Walk England's National Trails & Parks

At Macs Adventure, we make your hiking vacation effortless and enriching. Here's what sets us apart:

• The widest choice of trails across England’s countryside and coastlines, from the Cotswold Way to the South Downs Way.
• Hike at your own pace while staying in hand-picked accommodations that immerse you in England’s warm hospitality.
• Follow in the footsteps of royalty, literary legends, and history-makers.
• Enjoy local insights from our team, many of whom are based in England, to make the most of your adventure.
• On every trip, you’ll have daily luggage transfers, pre-loaded GPS maps in the Macs Adventure app, and access to 24/7 emergency support. 

Whether you’re conquering the South West Coast Path or immersing yourself in the tranquil beauty of the Thames Path, we’ll ensure your trip is smooth and unforgettable. Leave the planning to us—simply relax and enjoy the journey.

What are National Trails in England?
National Trails are designated long-distance walking/hiking routes showcasing England’s most scenic and historic landscapes, including the South Downs Way, Pennine Way, and more.

What is the most popular National Trail?
The Cotswold Way, Coast to Coast, and South West Coast Path are among the most popular trails, offering quintessential English countryside and dramatic coastal views.

Are National Trails suitable for folks new to long-distance trail hiking?
Yes! Trails like the Cotswold Way, the South Downs Way and the Thames Path are ideal for active folks who are new to multi-day, long-distance hiking, offering manageable distances and gentler terrains.

Does Macs Adventure include luggage transfers?
Yes! Macs Adventure trips include daily luggage transfers, so you can hike light and focus on the journey.

Lake District National Park 

Unique Experience: Revel in England’s largest National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site blending rugged trails, charming villages, iconic peaks and fells, and crystalline lakes like Windermere. Literature lovers will enjoy connections to Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, inspired by the area's beauty.

Trail Difficulty: From easy lake-side ambles to heart-pounding mountain scrambles, the Lake District has something for adventurers of every ability.

Northumberland National Park

Unique Experience: This tranquil park is perfect for stargazing (it’s a designated Dark Sky Reserve) and exploring Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trail Difficulty: This region offers a variety of fitness levels with a mix of choice on Hadrian’s Wall. There’s also the easier best of the Northumberland Coastal Path, and while not in the National Park, it is part of the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Unique Experience: Explore lush green dales, hidden waterfalls, historic castles, and abbeys. Enjoy charming market towns, cozy pubs, and delicious regional cuisine like Yorkshire Pudding, Wensleydale Cheese, and Yorkshire Tea.

Trail Difficulty: This region allows for trips of a variety of fitness levels, including the easy-to-moderate ‘In Comfort’ option. Newcomers to long-distance hiking can enjoy the Dales Way, averaging 13 miles/day, or the Herriot Way with hikes of 10–14 miles/day—both perfect for multi-day hiking adventures.

Cleveland Way in North York Moors National Park

Unique Experience: Stroll along dramatic coastal cliffs and peaceful heather moorland with breathtaking views. Sample a segment of the famous Coast to Coast trail, but otherwise feel like you’ve got the entire trail to yourself. Stop in ruins from Dracula’s Whitby Abbey, pass Roseberry Topping ‘Yorkshire’s Matterhorn’, and Helmsley Castle.

Trail Difficulty: ‘Easy to Moderate’. Be ready for steep ascents and descents with stunning views—ideal for those with a head for heights!

Coast to Coast Trail

Unique Experience: Hike 200 miles across northern England on the iconic Coast to Coast route. Pass through three National Parks—Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors—ending at the golden beaches of Robin Hood’s Bay. Along the way, discover charming villages, hearty meals, and classic English hospitality. Perfect for solo hikers, with plenty of camaraderie among fellow adventurers.

Trail Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, depending on your pace. Ideal for those with prior long-distance hiking experience, ready for varied terrains and extended distances. Adding extra days eases the daily mileage, offering a more leisurely pace to tackle the hills, or you can split the trail into two separate tours. The West section is the most dramatic and challenging, comparable to the Tour du Mont Blanc or Alta Via 1. 

Unique Experience: Hike through quintessentially English landscapes dotted with thatched cottages, blooming gardens, and chocolate-box villages. Ending in Bath, explore the Georgian architecture and Roman influence with a must-see stop at the Roman Baths.

Trail Difficulty: Moderate. Choose from easier 5-day escapes that take in the highlights or set yourself a goal to complete the full 103-mile trail for a more demanding adventure. 

