Offa’s Dyke Path

Distance: 177 miles
Days: c. 13 days

Offa was an eighth-century King of Mercia, a powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom that encompassed a great chunk of central England. His famous dyke was purportedly constructed to delineate the western border of his kingdom, though recent archaeological evidence has shown that initial work might have started centuries earlier than Offa’s reign. Regardless, this great earthwork is popularly known as Offa’s Dyke, and has given its name to the 177-mile long-distance National Trail that snakes from Sebury, near Chepstow on the Severn Estuary, to Prestatyn in north Wales.

The route itself follows what is left of Offa’s Dyke for more than 60 miles of its course, and elsewhere roughly tracks the modern border between England and Wales. It takes about 13 days to walk the entire trail. The path heads along the east side of the Wye Valley and skirts the edge of the Brecon Beacons. It then takes in the Shropshire Hills as well as the Vale of Llangollen and the Clwydian Range. As such, it crosses both scenic lowland and dramatic hill country, offering rich and varied walking through landscapes steeped in history.

“The Offa’s Dyke Path is a great trek. In fact, it’s so great, I’ve walked it twice and would walk it again! I think it’s the variety of landscapes that I like most about it; you’ve got the picturesque Wye Valley, wild Black Mountains and Clwydian Hills and then the rolling green hills of Mid Wales in-between. I guess it’s quite nice to be able to say you’ve walked the length of Wales as well.” Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic.

Glyndŵr’s Way

Distance: 135 miles
Days: c. 10 days

This meandering route through a broad swathe of mid-Wales celebrates the life and legacy of Owain Glyndŵr, the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales. In the early fifteenth century he led a bloody and determined campaign against Henry IV to wrest control of Wales from the English. Fittingly, the trail explores Welsh culture and history as well as some of its finest landscapes, passing through open moors, upland heath, rolling farmland, ancient oak woodland and numerous historic towns and villages.

With a total length of 135 miles, most thru-hikers complete it in 9 or 10 days. Like many other National Trails, it can also be easily tackled in sections walked over a weekend or so. Part of the route crosses remote and challenging terrain, including some boggy high country. It’s also one of the less well-known National Trails, so tackling Glyndŵr’s Way is a good option for independent and experienced walkers in search of something a bit different and who are keen to venture into more isolated areas.

Yorkshire Wolds Way

Distance: 79 miles
Days: c. 5 days

Usually walked from south to north, the Yorkshire Wolds Way is a 79-mile journey from the Humber estuary to the North Sea coast. Along the way, it passes through the classic chalk downland landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds, with its characteristic broad, grassy ridges and dry valleys. The shortest of the National Trails, reasonably fit walkers can easily complete the route in five days or so. You can certainly pack a lot into that time though, as the trail explores pockets of woodland, rising escarpments and lush pastures, interspersed with quaint Yorkshire villages and vibrant market towns – ideal places to stop for a pint or two of local beer. Perhaps the quietest of all the national trails, the Wolds Way is ideal for walkers looking to get away from it all and enjoy a broad swathe of the Yorkshire countryside in peace and tranquillity.

“The route offers a feeling of escapism that is hard to beat, travelling through the rolling chalk hills of the Wolds, where you see more wildlife than people. You’ll pass through deserted medieval villages, vibrant market towns, alongside bubbling streams and through forests alive with birdsong. It’s a walk that will clear your head and restore your vitality.” @adventureabbie5, filmmaker and adventurer (songthrushproductions.co.uk)

Pennine Bridleway

Distance: 205 miles
Days: c. 18 days

Shorter in length than the Pennine Way, the Pennine Bridleway was launched in stages, beginning in 2002, to create a long-distance route primarily for horse riders and mountain bikers. However, it is also open to walkers, giving hikers the chance to explore 205 miles of ancient packhorse routes, drovers’ roads and newly created bridleways from Middleton Top in Derbyshire to The Street in Cumbria. It also incorporates two loops, the Mary Towneley Loop and the Settle Loop. Along the way it takes in many picturesque landscapes, while generally following a lower-level route compared to the Pennine Way, preferring valleys, hillsides and moorland to the higher tops. This makes it a good option for walkers who might struggle with more arduous sustained climbs and descents. It’s also one to add to the list for completists aiming to walk all the National Trails of England and Wales.

Peddar’s Way and Norfolk Coast Path

Distance: 93 miles
Days: c. 7 days

Offering an intriguing mix of open countryside and coastal walking, this 93-mile National Trail joins the ancient Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path, though the walk is regarded as a single entity. The first section broadly follows an old Roman road over heathland and fields as it arrows straight towards the coast at Holme-next-the-Sea. Here walkers pick up the coast path and head east, over low cliffs, sand dunes, saltmarsh and mud flats.

