Long distance walks and cycle routes in Britain

England and Wales have National Trails, long paths waymarked with an acorn. The Pennine Way was the first in England, in 1965, and the Coast to Coast Walk became one in March 2026. Scotland has its own set, Scotland’s Great Trails, and the West Highland Way, opened in 1980, was the first official long-distance route there. You can wild camp in Scotland if you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. In England and Wales you normally need the landowner’s permission. Some of the hardest walks here, the Cape Wrath Trail and the Skye Trail among them, have no waymarks at all. On a bike, the C2C crosses northern England in three to five days, and Land’s End to John o’ Groats runs the length of Britain.

Routes to choose from

Trips tracked in Britain

Flyby films from Britain

See every journey on the adventure map · All flyby films

All journeys in England · All journeys in Scotland · All journeys in Wales · Hiking trails and treks · Cycling routes and bike tours

Questions and answers

How many routes in Britain are there here?

27 at the moment, 22 for walking and 5 for cycling. Only the Atlantic Coast Route, EuroVelo 1, also goes through other countries.

Which are the longest and shortest?

Of the routes that stay in Britain, the longest is Land’s End to John o’ Groats at 1,600–1,900 km and the shortest is Great Glen Way at 121 km.

Which routes suit a first trip?

5 are graded easy or easy to moderate. National Trails suggests the Ridgeway as a good first long-distance walk, and Scotland’s Great Trails says the Speyside Way generally suits beginners.

Can I track my trip in Britain on a map?

Yes. The Pebbls app records your route as you walk or ride, pins your photos and notes to the map, and turns each chapter into a flyby film. Friends and family can follow along.

Routes in other countries

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