Do you need permits for hiking in the UK?

Most UK hiking does not require permits. However, some specific areas and activities do: camping on Dartmoor (under review), some National Trust properties, Nature Reserve access, and certain mountain bike trails. Parking fees at popular trailheads are the most common cost. Wild camping in Scotland is legal under the Land Reform Act but some popular areas near Loch Lomond require seasonal permits.

Is National Trust membership worth it for outdoor activities?

National Trust membership costs £72/year for adults (2024). If you regularly use NT car parks (typically £5-10/day) and visit NT properties, membership pays for itself after about 10-15 visits per year. Many popular trailhead car parks in the Lake District, Peak District and Snowdonia are NT-owned.

What about international hiking permits?

Many international trails require permits: the Tour du Mont Blanc needs hut reservations, US National Parks require wilderness permits, and popular trails like the Inca Trail have strict permit quotas. Research well in advance as popular routes sell out months ahead.

Do I need to pay for trailhead parking?

Most popular UK trailheads have pay-and-display parking, typically £3-10 per day. National Trust, National Park Authority, and Forestry England car parks are common. Some areas offer annual parking passes that save money for regular visitors. Always carry coins or check if the machine takes cards.

CampCalcs

Permit Calculator

Calculate permit costs and requirements for popular UK and international trails.

Group Size

Trip Days

Permit Cost

Permit Type

Parking Cost

Membership Cost (annual)

e.g. National Trust

Trips per Year

How many similar trips/year

How We Calculate This

Permit Cost

Cost depends on permit type: per person, per group, per person per day, or per group per day.

Membership Comparison

Annual permit cost = Trip permit cost x Trips per year

If annual cost exceeds membership price, membership saves money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Trip Budget Calculator

Calculate total trip costs including transport, accommodation, food and gear.

Campsite Cost Calculator

Calculate campsite costs per person per night with optional extras.

Mileage Calculator

Calculate driving distance fuel costs for getting to your campsite or trailhead.

Group Gear Splitter

Split shared group gear fairly based on individual pack weights and fitness.

First Aid Kit Calculator

Build a first aid kit checklist based on group size, trip length and remoteness.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify conditions and use proper safety equipment outdoors.