Girl in blue hoodie and with the black backpack looks on the Lulworth Cove, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, UK

National Trails & Routes

National trails and long-distance routes connecting landscapes, regions, and destinations across the UK and Europe.

Home
>
National Trails & Routes
Coast to Coast Path
National Trail
North West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > coast-to-coast-path
Wain Wath Falls / Wain Wath Falls on the river swale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Yorkshire, England.
Coast to Coast Path – Crossing England from Sea to Sea

A long-distance walking trail crossing northern England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, linking the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors through varied upland and rural landscapes.

Northumberland Coast Path
National Trail
North East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > northumberland-coast-path
Coastal walking path through sand dunes with views to Dunstanburgh Castle along the Northumberland Coast Path.
Northumberland Coast Path – Walking England’s Northern Coast

Atlantic-facing coastal trail along England’s northern shoreline, linking wide beaches, dune systems, island views, and historic villages between Cresswell and Berwick-upon-Tweed. A gentle long-distance route shaped by space, light, and North Sea history.

South West Coast Path (Cornwall Section)
National Trail
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > south-west-coast-path-cornwall-section
Stone steps and clifftop path on the South West Coast Path above the Atlantic Ocean in Cornwall, with turquoise sea and exposed rocky headland.
South West Coast Path (Cornwall) – Walking the Atlantic Edge of England

Atlantic coastal trail along Cornwall’s western and southern edges, following high cliffs, surf beaches, fishing villages, and exposed headlands between Bude and Plymouth. A demanding route shaped by tide, weather, and sea.

Cotswolds Way
National Trail
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > cotswolds-way
Walkers on the Cotswold Way National Trail crossing open countryside in the Cotswolds, England.
Cotswold Way – High Paths Through England’s Pastoral Heart

Escarpment trail along the western edge of the Cotswolds, running from Chipping Campden to Bath. Rolling hills, historic villages, and wide views across the Severn Vale define the route.

Cumbria Way
Long-distance route
North West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > cumbria-way
View across Derwentwater towards Cat Bells, with a lakeside jetty in the foreground, calm water, woodland, and the green fells of the Lake District under a soft, cloudy sky.
Cumbria Way – Walking Line Through the Heart of the Lake District

Cross-country route through the Lake District, passing lakes, valleys, fells, and historic towns between Coniston and Carlisle. A varied line through England’s best-known mountain landscapes.

Norfolk Coast Path
National Trail
East of England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > norfolk-coast-path
Walkers on a raised coastal path beside saltmarsh and tidal water on the Norfolk Coast Path, with soft winter light and misty horizons.
Norfolk Coast Path – Walking the Edge of Land and Sea

North Sea coastal route following saltmarsh, dunes, beaches, and quiet clifftops from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea, shaped by tides, wildlife, and wide horizons.

South Downs Way
National Trail
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > south-downs-way
Walker on the South Downs Way overlooking the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters on the Sussex coast.
South Downs Way – Ridge Route from Winchester to Eastbourne

Chalk ridge route across southern England, linking coast and lowland valleys through open downland, historic trackways, and rural villages.

Peddars Way
National Trail
East of England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > peddars-way
Castle Acre Priory ruins with surrounding fields, stone buildings, and the village church tower in the distance — a key landmark along the Peddars Way in Norfolk.
Peddars Way – First Long-Distance Walk Through Norfolk

Gentle long-distance walking trail across Norfolk, following an ancient Roman road through peaceful countryside, woodlands, and heathland. An ideal first multi-day walk.

GR5 Nice to Briançon
Long-distance route
The French Alps
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > gr5-nice-to-briancon
High alpine pass on the GR5 near Beuil in Mercantour National Park, French Alps, with rocky ridgelines and distant mountain peaks
GR5 (Nice to Briançon) – Walking from the Mediterranean to the High Alps

Long-distance alpine walking route following the GR5 from the Mediterranean coast at Nice into the high mountains of the French Alps, crossing valleys, passes, and remote uplands on a northbound journey inland.

