Hiking Tours on the Cotswold Trail

Accommodation every night, daily luggage transfer, detailed route notes and maps, and 24/7 support. Flights aren't included.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.