The UK’s Best Hiking Routes by Bus

Searches for hiking in the UK are climbing (pardon the pun), and the way people are choosing to get there is changing too. More walkers are ditching the car in favour of affordable, flexible coach travel, discovering that some of Britain’s most spectacular trails are far more accessible by bus than they might expect.

To find out which routes offer the best combination of scenic appeal and bus accessibility, FlixBus delved into the details 🤓. We analysed YouTube views, TikTok search volume, and Google search data across a long list of UK walking routes, combining this with a connectivity score based on proximity to FlixBus-served destinations.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, these routes prove that the great outdoors is closer - and easier to reach - than you think. From ancient pilgrimage routes and coastal epics to flat railway paths and mountain crossings, our analysis covers the full range of what British walking has to offer 🥾
 

1. Bristol and Bath Railway Path

Built on a former railway line, this 13-mile route between Bristol and Bath is one of the UK’s most accessible and enjoyable walks. The flat, traffic-free path cuts through leafy corridors, quiet countryside, and old railway heritage sites.

The Bristol and Bath Railway Path tops our ranking with 8.8 out of 10, the highest overall score in the dataset. It earned near-perfect marks across every factor we measured, and is a route that works for everyone, at every pace 🚶

Walkers can expect wildlife-rich stretches, restored Victorian bridges, and the atmospheric remains of the Mangotsfield and Bath railway - a line that closed in 1965 and has since been transformed into one of the most-loved paths in the southwest 🛤️. It’s a relaxed, scenic route that feels surprisingly rural despite linking two major cities.

FlixBus connects both Bristol and Bath to the rest of the UK, with Bath just 0.2 miles from the path’s eastern end. You can walk the full 13 miles point-to-point and catch a FlixBus home from the end - no retracing steps required.
 

2. Fife Coastal Path

The Fife Coastal Path stretches for over 100 miles along Scotland’s east coast, taking in dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and some of the most characterful fishing villages in Britain 🎣. It scored 7.7 in our analysis, earning its place through sheer online momentum.

Of the eight routes, Fife had the highest Google search volume score and the highest TikTok search volume score, and also scored highly for YouTube views per video. It is, by some distance, the most-searched and most-watched walking route in this ranking. It’s safe to say the trail’s popularity is well-earned.

Highlights of the Fife Coastal Path include sweeping sea views, wildlife spotting opportunities, and historic landmarks such as St Andrews. Quaint harbours and local seafood stops make this as much a cultural route as a scenic one. History, landscapes, and a bowl of cullen skink at a harbourside cafe all come as part of the experience 🌊

FlixBus services to Dundee put you 1.7 miles from the trail. From here, it’s easy to tackle the route in manageable day sections.

3. Monarch’s Way

At around 625 miles, the Monarch’s Way is one of Britain’s longest walking routes, and one of the most historically charged 📜. It traces the escape route taken by King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651, passing through countryside, market towns, and landmarks that witnessed one of the most dramatic stories in English history 👑

In our analysis, the Monarch’s Way achieved a perfect connectivity score of 10 - the highest of any route in the dataset. That’s a reflection of how many easy-to-reach destinations sit close to the trail, particularly around its Somerset sections near Wincanton.

The countryside here is quintessentially English, with wide farmland views, market town high streets, and the first hints of the Mendip Hills on the horizon. It’s a section of the route that rewards slow walking and mindful stops along the way 🏞️

You can travel directly to Wincanton with tickets available from  FlixBus, or use nearby hubs like Bristol or Bath as a base for exploring this stretch of the trail and the surrounding regions.
 

4. John Muir Way

Named after the Scottish-born father of the conservation movement, the John Muir Way spans 134 miles coast-to-coast across central Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. It’s a trail of real contrasts, from canal towpaths and sandy coastline in the east to open moorland and loch-side walking further west.

Unlike some routes that peak in one area, the John Muir Way posted solid scores across all four of our scoring factors. It’s the most balanced route in our ranking with an overall score of 7.2. For walkers who want a trail with broad appeal and genuine variety, that consistency matters.

The John Muir Way passes through Dunbar, Linlithgow, and Helensburgh, with sections skirting the edge of the Trossachs and offering views across the Firth of Forth. Day sections are well-suited to walkers of most abilities, with plenty of entry points along the way 👣

FlixBus routes to Edinburgh place you just 0.9 miles from the trail’s eastern starting point at Fisherrow Harbour in Musselburgh, making it one of the easiest routes in this ranking to begin straight off the bus 🚍. Local transport can take you from Edinburgh to Musselburgh to begin the trail.