Dales High Way
Long-distance route
Yorkshire and the Humber
Self Guided Travel
selfguidedtravel.com > trails > dales-high-way
A hiker climbing a stone stile over a dry-stone wall on high moorland along the Dales High Way in the Yorkshire Dales.
Dales High Way – Walking the High Ground of the Yorkshire Dales

A high-level walking route through the Yorkshire Dales, linking limestone uplands, open moorland, and remote valleys on a quieter alternative to the Dales Way.

Hadrian’s Wall Path
National Trail
North East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > hadrians-wall-path
Hadrian’s Wall running along the Whin Sill above Crag Lough in Northumberland, with walkers on the ridgeline of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hadrian’s Wall Path – Walking the Line of Rome’s Northern Frontier

A long-distance walking trail following the course of Hadrian’s Wall across northern England, linking forts, open moorland, river valleys, and surviving Roman landscapes from coast to coast.

GR5 Briançon to Geneva
Long-distance route
The French Alps
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > gr5-briancon-to-geneva
High alpine walking trail with hikers crossing a balcony path above the valley in the French Alps.
GR5 (Briançon to Geneva) – Walking the High Alps to the Swiss Border

High-alpine long-distance walking route following the GR5 from Briançon to Geneva, crossing mountain passes, alpine valleys, and remote uplands through the French Alps to the edge of Switzerland.

Limestone Way
Long-distance route
The Midlands
Self Guided Travel
selfguidedtravel.com > trails > limestone-way
A limestone dale in the White Peak with steep grassy slopes, rocky outcrops, and walkers on the trail — typical scenery along the Limestone Way in Derbyshire.
Limestone Way – Walking the White Backbone of the Peak District

Long-distance walking trail across the Peak District’s limestone plateau, following high ground, dry valleys, and open farmland between Castleton and Rocester.

Causeway Coast Way
Regional trail
Causeway Coast
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > causeway-coast-way
Hiker photographing the clifftop path along the Causeway Coast Way in Northern Ireland, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on a sunny day.
Causeway Coast Way – Walking Northern Ireland’s Basalt Coast

Coastal walking trail along Northern Ireland’s north coast, following cliffs, beaches, and basalt headlands between Ballycastle and Portstewart through one of the island’s most dramatic shorelines.

South West Coast Path (Somerset & Exmoor Section)
National Trail
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > south-west-coast-path-somerset-exmoor-section
View from the South West Coast Path in Exmoor, Somerset, looking through green woodland to the shingle beach and turquoise sea below
South West Coast Path (Somerset & Exmoor) – Where Moorland Meets the Sea

The Somerset and Exmoor section of the South West Coast Path follows high cliffs and open moorland above the Bristol Channel, linking remote headlands, wooded combes, and quiet coastal villages.

The South West Coast Path
National Trail
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > the-south-west-coast-path
View from the South West Coast Path in Exmoor National Park, Somerset, looking across wooded cliffs and headlands on the North Devon Coast.
South West Coast Path – Walking the Long Edge of England

A long-distance coastal walking trail following the shores of south west England, linking cliffs, beaches, headlands, and coastal towns from Somerset to Dorset through one continuous route.

Suffolk Coast Path
Long-distance route
East of England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > suffolk-coast-path
View of a shingle path leading through Dulwich heath on a sunny blue sky day.
Suffolk Coast Path – Walking a Shifting Edge of Land and Sea

A long-distance coastal walking trail along Suffolk’s North Sea shoreline, passing shingle beaches, eroding cliffs, heathland, and quiet coastal villages through one of England’s most dynamic landscapes.

St Edmund’s Way
Pilgrimage route
East of England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > st-edmunds-way
The Abbey Gate at Bury St Edmunds, a historic landmark on the St Edmund’s Way pilgrimage route, with stone arches and a Union Jack flag flying above.
St Edmund’s Way – Walking Suffolk’s Sacred Landscape

A long-distance walking route through Suffolk, linking historic towns, quiet countryside, and places associated with St Edmund, following a modern pilgrimage across a deeply rooted English landscape.

