The UK has some of the finest long-distance walking trails in the world. From the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast, these routes cross landscapes that reward every step. Here are the five best long-distance trails in the UK, ranked for quality, accessibility, and overall experience.
West Highland Way
From Scotland · Available at Amazon UK
The West Highland Way is 96 miles from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. It's the most popular long-distance trail in Scotland and with good reason — the progression from lowland farmland through Loch Lomond to the Highland drama of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe is genuinely thrilling.
Most walkers complete it in 6-8 days. The infrastructure is excellent — bunkhouses, B&Bs, and campsites spaced conveniently throughout. It's the perfect introduction to multi-day walking in Britain.
Pros
- Excellent infrastructure along the route
- Stunning Highland scenery in the second half
- Well-marked and easy to navigate
- Manageable in 6-8 days
Cons
- Can be crowded especially in summer
- First two days are relatively flat and less interesting
- Midges can be brutal in summer
Pennine Way
From Northern England · Available at Amazon UK
At 268 miles from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland, the Pennine Way was Britain's first National Trail and remains its toughest. The high moorland terrain, frequent boggy sections, and exposure to the worst northern England weather make it a genuine challenge.
Most walkers take 16-19 days. The scenery in the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland National Park is outstanding but you earn every mile. Completing it is a serious achievement.
Pros
- 268 miles of proper walking
- Three National Parks
- Genuine sense of achievement on completion
- Iconic British trail with history
Cons
- Frequently boggy and waterlogged
- Exposed and challenging in bad weather
- Requires strong navigation skills
- Less comfortable infrastructure than WHW
South West Coast Path
From South West England · Available at Amazon UK
At 630 miles, the South West Coast Path is Britain's longest National Trail — following the coastline from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset via Cornwall's dramatic headlands and Devon's coves. The scenery is consistently spectacular throughout.
Most people walk it in sections rather than end-to-end. The route is exceptionally well-marked and the combination of cliff-top views, historic fishing villages, and wild moorland makes it Britain's most scenically varied long-distance trail.
Pros
- Britain's longest trail at 630 miles
- Consistently spectacular coastal scenery
- Walk in sections — no need to commit to the whole thing
- Excellent waymarking throughout
Cons
- More undulation than people expect — the path drops into every cove
- Can be crowded in summer in Cornwall
- Longer logistics than linear trails
Cotswold Way
From Central England · Available at Amazon UK
The Cotswold Way runs 102 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath through England's most picturesque countryside. Honey-stone villages, ancient hill forts, and gentle rolling hills — it's the approachable long-distance trail that doesn't intimidate first-timers.
Excellent accommodation options, easy navigation, and the lack of serious elevation make this the ideal introduction to multi-day trail walking. Most people complete it in 6-8 days.
Pros
- Accessible for first-time long distance walkers
- Beautiful Cotswold villages throughout
- Excellent accommodation options
- Ends in the beautiful city of Bath
Cons
- Less dramatic than Highland trails
- Can feel gentle compared to northern routes
- Popular sections can be crowded
Cape Wrath Trail
From Northwest Scotland · Available at Amazon UK
The Cape Wrath Trail is Britain's toughest and most remote long-distance route — 230 miles from Fort William to Cape Wrath in Scotland's far northwest. Unlike other National Trails, it's not officially waymarked, meaning navigation skills and proper mountain equipment are essential.
The reward for those who take it on is unmatched wilderness — genuine remoteness, dramatic Highland scenery, and days without seeing another soul. It's not for beginners, but for experienced walkers seeking something real, it's extraordinary.
Pros
- True wilderness experience
- Unmatched remoteness in the UK
- Dramatic northwest Highland scenery
- A genuine challenge with no shortcuts
Cons
- No official waymarking — navigation essential
- Requires full mountain equipment
- Limited resupply options
- River crossings can be dangerous in spate