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South West Coast Path Map

The S W Coast Path is one of the most popular walking routes in the world. At 630 miles long, it is the UK’s longest National Trail. The route is maintained by the South West Coast Path Association. With help from trustees and members, they are able to restore parts of the path that are affected by storms. The Association also improves the path for walkers and wildlife alike.

The Southwest Coastal Path begins in Minehead, Exmoor, and follows the undulating North Devon coastline. It then plunges into Cornwall, before dipping back into South Devon, and ending up in Poole Harbour in Dorset. It passes through many beautiful tourist sites such as Ilfracombe, Tintagel, St Ives, Penzance and Falmouth.

The route is clearly signposted by an acorn symbol, just like all National Trails. The path has large sculptures marking the beginning, middle and end of the route. Why not take a picture in front of all three to document your journey?

This stunning route has become more popular since the publication of the bestselling book, The Salt Path by Raynor Winn.  The Salt Path is a memoir about a married couple who walk the South West Coastal Path after having lost their home and discovering that the husband has a degenerative illness.  This inspiring true story of hope and the healing powers of walking and the natural world has been made in to a feature film.  Also called The Salt Path, the film is due to be released in 2024.   

The UK section of the North Sea Cycle Route is the longest of all the countries. As you ride along the route will see the landscape of the UK change as you progress up the country.  Chatting to locals in the pubs you will detect the changing regional accents, the differing architecture, building materials, fauna, flora and wildlife.  Be sure to try savour the local dishes as your journey evolves.

The Norfolk section of the route has recently been renamed the Lord Nelson Way, after Vice- Admiral Nelson, famed for  his role in the Battle of Trafalgar.  Indeed the route passes though the village of Burnham Thorpe, where he was born in 1758.

After Norfolk the Lincolnshire section includes the mainly traffic-free stretch from Boston to Lincoln. Here an interesting art trail will help the miles pass quickly.

In Yorkshire and Northumberland you will be treated to the uplifting sight of numerous castles, cliffs,  islands and magnificent wide empty beaches.

Once in Scotland you will go through the vibrant cities of Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen (aka the Granite City).

After cycling along the Moray Firth your route through Scotland heads northward until Scrabster (near Thurso) where you can take a ferry to Stromness in Orkney.

From Orkney you need to take the ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick on the main Shetland Island.  Finally 2 more short local ferry rides will take you to Unst, the most northerly Shetland Isle, the most northerly part of the UK and the end of your epic cycle adventure.

This is the sort of journey that enriches the soul, changes lives and is written indelibly in the memory.

Much more detailed information about the route can be found on the Cycling UK’s website.

There is also a Traws Eryri Facebook group, where you will be able to get advice, join conversations and ask questions of other riders.

Header photo kindly supplied by cycling UK

Open miles of beach are backed in places by extensive sand dunes, and the National Landscape includes Lindisfarne with its causeway and mudflats flats, as well as the hhe Farne Islands further out from the coast.  Ancient black basalt meets the sea in low headlands and rocky coves – a dramatic setting for Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh Castles and shelter for working harbours such as Craster.

Whether you are walking, cycling or riding, the South Downs Way provides great vistas, a well-marked route and plenty of small villages and county towns along the way offering fireside pubs.  On the path, you will follow chalk streams, rivers, coastal paths, ancient woods and the famous chalk escapment itself.

Drop down from the downs to explore the wider South Downs National Park.  In addition to the stunning chalk downs the park also includes the woodlands, hedgerows and lowland pastures of the western Weald and several beautiful rivers.   There are many colourful wildflowers and 30 different species of butterflies. You will also come across vineyards (a testament to the South Downs sunny climate) and lowland heaths that are a sea of pinks and purples every year.

With great transport links from London and the greater rail network, this special part of the country is one of the most popular places to walk.

The Ravenber Way guide book

The guide book provides a full description, from West to East, with hand drawn maps of the route. It also outlines alternative routes.   The route traced on the map is 210 miles, but with alternative routes, visiting interesting places and leaving the route to reach overnight accommodation you could walk considerably more.

The Ravenber Way route is long and takes most people around fourteen days to complete. It is wild and remote in places, and not way-marked.  Good map reading skills are required and there are many stretches where you may not see another walker for hours. Accommodation is available on route, but limited in places – so always book well in advance.

As well as wild mountains and moorlands the route passes through lovely towns and villages, with many historical places of interest not too far from the route. You may want to stay a couple of nights in one place, or just take a couple of hours off the march, to enjoy where you are.

Each end of the Ravenber Way is connected to the rail network, and Hexham at the centre also has a train station.  There is also a mainline train station in Penrith, 5 miles off the route.

Route suggestions for walking the Ravenber Way

Day 1

Coast to Coast on the Ravenber Way begins in Ravenglass on the West coast of Cumbria. Leave Ravenglass beside Walls Castle and head along Eskdale to Eskdale Green. Head into Miterdale Forest, climb Irton Fell and proceed along the ridge to Whin Rigg and Illgill Head. Head downhill to Wasdale Head for the night. The guidebook provides an alternative route from Rabbit How which ends in Great Langdale and misses the Whin Rigg section – head up Eskdale to Boot and to Great Langdale where you can stay at the Great Langdale Bunkhouse – next to the New Dungoen Gyhll pub.

