LONG-DISTANCE PATHS
THINKING OF GOING? INSURE WITH SHIELD FOR TOTAL PEACE OF MIND
Here are 12 of the UK’s best long-distance footpaths – you could take on a short section of one over a weekend or set aside more time and tackle a whole route from start to finish
1 WEST HIGHLAND WAY (96 miles)
Scotland’s most popular long-distance path running from the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William. The West Highland Way attracts walkers from all over the world and is an exciting and challenging walk that often feels remote but is never too far from a road.
2 SOUTHERN UPLAND WAY (214 miles)
The Southern Upland Way is a coast-tocoast route across southern Scotland. It’s a challenging route, taking in remote terrain, mountains, wild moorland and rough ground.
3 HADRIAN'S WALL PATH (84 miles)
Hadrian’s Wall Path runs from Wallsend on the east coast of England to Bowness-onSolway in the west and it follows the line of the ancient Hadrian’s Wall, which is a World Heritage Site.
4 THE DALES WAY (80 miles)
An ‘unofficial’ route, the Dales Way was the brainchild of guidebook writer, Colin Speakman, and links the Yorkshire Dales to the Lake District. It runs from Ilkley in Yorkshire to the shores of Lake Windermere at Bowness in Cumbria, and there are plenty of moorland and remote river sections.
5 THE PENNINE WAY (268 miles)
A rough and tough moorland outing that follows the Pennine spine of England. Expect long days, difficult terrain and bouts of bad weather. A great walk but you will need to be superfit to take it on.
6 THE COAST-TO-COAST PATH (192 miles)
The creation of guidebook writer, the late Alfred Wainwright. Most people walk it west to east from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire. Expect mountain terrain, moorland, field walking and even
some coastal hiking. A very popular route that seems to get busier every year.
7 OFFA’S DYKE PATH (177 miles)
Offa’s Dyke Path doesn’t always follow the ancient earthworks that gave it its name; however, it is still a magnificent and lengthy outing. The walk runs from Prestatyn in north Wales to Chepstow in the south and crosses hills, moorland and pastureland, taking in plenty of wilderness and remote terrain.
8 THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST PATH (186 miles)
A lengthy route that fits neatly into a corner of southwest Wales, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is made up of a gorgeous succession of low cliffs and paths, through pretty headlands and bays. Running from Amroth in the south to St Dogmaels in the north, overall the walk is straightforward but there are some steep sections and rough bits.
9 THE RIDGEWAY PATH (87 miles)
The Ridgeway has been walked along in one form or another for over 5,000 years. The route follows an elevated course over the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and runs from Ivinghoe to Overton
Hill, near Avebury. The walk is full of historic sites and is straightforward and not overtaxing.
10 SOUTH DOWNS WAY (100 miles)
A very popular route crossing the South
Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne. The walk is a mix of rounded downs, valleys and coastal walking with a traverse of the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. Paths are usually wide and easy to follow and, although it has plenty of ups and downs, it's relatively easy and not too strenuous overall.
11 THE ISLE OF WIGHT COAST PATH (67 miles)
The Isle of Wight Coast Path runs right around the coast of the island. As it is a circular walk you can start and finish where you like, but most people choose Cowes. Expect cliffs, high moors, rocky bays and sandy shores.
12 SOUTH WEST COAST PATH (630 miles)
The ‘daddy’ of all the UK’s long-distance footpaths, walking the South West Coast Path is an epic undertaking that few will complete in one go. The route runs from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset, following the coastal cliffs up and down and through endless switchbacks. The route requires stamina and commitment to complete but it's certainly worth it.