The Cotswold Trail

The trail follows well-maintained footpaths, bridle paths, forest trails, open fields and quiet country roads. There are some steep climbs and descents along the Cotswold escarpment. Most of the route uses public footpaths, though a few sections follow country roads. After long spells of rain, expect muddy trails and a slower pace.

This route ranges from easy to moderate to moderate, depending on the itinerary and distance you choose. Daily difficulty can vary within each tour, so some days may feel a little easier or tougher than the overall rating suggests.

Choosing the right itinerary for you

To help you find the best fit, here’s how our Cotswold Trail hiking tours compare:

• Easy to moderate (9 days): Shorter daily distances, with plenty of time to explore the villages along the way.
• Moderate (7 days): A week of hiking with slightly longer days, ideal for a good balance of challenge and sightseeing.
• Moderate (6 days): The full loop in four hiking days, best suited to regular, experienced hikers.

Other ways to hike the Cotswold Trail

Short on time, or looking for a little extra comfort? These options offer a different way to experience the trail:

• Cotswolds in Comfort (8 days): Our most popular Slower Adventure in England. Expect shorter days and upgraded hotels and inns to relax in each night.
• Cotswold Trail Short Break: A short sampler for those with limited time. Hike the eastern section, stopping in the famous villages of Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water.

You’ll stay in handpicked B&Bs, guesthouses and country inns, full of classic Cotswold character. Each one is chosen for its cozy rooms, warm welcome and local charm. We’ll always try to book the places listed in your itinerary. If availability is limited, we’ll choose an alternative of the same standard or better.

Our comfort itinerary takes things up a notch, with stays in upgraded country hotels and inns.

Please note that many Cotswold properties are in historic buildings and don’t have air conditioning. If that matters to you, we recommend traveling in the shoulder seasons of April or October, when temperatures are usually milder.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included each morning, while lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation may be able to provide a packed lunch on request, bookable and payable on arrival, and our app also points out recommended lunch spots along the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants.

You can hike the Cotswold Trail from late March through October. Spring brings wildflowers and fresh green fields, summer brings long, warm days, and in fall, the trees and surrounding woodlands turn orange and gold. Some towns, including Moreton-in-Marsh and Bourton-on-the-Water, have minimum-stay rules on weekends. This means some itineraries can only start on certain days of the week, but adding an extra night in the affected town usually solves this. These towns can also get very busy in summer.

The quieter shoulder months of late March, April and October bring fewer crowds on the trails, though you can expect a greater chance of rain and muddy paths.

Many accommodations are in historic Cotswold buildings and don’t have air conditioning. During hot spells in the height of summer (late May to mid-September), some guests may find it uncomfortable to sleep. If that matters to you, the shoulder months are worth considering.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved to your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

Travelling from further afield with more than one bag? For an extra fee (around £25-£30), our local partner can store your extra luggage while you walk. They’ll collect it from your first accommodation and drop it off at your last, so it’s waiting for you at the end of your trip.

The Cotswold Trail doesn’t have its own waymarked trail, but it follows well-signed local footpaths from village to village and sections of the Cotswold Way National Trail (Winchcombe to Chipping Campden), marked with the acorn symbol.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Recommended Reading

Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route, please see our recommendation below:

Map: The Cotswolds. Ordnance Survey Explorer OL45 (1:25,000)

Getting to and from Moreton-in-Marsh couldn’t be easier. Regular direct trains run from London Paddington, taking around 1 hour 35 minutes. The train station is a short walk away from the accommodations in the town centre.

If you choose the Cotswold Trail Short Break tour, your tour includes a transfer from your accommodation in Bourton-on-the-Water to Moreton-in-Marsh train station on Day 4.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation

Look for the “Tolkien door” in Stow-on-the-Wold

Before you leave Stow, wander over to St Edward’s Church and find its north door, framed by two ancient yew trees growing right into the stonework. Many believe it inspired the Doors of Durin in The Lord of the Rings. It’s one of our favorite photo stops on the trail, and you’ll find it marked as a point of interest in the Macs Adventure App.

Stop for a pint at Hawkstone Brewery

Love him or loathe him, there’s no escaping Jeremy Clarkson in this corner of the Cotswolds. Fans of the former Top Gear host’s hit show Clarkson’s Farm will recognize Hawkstone, the brewery behind the lager featured on screen. It’s just outside Bourton-on-the-Water, so it makes a fun stop on your way into the village. Grab a pint at the taproom, or book a brewery tour to see how it’s made.

Visit Sudeley Castle

Just outside Winchcombe, Sudeley Castle is well worth a visit if you have time at the end of your day. It’s the final resting place of Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives, and its beautiful gardens are a lovely place to wander. Look out for your first glimpse of the castle as you cross the escarpment toward Winchcombe, and check opening times before you go.

Raise a glass at The Mount Inn, Stanton

It’s one of the Macs team’s favorite pubs in the Cotswolds. Perched above the village, The Mount Inn’s beer garden looks out over the Vale of Evesham, making it the perfect place to stop for a drink or two along the trail. Hiking on a wet and windy day in the fall? Head inside and settle in by the roaring fire instead.