Stour Valley Path
Long-distance route
East of England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > stour-valley-path
Holy Innocents Church at Lamarsh, a round-tower church overlooking the Stour Valley Path in Suffolk, surrounded by trees and meadows within the Dedham Vale National Landscape.
Stour Valley Path – Walking the River Through Constable Country

A riverside walking trail following the River Stour through the landscapes of Suffolk and Essex, linking meadows, historic towns, and valley countryside associated with Constable Country.

Coast to Coast Path – Lake District Section
Long-distance route
North West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > coast-to-coast-path-lake-district-section
View across Haweswater Reservoir in the Lake District, with wooded islands, surrounding fells, and bright green slopes under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Coast to Coast Path (Lake District) – Crossing England’s Highest Ground

The Lake District section of the Coast to Coast Path crosses England’s highest and most dramatic terrain, passing mountain passes, lakes, and remote valleys between St Bees and the Yorkshire Dales.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path
National Trail
West Wales
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > pembrokeshire-coast-path
A walker stands on a grassy cliff overlooking a sweeping sandy bay along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales, with calm blue sea and rugged headlands under a clear sky.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path – Walking Wales’s Wild Western Edge

A long-distance coastal walking trail around the Pembrokeshire peninsula, following cliffs, headlands, beaches, and coves through one of Wales’s most rugged and wildlife-rich coastlines.

Snowdon Horseshoe
Mountain circuit
North Wales
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > snowdon-horseshoe
Snow-covered peaks of the Snowdon Horseshoe in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, North Wales.
Snowdon Horseshoe – Walking a High Mountain Circuit in Eryri

A classic high-level mountain circuit in Eryri (Snowdonia), linking Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain, Snowdon, and Y Lliwedd along exposed ridges and summits in one continuous horseshoe route.

West Highland Way
National Trail
The Highlands
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > west-highland-way
Three hikers walk along the West Highland Way in Scotland on a sunny day, passing a train line and green hills near Tyndrum beneath a bright blue sky.
West Highland Way – Walking from Scotland’s Lowlands to the Highlands

A long-distance walking trail from Milngavie to Fort William, following loch shores, glens, and mountain country on a journey from the edge of Glasgow into the Scottish Highlands.

Wicklow Way
National Trail
Ireland’s South and East Coast
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > wicklow-way
Aerial view of Glendalough Valley in County Wicklow, Ireland, showing the twin lakes surrounded by forested hills and the early medieval monastic site with its round tower — a highlight along the Wicklow Way walking trail.
Wicklow Way – Walking Ireland’s Garden Mountains

A long-distance walking trail through the Wicklow Mountains, following forest tracks, upland paths, and glacial valleys from the edge of Dublin to Glendalough and the heart of County Wicklow.

Dingle Way
National Trail
West of Ireland
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > dingle-way
A hiker walking along the grassy slopes of Mount Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula, with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and rugged headlands in the distance.
Dingle Way – Walking the Atlantic Edge of Ireland

A long-distance walking trail around the Dingle Peninsula, following cliffs, beaches, mountain passes, and Irish-speaking communities along one of Ireland’s most dramatic Atlantic coastlines.

Kerry Way
National Trail
West of Ireland
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > kerry-way
Scenic view of the Gap of Dunloe in Killarney, County Kerry, with a stone bridge, winding mountain road, green hillsides, and a small lake under a bright blue sky with clouds.
Kerry Way – Walking Ireland’s Mountain and Lake Country

A long-distance walking trail circling the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, linking mountains, lakes, coastal views, and rural communities through one of Ireland’s most varied walking landscapes.

Wessex Ridgeway
Long-distance route
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > wessex-ridgeway
Cherhill White Horse carved into the chalk downs near Calne, Wiltshire, along the Wessex Ridgeway walking trail.
Wessex Ridgeway – Walking the High Ground of Ancient Wessex

A long-distance walking trail following chalk and limestone ridges across the historic landscapes of Wessex, linking prehistoric sites, open downland, and wide views across southern England.

