Teggs Nose on the Gritstone Trail

The Long Distance Walkers Association website carries a comprehensive list of long distance trails throughout the UK and there's no better place to start your search for something to meet your abilities and demands - ranging from the traditional upland trail through to "themed" trails covering everything from literature (Ivanhoe Way) to Industrial Heritage (Witton Weavers Way). You'll also find trails in pretty much every county in the UK and many of them both waymarked on the ground and marked on Ordnance Survey Maps.

As a starter we've compiled a list of ten of our favourite 30 - 40 mile trails around the country to give you some inspiration. Spread over three days each of these trails offers a bite-sized introduction to trail walking with options to bail out part way if the going (or British summer weather) gets too tough.

West Island Way - One of Scotland's most beautiful and little known trails the West Island Way combines the coast and moorlands  of the Isle of Bute. Using Rothesay as a base the route can be split into sections with a northern loop followed by a linear walk down to Kilchattan Bay to finish off.

High Peak Way- Starting at Chinley this trail takes in sections of the Pennine Way to Edale before heading for the Ladybower Dams and the moors west of Sheffield, then heading south to Hathersage.  

High Street Stroll - A challenging mountain trail starting and finishing at Ambleside and taking in some of the finest views in eastern Lakeland. With nearly 3000 metres of ascent and little in the way of accommodation along the route this is one for the wild camper, but with the delights of the old Roman Road over High Street and the deseted fells around Kentmere there's plenty to keep the spirits going.

High Street

Helvellyn Ale Trail - Always a popular choice this circular route from Glenridding combines stunning Lake District scenery with popular walkers pubs, making it a simple task to split the walk into bite-sized chunks. With accommodation available in Glenridding, Grasmere, Borrowdale and Keswick the trail makes a fine introduction to multi-day walking.

Six Dales Trail - The Six Dales Trail takes its name from the six dales that are traversed as it makes its way northward from Otley, across the length of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to Middleham. The trail passes through ancient dry-stone-walled sheep pastures, high heather moorland with gritstone outcrops, quiet river banks, and the landscaped parkland surrounding the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey, to finish at the magnificent ruins of Middleham Castle

Sandstone Trail - One England's better known short distance trails the Sandstone Trail disects Cheshire as it runs from Frodsham in the north to Whitchurch in the south, following a series of sandstone ridges along the way. Rising to heights of over 700ft and taking in Delamere Plain, Beeston Gap, the wooded Peckforton Hills and Bickerton Hills, the trail finishes with a stretch of the Shropshire Union Canal, lowland heath and undulating farmland to complete the Trail's wide range of terrain.

Gritstone Trail - At 35 miles the trail is ideal for a three day weekend and takes in some of Cheshire's most spectacular scenery from Lyme park to Mow Cop. Split easily into easy day walks with accommodation available around Macclesfield, Rushton Spencer and Kidsgrove the trail gives stunning views of both the Cheshire Plain to the west and the Peak District to the east.

Gower Way -While the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast Path take all the headlines there's more to trail walking in South Wales and the Gower Way offers a relatively easy alternative on the edge of Swansea. Inaugurated in1998 the trail traverses the length of the ancient lordship of Gower, surrounded by 5,000 years of history, from Bronze Age dolmens and Iron Age forts, medieval platform sites, to holy wells, Norman castles and churches.before ending at Rhossili and the spectacular Worms Head.

Sarum Way - A trail overflowing with history as it takes a circular route around Salisbury using a mix of  existing public roads, public rights of way and some newly created permitted paths. Some sections of the footpath are waymarked by a metal plate attached to wooden posts which show a picture of the Salisbury's famous cathedral spire.

Smuggler's Way - You can't visit Cornwall without hearing tales of smugglers and this 37 mile route takes in classic smugglers' haunts as it crosses the county from north to south. From the stunning cliff scenery of Boscastle and Tintagel to the famous jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor and south to it's terminus at Looe the route mixes the best of Cornwall's scenery - and you can even get a certificate for completing it!

Boscastle - Start of the Smugglers' Way in Cornwall

Note: This article was restored from the archives. It's published creation date is inaccurate.