25 Notable Long Distance Walks

1. Cleveland Way (110 miles / 177 km)

A horseshoe route around the North York Moors, combining heather moorland and dramatic coastline from Helmsley to Filey.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/cleveland-way/

2. Cotswold Way (102 miles / 164 km)

Follows the Cotswold escarpment through picturesque villages and rolling hills from Chipping Campden to Bath.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/cotswold-way/

3. Coast to Coast Path (197 miles / 317 km; gaining National Trail status)

Alfred Wainwright’s classic crossing from the Irish Sea (St Bees) to the North Sea (Robin Hood’s Bay) via the Lakes, Dales, and Moors.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/coast-to-coast/

4. Glyndŵr’s Way (135 miles / 217 km)

A peaceful loop in mid-Wales celebrating Welsh history and culture, from Knighton to Welshpool.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/glyndwrs-way/

5. Hadrian’s Wall Path (84 miles / 135 km)

Follows the Roman UNESCO World Heritage Site from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/hadrians-wall-path/

6. King Charles III England Coast Path (2,700 miles / 4,350 km; inaugurated 2026, 80–90% open)

The world’s longest managed coastal path, encircling England’s entire coastline (ongoing completion).
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/england-coast-path/

7. North Downs Way (153 miles / 246 km)

Ancient pilgrim routes through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs from Farnham to Dover.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/north-downs-way/

8. Offa’s Dyke Path (177 miles / 285 km)

Traces the Anglo-Welsh border along the 8th-century earthwork from Sedbury to Prestatyn.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/offas-dyke-path/

9. Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path (97–133 miles / 156–214 km combined)

Roman road through heathland linking to scenic Norfolk marshes, dunes, and beaches.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/peddars-way-and-norfolk-coast-path/

10. Pembrokeshire Coast Path (186 miles / 299 km)

Rugged cliffs, coves, and beaches within a national park in south-west Wales.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/pembrokeshire-coast-path/

11. Pennine Bridleway (205 miles / 330 km)

Designed for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders through the Pennines on packhorse routes.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/pennine-bridleway/

12. Pennine Way (268 miles / 431 km)

Britain’s first and toughest National Trail along the “backbone of England” from Edale to Kirk Yetholm.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/pennine-way/

13. The Ridgeway (87 miles / 140 km)

Britain’s oldest road, an ancient chalk ridge track from near Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/ridgeway/

14. South Downs Way (100 miles / 161 km)

Chalk escarpment through the South Downs National Park from Winchester to Eastbourne (open to cyclists and horse riders in parts).
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/south-downs-way/

15. South West Coast Path (630 miles / 1,014 km)

England’s longest trail along superb coastline from Minehead through Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset to Poole.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/south-west-coast-path/

16. Thames Path (184 miles / 296 km)

Follows the River Thames from its source in the Cotswolds through rural areas to central London.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/thames-path/

17. Yorkshire Wolds Way (79 miles / 127 km)

Dry valleys, wildflowers, and market towns in the Yorkshire Wolds from Hessle to Filey.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/yorkshire-wolds-way/

Prominent Scotland’s Great Trails (and equivalents)

18. West Highland Way (96 miles / 155 km)

Scotland’s most popular long-distance route from Milngavie (near Glasgow) to Fort William through lochs and glens.
https://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/trail/west-highland-way/

19. Great Glen Way (79 miles / 127 km)

From Fort William to Inverness along the Great Glen, with an associated canoe trail.
https://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/trail/great-glen-way/

20. Southern Upland Way (214 miles / 345 km)

Scotland’s longest and most remote Great Trail from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath.
https://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/trail/southern-upland-way/

21. Speyside Way (65–85 miles / 105+ km)

Follows the River Spey through whisky country from the coast inland.
https://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/trail/speyside-way/

22. John Muir Way (134 miles / 215 km)

Coast-to-coast from Helensburgh to Dunbar, celebrating the conservationist (often grouped with Great Trails).

Official details via VisitScotland

Other Iconic UK Long-Distance Walks (Frequently Associated)

23. Coast to Coast Walk

Already noted; sometimes listed separately before full designation.

24. Dales Way (80 miles / 130 km)

Gentle route through the Yorkshire Dales from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere (popular non-National Trail).

25. Fife Coastal Path (117 miles / 188 km)

Part of Scotland’s Great Trails network, following Fife’s varied coastline from Kincardine to Newburgh.

For comprehensive planning, visit the official hubs:

• England & Wales: https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ (interactive maps, guides, and conditions).
• Scotland: https://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/ (full list of 29 Great Trails).

These trails vary in difficulty—some are coastal and hilly (high ascent), others flatter river or ridge paths.

Check the weather, accommodation, and current status (for example, via OS Maps or the official sites), as sections may have closures or seasonal challenges. Many offer downloadable guides, and long-distance walkers often tackle them in stages.

Start with shorter ones like the Ridgeway or Yorkshire Wolds Way if you are new to multi-day hikes. Enjoy responsibly and leave no trace!

Disclaimer – Please speak to a doctor and get professional advice, before doing this kind of exercise. Rentasenior is not responsible for any injuries, doing such hiking activities.

www.rentasenior.co.uk is a UK portal where seniors aged 50 years and over can offer their skills and expertise to their local community.