National Trails

National Trails are special paths for walking and riding in England and Wales. These paths, called long distance footpaths and bridleways, help people explore the beautiful countryside. They are looked after by Natural England, part of the UK government, and Natural Resources Wales, which works with the Welsh government.

You can find these trails marked with an acorn symbol, and they are shown on special maps made by the Ordnance Survey. In Scotland, they have something similar called Scotland's Great Trails, which are taken care of by an organization named NatureScot.

Many other long paths in the United Kingdom are not National Trails. These are taken care of by different groups, local governments, or even private people and groups. Some of these paths are also shown on Ordnance Survey maps.

long distance footpaths Natural England UK government Natural Resources Wales Welsh government acorn Ordnance Survey maps Scotland's Great Trails NatureScot long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom

List of National Trails

National Trails are special paths for walking and riding across long distances in England and Wales. These trails are easy to follow because they have special acorn signs and are shown on maps.

Here is a list of the National Trails:

• Cleveland Way in England
• Coast to Coast Path in England (announced in 2020)
• Cotswold Way in England
• Glyndŵr's Way in Wales
• Hadrian's Wall Path in England
• King Charles III England Coast Path around England (80% complete when officially opened in March 2026)
• North Downs Way in England
• Offa's Dyke Path in Wales and England
• Peddar's Way and Norfolk Coast Path in England (treated as a single National Trail)
• Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales
• Pennine Bridleway in England (bridleway)
• Pennine Way mainly in England with a short distance in Scotland
• The Ridgeway in England (mostly bridleway/restricted byway/byway)
• South Downs Way in England (bridleway)
• South West Coast Path (South West Way) in England—the UK's longest
• Thames Path in England
• Yorkshire Wolds Way in England