Finding the best family-friendly walks with OS Maps
Exploring the outdoors with children does not need to mean long distances or tough terrain. Across the UK, there are brilliant family‑friendly hikes that combine short routes, safe paths and plenty to see along the way.
These walks are ideal for building confidence outdoors, spotting wildlife and spending time together away from busy places.
Below are just a few ideas for hikes across England, Scotland and Wales, some of the best UK family hikes. You can also use OS Maps to find 1000’s of walking routes across the UK. To find routes near you simply open up OS Maps for free and start searching for routes in your area.
Plan your family walk with OS Maps
When you are heading out with children, having a simple plan makes all the difference. OS Maps acts like a pocket guide, helping you find, follow and adapt routes with confidence.
The app allows you to explore routes in advance using 3D flythroughs, check terrain and adjust distances to suit your family. It is particularly useful for family walks, where flexibility is key. If little legs get tired or the weather changes, you can quickly adapt your route without losing your way.
Top Family-Friendly Hikes in the UK
Tarn Hows & Black Crag, Cumbria
This circular walk around Tarn Hows is a brilliant choice for families, combining gentle paths with a sense of adventure without feeling overwhelming. The well‑maintained tracks around the tarn make it manageable for children, while the constant change of scenery helps keep them engaged. Kids will enjoy spotting ducks and sheep along the shoreline, crossing small bridges and watching reflections ripple across the water. The short climb towards Black Crag adds a feeling of achievement, rewarding walkers with wider views over the surrounding fells. With plenty of places to pause for snacks or photos, this walk strikes a great balance between easy walking and a “real” Lake District experience that keeps children motivated from start to finish.
OS Maps Tip
Download the route offline. Mobile signal can be patchy in the Lake District.
Lightspout Waterfall and Carding Mill Valley Walk, Shropshire Hills
Distance: 5.6km | Total Ascent: 246m
This walk through Carding Mill Valley is a great option for families, offering gentle valley walking with plenty to keep children interested along the way. The clear paths follow a bubbling stream, which gives kids something to watch and listen to as they walk, especially after rain when the water is flowing faster. The route gradually leads uphill to Lightspout Waterfall, giving children a clear goal to work towards and a real sense of achievement when they reach it. Along the way there are stepping stones, open grassy areas for breaks and wide views across the valley, making it easy to pause, explore and refuel. With flexible distances and the option to turn back at any point, this walk works well for keeping young walkers motivated without over‑stretching them.
OS Maps Tip
Preview the route on OS Maps to see where the path steepens near the waterfall. This makes it easier to choose a natural turning point if children are tiring.
Loch an Eilein Circular, Cairngorms
This circular walk around Loch an Eilein is an excellent family option, offering easy woodland paths with a strong sense of adventure. The well‑defined tracks make it straightforward underfoot, while the changing forest scenery helps keep children interested as they walk. A real highlight for kids is the ruined castle sitting on its own island in the loch, which gives them a clear focal point and sparks imagination as they get closer. There are plenty of natural stopping points along the shoreline for snacks, stone‑skimming or wildlife spotting, with good chances of seeing birds and red squirrels. Sheltered by trees and mostly level, this walk feels calm and manageable, making it a confidence‑building choice for families exploring the Cairngorms together.
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Llyn Padarn Lakeside Circular Walk, Eryri (Snowdonia)
This lakeside walk around Llyn Padarn is a strong choice for families, thanks to its mostly flat paths and the flexibility to walk as far as suits your group. The wide, well‑surfaced track makes it easy for children to walk at their own pace, while the constant views across the water help keep them engaged. There is plenty to spot along the way, from boats and water birds on the lake to old quarry buildings and wooded sections that break up the route. With Yr Wyddfa rising in the distance, children also get a sense of being in the mountains without tackling a steep climb. Regular stopping points along the shore make this an ideal walk for picnics, stone‑skimming and relaxed exploring, helping to keep motivation high throughout the day.
OS Maps Tip
Track your progress on OS Maps as you walk. On longer flatter routes like this, seeing how far you’ve come can be a real motivator for children.
