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Two-day National Park walks
Written by
Mark RoweEnvironment and travel journalist
- Expert curated
Did you know that 40 per cent of the land we look after can be found in a National Park? To help you explore it, we've chosen three National Parks to discover on foot over two days—Exmoor, the Peak District and the South Downs.
About the author
The walks have been written by environment and travel journalist Mark Rowe. All three walking routes have been walked personally by Mark and put together with local knowledge from our rangers who are passionate about the landscapes in their care.
About the hikes
These lengthy hikes are aimed at the more ambitious walker. They are designed for you to dip in and out of as you please over two days or more. For the less experienced walker, we’ve also got lots of short, easy-to-follow walks – find your ideal route on our dedicated walking page
About National Parks
National Parks are protected areas because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. We care for more than 300,000 acres of land in National Parks, working closely with the National Park Authority to ensure that these special landscapes are looked after and can be enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year.
Exmoor hike
- Day one
- This 24-mile figure of eight hike on the Holnicote Estate, within Exmoor National Park, starts with an 8-mile jaunt north of Allerford. The walk takes in Selworthy Beacon, where you'll be rewarded with views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales.
- Day two
- On the second day it's 16 miles, again from Allerford, but this time heading south through one of the UK's largest ancient oak woodlands, Horner Wood. You'll then head to Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor.
Peak District hike
- Day one
- This two-day walk takes you away from the crowds. On the first day, you'll explore the land around the edges of the moorland of Kinder Scout and the dramatic geological fault line that lies just to the south. This is a place where nature thrives, home to a variety of wildlife including ravens, red grouse and peregrine falcons.
- Day two
- With a climb up Mam Tor on the second day, the High Peak is a great introduction to the northern uplands of England. It's where the Pennine Way begins, and where a mountain chain that forms the backbone of England makes its way north into Scotland.
South Downs hike
- Day one
- This two-day walk captures much of the spirit of Britain's 15th and newest national park. Beginning at Steyning, just north of the town of Shoreham-by-Sea, it meanders eastwards via the South Downs escarpment, high above both Brighton and a succession of quintessentially English villages, before finishing the first day at Ditchling.
- Day two
- On the second day, you'll start at Ditchling Beacon Nature Reserve, taking in great views as you follow the South Downs Way towards the hamlet of Southease, including one of the highest points on the South Downs and the site of an Iron Age fort, Dichling Beacon.
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
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