UK's Most Glorious Forest Walks

Savour the season’s stunning colours and the natural beauty of the UK’s finest landscapes – pull on your walking boots and go!

- Claudia Woodward.

Haldon Forest Park, Devon

Autumn is an excellent time to see butterflies, as they stock up on nectar to prepare themselves for hibernation. And at Haldon, a 3,500-acre forest just 15 minutes from Exeter, Forestry England works alongside Butterfly Conservation to monitor and provide the ideal conditions for more than 30 species, including one of Britain’s rarest, the Pearl-bordered Fritillary. The 4.5km Butterfly Trail wends its way through the forest before emerging into the open, with a glorious view that takes in the Exe Estuary, Exeter and the Haldon Belvedere.

Entrance free; parking £3-£7; forestryengland.uk

Glenbranter, Argyll Forest Park, Scotland

For a mixture of towering broad-leaved trees, including ancient oaks and conifers that showcase all the wonderful colours of autumn, Glenbranter is one of the jewels of Argyll Forest Park. Trails include the 3.6km Waterfall Trail up the Allt Robuic gorge, where you’ll see waterfalls cloaked by native oakwoods. And there’s a wildlife hide for spotting red squirrels, roe deer, woodpeckers and crossbills. The 3.62km Glen Eck Trail also climbs high above Glenbranter, giving superb views over the glen and across to Beinn Bheula and Beinn Mhòr mountains. Look out for ravens and buzzards.

Entrance free; forestryandland.gov.scot