Autumn Walking in the UK: Where to Go in October & November
Autumn is a great time to get away for a few days of walking.
The busy summer period has passed, popular paths are generally quieter and the changing colours can completely alter familiar landscapes. It's also a good time for a short walking break before winter arrives.
You don't necessarily need to head for the highest mountains either. Woodland, coast, moorland and countryside can all work particularly well during October and November.
Here are a few of our favourite places for an autumn walking break in the UK.
The New Forest
Autumn is an ideal time to explore the New Forest on foot.
The mixture of ancient woodland, heathland and open countryside means there's plenty of variety, while October and November bring changing leaves and a very different feel from the busy summer months.
It's also well suited to a sociable few days away. The walking doesn't have to be about reaching summits or covering huge distances; there's time to enjoy the landscape, stop along the way and spend the evening with the rest of the group.
Large Outdoors runs guided walking breaks in the New Forest, with accommodation and the walking organised for you.
North York Moors
The North York Moors can be particularly good later in the year.
Summer's purple heather may have gone, but autumn brings quieter paths, changing colours and plenty of variety between the moors, woodland, valleys and Yorkshire coast.
It's an area we know particularly well at Large Outdoors, and one where we can put together very different days of walking without travelling huge distances.
For an autumn break, routes around places such as Helmsley, Rievaulx and the surrounding countryside work particularly well.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds aren't just a summer destination.
Autumn works well for walking between villages, through woodland and across the rolling countryside, particularly once the busiest visitor period has passed.
Places such as Burford and the countryside surrounding Blenheim Palace make it possible to combine a good day's walking with some of the history and villages that make this part of England worth exploring on foot.
It's also a good choice if you're looking for a walking break without heading into mountainous terrain.
Pembrokeshire Coast
Autumn on the coast can be a very different experience from summer.
The Pembrokeshire Coast around St Davids offers miles of coastal paths, small bays and open views, with fewer people around once the main holiday season has finished.
Of course, autumn weather beside the sea can be changeable, but that's part of walking at this time of year. Bring proper waterproofs and layers and you're ready for a good day out.
A few days based in one place also means you can explore different sections of coastline without having to move accommodation each night.
Yorkshire's moors and literary landscapes
Autumn also suits some of Yorkshire's lower-level landscapes particularly well.
Brontë Country combines open moorland with villages, reservoirs and the landscapes associated with the Brontë family. Add in places connected with The Railway Children and you've got a walking break that isn't solely about the miles covered.
Shorter autumn days can actually suit this style of trip: a full day outside followed by somewhere warm to return to and an evening with the group.
What should you wear for autumn walking?
The biggest consideration is that conditions can change quickly.
For most autumn walking you'll want a waterproof jacket and trousers, comfortable walking boots, warm layers, hat and gloves, and a small rucksack with food and water.
Daylight is also becoming shorter, so carrying a proper head torch is important even when you're expecting to finish well before dark.
You can find our full walking kit list here:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/kit-list/day-walk-kit-list
Coming on your own?
You absolutely can.
Most people joining Large Outdoors trips come on their own, so you don't need to find somebody to travel with before booking.
The group meets at the start of the break, we organise the guided walking, and you spend the weekend or midweek break with other people who've come away for much the same reason: to get outside, do some good walking and enjoy having other people around.
If the idea of joining a walking group alone feels slightly daunting, we've written more about what to expect here:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/walking-news-blogs-galleries/joining-a-walking-group-alone
Find an autumn walking break
Our autumn programme includes guided walking breaks across England, Scotland and Wales, from coastal weekends to woodland and countryside walking.
You can see our current autumn walking holidays and short breaks here:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/autumn-walking-holidays-uk
Or browse all upcoming Large Outdoors trips:
