Prepare by choosing a route that fits your experience and the time you have, dividing it into terrain-aware daily stages, arranging overnight stays and resupply, and carrying navigation and safety essentials that work without mobile signal. Check current trail information, weather and—on coastal routes—tides shortly before departure, and be ready to change your plan.
Choose a route for more than its distance
Compare the terrain, ascent, exposure, remoteness, resupply, season, accommodation and transport as well as total miles. A route with steep or remote stages can demand more than its distance suggests. Check the specific trail and section for accessibility information rather than assuming all National Trails suit every walker. Defra’s collection lists 17 National Trails in England and Wales; trail examples below are in England. Browse the National Trails collection.
| Route | Official route length and example duration | Terrain and planning implications |
|---|---|---|
| Pennine Way | 268 miles (431 km); approximately 16 to 19 days, according to Defra’s 2026 trail guidance. | Hilly and sometimes very remote, with narrow, uneven, wet or boggy ground. Some sections have no amenities. Defra describes the 20-mile (32 km) Dufton-to-Alston stage as the route’s most challenging, with high ascent and exposed sections. Use the official stage breakdown rather than expecting each day to be equally difficult. |
| Coast to Coast Path | 190 miles (306 km); approximately 13 days with a rest day, according to Defra’s 2026 trail guidance. | Includes coast, mountain and moorland, with demanding, hilly, steep and remote sections. Lower-level options exist; the official guidance identifies a gentler low-level choice between Keld and Reeth. |
These are planning examples, not a pace recommendation. Read the route-specific guidance for the Pennine Way or the Coast to Coast Path, and choose daily distances based on terrain, stops and your own walking experience—not a universal mileage target.
Build a workable itinerary and arrange nights
Set stages around the ground and available services
Plan each day around ascent, surface, exposure and the locations of food, water, accommodation and possible exit points. A shorter stage over steep or boggy ground may take more effort than a longer, easier one. Include time for breaks and a margin for slower progress or changing conditions. Identify where you can shorten a day or leave the route if needed.
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Book the logistics that can constrain your route
Reserve accommodation in advance where possible, especially during spring and summer and on bank holidays, when places near trails can fill. If camping, use an official campsite: wild camping near trails is not usually permitted without landowner permission. Luggage-transfer services operate on some routes; check the route coverage and terms directly. Guided walking holidays and itinerary services may also arrange accommodation or transfers, but confirm exactly what is included with the provider.
Check transport at both ends of the route and at any planned exit points. Reconfirm connections and accommodation close to departure because availability and local arrangements can change.
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Check route information and plan for offline navigation
Before setting out, check the official trail information for current maps, diversions, closures, seasonal changes and route options. An older guidebook or map may not show the latest route. Natural England and Natural Resources Wales advise: “You should always follow local signs on the trail.” Follow those signs even if your downloaded directions differ. Read the official National Trails visit guidance.
Download official maps or GPX data where available, but do not make your only navigation method dependent on a live connection. Carry a suitable map, guidebook or directions you can use offline. If the route or conditions could make navigation difficult, take a compass and know how to use it.
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Pack for the route, not for every possibility
Keep carried weight down while taking equipment suited to the terrain, forecast and distance between services. Natural England and Natural Resources Wales recommend good footwear, waterproofs, warm layers, food and snacks, and plenty of water, particularly in hot weather. Fit and comfort matter: no single boot type is right for every walker or route.
- Footwear and clothing: choose well-fitting walking footwear appropriate to the route; take waterproofs and warm layers even if the start-of-day forecast is mild. In hot conditions, consider lightweight layers, suncream and a hat.
- Food and water: carry enough for the day even when shops or cafés appear on the map. Remote sections may have limited water; if you plan to use stream water, take suitable purification equipment.
- Navigation and devices: carry offline directions and, where appropriate, a map and compass. Fully charge your phone and other essential devices before leaving; a power bank can help on longer days. Expect patchy or absent mobile coverage in some areas.
- Emergency items: for a longer journey or remote area, consider a whistle, torch, first-aid kit, survival bag and spare rations. Match the kit to the route and conditions.
Check weather, tides and emergency arrangements
Check the forecast before each walking day. Weather can change quickly on mountains and along the coast; turn back or take a safer option if conditions worsen. On coastal paths and tidal rivers, check tide times so you are not cut off. Follow local warnings and HM Coastguard advice. The official guidance highlights coastal hazards including storms, cliff edges, slippery or unstable rocks, mud, quicksand and tides.
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If walking alone, tell someone your intended route and expected return time, and update them if your plans change. In an emergency, call 999. At the coast, ask for the coastguard; in a remote place, ask for police and then mountain rescue or lowland search and rescue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Follow access rules and adjust when needed
Use the Countryside Code alongside current trail guidance. Check local conditions and signs, stay on marked paths unless wider access is available, and leave gates and property as you find them. Respect workers, other path users, livestock and wildlife. On rural roads without a pavement, face oncoming traffic and follow the Highway Code.
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Route status, access restrictions, weather, tides, transport and accommodation can change. Recheck them close to departure and make the itinerary flexible enough to pause, take an alternative or turn back when conditions call for it. See also the official guidance on National Trails maintenance.
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