Seven Sisters Country Park Valley Walk, East Sussex
This walk through Seven Sisters Country Park is a memorable family option, offering wide open spaces and dramatic coastal scenery that keeps children engaged throughout. The route follows clear paths through rolling valleys and along the coast, giving young walkers plenty to look at without feeling hemmed in. Kids will enjoy spotting seabirds overhead, watching the river wind through the valley and seeing the iconic white cliffs appear and disappear as the path curves. While there are some gentle climbs, they are broken up by flatter sections and big views, helping motivation stay high. With lots of space to stop, explore and run about safely away from cliff edges, this walk offers a sense of adventure while remaining manageable for families.
Catbells, Lake District
Catbells is a popular first summit for families, offering a real sense of adventure without a long or exhausting day on the hill. The route is short and clearly defined, which helps children understand where they are going and how far they have come. As you climb, views over Derwentwater open up quickly, giving plenty of natural milestones to keep motivation high. Kids often enjoy the feeling of following a ridge and reaching a true peak, while the varied terrain makes the walk feel exciting rather than repetitive. There are a few steeper and slightly rocky sections near the top, so it works best for confident walkers who are happy using hands briefly and staying close to adults. Taking your time and choosing a calm weather day makes this a rewarding family walk that feels like a big achievement.
OS Maps Tip
Use OS Maps to familiarise yourself with the steeper sections near the summit. Knowing where short rocky steps appear helps families take their time and walk with confidence.
Pen y Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
Walking up Pen y Fan via the Pony Track is a rewarding challenge for families with confident walkers, offering a clear path to one of Wales’s most famous summits. The wide, well‑trodden trail makes navigation straightforward, which helps children focus on the journey rather than the route‑finding. As the path climbs steadily, the views open out across the surrounding hills, giving plenty of visual rewards and natural stopping points along the way. Reaching the summit is a big milestone for children and often a memorable first mountain experience. As this is higher, more exposed ground, it is best tackled on a clear weather day, with warm layers and time to walk at a relaxed pace.
Cheddar Gorge Cliff‑Top Walk, Somerset
This walk through Cheddar Gorge is an exciting option for families, offering dramatic limestone cliffs and constantly changing views that help keep children engaged. You can tie this route in with a trip to the Gorge itself. The route follows clear, well‑used paths, with plenty to look at along the way, from towering rock faces and caves to grazing goats and far‑reaching views across the Mendips. For children, the sense of walking through such a large landscape can feel like a real adventure, especially as the gorge opens out and the scenery shifts. As this is a cliff‑top environment in places, it is important to keep children close, stick to marked paths and take extra care near edges. Choosing a calm weather day and allowing time for regular stops helps make this a memorable and confidence‑building family walk rather than a rushed one.
OS Maps Tip
OS Maps makes it easy to stick to marked paths in cliff‑top areas. Keeping an eye on the map helps families avoid straying onto any exposed ground.
Tips for walking with children
Keep distances realistic
Choose routes shorter than you might normally walk. Allow time for stops, snacks and exploring.
Plan for the weather
Pack layers, waterproofs and sun protection. UK conditions can change quickly, especially in upland areas.
Make it interactive
- Bring a simple map and let children help navigate
- Spot wildlife or create mini challenges along the way
- Take regular breaks
Check facilities
Look for walks with car parks, toilets or cafés if needed. This can make a big difference for younger families.
Top tips for using OS Maps on a family walk
Using OS Maps as your pocket guide can make your day outdoors smoother, safer and more enjoyable. Here are a few simple ways to make the most of it.
- Download your route before you go
Save maps offline so you can access them even without signal, especially in rural or upland areas - Check terrain and elevation
Use map layers to understand gradients. Look for flatter routes when walking with younger children or pushchairs - Use ready‑made routes
Discover curated, family‑friendly walks without needing to plan from scratch - Track your location in real time
Keep an eye on where you are, which is useful for reassurance and staying on track - Plan flexible routes
Identify shorter loop options or turning points if you need to cut the walk short - Save favourite places
Bookmark great picnic spots, play areas or viewpoints for future trips - Share your route
Send your planned walk to friends or family so others know your plans
Family-Friendly Historical Days Out
Across Great Britain, there are countless places where families can enjoy fresh air and fascinating history side by side. From ancient stone circles to Roman forts and industrial heritage sites, these locations offer more than just a walk—they’re a chance to step into the past and enjoy a historical day out.
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