2, Cotswold Way

Location: South West England.
Length:: 163km (102 miles).
Average number of days to complete:: 7.
Users:: 100% for walkers, 19% for cyclists and horse riders.
Highest point:: Cleeve Common 325m (1,066ft).
Start point: Bath Abbey, 10 minutes walk from Bath train station.
Finish point: Market Hall, Chipping Campden.
Landscape:: Follows the escarpment of the Cotswold hills giving panoramic views across the Severn Vale, passing through beech woods and open pasture with dry stone walls, picturesque villages with limestone cottages. 96% within the Cotswolds designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Highlights: World Heritage City of Bath, views over River Severn to Brecon Beacons in Wales, Malvern Hills and Forest of Dean. National Trust properties of Dyrham House and Horton Court; Broadway Tower and Somerset Monument tower follies; old mill towns of Painswick, Stroud & Dursley, Devils Chimney at Leckhampton Hill; Belas Knap Long Barrow, Sudeley Castle and Hailes Abbey.
Famous Associations: Writer Laurie Lee, artist William Morris, William Tyndale who first translated the Bible into English, Katherine Parr - wife of Henry Eighth, author Jilly Cooper.
Trail Officer's favourite part: Cam Long Down because of the good views of the Severn Vale and Cotswold escarpment.
Nearest Towns: Bristol is 16km (10 miles) to the West. Birmingham is 58km (36 miles) to the North. Gloucester is 10km (6 miles), Cheltenham 3km (2 miles), Stow on the Wold 14km (9 Miles), Stratford upon Avon 19km (12 miles). Bath, Wotton-under Edge, Dursley, Winchcombe & Chipping Campden are on the Trail.
Access: Bath is 90 minutes by train from London Paddington and 15 minutes by train from Bristol. Birmingham is 45 minutes from Chipping Camden by train and bus. Stroud is 2 hours from London and 40 minutes from Bristol by train. Cheltenham is 45 minutes from Birmingham by train. There is also a station at Cam and Dursley.
Information available: There are at least 4 unofficial route guides to the recreational route and a handbook and accommodation list produced by the Gloucester Area Ramblers Association annually. (List of publications available from Trail Officer). The recreation route is open and available now but as part of the upgrade to National Trail status approximately 30% of the Trail will be realigned. Official information will be produced and available for the National Trail when it officially opens.
Contact for all information and advice: Jo Ronald, The Malthouse, Standish, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 3DL.Telephone: 00 44 (0) 1453 827004. Email: cotsway@gloucestershire.gov.uk

4, Hadrian's Wall

Location: North England - Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyneside.
Length:: 140km (84miles).
Average number of days to complete:: 7.
Users:: Walkers only in Cumbria & Northumberland. Within Tyneside 19 km - (14% of the total route) is shared with cyclists on an urban cycleway.
Highest point:: Whinshields Crags 345m (1130 ft).
Start point: Segedenum Roman Fort at Wallsend on Tyne.
Finish point: The RSPB reserve at Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast.
Landscape:: A riverside route along the Tyne gives way to predominantly arable farmland above Tynedale. This opens out to the rough grazing upland section dominated by the Whin Sill escarpment. It then gradually descends to the richer pastures of Cumbria and finally the open salt marsh of the Solway Estuary.
Highlights: Roman Forts of Segedunum (Wallsend), Chesters, Housesteads, Birdoswald, River Tyne bridges, Whin Sill escarpment; well preserved Roman masonry and earthworks, Solway salt marshes.
Famous Associations: Emperor Hadrian, George and Robert Stephenson; novelist Sir Walter Scott; singer Sting; footballer Alan Shearer.
Trail Officer's favourite part: Segedunum Roman Fort because of its presentation; Walltown section of Wall, one of the best preserved sections but the least known; Birdoswald Roman Fort with its expansive views; Solway estuary because of its bird interest.
Nearest Towns: Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Carlisle are the main towns on the route. Hexham is 7 km (5 miles); Haltwhistle 5 km (3 miles); Brampton 6.5 km (5 miles).
Access: Newcastle-upon-Tyne is 3 hours from London and 1.5 hours from Edinburgh by train, Carlisle is 4.5 hours from London and 1.5 hours from Edinburgh by train. The Hadrian’s Wall bus serves the above plus Corbridge, Hexham, Greenhead, Gilsland and Brampton. Segedenum can be reached by metro from Newcastle (10 minutes from Central Station). Bus services operate from Carlisle to Bowness-on Solway (take 40 minutes).
Information available: National Trail Guide - Aurum Press; “Every Footstep Counts” (code of respect for Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site) from National Trail Officer; Where to Stay Guide for walkers and the Summer Guide to Hadrian’s Wall (includes public transport information) from Hadrian’s Wall Information Line.
Contact for all information and advice: David McGlade, Countryside Agency North East Regional Office, Cross House, Westgate Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 4XX. Telephone: 00 44 (0) 191 269 1634. For leaflets described contact also the Hadrian’s Wall Information Line - Telephone 00 44 (0) 1434 322002.Email: david.mcglade@countryside.gov.uk

6，Offa's *** Path

Location: England/Wales Border
Length: 285km (177 miles).
Average number of days to complete: 12.