“The Norfolk Coast Path is a wonderful walk, but don’t expect it to be easy just because it’s along the coast! Though there aren’t lots of hills, hiking along the soft sandy beaches is pretty tough with a heavy pack. For nature lovers, the trail is a birdwatcher’s paradise. I saw bitterns and nesting lapwings. You might be lucky enough to see seals too.” @beckythetraveller, travel writer and Instagrammer (beckythetraveller.com)

Cotswold Way

Distance: 102 miles
Days: c. 7 days

A frequently walked route, the Cotswold Way is 102 miles long in total, and a reasonably fit walker can do the whole thing in about a week. That partially accounts for its popularity, as does its accessibility, since its southern terminus is the historic city of Bath. But the Cotswold Way also offers a chance to explore some of England’s prettiest countryside, with panoramic views across the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Somerset. On a clear day it is even possible to see as far as the distant Malvern Hills, the Mendips and the Welsh border country. The airy feel and superb vistas experienced on the western limestone escarpment of the Cotswold Hills are sensations usually reserved for Britain’s mountainous areas, so it is a delight to find such exhilaration in South West England. When combined with the area’s inviting market towns and villages, fascinating historical sites and delightful countryside, it all makes for a very enticing long-distance walk.

Thames Path

Distance: 184 miles
Days: c. 14 days

If the idea of following a river all the way from its source to the sea appeals, then the Thames Path is the National Trail for you. The route traces the meandering course of this great river for 184 miles from the Cotswold Hills to historic Greenwich. Along the way it passes through rural landscapes as well as numerous small towns and villages, before striking boldly through the heart of London. For walkers who take on the entire trail, the contrast between quiet, peaceful countryside and seething metropolis is striking, as the river gradually broadens from modest beginnings to an impressive width of 520 metres, where it is bridged by the Thames Barrier, which marks the finish point of the route.

“It is unique in being the only National Trail to follow a river. The trail is split into numerous stages of varying lengths, each taking in distinctive stretches of the Thames as it meanders its way through countryside, village, town and city. It’s mainly easy going along well-maintained paths, albeit with the odd boggy section after wet weather. Getting to it is easy too – indeed, its sheer accessibility is one of the most appealing features of the Thames Path.” Andrew White, writer, filmmaker and broadcaster (walksaroundbritain.co.uk)

The Ridgeway

Distance: 87 miles
Days: c. 6 days

One of England’s most ancient paths, parts of the Ridgeway have been in use for centuries – possibly since the Neolithic era. When it comes to well-trodden routes, it is doubtful whether any path has been tramped by more feet, given its long and well-documented history of use. But despite its ancient origins, the Ridgeway is today a relatively quiet and tranquil long-distance trail that has much to offer for those seeking solitude and reflection. Split into two halves, it takes in the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns, two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Their prehistoric sites, secluded valleys and sheltered woods are ideal places for contemplation. With a total length of 87 miles, it can be walked in about six days, making it the ideal trail to blow away the cobwebs and reinvigorate mind, body and soul.

South Downs Way

Distance: 100 miles
Days: c. 6 days

The South Downs Way actually predates the creation of the South Downs National Park by nearly 40 years, though it stretches the entire length of the park, a distance of some 100 miles. A multi-use shared path designed for horse riders and cyclists as well as walkers, it follows broad grassy tracks across rolling chalk downland. The route traditionally starts from the city of Winchester in Hampshire and finishes at Eastbourne in East Sussex, though it can be walked in the opposite direction. It links several well-known tourist attractions, including Devil’s Dyke, Ditchling Beacon, Beachy Head and the Long Man of Wilmington. Most walkers can complete it in around 6 days. The terrain is generally undemanding, though there are steep ascents when crossing river valleys at Alfriston, Southease, Bramber and Amberley.

“The South Downs Way is a perfect escape route from England’s busy south east. The trails are clear, well-signed and brilliantly runnable and many of its climbs are handsomely rewarded with fantastic views. It’s easily accessible from train stations and there are plenty of great places to stop for food and rest along the way. At 100 miles it’s a tempting challenge for a distance runner, whether tackled over a week, a weekend, or even in one go.” Jen and Sim Benson, runners and authors of Wild Running: Britain’s 200 Greatest Trail Runs (adventureplaces.co.uk)

North Downs Way

Distance: 153 miles
Days: c. 12 days

Exploring a pastoral landscape of chalk grassland, mixed woodland, traditional orchards and fertile fields, the North Downs Way is a relaxed 153-mile trail that takes about 12 days to walk in one go. The route winds across the historic counties of Kent and Surrey. It broadly follows an old pilgrim route to Canterbury, taking in a large stretch of the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs. These chalk limestone and ‘greensand’ sandstone escarpments offer lofty views over the surrounding landscape, being occasionally (and abruptly) cut by river valleys, necessitating some surprisingly steep climbs. The high ground here has been ritualistically and strategically important for centuries, so is dotted by all manner of historical sites, from Stone Age burial mounds to Second World War pill boxes.

After crossing Surrey and west Kent, the final section of the walk is shaped like a giant lasso that indirectly links the cathedral city of Canterbury to the port of Dover. It gives a choice of routes; either a direct line over the Kent Downs to Folkestone and along the famous white cliffs to reach Dover, or a more circuitous alternative that heads northeast to the hills west of the Stour, taking in various traditional Kent villages with their distinctive oast houses before reaching Canterbury. From there the trail swings south-east to finish at Dover, with views of the English Channel and the French coastline.

England Coast Path

Distance: 2,795 miles
Days: months!

Though currently still a work in progress, the England Coast Path is the newest of our National Trails. Once completed, it will form the longest continuous coastal path in the world. The total distance of the route will be an impressive 2,795 miles – longer than either the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail in the USA, two of the world’s most famous ‘thru-hikes’.

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