What are England's National Trails

Official long-distance walking routes maintained to a national standard and marked with the acorn waymark symbol. England has several, including the Pennine Way, Hadrian's Wall Path, Cotswold Way and South Downs Way.

Is luggage transfer included on National Trail hiking tours

Luggage transfers are arranged between stops where listed in your itinerary.

Which National Trail should a first-timer choose

The Cotswold Way or South Downs Way are excellent first National Trails - well-waymarked, gentler terrain and good village accommodation throughout.

How long are National Trail hiking tours

Most self-guided itineraries run 5-10 days, covering a section of the full trail rather than the entire route end to end.

Can I walk a National Trail solo

Yes. Most routes carry no singles supplement, and solo hikers are a regular part of our National Trail bookings.

What grade are England's National Trails

Grades range from Easy on the Cotswold Way to Challenging on the Pennine Way's remote sections - we match the trail to your fitness and experience.

Can I customize a National Trail itinerary

Most routes follow a fixed stage-by-stage schedule, but our team can discuss rest days or accommodation upgrades before you book.

Hiking England's National Trails

England's National Trails are the country's official long-distance walking routes - a designation that guarantees consistent waymarking, maintained paths and a genuine trail-building heritage stretching back to the Pennine Way's opening in 1965. Macs Adventure runs self-guided hiking tours on many of these flagship trails across England.

From the rugged solitude of the Pennine Way to the Roman history along Hadrian's Wall Path, the honey-stone villages of the Cotswold Way and the chalk downland of the South Downs Way, each National Trail has its own distinct character and difficulty.

20+ years planning self-guided trips on England's National Trails, with luggage transfers and route notes on every itinerary.

Official trail status
Official National Trail status means consistent acorn waymarking and a maintained path from end to end
The Pennine Way
The Pennine Way, opened in 1965, was Britain's first National Trail and set the standard every route since has followed
Hadrian's Wall Path
Hadrian's Wall Path follows a UNESCO World Heritage Roman frontier for 84 miles coast to coast
Gentler village walking
The Cotswold Way and South Downs Way combine National Trail status with gentler, village-to-village walking
Reliable year-round
Each trail is looked after by a dedicated National Trail team, so route conditions and signage stay reliable year-round

England
4.6 (101)
Pennine Way
Walk the UK's first National Trail through the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland.
Walking
21 days
from$8,275CAD pp
View Route
England
4.6 (909)
Hadrian's Wall Walk
Roman history, wild Northumberland moorland and a warm northern welcome—hike Hadrian’s Wall your way.
Walking
5–10 days
from$1,455CAD pp
View Route
England
4.6 (396)
Cotswold Way
Hike in classic English countryside on the Cotswold Way, one of Britain's finest National Trails.
Walking
5–12 days
from$1,675CAD pp
View Route
England
4.4 (82)
South Downs Way
Enjoy delightful walking through cornfields and colourful gardens and past dramatic chalk cliffs.
Walking
10 days
from$3,710CAD pp
View Route
England
4.7 (454)
Coast to Coast Walk
Hike Alfred Wainwright's famous Coast to Coast, one of the world's great walks.
Walking
9–18 days
from$2,795CAD pp
View Route
England, Wales
4.6 (24)
Offa's Dyke Path
The Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail criss-cross the Anglo-Welsh border and full of myth and legend.
Walking
20 days
from$6,190CAD pp
View Route
England
4.6 (72)
Thames Path
Follow footpaths through varying landscapes, from the Thames source in the Cotswolds to inner London
Walking
8–21 days
from$3,605CAD pp
View Route
England
4.7 (77)
Dales Way
Cross two national parks as you make your way from the Yorkshire Dales to Lake Windermere.
Walking
8 days
from$2,720CAD pp
View Route
England
4.7 (57)
Cleveland Way
Walk between historic villages on a trail of contrasts, from high cliff tops to wild moorland
Walking
11 days
from$3,595CAD pp
View Route
England
4.5 (79)
Northumberland Coastal Path
A classic walking holiday along the deserted beaches of the Northumberland Coast to the Holy Island
Walking
5 days
from$1,480CAD pp
View Route
Wales
4.7 (122)
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Follow Wales’ westernmost coast past hidden coves, castle ruins and harbor villages.
Walking
8–16 days
from$2,280CAD pp
View Route
England, Scotland
4.7 (234)
St Cuthbert's Way
Begin in Melrose, the starting place of St Cuthbert's religious journey, and finish by the sea.
Walking
5–9 days
from$1,525CAD pp
View Route
England
4.6 (65)
The Lake District Trail
Walk from the shores of Windermere through the rugged Central and Eastern fells to Keswick.
Walking
5–7 days
from$1,620CAD pp
View Route

When to go
April to October across most National Trails, with May-June and September offering the best combination of mild weather and quieter paths. Coastal trails like the South Downs Way can be walked into early winter.
What makes a National Trail official
Each route is officially designated and maintained to a national standard, marked throughout with the acorn waymarking symbol used across England and Wales.
Where you will stay
Village inns, B&Bs and guesthouses along the trail, hand-picked for their proximity to each day's stage and their walker-friendly service.
Is luggage transfer included
Luggage transfers are arranged between stops where listed in your itinerary.
How fit do I need to be
It varies by trail. The Cotswold Way and South Downs Way suit regular walkers, while the Pennine Way's remote moorland sections demand a higher level of fitness and experience.

Tips & Advice
The Ultimate Guide to England’s National Trails and National Parks
Discover the Cotswolds, Lake District & more in our England trails guide. Plan a self-guided hiking or biking trip with Macs Adventure.
Read blog
Hiking
How fit should I be for walking Hadrian's Wall Path?
Read How fit should I be for walking Hadrian's Wall Path? from the Macs Adventure Blog. Get further insight into the ideal fitness level for tackling this fantastic route.
Read blog
Hiking
15 reasons to walk the Pennine Way
Read 15 reasons to walk the Pennine Way from the Macs Adventure Blog. Get further insight into our Pennine Way walking holidays.
Read blog