Day 2

Unless you took an alternative route to Great Langdale then you’ll begin day two at Wasdale Head. Leave towards Burnthwaite, follow alongside Lingmell Beck and ascend to Sty Head. Pass Sprinkling Tarn and then Angle Tarn and follow Rossett Gill then the Cumbria Way into Great Langdale where you’ll pass the Great Langdale Bunkhouse. Further along in Elterwater, and a few minutes from the route, is the Elterwater Hostel. Continue on to Skelwith Bridge and Tarn Foot, near Loughrigg Tarn to Ambleside via Ivy Crag and Deer Hows. Walkers wishing to stay at either The Old Café Bunkhouse could bear left at Loughrigg Tarn and follow Loughrigg Terrace, past Rydall Water, to Rydall.

Day 3

Leave Ambleside along Lake Road and head over Wansfell Pike to arrive in Troutbeck.  Leave via Ing Lane and along Hagg Gill to ascend High Street – the highest point of the Ravenber Way. Staying high the route passes High Raise, Red Crag and Loadpot Hill before gently descending along the Roman Road into Askham. There are no hostels ont his website for this section.

Day 4

Leave the pretty village of Askham along the Windermere and Ullswater road, passing Askham Hall and Lowther Castle on the way to Hackthorpe, Melkinthorpe and Great Strickland. About halfway through the day the route passes through Morland. Reagill Village Hall is located four miles south of the route and would also provide a break for the night. The route continues through King’s Meaburn, Bolton and Long Marton before arriving in Dufton.

Day 5

There is very little between Dufton and Garrigill apart from hills. Leave Dufton along a track leading to the Pennie Way, then follow the Pennine Way over Green Fell and Knock Fell. Follow Trout Beck to cross the River Tees. Pass Tyne Head and then downhill along River South Tyne to Garrigill and Garrigill Village Hall. The guidebook provides an alternative route, prudent in bad weather, to avoid the summit of Knock Fell.

Day 6

Follow the path to Dodbury and above Garrigill Burn then cross a vast area of disused mines to Nenthead.  Haggs Bank Bunkhouse and Camping is a short distance away in Nentsberry and might make a suitable stopover by extending day 5.  From Nenthead head towards Dykeheads, cross moorlands to Coalcleugh – Carrshield Camping Barn is less than a mile from the route in Carrshield. Cross Carrshield Moor to Philipson’s Fold and descend to Swinhope Mill. Pass through White Ridge and Burnfoot to The Dodd, then a short stroll in to Allenheads.

Day 7

Today passes the halfway point! Leave Allenheads via The Dodd, follow alongside River East Allen and cross it before Low Huntwell. Cross the moor to Green Hill and follow Broad Way past Pikeley Rigg, Hangman Hill and Watson’s Pike to Kings Law. Head around the plantation then pass Rye Hill, Low Rawgreen, High Staples and Juniper to Diptonmill. Then pick up A Pennie Journey downhill to Hexham. There are no hostels ont his website for this section, but if you stayed in Allendale Town after day 6 then you may have the legs to reach Newborough Bunkhouse which is on the route 9.5km (6 miles) into section 8.

If you are walking the Ravenber Way in two visits then, as Hexham is just past the halfway point and connected by rail to Newcastle and Carlisle, then this is a good break point.

Day 8

Leave Hexham to the North, cross the train line and head alongside the River Tyne. Cross the river at Bridge End and head in to Newborough – and past Newborough Bunkhouse. Pass Newborough Lodge and cross open country to Hardian’s wall – Greencarts Bunkhouses and Camping is just over a mile away. Head west along the wall before, crossing more open country past Slaterfield Fell, Pit Wood and Low Moralee, then descend through Warksburn Wood to Wark.

Day 9

Leave Wark by crossing the former toll bridge over the North Tyne to the village of Birtley, then pass Pittland Hills and Tone Hall to Tone Inn. Cross the Roman road, head through a conifer plantation and turn left to pass Hawick Woods to Ferneyrigg. Head to Nether Pike then cross moorland and pass Wishaw Plantation, Green Wisp, Blaxter Cottages and Ravenscleugh to Elsdon.

Day 10

Today is remote with lots of woodland. Leave Elsdon by Crown Farm and enter Harwood Forest by East Todholes – buried deep in the forest is the remote Chartners Farm Off the Grid. Follow the path through Whitlees, Harry’s Wood, Gunner’s Box and Redpath before picking up St Oswald’s Way to finally leave the forest at Croquet Cairn. Stay on St Oswald’s Way and cross the moors past Spylaw, Whittondean and Whitton to Rothbury.

