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This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Cold hands are one of the most reliable ways to turn a good day out into a miserable one. The problem in the UK is that conditions are rarely consistent: a March day in the Lake District might start cold and windy and finish mild in the valley.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Gaiters are one of those pieces of kit that most walkers only buy after one walk where they really needed them. Water funnelling over the top of your boot on a wet heather crossing, mud packed into your boot from ankle-deep path sections, or the slow accumulation of grit and debris through a long day: all of these are problems gaiters solve effectively.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hiking trousers are one of those pieces of kit where quality makes a noticeable difference to your day. Cheap trousers chafe, restrict movement on steep ground, hold moisture against your skin, and wear out quickly at the knee and seat. Good ones move with you, manage sweat and weather, and last for years of regular use.
Dartmoor is different from most walking landscapes in England. Where the Lake District and Snowdonia offer defined ridgelines and dramatic summits, Dartmoor is a high, rolling granite plateau with relatively modest elevation but a character that rewards exploration and catches out the unprepared. The highest point, High Willhays, reaches 621 metres, but the moor’s sense of remoteness and the speed with which mist can change the landscape make it more committing than its height suggests.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park covers around 850 square miles of limestone upland, green dale, and moorland in North Yorkshire and Cumbria. It is one of the most walker-friendly landscapes in England: the paths are well-maintained, the waymarking is generally clear, and the scenery rewards both the short valley stroll and the full-day fell walk. For beginners, the Dales offer something that can be harder to find in more dramatic mountain landscapes: routes that are accessible and enjoyable without requiring significant navigation skills or high fitness levels, while still feeling genuinely rewarding.
Trekking poles are one of those pieces of kit that go from optional to essential once you’ve used them in the right conditions. On a long descent with a heavy pack, on soft bog that needs testing before each step, crossing a swollen beck after a night of rain, poles earn their place quickly. The UK market has excellent options across the price range. Here’s what we’d recommend. Best Trekking Poles for UK Hillwalking Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork: Best Overall RRP: ~£90 (pair) | View on Amazon UK
A waterproof jacket is non-negotiable for UK hillwalking. The question isn’t whether to buy one, it’s which one. The market ranges from sub-£100 budget options to £500+ premium shells, and the difference in performance between them is real but not always proportional to the price. We’ve tested jackets across several seasons in the conditions that matter for UK walkers, prolonged Lake District rain, Atlantic-saturated Scottish summits, and the horizontal drizzle that defines the Welsh hills.
A hiking backpack is probably the piece of kit you’ll use most. It carries everything else, and a poorly fitted or badly designed pack makes a long day miserable. Shoulder pain, back ache, and a badly organised bag slowing you down when you need waterproofs fast, all avoidable with the right choice. The UK market has excellent options at every price point. Here’s what we’d recommend, broken down by use case.
Good boots are the foundation of a good day on the hill. The wrong pair, too stiff, too narrow, not waterproof, can turn a good walk into a miserable one. The right pair disappears on your feet. UK women hikers face a specific challenge: trails that are wet, muddy, and technical underfoot for at least nine months of the year, but rarely severe enough to need full mountaineering boots. What you need is a waterproof mid-cut boot with reliable grip, decent ankle support, and a fit that works for a female foot shape.