Top 10 secret walks

A young woman walking across roacks in front of a waterfall at Janet's Foss, part of the Malham Tarn Estate, North Yorkshire

This list of secret walks has been carefully selected by our local experts. They wanted to share with you walks that offer a unique experience, whether a hidden viewpoint, newly accessible coastal paths or the story of an old legend. Choose from one of these trails and get closer to one of the places we care for.

The top ten secret discovery walks are available as individual downloadable PDFs.
 
Attingham's deer herd are descended from the orginal herd brought to Attingham by the second Lord Berwick in the 1700s

Attingham, Shropshire 

A path, opened up for the Great British Walk, allows visitors to share a rare view of the front of Attingham House, previously reserved for privileged guests of the owners, the Berwick family, when they lived there.

Download the Attingham secret walk
Family walking with dogs in Borrowdale, Cumbria
Walking

Borrowdale Borger Dalr geology walk, Cumbria 

Head into Grange Wood, a craggy wooded knoll above the village of Grange in the Borrowdale valley, and discover a landscape which made a lasting impression on fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. This circular walk will see you emerge from the trees to climb the summit of Castle Crag.

Stretch your legs at Borrowdale
View of Dunstanburgh Castle from the north west

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland Coast 

Many may know the castle but few people walk around the back to see the breathtaking views of the remains, its hidden cliffs and volcanic rocks.

Download the Dunstanburgh Castle secret walk
A rainbow above the eighteenth-century dovecote at Erddig, Wrexham, Wales

Erddig, Wales 

A love story between two of Erddig’s family servants has been brought to life in a walk taking in rarely visited parts of the estate. Retrace the footsteps of where the lovers met and see for yourself, through treasured mementoes, how romance blossomed.

Download the Erddig secret walk
Visitors walking at Malham Tarn

Malham Tarn, Yorkshire Dales 

The path leads to a magical waterfall where walkers will discover a secret cave. Local legend says the cave is home to the Queen of the Fairies, so making wishes is a must.

Download the Malham Tarn secret walk
The beeches at Minnowburn

Minnowburn, Northern Ireland 

The Giant's Ring is the largest henge in Ireland. It was built around the same time as Stonehenge and Avebury in 2,700BC, but its story is little known. This two-mile walk, starting from the car park, reveals a hidden side to the well-known city of Belfast, which lies less than three miles away.

Download the Minnowburn secret walk
People walking through Sheringham Park in Norfolk

Sparrow Dale, Sheringham Park, Norfolk 

Often overlooked by visitors to the park, Sparrow Dale is a hidden valley that’s perfect for wildlife lovers. It has a wide variety of trees making it a great place to spot birds of prey.

Download the Sheringham Park secret walk
Looking through shrubs and trees towards the 14th-century Sizergh Castle, near Kendal, Cumbria

Sizergh Castle  

Hidden and hard to find – the secret here is a 1,600-year-old yew tree buried deep in the woods.

Download the Sizergh Castle secret walk
Geese on water with the Palladian Bridge in the background at Stowe

Stowe, Buckinghamshire 

Explore never-before-seen parts of the Stowe estate – including a secret garden, hidden for many years, that is surrounded by monuments and waterfalls.

Download the Stowe secret walk
Trelissick garden Cornwall countryside view in Winter

Trelissick, Cornwall 

Overlooking the Fal estuary, this walk leads you much further into the estate than many usually venture to a secluded Iron Age fort.

Download the Trelissick secret garden walk