Day 11

Leave Rothbury via Brewery Lane towards Addycombe, then pass Ship Crag and High Wood to Thropton. Head along the River Coquet to Warton, pass Low Trewhitt Cottages and continue to Sheperton. Cross River Coquet, and then back again by paddling (flood alternatives are suggested in the guidebook). Pass The Peels and Harbottle to Alwinton.

Day 12

Leave Alwinton along Clennell Street, pass many ancient settlements, then Wholehope Knowe, Saughy Hill to Nettlehope Hill. Head through the forest to pass Well Cleugh and Hazely Law to the border ridge where the route meets the Pennine Way. Follow the Pennine Way to Kings Seat, Green Gair, Hanging Stone, Auchope Cairn and Red Cribs before descending to Mounthooly – and the Mounthooly Bunkhouse. Continue past Fleehope, Whitehall and Hethpool then follow College Burn to Westnewton Bridge. The guidebook provides an alternative route to Wooler – for this leave the main route before Auchop Cairn to Cairn Hill, The Cheviot, Scald Hill to Broadstruther. Follow Broadstruthers Burn to Carey Burn then cross moorland to Wooler Common and through the Kenterdale Hill picnic spot to Wooler – and Wooler Youth Hostel.  From Wooler head to Westnewton Bridge to pick up the next section of the route.

Day 13

Leave on a track between Westnewton and Westnewton Bridge and cross the disused railway to Lanton Mill. Continue to Crookhouse, around Coldside Hill, through Flodden, around Flodden Hill and on to Crookham Bridge. Continue to Heatherslaw, then cross the River Till to Etal. Follow the river until it meets the River Tweed and then follow the Tweed downstream. Leave the river at Bow Well Farm to Norham.

Day 14

Follow the footpath along the river Tweed and then up to visit Horncliffe. Head back to the riverside footpath and continue to the Berwick Bridge. Head right after the bridge to Quay Walls and then Wellington Terrace and past Coxon’s Tower to Pier Road. Behind Pier Road is a car park and a good spot to dip your toe in the water to complete the Ravenber Way.  Eat Sleep Lindisfarrne is 14km (8.7 miles) away, and provides a great base to explore Holy Island.

You can buy the Ravenber Way guide book  HERE

King Alfred’s Way is a 350km circular off-road cycle route running along chalk downlands and ridges and connecting some of England’s most iconic sites.

Despite being easily accessible from cities in the south of England, you quickly escape from everyday life to immerse yourself in the wide-open views across waves of rolling countryside.

The name of the trail is inspired by Alfred the Great, who ruled the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex.  Using parts of the Ridgeway and South Downs Way, it is ideal for gravel bikes and can be ridden over a few days as a bikepacking trip with some great hostels along the way.

It also connects with the Thames Path and the North Downs Way riders’ route, so you can combine multiple routes into a longer ride.

Created by Cycling UK the King Alfred’s Way is the beginning of a network of long-distance off-road routes being planned across the length and breadth of Great Britain.  Find out more about Cycling UK HERE.  And you can download their guide to King Alfred’s Way HERE.

Hadrian’s Cycleway accommodation

You are spoilt for choice with some amazing places to stay along your ride along Hadrian’s Cycleway.  There is a great selection of places to rest your head. Not to mention the communal rooms; great places to relax and meet other travellers.

We know the importance of conserving your energy for when it matters most. Some of the hostels and bunkhouses on this map are right on the route with a few others a short ride away.  This means no extra pedalling when all you want to do is have a hearty meal and a lie-down!

Our hostels are no strangers to Hadrian’s Wall cyclists, this is why many of them provide evening meals and/or breakfasts, and generally provide bedding (always best to check this). Many have somewhere secure for you to store your bike, once again its is always best to check this.

What is the Pembrokeshire Coast path?

Opened in 1970, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path was the first national trail in Wales. It is an exhilarating and inspirational walk as it passes an incredible 58 beaches and 14 harbours! Handily, the entire length of the route is covered by the Pembrokeshire coastal bus service. This is because, a fair proportion of the route crosses areas that are scarcely populated. This regular bus service is very popular with walkers ferrying them to and from their overnight lodgings and means you are never too far from civilisation.

Why walk the Pembrokeshire Coast path?

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs for 186 miles along the most breath-taking coastline in Britain. Stretching between St Dognaels in the north to Amroth in the South, the route crosses a wonderful variety of coastal landscapes. You will walk along rugged cliff tops, descend to sheltered coves, cross wide open beaches, and meandering estuaries. As well as offering a wonderful variety of breath-taking scenery, the area is rich in bird life and coastal flowers. If you are lucky, you may also spot seals and wild ponies. On average the Pembrokeshire Coast Path takes 10 to 15 days to complete.

How long does the Pembrokeshire Coast Path take to complete?

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path (also known as the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path) is quite a challenging route.  It takes on average 10-15 days to walk from end to end.  The ascents and descents amount to 35,000ft, which is roughly equivalent to climbing Everest.  So, a certain amount of pre-walk training is recommended.  The route is very well waymarked, but as always it is a good idea to take a guidebook and map.