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PEN Y FAN, WALES

Climbing the highest peak in South Wales – 886m above sea level – doesn’t have to be as taxing as it sounds. Part of the appeal of Pen y Fan, in the magnificent Brecon Beacons, is the choice of routes to the summit. The easiest is a four-mile circular walk, but if you want more miles and challenging terrain, there are many options. Whichever route you take, you’ll be treated to epic scenery – wide, open stretches of green that echo out, combined with dramatically dropping, vertigo-inducing cliff faces that remind you how high up you are.

Once at the summit, prepare for vistas that cover mind-bogglingly far-reaching distances. Sights (on a clear day) include the Black Mountains, the Gower Peninsula and – most alluringly – Llyn Cwm Llwch, a radiant, deep blue glacial lake that’s become a hotspot for wild swimmers (albeit a freezing cold hotspot).

COTSWOLD WAY, ENGLAND

The appeal of the Cotswolds is well documented, but perhaps the best way to get a feel for the region and its diverse beauty is on this 102-mile trail that runs between Bath and Chipping Campden. Designated an official National Trail in 2007, the route launched in 1970 and is split into smaller sections ranging between five and ten miles, each with its own highlights across both landscape and attractions.

Those highlights include a neolithic burial chamber (Belas Knap), ancient woodlands, an Iron Age hill fort in Beckbury Camp, 13th-century Hailes Abbey, wildflower meadows and more powerfully pastoral scenes than you thought possible on one route.

Worth special mention is Stanway House, a Jacobean manor house and fountain with 300ft-tall jet, claimed to be Britain’s tallest fountain and the world’s tallest ‘gravity-fed fountain’.

JULIANA TRAIL, SLOVENIA

If Slovenia is a new destination for you, you’re in for a treat. Opened in 2019, the 168-mile trail (divided into 16 sections) navigates through part of the Julian Alps, passing some of the country’s most spectacular natural sights.

Even though you’re walking through a mountain range, most of the well-marked route is actually flat, making it great for those who want a less strenuous walk. Scenery-wise, you can look forward to mighty peaks, valleys, meadows, lakes, forests, national parks and even – depending on which section(s) you tackle – views of Slovenia’s highest mountain, Mount Triglav. It’s the perfect deep dive into Slovenia’s natural beauty.

You’ll also encounter castles, museums and traditional rural villages, making this a truly well-rounded trail. Learn more about the area at the Slovenian Alpine Museum, or visit Pericnik Falls, tucked away in a beautiful spot and one of the country’s highest waterfalls.

CAMÍ DE RONDA, SPAIN

If you think you know the Costa Brava, seeing it through this winding coastal route opens up a whole new side to the Mediterranean region. Once patrolled by coastal authorities to stop smugglers, the paths are now a favourite with both experienced and casual hikers. You’ll be covering 26.7 miles if you opt for the main linear route between the towns of Sant Feliu de Guíxols in the south and Begur to the north – you can do this over several days. There’s also a longer, circular route beginning and ending in Girona, covering just under 87 miles.

Even the smaller route is packed with sights and scenery you won’t forget in a hurry. Fishing villages, castles, coves, blissful beaches and over 800 species of plants in the Cap Roig Botanical Gardens.

Whichever route you take, you’ll likely fly in and out of Girona, so give yourself a few days in this city to wander its Jewish quarter and medieval city walls (both free) and visit museums celebrating former Girona former resident, surrealist artist Salvador Dalí (paid entry. Other city museums are free once a month).