Users: 100% for walkers, 35% available for cyclists and horse riders too.

Highest point: Hatterrall Ridge 700m (2,300 ft).
Start point: The Marker Stone on Offa’s *** at Sedbury Cliff.
Finish point: The Marker Stone on Prestatyn seafront.

Landscape: Rural with mountains, hill pasture, river valleys and lowland fields. 31% is within Three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 9% is within a National Park. Total 40% within designated areas, Two-thirds of this National Trail is in Wales.
Highlights: Offa’s ***, Britain’s longest Ancient Monument. Chepstow Castle, Wye Valley, Tintern Abbey, Monmouth, Black Mountains, Hay-on-Wye (the Town of Books), Knighton, (the Town-on-the-***), Llangollen, Pont-Cysyllte Aqueduct, Moel Famau and the Clwydian Range Hill Forts. Also buzzards, badgers, butterflies and wild flowers galore.
Famous Associations: Kilvert’s Diary, Bruce Chatwin “On the Black Hill”, Malcolm Saville- “The Lone Pine Adventures”, George Borrow - “Wild Wales”, A.E. Housman - “A Shropshire Lad”.
Trail Officer's favourite part: “The South Shropshire Hills. An awful lot of climbs, but fantastic views, exquisite little forgotten valleys and unspoiled old buildings. Also some of the best preserved parts of the ***.”
Nearest towns: Bristol is 29 km (18 miles), Chepstow 1.6km (1 mile), Monmouth is on the Trail. Ludlow is 24km (15 miles), Newtown 16km (10 miles), Shrewsbury 26km (16 miles), Hereford 26km (16 miles), Llangollen and Prestatyn are on the Trail, Chester is 32km (20 miles). Other towns on or close by the Trail are Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Knighton, Presteigne, Montgomery, Welshpool, Oswestry and Chirk.
Access: There are railway stations at Chepstow (1.6km (1 mile) from the Trail), Abergavenny (8km (5 miles)), Knighton (on the Trail), Welshpool (2km (1.5 mile)), Chirk (2km (1.5miles)) and at Prestatyn (on the Trail).
Information available: National Trail Guides by Ernie and Kathy Kay - Aurum Press. Two volumes: Offa’s *** Path South ISBN 1 85410 671 6, Offa’s *** Path North ISBN 1 85410 322 9. Public Transport and “Where to Stay” by the Offa’s *** Association, published annually. Circular walk packs, mileage chart, strip maps etc. feature in publications list available from Offa’s *** Association. General information and publications available from the Offa’s *** Association, Offa’s *** Centre, West Street, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN Tel. (01 547) 528 753 Fax. (01 547) 529 242 Email. oda@offasdyke.demon.co.uk.
Contact for all information and advice:
Offa’s *** Centre, West Street, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN.
Telephone: (01 547) 528 192.
Fax: (01 547) 529 242.
Email: odp@offasdyke.demon.co.uk

