Winter Walks in the UK: Short-Day Routes and How to Plan Them

On a still, frosty day with low sun and clear air, a winter walk can beat anything in summer. The views are sharper, the paths quieter and a pub fire feels earned. The catch is daylight: in December you may have only seven or eight hours of it, less in Scotland, so winter walking is about choosing routes that fit the day and planning around the dark.

At a glance

Best days: cold, clear high pressure after a frost. Route length: plan on finishing an hour before sunset. Pack: a head torch, warm layers, waterproofs and boots with grip. Check: the mountain weather forecast before going high.

Classic short winter routes

Catbells, Lake District

A short, steep climb from the shore of Derwentwater above Keswick to a summit with one of the best views in the Lake District. It is a popular first fell, but in ice or snow the rocky upper sections need care.

Malham Cove, Yorkshire Dales

A loop from Malham takes in the great limestone cliff of Malham Cove, the limestone pavement on top, and the waterfall at Janet's Foss, in a few hours. The pavement is treacherous when wet or icy.

Mam Tor, Peak District

The ridge walk from Mam Tor above Castleton and Edale has a partly paved path and wide views, and is short enough for a winter afternoon.

Dovedale, Peak District

The limestone gorge near Ashbourne, with its famous stepping stones, is a sheltered, low-level walk for a cold or windy day. The stones can be slippery or under water after rain.

Box Hill, Surrey

A short climb above Dorking to a viewpoint over the North Downs, and an easy winter walk from London.

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh

An ancient volcano in the middle of Edinburgh, climbed in under an hour, with views over the city and the Firth of Forth.

Loch an Eilein, Cairngorms

A flat loop through old pine forest around a loch with a ruined castle on an island, near Aviemore, and one of the best low-level walks in the Cairngorms.

Planning safely

Work back from sunset

Check sunset time and plan to be off the hills an hour before it. Darkness falls quickly, and a head torch is essential even on a short route.

Know the difference between low and high

Snow and ice on the high fells and mountains need winter skills and equipment such as an ice axe and crampons. If you do not have them, stick to valleys, woodland and coast, where winter walking is safe and still spectacular.

Check the right forecast

For hills and mountains, use a specialist mountain forecast rather than the general weather app; conditions on the tops can be very different from the valley.

For more, see our guides to walking staycations, winter waterfall walks and winter staycations.