The Rise of Wellness Walking: Where to Hike, Heal and Hot-Soak in the UK
Walking holidays continue to grow in popularity across the UK, in fact, a 2023 survey highlighted that 9 in 10 Brits expressed interest in walking holidays, while the hashtag #walkingholiday on Instagram has over 100k posts.
With a growing focus on health and relaxation, clear from the 81% increase in searches for ‘wellness retreats’ and 240% increase in searches for ‘relaxing getaways’ this year so far, the new walking holiday is one that merges exercise and endorphins with well-earned relaxation.
Planet Cruise has revealed the best destinations for wellness walking holidays by analysing the following factors in each area: walking trails, number of spas in the area, yoga and pilates studios, fitness clubs and gyms, thermal baths, average temperature, sun hours and rainfall.
The best wellness walking spots in the UK
If you’re looking for some rest and relaxation closer to home, perhaps to head to for this weekend during the surge in hot weather, then Planet Cruise has rounded up the best spots.
| Rank | Location | No. of Spas | No. of Thermal Baths | No. of hiking routes | Avg. Temp | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| 1. | Cornwall | 70 | 5 | 499 | 10.7 | 65 |
| 2. | The Cotswolds | 81 | 0 | 635 | 10.1 | 66.5 |
| 3. | Lake District | 40 | 0 | 1,816 | 8.2 | 89 |
| 4. | Pembrokeshire | 16 | 0 | 179 | 10.3 | 67.5 |
| 5. | The Peak District | 20 | 2 | 1,422 | 8.7 | 80.5 |
1. Cornwall
Full of sandy beaches, quaint towns and rolling pastures, Cornwall is a popular region for many to escape the business of everyday life. The region is home to 21 fitness clubs and 9 yoga and Pilates studios, it’s an ideal place to spend some time looking after your body and health. With 90 spas present, 5 thermal baths and 499 hiking routes, spend time relaxing and reconnecting with your sense and nature, while soaking in the 7 hours of sunlight.
2. The Cotswolds
Charming villages and lush meadows and streams make The Cotswolds region feel like a slice of peace not far from both the Midlands and London. Visit the region’s 81 spas, 11 yoga and Pilates studios, and 13 fitness clubs for some calm and head to the hills via one of the 635 walking trails to reconnect with nature.
3. Lake District
A haven for walkers and nature lovers, the Lake District’s lives up to its name, with 1,816 winding trails around its lakes to choose from, offering a picturesque backdrop for clearing your mind. Though the region is cooler at 8.2°C and more rainfall is expected, its 40 spas and 9 fitness clubs provide warmth and relaxation after a day spent outdoors.
4. Pembrokeshire
The sea cliffs, sandy coves and Mediterranean-hued bays of Pembrokeshire invite reflection and relaxation for visitors. While wellness facilities are more limited – with 16 spas, a single yoga studio, and one health club – the region’s 179 hiking trails and nearly 8 hours of sunlight on average makes it the perfect escape for those looking to truly unplug and escape from the noise.
5. Peak District
A landscape shaped by limestone dales, windswept moors, and gentle peaks, the Peak District promises fresh air and open skies. Home to over 1,400 hiking routes and 2 thermal baths, the Peak District offers restoration for both the body and mind and is perfect for those who prefer exercise as a means of wellness. Temperatures are slightly cooler and the 6.3 hours of daily sunlight is lower than other areas due to its mountainous terrain, but with 20 spas, 2 thermal baths and a handful of fitness and yoga spaces, its easy to warm up after a day on the trails.
Top regions for wellness walking globally:
| Rank | Location | No. of Spas | No. of thermal baths | No. of Hiking routes | Avg Temp | Avg Rainfall (mm) |
| 1. | British Columbia | 937 | 16 | 6,884 | 9.8 | 150.5 |
| 2. | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | 770 | 7 | 16 | 14.8 | 65.5 |
| 3. | Tuscany | 318 | 22 | 1,232 | 14.4 | 81 |
| 4. | Chiang Mai | 436 | 8 | 377 | 28.3 | 68.5 |
| 5. | Algarve | 176 | 5 | 657 | 17.3 | 35.5 |
| 6. | Goa | 196 | 0 | 38 | 28.5 | 44.5 |
| 7. | Sicily | 224 | 2 | 366 | 16.2 | 52.5 |
| 8. | Sedona | 74 | 0 | 245 | 14.4 | 20.5 |
| 9. | Santorini | 40 | 0 | 37 | 17.8 | 14 |
| 10. | Ubud | 347 | 4 | 215 | 25.9 | 164.5 |
Making the top 5 is:
1. British Columbia, Canada
Home to 937 spas, 95 health and fitness clubs and 6,884 hiking routes, it’s no surprise that Canada’s British Columbia comes out on top as the world’s best place for a wellness escape. The region is perfect for those looking for respite from the busy nature of daily life and reconnect with themselves and their surroundings. An impressive 16 thermal baths and 79 yoga and Pilates studios in the province similarly contribute towards its number one spot as the perfect place to head for much-needed R&R.
2. Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur stretches from the foothills of the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea, boasting a stunning natural landscape that makes it popular with travellers. 91 yoga and Pilates studios can be found in the French region, more than anywhere else, and its 770 spas, daily average of 10.9 hours of sunlight and high number of fitness clubs and thermal baths, make it the second best wellness destination worldwide.
3. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany comes third, owing to its 22 thermal baths, more than any other region in the top 10, and its 1,232 hiking routes. The 318 spas in the region, 66 fitness clubs and 45 yoga and Pilates studios create the perfect environment to enjoy a restful break.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
In the North of Thailand, the province of Chiang Mai exudes a tranquil, bohemian vibe, far away from the hustle and bustle of Southern regions like Phuket and Bangkok. The region is a favourite for travellers seeking mindfulness at yoga retreats, with the region being home to 31, and boasts very warm average temperatures of 28.3C and 10.1 hours of average daily sunshine, the perfect concoction for producing serotonin. The region’s 436 spas, 377 hiking routes and 8 thermal baths are also not to be missed.
5. Algarve, Portugal
Head to the sun-drenched sands of the Algarve if sunshine is your therapy. With 10.4 hours of average daily sunshine and just 35.5mm of average rainfall, you can almost guarantee you won’t be stuck inside, the perfect weather for enjoying the region’s 657 hiking routes. If you do prefer to spend some time out of the sun, visit one of the 176 spas that are open and spend a few hours at the yoga and Pilates studios (46), the fitness clubs (42) and the thermal baths (5).
To find out more about the best wellness destinations this Spring, please visit: https://www.planetcruise.com/en/best-spring-wellness-destinations
