Britain’s railways may have a mixed reputation, but when it comes to scenic travel, they’re hard to beat. From rugged mountains and sweeping coastlines to rolling countryside and storybook villages, some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes are best explored by train. Better still, many of these routes connect directly with outstanding walking trails, making it easy to swap the carriage for a footpath.
Whether you’re looking for a classic end-to-end walk or a flexible hop-on, hop-off adventure between stations, here are are eight of the UK’s best railway hikes you won’t want to miss.
Heart of Wales Line, Wales
The Heart of Wales Line goes through stunning scenery (Photo: Dominic Vacher Photography)
Linking Swansea and Shrewsbury through the Welsh Marches, the Heart of Wales Line opened in 1868 and continues to provide a wonderful, slow-moving window onto this bucolic borderland. Now, the railway is joined by the Heart of Wales Line Trail, a 227km hike that winds between stations, providing those looking to get outdoors a slower way to explore.