Unique Experience: Walk along the remnants of Roman Britain by following the 84-mile Hadrian's Wall Path. This UNESCO World Heritage site, built in AD 122, is a living history lesson, weaving through quaint villages, enchanting valleys, and Roman museums and dig sites. Enjoy sweeping views of the wild and beautiful Northumberland National Park.

Trail Difficulty: ‘Easy to Moderate’ and Strenuous. While relatively flat, some sections are more remote and require a bit more stamina, making it perfect for curious explorers with a love for history.  It’s ideal for hikers with prior long-distance experience and can be completed in 8–10 days. For a shorter option, try a ‘best of’ itinerary to enjoy highlights without committing to the entire route.

Unique Experience: Trace Wales’ and England’s lush borderlands with panoramic vistas and medieval castles, with a Welsh trail that pops in and out of England. Bonus? Peaceful paths few tread.

Trail Difficulty: ‘Moderate to Strenuous’. A rewarding challenge for long-distance hikers ready to tackle steep ascents and descents.

Unique Experience: There’s a reason this epic trail was the first National Trail and is called the “Backbone of England.” Think rugged wilderness, Roman forts, and the limestone wonder of Malham Cove (made famous by Harry Potter). Pass through 3 National Parks along the way: Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland. 

Trail Difficulty: ‘Moderate to Strenuous’. Spanning 256 miles, this is for experienced hikers seeking solitude, adventure, and a challenge. Plan to hike 7-21 miles per day and prepare for elevation gains and losses averaging 1,600 ft/day. 

South Downs Way

Unique Experience: Just an hour from London, this is the perfect escape to panoramic chalk cliffs, idyllic meadows, and serene English towns. End your walk at the majestic Seven Sisters and celebrate with a glass of Sussex’s famous sparkling wine. 

Trail Difficulty: ‘Easy to Moderate’. One of the easiest UK National Trails, this 100-mile route features mostly gentle terrain with a few moderately steep sections, though some daily distances can be considered long.

South West Coast Path 

Unique Experience: Experience England’s rugged coastline at its finest. Witness dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, golden beaches, and iconic landmarks like St Michael’s Mount or Land’s End. Don’t miss the chance to stop at quaint fishing villages for a fresh seafood treat. 

Trail Difficulty: Ranges from ‘Easy to Moderate’ to ‘Moderate to Strenuous’, as it rolls up and down coastal bluffs and crosses sandy, rocky, and slippery terrain. The 630-mile trail is usually completed in stages over several years, or you can opt for a more relaxed option with one of our highlights tours.

Thames Path

Unique Experience: A walk through England’s heartland. Enjoy riverside pubs, charming countryside churches, and historic marvels like Windsor Castle, Oxford University and Hampton Court Palace. This trail is perfect for discovering England’s ancient stories at a gentler pace. 

Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Flat and meandering, this route’s challenge can be the daily distances if choosing to do longer sections in a shorter number of days. It’s a good intro to long-distance hiking or a quick ‘hiking’ getaway from London. 

Exmoor National Park 

Unique Experience: Found in South West England, Exmoor offers a unique charm with its wild ponies, blend of moorland, wooded valleys, marshland, dramatic coasts and sandy beaches. Travelers on the Minehead to Westward Ho! leg of the South West Coast Path pass through this stunning park and can sample locally caught seafood. 

Trail Difficulty: The Minehead to Westward Ho! leg of the South West Coast Path is considered moderate with a min of 9 miles of hiking up and down coastlines each day. Dip your toes in the ocean for a refreshing break mid trek. 

Peak District National Park

Unique Experience: The Peaks, one of three national parks the Pennine Way passes through, features craggy landscapes and lush valleys perfect for seasoned hikers or relaxed wanderers alike. 

Trail Difficulty: Hiking the Pennine Way through the Peak District National Park is best for avid hiking adventurers, but the challenge is worth the reward.

King Charles III Coast Path (previously the England Coast Path) 

Unique Experience: Although this monumental trail is still incomplete, Macs offers trips that allow you to experience key sections of this remarkable path. Imagine hiking the final steps of St Cuthbert’s Way to the mystical Holy Island of Lindisfarne, exploring the dramatic landscapes along the Cleveland Way, or basking in the rolling scenery of the South Downs Way. Other highlights include the rugged beauty of the Berwickshire Coastal Path and the shimmering sea views along the entirety of the South West Coast Path. 

Trail Highlights: Renamed the 'King Charles III England Coast Path,' this extraordinary project is set to become the longest-managed coastal path in the world. Once complete, it will stretch an impressive 2,700 miles, encircling the entire coast of England.