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Best Long-Distance Hikes in England

216 routes in England qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 121 km and 2,651 m (8,698 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 921 km.

That is 10 percent of the 2,073 routes we map in England. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 121 km against 21.7 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 2,651 m (8,698 ft) on average versus 476 m (1,562 ft) across the wider area.

Multi-day paths, normally walked in stages, with the accommodation and waymarking to support them. These lean toward the demanding end, so plan for a full day and check the forecast before you commit.

Trails

Expert

Norfolk Coast Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
191 km
/ 119 mi
Elevation gain
4,196 m
Typical duration
51 hr
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Hadrian's Wall Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
138 km
/ 85.6 mi
Elevation gain
3,030 m
Typical duration
36 hr
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Saxon Shore Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
262 km
/ 163 mi
Elevation gain
5,754 m
Typical duration
70 hr
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Kennet and Avon Canal Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
155 km
/ 96.1 mi
Elevation gain
3,401 m
Typical duration
41 hr
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Long-distance path
Expert

St James' Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
107 km
/ 66.5 mi
Elevation gain
2,355 m
Typical duration
28 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

The Shipwrights Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
82.6 km
/ 51.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,818 m
Typical duration
21 hr
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Cleveland Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
68.7 km
/ 42.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,511 m
Typical duration
18 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Cleveland Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
76.4 km
/ 47.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,681 m
Typical duration
20 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Cotswold Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
165 km
/ 103 mi
Elevation gain
3,632 m
Typical duration
44 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

E2 hiking trail Birmingham

England · United Kingdom

Distance
131 km
/ 81.2 mi
Elevation gain
2,875 m
Typical duration
35 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

North Downs Way (Eastern)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
185 km
/ 115 mi
Elevation gain
4,067 m
Typical duration
49 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Offa's Dyke Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
292 km
/ 181 mi
Elevation gain
6,419 m
Typical duration
78 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Peddars Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
74.8 km
/ 46.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,645 m
Typical duration
19 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

South Downs Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
161 km
/ 100 mi
Elevation gain
3,548 m
Typical duration
43 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Thames Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
313 km
/ 194 mi
Elevation gain
6,879 m
Typical duration
84 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

The Ridgeway

England · United Kingdom

Distance
139 km
/ 86.3 mi
Elevation gain
3,056 m
Typical duration
37 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Yorkshire Wolds Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
123 km
/ 76.5 mi
Elevation gain
2,707 m
Typical duration
32 hr
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Cumbria Coastal Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
107 km
/ 66.7 mi
Elevation gain
2,362 m
Typical duration
28 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Isle of Wight Coastal Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
114 km
/ 71.1 mi
Elevation gain
2,516 m
Typical duration
30 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Lancashire Coastal Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
63.7 km
/ 39.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,401 m
Typical duration
16 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Northumberland Coast Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
105 km
/ 65.0 mi
Elevation gain
2,303 m
Typical duration
27 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Suffolk Coast Path

England · United Kingdom

Distance
95.3 km
/ 59.2 mi
Elevation gain
2,097 m
Typical duration
25 hr
  • Coastal
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Greensand Ridge Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
72.2 km
/ 44.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,588 m
Typical duration
19 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Dales High Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
144 km
/ 89.3 mi
Elevation gain
3,163 m
Typical duration
38 hr
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Derwent Valley Heritage Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
83.3 km
/ 51.8 mi
Elevation gain
1,833 m
Typical duration
22 hr
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

East Devon Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
62.1 km
/ 38.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,367 m
Typical duration
16 hr
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
European walking route E2 west, UK, South East EnglandEngland219 km4,808 m58 hrExpertApril to October
Coast to Coast Walk (Richmond to Robin Hood’s Bay)England113 km2,490 m30 hrExpertApril to October
Coast to Coast Walk (Shap to Richmond)England84.0 km1,848 m22 hrExpertApril to October
Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap)England95.9 km2,110 m25 hrExpertApril to October
Norfolk Coast PathEngland191 km4,196 m51 hrExpertApril to October
European long distance path E8 - part NetherlandsEngland361 km7,949 m97 hrExpertApril to October
European walking route E9, Rye to DoverEngland65.6 km1,443 m17 hrExpertApril to October
European long distance path E9 - part alternative Great BritainEngland188 km4,132 m50 hrExpertApril to October
European walking route E9, Isle of Wight alternativeEngland76.7 km1,688 m20 hrExpertApril to October
European walking route E9, Milford on Sea to Queen Elizabeth Country ParkEngland114 km2,501 m30 hrExpertApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with European walking route E2 west, UK, South East England, Norfolk Coast Path, Coast to Coast Walk (Shap to Richmond). Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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