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England has many fantastic long distance walks to choose from. In this guide we’ve picked out 9 of the best that were sure you’re going to love.
From the easy going and quiet trail through the Yorkshire Wolds Way to the rugged and wild tracks of the Coast to Coast Walk there’s a hike in this list for every type and level of hiker.
We’ve given you all the details (and hopefully inspiration) you need to choose one of them and go on an escapade of a lifetime! Enjoy the guide!
# | Hike | Distance | Days | Difficulty | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | South West Coast Path | 630 miles / 1014km | 30 – 56 | 3.8/5 | |
#2 | Pennine Way | 268 miles / 430km | 15 – 19 | 3.4/5 | |
#3 | Dales Way | 81 miles / 128km | 4 – 6 | 3/5 | |
#4 | Coast to Coast Walk | 192 miles / 309km | 12 – 15 | 3.6/5 | |
#5 | The Ridgeway | 87 miles / 139km | 5 – 7 | 3.1/5 | |
#6 | Cotswold Way | 102 miles / 164km | 6 – 10 | 2.6/5 | |
#7 | South Downs Way | 100 miles / 160km | 7 – 9 | 2.3/5 | |
#8 | Hadrian’s Wall Path | 84 miles / 135km | 5 – 7 | 3/5 | |
#9 | Yorkshire Wolds Way | 80 miles / 129km | 4 – 6 | 1.8/5 |
Image credit: Robert Pittman
The majestic South West Coastal Path route was originally laid down to help coastguards intercept smugglers, but has become one of Britain’s most popular walks.
From it’s starting point at Minehead it weaves a path along the coast of North Devon, encircles the entire coast of Cornwall and passes along the South Devon coast.
Along this unforgettable trail walkers pass through two World Heritage Sites, five areas of outstanding natural beauty and one national park.
With no two days ever the same and so much to take in, this walk will leave a lasting impression.
Image credits: Robert Pittman, Richard Walker, Robert Pittman, Andrew
Image credit: Robert J Heath
The Pennine Way, a 268 mile route across the backbone of the Pennines. Separating northeast and northwest England, it runs from the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland.
Not a walk for beginners – this trail can be challenging at times but the natural beauty and awe inspiring sites more than make it worth the effort.
There are so many highlights as the route passes through several national parks, gritstone moors, remote stretches in North Pennines and the glorious bleakness of the Cheviot Hills.
This route will have you challenging yourself, and making some unforgettable memories.
Image credit: chantrybee
When a route has pubs all along it that offer bed and breakfast, you know it’s a popular trail and this is exactly the case with Dales Way.
Crossing some of the best known walking territory in Britain such as Wharfe Valley in Yorkshire and the Lake District, the path takes walkers through scenic landscapes: along mountain ridges, past stunning lakes, sheltered valleys, patchworks of moorland and beautiful forestry.
There are some steep sections, but the abundance of accommodation means that days can be split up easily into manageable chunks, making it a great introductory long distance walk for hikers.
Image credits: chantrybee, grassrootsgroundswell, Sketyl none, deargdoom57
Stretching across the entire north of England the Coast to Coast walk takes you through some stunning parts of the country.
Assuming St Beesis your starting point, the walk quickly leads you into the beautiful Lake District valleys of Barrowdale, Grasmere, and Patterdale.
Leaving the Lake Distrct walkers then enter the gentler landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales with its hills, rivers, limestone cliffs, and traditional villages and farmlands.
The final stretch goes through the alluring North York Moors before reaching the cliffs of the North Sea coast and traversing down to the cobblestoned streets of Robin Hood’s Bay.
Image credits: sagesolar, Robert J Heath
Image credit: Andrew Bowden
Called England’s oldest road, the Ridgeway trail was the preferred route used by soliers, traders, drovers, and carts for 6,000 years.
It was originally built across the chalk downs of southern England to allow safe and dry progress above the untamed woods and boggy countryside below.
