Set yourself a walking challenge, or simply set off for a stroll on a short section. Here's our guide to long-distance footpaths

There are hundreds of long-distance paths in the UK. National Trails are nationally recognised in England and Wales, and managed by the Countryside Agency or the Countryside Council for Wales. They're waymarked with the yellow acorn symbol and include some of Britain's  best-known routes

In Scotland, the equivalent are Long Distance Routes, marked by a thistle symbol and looked after by local authorities.

By Elspeth Pridham

You might also like...

Find over 100 routes, plus walking and wellbeing advice in our Go for a walk special

Remember: you don't have to walk the whole of a path in one go! You can do the section that most appeals, or work your way along the path over several trips.

Arrange your accommodation well in advance. Squelching along in the rain looking for a ‘vacancies' sign before it gets dark doesn't make for an enjoyable holiday!

If you're not used to covering long distances, build up your walking stamina before you set off. Do a day's walk over similar terrain carrying your laden rucksack. As a rough idea, most long-distance walkers cover 10 to 20 miles a day on flat, easy terrain.

More...

All the kit you need for a country walk

Where does it go? Around the coast of Devon and Cornwall, and large parts of Dorset and Somerset, from on the north coast of Somerset, right around the southwestern tip of England, to Poole Harbour in Dorset.

What's on the way? Varied coastal scenery from the rounded hills of the South Hams to the rugged rocky cliff near Land's End, passing seaside resorts such as Minehead, and naval heritage towns such as Dartmouth and Plymouth.

How long is it? 630 miles

Tell me more: Official website is www.southwestcoastpath.com. To see a map of your chosen area online, click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service

More...

Great walks in the West Country

Where does it go? Along the backbone of England from the Peak District to the Scottish borders, from Edale to Kirk Yetholm

What's on the way? Challenging upland walking past sites such as Hadrian's Wall, and Kinder Scout through stunning scenery in the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Park

How long is it? 268 miles

Tell me more: Official website: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/pennineway. To see a map of your chosen area online, click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service

More...

Read about the Yorkshire Wolds - and the Yorkshire Wolds Way 

Where does it go? From Amroth to St Dogmaels

What's on the way? Lying completely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Britain's only coastal National Park, the path passes through villages strung out along its length, and passes through Fishguard, Pembroke and Tenby. With scenery including winding estuaries, rugged cliffs and sheltered coves, there's 35,000 feet of ascent and descent

How long is it? 186 miles

Tell me more: Click here for the website. To see a map of your chosen area online, click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service

Where does it go? Knettishall Heath near Thetford to the bright lights of Cromer

What's on the way? Mainly on the flat, the trail will take you through the wide-open spaces of Holkham Nature Reserve, wildlife-watching havens such as Blakeney Point, windmills and picturesque villages like Cley-next-the-Sea

How long is it? 91 miles

Tell me more: Official website: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddarsway. To see a map of your chosen area online, click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service

More...

Take a walk at Holkham Bay

Where does it go? Around the edge of the island!

What's on the way? This satisfying island circuit skirts chines, saltmarshes, crumbly chalk cliffs and holiday resorts and the sailing capital Cowes, fine views over the Solent towards Portsmouth, with Victorian promenades, harbours and racecourses along the way

How long is it? 67 miles

Tell me more: Find detailed route guides for each section here. To see a map of your chosen area online, click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service

More...

Across the island by bike

Where does it go? It starts in St Bees on the coast of Cumbria and ends across the country at Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire.

What's on the way? Some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain, traversing three National Parks: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

How long is it? 190 miles

Tell me more: It's not an official ‘National Trail' but was devised by renowned walker Alfred Wainwright in 1973 to link the Irish Sea and the North Sea using existing paths. It's traditional to dip your boots in the Irish Sea at the start and the North Sea at the finish. More details online here: www.coast2coast.co.uk. To see a map of your chosen area online, click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service

More...

Take a walk at Robin Hood's Bay

Where does it go? From North Queensferry by the Forth Bridge to the Tay bridge

What's on the way? All in the ‘Kingdom of Fife', the path weaves in and out of pretty harbour villages, passing historic buildings, with prehistoric caves at East Wemyss, and castles at St Andrews and Aberdour.

How long is it? 78 miles

Tell me more: It's been voted as one of the best walks for dogs. www.fifecoastalpath.co.uk. To see a map of your chosen area online, click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service

Where does it go? From the source of the Thames in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier near Greenwich in London

What's on the way? Winding its way beside the Thames, from a trickle to a major shipping route, the path begins in peaceful water meadows with unspoilt rural tranquillity, passing through historic Oxford and pretty waterfronts such as Henley and Marlow. From Teddington in Surrey to the Isle of Dogs, you can walk on the south or north bank, or switch using 16 bridges, passing famous attractions such as the London Eye, Westminster and Tate Modern. Greenwich, to the east, boasts many naval and royal connections, with sights of its own, such as the Royal Observatory. On to the Thames Barrier the landscape becomes more industrial

How long is it? 184 miles

Tell me more: A 10-mile extension opened in 2001 from the Thames Barrier to Crayford marshes, to connect with the London Loop. www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Thamespath/. To see a map of your chosen area online, click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service

More...

Sights to see in London