This inspirational guidebook looks at each of the UK's 19 National Trails, with information that allows ease of comparison and contrast, inspiring you to find out more and to take up a long-distance challenge. Some Trails are short and easy, others much longer, many have strong themes - they may follow a coastline, or traverse ranges of hills.
In 1965 as the first National Trail in the country was opened – ‘a Pennine Way from the Peak to the Cheviots’. Together, the National Trails cover well over 5000km (3100 miles), exploring the rich, scenic, historic countryside of Britain. Some trails are short and easy, while others are long and challenging. Some have a strong theme, following rugged coastlines or meandering rivers. Others use ancient cross-country routes or follow the courses of ancient boundaries.
Author Paddy Dillon has walked all 19 routes described here not just one, but twice. The National Trails (know in Scotland as Scotland’s Great Trails) wriggle their way through some of Britain's finest landscapes, making them readily accessible and allowing walkers to explore these areas with relative ease.
Packed with information, this guide will help you get out and walk the finest long-distance routes in the country.
Outline schedules to allow you to compare the routes and organise your own walking itinerary.
Basic day-by-day route descriptions illustrated with maps and profiles.
Information on access to and from the route, maps, public transport, guidebooks, tourist information centres, accommodation and useful websites.
Activities
Long-distance walking and backpacking
Seasons
All trails can be tackled throughout the year, though many of the northern and Scottish routes can be challenging in winter conditions. Avoid the Hadrian's Wall Path in winter, as the ground is soft and underlying archaeology easily damaged.
Difficulty
The routes vary in both length and technical difficulty, the longest being the South West Coast Path and the most difficult possibly the Pennine Way.
Must See
Broad views and unspoilt landscapes in some of Britain's best walking areas - from thunderous breaking waves against the cliffs on the South West Coast Path to Buachaille Etive Mor at the gateway to Glen Coe.