5. Severn Way

Following the River Severn from its source in the Welsh Hills to the sea, the Severn Way covers over 200 miles and takes walkers through some of England and Wales’ most varied riverside landscapes. It scored 7.1 in our analysis, ranking well for both connectivity and TikTok search volume.

The sections accessible from Bristol are among the most dramatic on the entire route. Flat riverside paths give way to wide estuary views, wildlife-rich wetlands, and the extraordinary sight of the Severn crossings - two of the largest cable-stayed bridges in the world - rising above the water. It’s the kind of view that makes you stop walking and just look 👀

FlixBus drops you directly into Bristol, just 0.1 miles from the trail. For a 200-mile riverside trail, that’s a remarkable place to start.

6. Cambrian Way

The Cambrian Way runs the length of Wales through its mountainous spine ⛰️. 298 miles of ridgelines, river valleys, and open moorland make it one of the most demanding long-distance routes in Britain. It scored 6.8 in our analysis, driven by strong YouTube views and Google search interest.

Its YouTube views score of 9.5 is the second highest in the entire ranking - a sign that the Cambrian Way has a strong visual reputation. Once you see the panoramic ridge views above the Brecon Beacons or the glacial lakes of Snowdonia, it’s not hard to understand why walkers keep filming it 🎥

Starting in Cardiff, the trail moves quickly from urban parkland into rugged upland terrain. Experienced hikers will want to take on longer sections, but the southern stretches around the Brecon Beacons are accessible to less experienced walkers too, particularly in good weather ☀️. A proper kit and some route planning are essential before heading into the higher sections.

Cardiff is directly served by FlixBus, dropping you just 0.1 miles from the trail’s southern starting point.

7. West Mendip Way

Rounding out our ranking, the West Mendip Way scored 6.7, and it more than earns its place. This scenic route across the Mendip Hills in Somerset offers a mix of dramatic limestone landscapes, wooded valleys, and far-reaching views that belie its relatively modest profile.

The route’s high connectivity score reflects the fact that Wells sits right on the trail - zero miles from a FlixBus stop - making this one of the most straightforwardly accessible routes in the ranking from a journey-planning perspective 💚

The path passes through Cheddar - famous for its gorge and caves - and takes in views of Wells Cathedral, which is one of the finest examples of early English Gothic architecture in the country ⛪. It’s a route that layers natural beauty with genuine cultural interest at every turn.

8. Rob Roy Way

Named after the legendary Scottish folk hero, Robert Roy MacGregor, the Rob Roy Way traces a 79-mile route through the heart of Highland Perthshire. Running from Drymen in the west to Pitlochry in the east, this route rounds out our ranking with a score of 6.5, but one data point sets it apart from the others.

With a YouTube views score of 9.3 (the third highest in the dataset), the Rob Roy Way punches well above its overall ranking when it comes to visual appeal 📷 The landscapes here speak for themselves: ancient woodland, open moorland, and the kind of loch-side views that have been stopping walkers in their tracks for centuries.

The route passes through Aberfoyle and Killin, before climbing into the hills above Loch Tay, with the drama steadily increasing as you head north and east. It’s a trail that suits experienced day walkers and multi-day hikers alike, with the middle and northern sections offering the most rewarding and challenging terrain.

FlixBus routes to Pitlochry place you just 0.1 miles from the trail’s eastern end, which is as direct an arrival as you’ll find anywhere in this ranking.

Britain’s best hikes don’t require a car

From a Scottish coastal epic to a 13-mile former railway through the west of England, the eight routes in this ranking have one thing in common: you can reach every single one by bus 🚌

Planning a hiking trip by bus is simpler than it sounds. Most of the routes here have FlixBus stops within a mile of their start or end points, and in some cases, right on the trail itself. For longer routes, the best approach is to tackle them in day sections, giving you a flexible, stage-by-stage approach.

With FlixBus connecting key cities across the country, getting closer to nature is simple, more affordable, and more flexible than ever. Our onboard amenities and comfortable coaches also mean you can relax along the way - no sat-nav required. Book your journey online, in the app, at a FlixBus sales point, or directly with your driver.

All that’s left to do is choose your route, plan your journey, and get those hiking boots out!