The trail can be taken from either direction and takes walkers through five counties: Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.
Along the way are World Heritage Sites, ancient monuments, woodland, leafy paths, views from the ridge, and the occasional quaint village.
Image credits: Giles Watson, Andrew Bowden, Andrew Bowden, Heiko S
This much loved long distance trail has become one of England’s quintessential hikes, giving those who venture it views of idyllic villages, and jaw-dropping landscapes such as the limestone grasslands of the Cleeve Hill Ring and the Leckhampton Loop.
Starting in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire what follows is ridgelines and escarpments overlooking stunning countryside, deep valleys, rich meadows, and numerous traditional Cotswold villages before coming to an end in Somerset’s World Heritage city of Bath.
If you’re looking to experience English countryside as well as a wealth of history along the way then this is the walk for you.
Image credits: ctj71081, Graeme Churchard, Kathryn
Image credit: Southdownswayu3a.com
Possibly the least intense long distance walk on this list, the South Downs Way is not only a gentle introduction to multi-day hiking but a route in some beautiful English countryside.
The route opened in 1972 and connects Winchester in Hampshire with Eastbourne in Sussex.
Walkers on this route will view and pass through meadows, dense woodlands, pastures, windmills, and beautiful golden wheat fields.
There’s plenty of history on the way too with Iron Age dikes, mounds and lynchets as you stroll by on old Roman trails along which legionnaires once marched on to Londinium.
Image credits: Grassrootsgroundswell, Grassrootsgroundswell, Southdownswayu3a.com
Image credit: Magnus Hagdorn
The Roman Emperor Hadrian built an extraordinary fortified wall right across the northern border of England almost 2,000 years ago, a defensive barrier against hostile Scottish tribes that was manned and mainained for almost 300 years.
Today, the wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this coast-to-coast long distance trail follows its route from the North Sea to the Irish Sea.
The route is relatively easy to traverse throughout, so is more than doable for newbie hikers. Apart from the wall itself, there’s some other attractions along the route as well as attractive wild scenery.
Image credits: Magnus Hagdorn, Claire Cox
Image credits: puffin11k
The Yorkshire Wolds is a little-known, picturesque corner of England with wide expanses of rolling chalk landscapes dotted with small market towns and quiet villages.
The Yorkshire Wolds Way cuts right across the heart of these rural downs.
Walkers will experience an area characterized by big skies, sweeping panoramas and secluded hidden valleys.
The main attraction of this walk is the relaxed landscape with open farmland and neat patches of leafy woodland.
The highlight of the trail is Wharram Percy, a deserted medieval village.
Image credits: puffin11k, puffin11k, Andrew Bolden, Dave Sample
# | Hike | Distance | Days | Difficulty | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | South West Coast Path | 630 miles / 1014km | 30 – 56 | 3.8/5 | |
#2 | Pennine Way | 268 miles / 430km | 15 – 19 | 3.4/5 | |
#3 | Dales Way | 81 miles / 128km | 4 – 6 | 3/5 | |
#4 | Coast to Coast Walk | 192 miles / 309km | 12 – 15 | 3.6/5 | |
#5 | The Ridgeway | 87 miles / 139km | 5 – 7 | 3.1/5 | |
#6 | Cotswold Way | 102 miles / 164km | 6 – 10 | 2.6/5 | |
#7 | South Downs Way | 100 miles / 160km | 7 – 9 | 2.3/5 | |
#8 | Hadrian’s Wall Path | 84 miles / 135km | 5 – 7 | 3/5 | |
#9 | Yorkshire Wolds Way | 80 miles / 129km | 4 – 6 | 1.8/5 |
I was raised in Edinburgh, Scotland with plenty of green spaces around me, and for as long as I can remember I've always had a passion for the outdoors.
Whether it's going for a long hike, playing football, rafting or simply discovering a cool new place you'll likely find me outside somewhere.
Discover Outside is a space for me to create guides and hopefully help others enjoy the outdoors too!
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