This ‘magical’ forest trail is the best walk in the UK

Small waterfalls and woodland in Padley Gorge near Grindleford Hope Valley Peak District East Midlands England UK For anyone hoping to make the most of the NHS’s new rewards programme, which offers discounts for walking 30 minutes a day, this whimsical forest trail could be just the ticket. The Peak District is known for being home to some of the most beautiful walks in the country – and there’s one that’s just been crowned the UK’s best strolling route. The Padley Gorge Circular is a 9.5km walk in the Longshaw Estate that offers incredible views across the expanse of Derbyshire’s Big Moor. Described by recent visitor Zoe Tehrani as ‘the most magical and mystical walk in the Peak District’, this unique forest trail invites nature lovers to step straight into a fairytale. Camping gear retailer Go Outdoors analysed TripAdvisor reviews to crown this year’s winner. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. To qualify, every walk had to finish within easy reach of a pub, with service, beer selection and the quality of the roast dinner all factored into the rankings. @shewalksinengland Walk details 👇🏻 This is an easy walk in the Peak District National Park taking you through padley gorge, then on a circular up the cliff and across the moor for amazing views. 🗺️ Distance: 3 miles circular 🕰️ Time: 1.5h ⛰️ Difficulty: Easy 🐕 Dog friendly: Yes, on a lead. 🚗 Parking: Free streetside parking if you are early. Paid car park otherwise. 📌S11 7TZ #peakdistrict #walkingtrail ♬ In the presence of Angels – Braam Official Other top contenders included Studley Royal Park in North Yorkshire, 800 acres of incredible beauty, which includes an 18th-century landscaped garden. Also Arlington Reservoir in East Sussex. Covering 245 acres, the reservoir is an incredibly popular spot for animal enthusiasts – particularly bird watchers, who flock to the tranquil waters to catch a glimpse of over 170 species. But, even with stiff competition, the Padley Gorge took home top prize. What makes the Padley Gorge Circular so special? The overwhelming feeling visitors seem to take away from their experience walking the Padley Gorge Circular is that it’s a trail that ‘feels like pure magic.’ Padley Gorge,a peaceful escape just before the colours of autumn arrive (Picture: Getty) Much of the walk takes you alongside the bank of the babbling Burbage Brook, a picturesque and tranquil rocky stream that one TikTok user described as ‘a scene from “Merlin”.’ A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the walk is famous for birdwatching, spotting dragonflies, and its unique moss-covered boulders. Straightforward and simple compared to a number of other walks in the Peak District, the circular route should only take you around an hour and a half to complete. And, as we all know, no British walk is complete without a rest stop at the pub. Nestled in the heart of the Peak District, the 17th-century Grouse Inn serves as both the starting point and finishing line for the Padley Gorge Circular. Described as a ‘proper pub’, this traditional watering hole is the perfect place for patrons to enjoy a well-deserved pint. If you do make the trip, local guide Evelina Semenova recommends ordering the pub’s steak and ale pie, which she describes as ‘consistently excellent’. The Grouse Inn is the perfect resting stop following a long walk (Picture: The Grouse Inn) How do you get to the Padley Gorge Circular? There are a couple of different ways to reach the Padley Gorge Circular. The Longshaw Estate is around a three-and-a-half-hour drive from London. So, it’s worth staying locally if you want to make the most of everything the Peak District has to offer. If you’re driving from a nearby hotel or AirBnB, there are several pay-and-display car parks close to the trail. Previous visitors have also shared that roadside parking is available in some areas. If you’re travelling by train, the closest station is Grindleford, around a mile from the start of the walk. Our Top Shopping Picks Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin It’s helpful to know that there are also several local bus services also stop within a short walk of the trail. Fancy a slightly longer walk...? Calling all adventurers – there’s a new extreme hiking route you should know about. The Wolf Trail, which stretches a staggering 2,171 miles, spans six European countries and takes anywhere between four and six months to complete. Stretching across Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy, it covers diverse landscapes from Baltic dunes to the Dolomites. Those who attempt the trek should also know that it’s the equivalent of ten times the height of Mount Everest. Arrow MORE: Adopted man discovered he had been working with his sister for two years Arrow MORE: Surrey has a stunning resort with three pools and a street food restaurant Arrow MORE: Tourists are being warned to stay away from this viral UK beauty spot The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.