Best of British

The Speyside Way earns selection as one of Scotland’s Great Trails, running 137 km from Buckie to Newtonmore. It follows the River Spey through coastal, river-valley, forest, farmland and moorland terrain.

The Cotswold Way adds a south-west England National Trail with a flexible 7–10 day schedule. Its 164 km line between Chipping Campden and Bath Abbey is moderate, with grassland, forest and hill terrain.

The South Downs Way is a strong choice for a moderate chalk-downs crossing in south-east England. At 160 km from Winchester to Eastbourne, it offers an 8-day point-to-point National Trail through grassland, hills and forest.

The Ridgeway gives southern England a concise National Trail presence: 139 km from Overton Hill near Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon. Its grassland, hills and forest terrain suit walkers seeking a moderate 6-day route.

The West Highland Way earns its place as Scotland’s first official long-distance route and its most popular multi-day walk. At 154 km over 7 days, it offers a moderate Scottish journey through mountainous, forest and grassland terrain.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path brings Wales into the collection with 299 km through Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Moderate rather than strenuous, it links cliff tops, beaches, estuaries and heath over a typical 12–15 days.

The Great Glen Way offers a shorter Scottish point-to-point option at about 125 km from Fort William to Inverness. Canal, lochside, forest, moorland and urban sections make it moderate rather than mountainous.

Offa’s Dyke Path stands out as the England–Wales border journey, running 285 km from Sedbury Cliffs to Prestatyn. Its moderate grade and 12-day schedule make it a substantial but accessible National Trail.

The Southern Upland Way represents Scotland’s tougher coast-to-coast walking: 344 km from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath. Its 12–16 day duration, strenuous grade and coastal, forest, moorland and upland terrain demand sustained effort.

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast is included for its classic sea-to-sea line across northern England, from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay. Over 306 km, it packs in coastal, mountainous, moorland, pastoral, lowland and woodland terrain.

The Beacons Way is Wales’s mountain-focused entry, crossing Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons National Park. This 158 km, 8-day route is strenuous, with open hill, moorland, glacial lakes and limestone terrain.

The Pennine Way is the heavyweight English National Trail in this selection: 431 km from Edale to Kirk Yetholm. Its 16–19 day schedule and strenuous grade suit walkers wanting a serious Pennine hills traverse.

Cape Wrath Trail is here for experienced backpackers, not casual long-distance walkers. The unofficial, unwaymarked 370 km route crosses Scotland’s remote north-west Highlands with mountainous, moorland, coastal, bog and river-crossing terrain.

Hadrian’s Wall Path is a compact classic for walkers who want history with manageable distance. This 135 km National Trail follows the Roman frontier from the River Tyne to the Solway Firth in 6–7 days.

The South West Coast Path is the big coastal commitment: 1,014 km around Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. Officially split into 45 day-stages, it represents the long, strenuous end of UK National Trail walking.