When facing periods of stress, being outside and walking outdoors has the most beneficial impact on your mental wellbeing. Breathing in fresh air, hearing birdsong, connecting with nature, all contribute to making a difference to how you feel. With that being said, here are five UK winter walks from our hostels that will help banish those winter blues and bring a little joy…
YHA Ambleside
2.7-mile walk, allow 1 hour to 1 hour 45 minutes
YHA Ambleside, situated on the shores of Windermere, is in an unbeatable location with stunning views. Whilst visiting the area, enjoy this excellent walk highlighting much of what Ambleside town has to offer. As well as the beautiful vista across the lake and riverside path, there is so much to see in and around Ambleside and this walk takes in the pier, Borrans Park, Galava Roman Fort, White Platts Recreation Ground with crazy golf, pitch and putt and children’s play area, plus The Armitt Museum, Gallery and Library. It’s time to lace up your boots…
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YHA South Downs
3.9-mile walk, allow 1 hour 30 to 2 hours 30 minutes
A lovely Sussex farmhouse in an enviable location right on the South Downs Way, YHA South Downs is a perfect base for anyone wanting to walk in the rolling Sussex countryside. Surrounded by the hills of the South Downs National Park,this beautiful hostel also enjoys substantial grounds of its own. This walking route is a gentle walk through the Ouse valley where you will come across picturesque Sussex villages, and views of the South Downs and chalk cliffs near Lewes. It also takes in the historic swing bridge, which is a reminder of the area’s industrial past, and Monk’s House, the country retreat of novelist Virginia Woolf.
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YHA Brecon Beacons Danywenallt
3.9-mile walk, allow 1 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours
Surrounded by wooded slopes, high peaks, waterfalls and trails, YHA Brecon Beacons Danywenallt is a stunning converted farmhouse and makes an ideal rural retreat for a visit to Wales. This winter walk takes in lovely woodland, a river, a canal and takes you to the pretty village of Talybont-on-Usk. It follows the Taff Trail, passing under the dismantled railway to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal at Talybont-on-Usk which has an aqueduct. Quench your thirst at one of the two pubs in Talybont-on-Usk.
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YHA Whitby
1.4-mile walk, allow 30 minutes to 1 hour
YHA Whitby is a magnificent Grade I listed mansion situated next to the iconic ruins of Whitby Abbey with views over the harbour and the North York Moors, and the town just a short walk away. Our suggested walking route takes in epic views around the historic headland, the famous 199 steps, the vista of Whitby harbour from the churchyard of the Church of St Mary and some beautiful seascapes from the Cleveland Way Coast Path.
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YHA Wye Valley
5-mile walk, allow 2 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes
Set in 25 acres on the banks of the River Wye, YHA Wye Valley is a super location for adventures in this magical section of the Welsh borders. Spend a couple of hours on a river and woodland walk which passes through the National Landscape (previously Area of Outstanding National Beauty) of the Wye Valley, an internationally important protected landscape straddling the borders of England and Wales. Tootle alongside the fourth-longest River, the Wye, while admiring the great view of Symonds Yat Rock.
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Many YHA hostels across England and Wales have circular walking routes of varying levels of difficulty for you to try. Simply download a free map and get out exploring this season. Taken some pretty photos? Share them with us using #YHANatureChallenge.
YHA Wye Valley and YHA Brecon Beacons Danywenallt are on YHA Exclusive Hire during the winter season. So why not bring your walking group?
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Photo credit: Gail Johnson / James / Julian Gazzard / Stephen Davies / chris2766 / Mark / Adobe Stock
