Planning a long-distance walk

Official advice on checking diversions, booking places to stay, luggage, transport, packing and what you cannot usually do near a National Trail.

A National Trail can be walked in short sections or from end to end. The official planning advice below is from National Trails: prepare for your visit, published by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales on 24 June 2026. It applies to National Trails in England and Wales. It is not a suggested itinerary, and this site has not timed the walks itself.

Check the route before you go

The trail on the ground can differ from a map or guidebook. Official reasons include:

temporary changes because of erosion, repair work, land management or local events
seasonal changes made for your safety, or to protect wildlife
optional routes, where you can choose which line to follow

If the route has changed, the official advice is that the change will be clearly signposted, and that you should always follow local signs on the trail. You can also check diversions or closures on the trail maps on the National Trails website.

On some trails you will need a ferry as part of the route. GOV.UK says these are mostly on the King Charles III England Coast Path, and that you should check local ferry timetables. Some ferries are seasonal or only run at certain times, and they may not run in extreme weather or tides. The South West Coast Path visitor page also says there are a number of estuary ferries on that trail.

Check which sections are open to cyclists or horse riders on the National Trails website. Ordinary public rights of way that allow horses, cycles or motor vehicles are shown on Ordnance Survey maps and on some council websites.

Getting there and back

Check where your route starts and ends, and how you will get there and back, or to and from accommodation if you are staying overnight. The official guidance says the trails go through or near places with access to buses, trains and other transport services, and points to the journey planner at traveline.info.

The Countryside Code also asks visitors to consider leaving the car at home, not to block gateways or driveways when parking, and to leave access for emergency vehicles.

Places to stay and luggage

GOV.UK says there is a range of accommodation along and near the trails. Places close to the trails can get fully booked quickly, especially in spring, summer and on bank holidays, so you may want to book in advance.

If you plan to camp, you will need to find an official campsite. You cannot usually wild camp on land near the trails — you would need permission from the landowner. That is the official England and Wales position. Access rights in Scotland are different; see the Countryside Code and access rights.

If you do not want to carry luggage on the trail, the official guidance says there are companies you can hire to move bags between each place you are staying, or from the start to the end of your route. Holiday companies can also book a guided walk, book accommodation or luggage transfer, or help you plan an itinerary. This site does not recommend a particular firm.

Before you set off

The official preparation list is short and practical:

If you are going alone, tell someone where you are planning to go and let them know if your plans change.
Check the weather forecast. Conditions can change quickly on mountains and along the coast. Be prepared to turn back if conditions change on the trail.
If your route is by the sea or near a tidal river, look up tide times before you leave, to reduce the risk of being cut off.
Download or get a map, guidebook or directions before you leave. You may not have internet access on the trail, so you should not rely on online resources alone.
Fully charge your phone and any other devices you will need. For longer journeys you may want a portable power bank. Phone signal can be patchy, and in some areas there may be none. Wifi is available at some pubs, cafés and accommodation along the trails.

You can also search for nearby open access land, and check whether any of that land is currently closed to walkers, using the official open access maps for England and Wales.

What to pack

The official advice is to keep the weight of the bag you are carrying to a minimum. For some routes you will need a compass and map, and to know how to use them.

For each day on the trail you should carry snacks and food, and plenty of water, especially on hot days. There may be pubs, cafés and shops near or on some trails, but you should still carry enough food and water for the day. Some remote sections have limited access to water. If you take water from streams, you should use purification equipment.

Be prepared for changeable weather. The official packing list is good footwear such as walking boots, waterproofs and warm layers. In hot weather you may need sun cream, a hat and lightweight layers.

If you are going on a longer journey, or to a remote area, take an emergency pack. GOV.UK says this could include a whistle, torch, first aid kit, survival bag and spare rations.

This is official packing advice, not a product test or a shop list.

How long does a National Trail take?

It depends on the trail and on how you split it. Official visitor pages give example times for walking some trails in full — for example around 16 to 19 days for the Pennine Way, around 30 to 56 days for the South West Coast Path, and around 13 days with a rest day for the Coast to Coast Path. Those are the published ranges, not a promise. Most people, the official pages say, split the longer trails into sections and complete them over several visits.

Sources

Checked 14 November 2026.