is a substantial walk, but one with space, far-reaching views and a strong sense of rural Wales.
From £625 pp
The Speyside Way follows the River Spey through woodland, farmland and villages associated with Scotland’s whisky-making heritage. The terrain is generally gentler than on the Highland routes, making it a good summer choice when you want long walking days without sustained mountain climbs. Open stretches still leave you exposed to changing weather.
From £810 pp
Summer brings the high paths of the Dolomites into season. The Alta Via crosses rocky mountain ground, alpine meadows and passes between limestone peaks, with nights spent in mountain accommodation along the route. Expect sustained climbs, uneven paths and time at altitude. This is the most demanding walk in the collection.
From £1310 pp