From one-day walks to trips to stumbling across urban landscapes, few places can match the UK’s snowy peaks, alpine trails, and coastal paths. Whether you’re going on a short trek or a long hike, your hiking gear needs to provide support, traction, and comfort.

We’ve rounded up the best hikes and hiking shoes to prepare you for taking on the great outdoors this Autumn. Let’s take a look. 

The Northumberland Coastal Path

The Northumberland Coast Path meanders through coastal scenery including windswept grassy dunes, castles sitting on top of rocky headlands, secluded covers, and fishing villages. Relatively low level, this area of outstanding beauty can be split into manageable walks, so if you’re looking for a shoe that lets you take on any terrain, the Salomon XT-4 is your go-to.

Versatile in its design, this functional shoe is crafted with a breezy techy base with slick synthetic overlays for lightweight comfort. It comes with a full-length Agile Chassis System for extra stability along the paths too.

Mam Tor, Peak District

The peaks are famous for limestone caves, heather moorlands, vertical edges, and long-distance hiking routes – this means bogs, peat, and rolling green hills. Mam Tor is a Peak District landmark. The paths are well made and there are plenty of circular walks on offer too.

On Running has got you covered for this one. Feather-light yet durable, the women’s Cloudvista shoes feature Helion foam teamed with CloudTec technology for a tread that cushions high-rebound shock for those rocky paths. The shallow lugs and hard-wearing rubber will carry you over unknown terrains and rugged trails too. Perfect.

Porth Wen Brickworks, Anglesey

A ruined harbour sat in an incredible location at the foot of a cliff, Porth Wen Brickworks is a treasure trove for explorers. This site is made up of Victorian brickwork buildings, beehive kilns, and a secluded pebble beach with a natural sea rock arch.

If you’re planning on climbing down through this romantic ruin, the Hoka One One Anacapa Mid GTX shoes are a great offering. With a heel-to-toe drop of 6mm, the EVA midsole cushioning provides plush buffering for high-impact steps while GORE-TEX wraps the foot in a weather-ready layer. The extended heel design fears no path, with exaggerated lugs offering much-needed grip on terrain during those Anglesey showers. 

South Downs Way

Next, we delve into a hilly hike that’s just fifty miles from London. The South Downs Way offers woodlands, wildflower meadows, and quaint villages along its chalky landscape. Keep pushing to the finale of the hike for the highlight near Eastbourne, and you’ll find the renowned chalk cliffs – the Seven Sisters.

Muddy tracks and open grassland – here’s where Nike comes in. Outdoor-certified, the Nike ACG Air Mada Low is a techy silhouette that is functional for both the trails and the streets. Leather combines with a sturdy textile base on the upper to allow moisture to pass out, while mudguards add functionality to this off-road adventure.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

As well as being a city packed with culture, Edinburgh has some of the best hikes on offer – and Arthur’s Seat is a walk that oozes history. Right in the center of Edinburgh, the highest point of this peak is an ancient volcano! Sitting 251m high, this ramble gives a must-see viewpoint of the city.

The North Face Thermoball V Traction Mule has got you covered when it comes to grip. The rubber sole delivers sticky traction on both wet and dry terrain and the synthetic fill keeps the warmth in – perfect for when you head back to the city to explore. Simple, functional, understated style. You won’t want to take these off.

Check out the latest seasonal shoes on our site here.