Top 10 Long Distance Walking Trails

Pull on your hiking boots and take the slow road on one of these picturesque routes passing through the Great West Way...

The Ridgeway  
This 87-mile National Trail follows Britain’s oldest road, a route that’s been walked by travellers since prehistoric times. Tracking from within Avebury World Heritage Site to Ivinghoe Beacon it passes through two landscapes designated as National Landscapes: the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns. Along the way you’ll glimpse remnants of the Iron, Bronze and Stone Ages, passing stone circles, white horses and ancient woodlands. The trail can be completed comfortably in one week, just right for a walking holiday. 

Cotswolds Way  
Beginning in beautiful Bath, you can follow this path more than 100 miles north to the idyllic town of Chipping Campden. There are restorative views of the English countryside along the Cotswolds escarpment. Plus castles, churches and stately homes to visit and quaint villages to stay in. Most agree 7-10 days is a good length of time to complete this National Trail, but there are so many lovely places to pause along the way that you may want to take longer.

Thames Path 
Another National Trail, this one follows the River Thames from its source in the Cotswolds to London. Pick it up at the beginning, near Cirencester, and you can walk 184 miles, all the way to Greenwich, home of the Meridian Line and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Despite the ambitious length of the trail, the terrain is mostly flat and relatively gentle. So are many of the sights along the way - water meadows, sleepy riverside villages and nature reserves. Eventually you’ll reach the grand crescendo of England’s capital, passing some of the most famous London attractions such as Kew Gardens, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tower of London and more. Two weeks should be plenty for this trail if you’re walking around 15 miles a day and having a couple of leisurely days off.

White Horse Trail 
The ultimate way to experience Wiltshire’s intriguing array of chalk horses, etched into the ancient landscape, is on this 90-mile trail. You’ll get to see all 8 of them, including the Westbury White Horse at Bratton Camp - the oldest in Wiltshire. Your quest to tick off these unique equine artworks will take you through the heart of the Great West Way and places such as Devizes, Pewsey, Marlborough and Cherhill - all worthy stop-offs in their own right. You’ll also swing by other major sites such as Avebury World Heritage Site. 

Lambourn Valley Way
This walk in the North Wessex Downs AONB is much more manageable than some of the others on this list - at 20 miles long, the super fit may find it doable in a day. But there’s lots to see along the way so taking it slower, with an overnight stay or two, is highly recommended. The route follows the Lambourn Valley, from the Uffington White Horse in the Berkshire Downs to the market town of Newbury. You’ll want to stop and enjoy Donnington Castle, charming villages like Boxford and East Garston and of course the wildlife attracted by the tranquil River Lambourn. 

Frome Valley Walkway 
This is another very achievable walk that you can finish with much satisfaction in a day or two. Starting in Bristol, where the River Frome at certain points flows unknown beneath street level, the trail leads you out of the city and into the Cotswold Hills where the fast-flowing river springs from. Look out for charismatic dippers, coots and even otters in and around the water as you go. The route criss-crosses various other long distance trails, so you can pick up the Cotswolds Way or Monarch’s Way for a multi-day adventure, or just take a well-earned rest in the village of Old Sodbury. 

The Chiltern Way 
This circular route is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the Chilterns National Landscape When it was set up in 2000, it was around 125 miles long, but since then various extensions have been added - one extending the route to more than 172 miles. Tackle it as you see fit, but all routes circle the best bits of the Chilterns, including all four counties: Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. There’ll be chalky escarpment, flower-filled downland and lush river valleys. Plus plenty of places to stop and taste the bounty of the land, from Henley-on-Thames to Hitchin. 

The Kennet & Avon Canal Towpath 
Most people head to the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath for a short, one day sort of walk, but if you want to take on the full 80-odd miles, it’s both scenic and accessible. It meanders from London to Bristol via the extraordinarily pretty sites of Wiltshire and the Cotswolds. There are lots of places for an overnight stop, too, including Bath, Bathampton and Bradford on Avon. It eventually links up with the River Avon Trail, leading you into Bristol and under Clifton Suspension Bridge - one of the top things to see in Bristol.

Pewsey Vale Circular Way
Launched in March 2022, the Pewsey Vale Circular Way provides spectacular sights across its 77-mile route with the Vale of Pewsey at its heart. Set in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, this long-distance walking, cycling and riding route explores dramatic downland, quintessential English villages and the tranquility of the Kennet & Avon Canal. Despite some steep paths and muddy routes (typically in Winter), the Pewsey Vale Circular way is suitable for most walkers and can be completed in one-week.

Salisbury Plain Walk
If you’re new to rambling, or have little legs in tow, this 6-mile circular may feel long distance enough. Besides, it’s a whole different world out here - it’s a military training ground! The walk keeps well away from any training activities, but don’t be alarmed if you see the odd tank trundling by. Embrace the wild feeling of this windy, wide-open plain, explore long-forgotten long barrows and see if you can spot World War II graffiti carved into the trees. Good to know: Salisbury Plain is just a short drive from Stonehenge.

For more ideas of things to do on your Great West Way journey, visit our See & Do and Explore pages.