Top ten UK summer walks part 2

In this, the second part of our series on our top ten UK summer walks, we cover some other great locations. Any "top ten" list is purely subjective and this one especially so. In a country resplendent with fantastic landscapes and places to hike, our top ten isn't necessarily going to be your top pick but they are all worth trying.

So, having covered Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg in the Scottish Highlands, Hadrian's Wall Path, Northumberland, West Highland Way, Scottish Highlands, River Severn, Shropshire and the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall, let's move on to some others.

As always, we have top class holiday cottages within a short drive of these walks so if you need somewhere to put your feet up afterwards, you know where to come!

1.  Helvellyn, Lake District

Choosing any one single walk somewhere as fantastic as the Lake District is tough, yet we think the area around Helvellyn is one of the best. It's the most popular of the mountains in the area with a relatively flat top, some amazing views, some tough climbs and even a few scrambles.

It's another walk that's not for the faint of heart, but it's one that makes it all worthwhile.

2.  Dancing Ledge, Dorset

The romantically named Dancing Ledge in Dorset is just 5 miles long, making it much more approachable than some of the walks we have featured. Summer is a fantastic time to see the sea, the coast, seabirds and even a sea lion of dolphin or two if you're lucky.

Begin in Worth Matravers and walk along the cliffs to the Dancing Ledge, then take a quick swim in the warm sea before returning. An excellent afternoon all round!

3.  South Hams, Devon

This is another short walk ideal for summer. It's only 3.5 miles on forgiving terrain so can be enjoyed by walkers at all levels. Begin in Bantham and walk along the coast through a nice little valley and out onto the Channel.

The path follows the final leg of the River Avon out into the sea, so is ideal for bird watching along the way.

4.  Tryfan, Snowdonia

Wales has hundreds of lovely walks, but again we had to choose our favourite. It was hard, but we selected Snowdonia for obvious reasons. The weather isn't often your friend here, but summer offers the highest chance of sunshine and great views across the park.

Climbing Tryfan is a challenge that includes some very steep walking and a little scrambling. It's a real eye opener once you reach the summit though!

5.  South Downs Way

The South Downs Way traverses the south of England from Winchester all the way to Beachy Head. It's an historic walk with ancient woodland, iron age forts, fields and countryside and is quite an undertaking to walk from end to end. However, it is conveniently broken up into much smaller stages suitable for walkers of all abilities.

We haven't chosen a specific part of the Way as it's all beautiful and each element has something different to offer.

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