Ten Long-Distance Walking Trails Along the Great West Way

England discovered at a walking pace

Walking is one of the most rewarding ways to experience southern England. Along the Great West Way, long-distance trails reveal layers of history, evolving landscapes, and places that remain unchanged by modern travel. These routes are not about distance alone, but about immersion — following ancient paths, riverbanks, and ridgelines that have shaped the country for thousands of years.

Below are ten of the most compelling long-distance walks connected to the Great West Way, each offering its own sense of place, pace, and perspective.

The Ridgeway

Often described as Britain’s oldest road, the Ridgeway has been travelled for more than 5,000 years. This 87-mile National Trail begins near the Avebury World Heritage Site and runs east to Ivinghoe Beacon, passing through the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns — both designated National Landscapes.

Walking the Ridgeway is a journey through deep time. Stone circles, prehistoric burial mounds, ancient chalk figures, and sweeping downland views accompany you throughout. The route is well suited to a week-long walking journey, with opportunities to break the walk into rewarding sections while staying in historic villages along the way.

The Cotswold Way

Beginning in the World Heritage city of Bath, the Cotswold Way stretches for just over 100 miles north to Chipping Campden. The trail follows the Cotswold escarpment, offering elevated views across rolling countryside, patchwork farmland, and wooded valleys.

Along the way, walkers encounter medieval churches, country estates, market towns, and villages built from the honey-coloured stone that defines the region. Many choose to complete the route over seven to ten days, though the abundance of appealing stopovers often encourages a slower, more indulgent pace.

The Thames Path

Tracing England’s most famous river from its source in the Cotswolds to the heart of London, the Thames Path covers approximately 184 miles. Despite its length, the terrain is largely flat and gentle, making it one of the most accessible long-distance trails in the country.

The route passes through water meadows, riverside towns, and peaceful nature reserves before gradually transitioning into the urban grandeur of London. The approach into the capital is particularly striking, passing landmarks such as Kew Gardens, Westminster, the Tower of London, and Greenwich. Walked steadily, the full route can be completed in around two weeks.

The White Horse Trail

Wiltshire’s chalk hills are home to a series of ancient white horses carved into the landscape, and the White Horse Trail offers the most complete way to experience them. This 90-mile route links all eight Wiltshire horses, including the famous Westbury White Horse beneath Bratton Camp.

The trail winds through the heart of the Great West Way, connecting towns such as Marlborough, Pewsey, Devizes, and Cherhill, while also passing close to Avebury. It is a walk rich in symbolism and local legend, with wide views and a strong sense of continuity between land and history.

The Lambourn Valley Way

More compact but no less rewarding, the Lambourn Valley Way follows a 20-mile route through the North Wessex Downs, from the Uffington White Horse to Newbury. The path traces the course of the River Lambourn, known for its clear chalk stream and abundant wildlife.

Although it can be walked in a single day, this route is best enjoyed over two or three days, allowing time to explore villages such as Boxford and East Garston, visit Donnington Castle, and linger in the quiet landscapes that have long inspired writers and artists.

The Frome Valley Walkway

Beginning in the city of Bristol, the Frome Valley Walkway follows the River Frome as it flows from urban streets into the Cotswold Hills. Over the course of a day or two, the route transitions from city edge to rural tranquillity.

The trail is known for its wildlife, including dippers, otters, and water birds, and intersects with several longer routes such as the Cotswold Way and Monarch’s Way. It offers flexibility — whether as a standalone walk or part of a longer journey — with welcoming stopping points such as Old Sodbury.

The Chiltern Way

A circular route through the Chilterns National Landscape, the Chiltern Way now extends to more than 170 miles following several expansions since its creation. The trail loops through Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire, showcasing chalk escarpments, woodland, and river valleys.

Walkers can tackle the route in full or select shorter sections, each offering access to towns such as Henley-on-Thames and Hitchin. The trail balances open countryside with refined rural settlements, making it particularly well suited to those who enjoy both landscape and local produce.

The Kennet & Avon Canal Towpath

Running for approximately 80 miles between London and Bristol, the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath offers a gentler long-distance walking experience. The largely flat route follows water through some of the most picturesque parts of Wiltshire and the western Cotswolds.

The canal passes through Bath, Bradford on Avon, and Bathampton before linking with the River Avon Trail into Bristol, arriving beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The towpath can be walked in sections or as a complete route, with ample opportunities for overnight stays along the way.

The Pewsey Vale Circular Way

Introduced in 2022, the Pewsey Vale Circular Way is a 77-mile route set within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. The trail explores downland, villages, canal paths, and open countryside, with the Vale of Pewsey at its centre.

Suitable for walking, cycling, and riding, the route includes some steep and occasionally muddy sections, particularly in winter, but remains accessible to most walkers. Completed over the course of a week, it offers variety and a strong sense of place throughout.

Salisbury Plain Walk

For those seeking a shorter but striking experience, the Salisbury Plain walk offers a circular route of approximately six miles through one of England’s most unusual landscapes. As an active military training area, the plain has remained largely undeveloped, resulting in a rare sense of openness and isolation.

The walk passes prehistoric burial mounds, abandoned villages, and traces of 20th-century history, including wartime graffiti. Though close to Stonehenge, the atmosphere here feels distinctly remote, offering a powerful contrast to more familiar countryside walks.

If you would like assistance selecting routes, breaking longer walks into comfortable stages, or integrating walking experiences into a broader journey along the Great West Way, we would be pleased to advise and arrange accordingly.