8，Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Location: South West Wales.
Length:: 186 miles.
Average number of days to complete:: 10 - 15.
Users:: 100% for walkers; 3% off roads available for cyclists and horse riders too.
Highest point:: Pen yr afr - 175m (1500ft) (Total rise and fall over entire Trail - approx 11,600 metres (35,000 feet). (400 stiles to cross).
Start point: The slipway north of St Dogmaels, Cardigan.
Finish point: The bridge east of Amroth Castle, near Tenby.
Landscape:: Spectacular coast, rugged cliffs, sweeping beaches, just about every type of coastal landform. 25% of the Trail is within designated conservation sites. 85% of the Trail is within the National Park, the National Park’s dedicated Coast Path team manages 100%.
Highlights: Over 50 quality bathing beaches. Over 40 Iron Age promontory forts. Norman/ medieval castles/ towns (notably Tenby, Manorbier & Pembroke). Chain of Napoleonic and later forts. Scores of lime kilns and other industrial archaeological remains. Series (over 15) of picturesque ports (eg Tenby, Solva, Porthgain). Innumerable secret coves. Bosherston Lily Ponds, Landsker Line, razorbills and chough.
Famous Associations: Hubba (Norse warrior defeated by King Alfred), Gerald Cambrensis (who wrote a guide to Wales in the middle ages and lived in Manorbier Castle), Henry VII (born in Pembroke), Black Bart (pirate), Last invasion of UK (1797), Admiral Nelson (built Milford Haven military harbour), Gordon of Khartoum, Isambard Kingdom Brunel (built Goodwich Transatlantic Port), naturalist RM Lockley, Lindsway Bay was the site of the first footfall of Prince Charles on Welsh sand in 1955, singer David Grey.
Trail Officer's favourite part: 'The sea, beaches and cliffs all the way round but if I have to pick one place it would be the cliffs of Stackpole and Pencamaes and the beaches of St Brides Bay'.
Nearest Towns: Saundersfoot, Tenby, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Neyland Milford Haven, Broad Haven, Solva, Goodwick, Fishguard & Newport Pembs are all on the Trail. City of St David's 1.6km (1mile), Haverfordwest 9km (6miles), Cardigan 3km (2 miles), Carmarthen 48km (30 miles), Swansea 80km (50 miles), Cardiff 144km (90 miles).
Access: Cardiff is 2 hours from London Paddington by train and 45 minutes from Bristol by train. Cardiff to Carmarthen is 2 hours by train (Cardiff to Tenby is 2.5 hours,change at Tenby for a bus back to Amroth (40 mins)). Trains also go to Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Fishguard Harbour. Bus Carmarthen to Amroth via Pendine -1 hour. Bus Carmathen to Cardigan is 90 minutes. There are more buses to parts of the Trail from Haverfordwest (15 minutes away).
Information available: National Trail Guide by Brian John - Aurum Press ISBN 1-85410-770-4 cost £12.99. Video (£12.99), Tide timetable (75p), local accommodation, and circular walks packs from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Education Department (01437 764 636.) Details on public transport from website or Pembrokeshire County Council enquiry line 01437 775227.
Contact for all information and advice: David Machlachlan, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Llanion Park, Pembroke Dock. For walker information ask for Education Department, for route care information and reports ask for Recreation Department.Email: davemac@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk

10，Pennine Way

Location: Peak District in Derbyshire to the Scottish Borders.
Length:: 429km (268 miles).
Average number of days to complete:: 16.
Users:: 100% for walkers, 30% available for cyclists and horse riders too.
Highest point:: Cross Fell 893m (2947 ft).
Start point: The Nags Head pub in Edale.
Finish point: The Border Inn, Kirk Yetholm.
Landscape:: A grand traverse up the Backbone of England. 17% of the Trail is within the Peak District National Park, 20% in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and 24% within the Northumberland National Park. (Total 61% designated).
Highlights: Kinder Scout, Stoodley Pike, Top Withins, Malham Cove, Pen-y-ghent, Tan Hill, High Force, Cauldron Snout, High Cup Nick, Cross Fell, Hadrian's Wall and The Cheviots.
Famous Associations: Benny Rothman from The Access Movement in the Peak District during the 1930’s, Tom Stephenson, A Wainright, the Bronte Family.
Trail Officer's favourite part: ‘Middleton in Teesdale to Dufton for the fantastic scenery and beautiful flowers in spring.
Nearest Towns: Sheffield (34km (21 miles), 40 minutes), Manchester (32km (20miles), 40 minutes), Leeds (44km (27 miles), 35 minutes), Huddersfield (24km (15miles), 25 minutes), Bradford (24km (15 miles), 30 minutes), Keighley (14km (9 miles), 15 minutes), Skipton (6km (4 miles), 5 minutes), Penrith (24km (15 miles), 30 minutes), Carlisle (32km (20 miles), 30 minutes), Newcastle Upon Tyne (73km (45 miles), 60 minutes).
Access: Sheffield is 3 hours by train from London. Manchester is 2 ½ hours from London. Edale is around 45 minutes from both Sheffield and Manchester by Train. Kirk Yetholm has a bus service to Kelso (30 minutes), where a service runs to Jedburgh where a connection can be made with Newcastle (90 minutes) and Edinburgh (75 minutes).
Information available: National Trail Guide by Tony Hopkins - Aurum Press (South ISBN 1854 106 724 and North ISBN 1854 108 514). Accommodation and public transport information guides by Countryside Agency and Pennine Way Association.
Contact for all information and advice: Steve Westwood, The Countryside Agency, Yorkshire and Humber Region, 4th Floor, Victoria Wharf, No.4 The Embankment, Sovereign Street, Leeds, LS1 4BA.Telephone: 00 44 (0) 0113 246 9222 .Email: steve.westwood@countryside.gov.uk