Saints’ Way
Pilgrimage route
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > saints-way
Wide sandy estuary at low tide near Padstow, Cornwall, marking the starting point of the Saints’ Way walking trail.
Saints’ Way – Walking Cornwall’s Inland Spine

A historic walking route crossing inland Cornwall from coast to coast, linking ancient trackways, granite uplands, river valleys, and early Christian sites between Padstow and Fowey.

Two Moors Way
Long-distance route
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > two-moors-way
Autumn colours over Countisbury Hill and Watersmeet Valley in Exmoor National Park, at the start of the Two Moors Way in North Devon.
Two Moors Way – Walking Between Dartmoor and Exmoor

A long-distance walking trail linking Dartmoor and Exmoor, crossing open moorland, river valleys, farmland, and wooded countryside through the heart of Devon.

South West Coast Path (Dorset & Jurassic Coast Section)
National Trail
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > south-west-coast-path-dorset-jurassic-coast-section
Girl in blue hoodie and with the black backpack looks on the Lulworth Cove, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, UK
South West Coast Path (Dorset & Jurassic Coast) – Walking Through Deep Time

The Dorset and Jurassic Coast section of the South West Coast Path follows a geologically rich coastline of cliffs, coves, and fossil-bearing shores, tracing layers of deep time between Lyme Regis and Studland.

South West Coast Path (South Devon Section)
National Trail
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > south-west-coast-path-south-devon-section
View over Start Bay and Slapton Sands on the South West Coast Path in South Devon, with rolling farmland, sandy beach, and sea cliffs.
South West Coast Path (South Devon) – Walking a Sheltered and Varied Coast

The South Devon section of the South West Coast Path follows a gentler, sheltered coastline, linking estuaries, red cliffs, sandy bays, and coastal towns between the English Channel and rolling countryside.

South West Coast Path (North Devon Section)
National Trail
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > south-west-coast-path-north-devon-section
Rugged clifftop walking path above the Atlantic on the North Devon coast, with steep green cliffs, headlands, and calm blue sea below along the South West Coast Path.
South West Coast Path (North Devon) – Walking the Wild Atlantic Cliffs

The North Devon section of the South West Coast Path follows steep Atlantic cliffs and sweeping bays, linking surf beaches, headlands, and historic coastal villages along one of England’s most rugged coastlines.

Sussex Border Path
Long-distance route
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > sussex-border-path
Rolling chalk hills of the South Downs near Lewes in East Sussex, with farmland and dramatic skies along the Sussex Border Path.
Sussex Border Path – Walking the Edge of the Weald

A long-distance walking trail following the northern edge of Sussex, tracing the border of the Weald through woodland, rolling farmland, and quiet rural villages along the county’s historic boundary.

Pilgrims’ Way
Pilgrimage route
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > pilgrims-way
Colourful riverside gardens and historic timber-framed houses along the River Stour in Canterbury, Kent, England.
Pilgrims’ Way – Walking an Ancient Route Across Southern England

A historic walking route following ancient trackways across southern England, running along the North Downs through Kent and Surrey and linking places shaped by pilgrimage, landscape, and long movement on foot.

Downs Link
Long-distance route
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > downs-link
Rolling chalk hills and farmland near Steyning in the South Downs National Park, West Sussex, England.
Downs Link – Walking Between Two Downs

A long-distance walking trail linking the South Downs and North Downs, following river valleys, former railway lines, and lowland countryside between Shoreham-by-Sea and Guildford.

Vanguard Way
Long-distance route
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > vanguard-way
Wooden footbridge over a stream in Ashdown Forest, surrounded by green woodland.
Vanguard Way – Walking from London to the South Coast

A long-distance walking trail running from Croydon in south London to Newhaven on the Sussex coast, linking downland, river valleys, woodland, and coastal landscapes across southern England.

1066 Country Walk
Long-distance route
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > 1066-country-walk
Cobbled Mermaid Street in Rye, East Sussex, lined with historic timbered and brick houses on a sunny day.
1066 Country Walk – Walking the Landscape of Conquest

A long-distance walking trail through the Sussex landscape of the Norman Conquest, linking battlefields, ancient routes, woodland, and villages connected to the events of 1066.

Saxon Shore Way
Long-distance route
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > saxon-shore-way
Ruins of Hastings Castle overlooking the sea and town of Hastings, East Sussex, with the coastline and pier visible along the Saxon Shore Way trail.
Saxon Shore Way – Walking England’s Ancient Coastal Frontier

A historic long-distance walking trail along Kent’s changing coastline, following the line of Roman and Saxon shores through marshland, estuaries, and ancient settlements between Gravesend and Hastings.

Greensand Way
Long-distance route
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > greensand-way
Morning sunlight filtering through tall pine trees on Blackheath Common, Surrey, along the Greensand Way walking trail.
Greensand Way – Walking the Greensand Ridge

A long-distance walking trail following the Greensand Ridge across southern England, linking wooded hills, heathland, farmland, and historic towns through Surrey and Kent.

England Coast Path (South East Sections)
National Trail
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > england-coast-path-south-east-sections
Walking trails along the White Cliffs of Dover, part of the England Coast Path in Kent, with dramatic chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel.
England Coast Path (South East) – Walking the Shores of Southern England

The South East sections of the England Coast Path trace varied shorelines along the Channel coast, linking cliffs, beaches, estuaries, historic towns, and working harbours through one continuous coastal route.

Ridgeway
National Trail
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > ridgeway
Walkers following the Ridgeway National Trail across rolling chalk farmland and open downs under a wide summer sky.
The Ridgeway – Walking Britain’s Oldest Road

A historic long-distance walking trail following an ancient ridge route across southern England, running from the chalk hills of Wiltshire to the Thames Valley and the Chilterns.

Thames Path
National Trail
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > thames-path
Two people standing by the River Thames looking toward Tower Bridge with a red London bus crossing.
Thames Path – Walking England’s Great River

A long-distance riverside walking trail following the River Thames from its source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in London, linking countryside, towns, and the capital through one continuous route.

Thames Path (Cotswolds Section)
National Trail
South West England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > thames-path-cotswolds-section
Halfpenny Bridge across the River Thames, at Lechlade, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom
Thames Path (Cotswolds) – Walking the River from Its Source

The opening section of the Thames Path, following the young River Thames from its source in the Cotswolds through quiet countryside, meadowland, and small villages before it broadens into the Thames Valley.

Thames Path (South East Section)
National Trail
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > thames-path-south-east-section
Panoramic view of Iffley Lock on the River Thames path at sunseth, with beautiful blooming gardens and fresh flowers in the springtime - Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Thames Path (South East) – Following the River Through Countryside and Towns

A riverside walking trail following the Thames through the South East of England, linking meadows, historic towns, lock paths, and quiet riverbanks between the western edge of London and the Thames Valley countryside.

North Downs Way
National Trail
South East England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > north-downs-way
A well worn path leads along side trees and open countryside, with a cloudy blue sky on a summers day.
North Downs Way – Following England’s Chalk Ridge

A long-distance walking trail across southern England, following the chalk escarpment of the North Downs from Farnham to Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover.

Weavers’ Way
Long-distance route
East of England
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > weavers-way
Traditional white windmill in the Norfolk Broads surrounded by reeds and open marshland, under a wide blue sky.
Weavers’ Way – Walking Norfolk’s Hidden Inland Landscapes

A long-distance walking trail through inland Norfolk, linking river valleys, quiet farmland, market towns, and former weaving villages between Cromer and Great Yarmouth.

Thames Path (London Section)
National Trail
London
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > thames-path-london-section
Thames path on a sunny day
Thames Path (London) – Walking the River Through the Capital

A riverside walking trail following the Thames through London, linking historic bridges, parks, working riverfronts, and quieter green stretches from the Thames Barrier to Hampton Court.

Pennine Way
National Trail
The Midlands
Self Guided Travel
www.selfguidedtravel.com > trails > pennine-way
A female hiker climbs over a stone wall along the Pennine Way.
Pennine Way – Walking the Spine of England

A long-distance walking trail following the high backbone of northern England from the Peak District to the Scottish Borders, crossing moorland, hills, and remote uplands along England’s oldest National Trail.