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Main Boards => Long Distance Walks => Topic started by: Beth FF on 21:00:58, 26/08/19

Title: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 21:00:58, 26/08/19
Hello everyone. I'm hoping to walk at least a couple of inland long distance paths this winter and although I've found websites with long lists of them, or mapped individually, I'm looking for somewhere which has all of them on 1 map so I can see at a glance where they intersect or link up. Does such a website exist?


TIA.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Dread on 21:04:22, 26/08/19
Hello everyone. I'm hoping to walk at least a couple of inland long distance paths this winter and although I've found websites with long lists of them, or mapped individually, I'm looking for somewhere which has all of them on 1 map so I can see at a glance where they intersect or link up. Does such a website exist


TIA.


Hi. You could try  www.ldwa.org.uk (http://www.ldwa.org.uk/)  or  www.nationaltrail.co.uk (http://www.nationaltrails.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: gunwharfman on 21:36:23, 26/08/19
Easiest one is www.nationaltrails.co uk.

As a suggestion, St Bees to Keld on the C2C, then turn south to Edale on the Pennine Way, or north if that's best for you.

Offas Dyke Path south to north, when you get to Knighton turn off on the Glyndyrs Way to Welshpool, in the winter that will be a really good test.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: dank86 on 21:44:17, 26/08/19
Ldwa is good at showing trails connected to one your looking at so it would help in linking a few up
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: jimbob on 21:46:21, 26/08/19
Cleveland Way, Yorkshire Wolds, Viking Way, Hereward Way, Peddars Way, Norfolk Coast Path.

A reasonable stride out.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 21:54:06, 26/08/19
Thanks Dread and Gunwharfman  :)  I've looked at those site and couldn't find a map that had all of the trails on, and all of them together on 1 map  :-\  I've also looked at https://www.walkingenglishman.com/ldp/ldp.html  (https://www.walkingenglishman.com/ldp/ldp.html)which has a huge number, but unfortunately the routes aren't all on a single map so I can't see where convenient joins could be.


I do have a couple of paths in mind; the Ridgeway, the Pilgrims Way, and the South Downs Way. Also tempted by Offas Dyke. I'm not interested in coastal paths as I've already done the entire coast from Gravesend to Dumfries (clockwise, full-time) so want a change from looking at the sea.


What I like:
Woodlands
Rivers
Canals
Undulating landscapes (I loved it when I lived in North Herefordshire)
Pretty villages
Architecture
Street art
Country tracks
Easy access to B&Bs



Dislike:
Moorland
Marsh
Hills/mountains
Getting wet feet
Bleak and too remote landscapes
Camping


Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 21:55:17, 26/08/19
Right, I'll have another look at the LDWA website to see if I can find how to do that  O0  Thanks
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: dank86 on 22:01:33, 26/08/19
Right, I'll have another look at the LDWA website to see if I can find how to do that  O0  Thanks


There's option to show connected paths it won't show them all but it'll let you work something out.
If you want a long one you could always try https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?menu_type=S&path_name=Great+English+Walk
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 22:16:53, 26/08/19

Aha! I've found the LDWA map with them all intertwined  :D  Fantastic stuff, exactly what I was looking for    8)


Thanks gunwharfman and Jimbob, I’ll look into your suggested routes  :)

Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: sussamb on 08:16:03, 27/08/19
Crikey Beth, you planning a new challenge already  :)
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: richardh1905 on 08:29:01, 27/08/19
How did you get on with your walk around Britain that you were planning last year, Beth?
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: sussamb on 13:34:51, 27/08/19
She's still on it and in Scotland at the mo  O0
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 21:34:44, 27/08/19


Crikey Beth, you planning a new challenge already
I’m going to do it as a winter detour during my current challenge, then get back on the east coast when it's spring. May as well make the most of it while I can  :)

How did you get on with your walk around Britain that you were planning last year, Beth?
I'm on it now  :)  2000 miles since 3rd October 2018. I'm currently in Stranraer, Scotland. Will cut across on the John Muir Way rather than go all around the Scottish coast though.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: sussamb on 06:46:44, 28/08/19
I’m going to do it as a winter detour during my current challenge, then get back on the east coast when it's spring. May as well make the most of it while I can  :)


Wish I had the time, I'd join you  :)
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: richardh1905 on 07:51:09, 28/08/19
I'm on it now  :)  2000 miles since 3rd October 2018. I'm currently in Stranraer, Scotland. Will cut across on the John Muir Way rather than go all around the Scottish coast though.

Good luck, Beth.

You must come back and walk the Scottish coast sometime though - a really tough option following the west coast, mind you - all those sea lochs!
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 09:18:34, 28/08/19
Good luck, Beth.

You must come back and walk the Scottish coast sometime though - a really tough option following the west coast, mind you - all those sea lochs!


Thanks Richard  :)  I'm unlikely to do the west coast of Scotland to be honest. I know what I'm doing is seen by many as "extreme" but that's the long term element more than the environment. I really don't like camping, so that makes walking really rural areas almost impossible without support, and I'm not keen on hills/mountains or remote areas either. I definitely steer away from anything described as really tough too because my motives are enjoyment.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Dread on 09:33:15, 28/08/19
Hi Beth. I really admire what you are doing. I'd love to do somethin similar but it will probably have to wait until  I retire and the kids get older.  If you don't mind me asking,you how does accommodation work out if you don't camp? Do you have a lot of friends or is it all b&b?
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 09:58:18, 29/08/19
Hi Beth. I really admire what you are doing. I'd love to do somethin similar but it will probably have to wait until  I retire and the kids get older.  If you don't mind me asking,you how does accommodation work out if you don't camp? Do you have a lot of friends or is it all b&b?


What I do is put requests for accommodation on my Facebook group (Beth Foot Forward charity coastal walk) and often I get strangers offering me their spare rooms. Sometimes B&Bs will offer a room for free. Otherwise I pay for B&Bs and hotels, but I try and keep this to a minimum as it gets extremely expensive and I'm self funding. Sometimes I can't find anywhere to stay in the area I'm hoping to stop, so then I have to see if I can get a bus to the next closest place to stay. If that doesn't work then I have to miss sections out altogether.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Dread on 10:17:45, 29/08/19
Thanks Beth, that's really helpful.  I suppose that the choice of charity is important to get links to your Facebook and for the goodwill. Good luck with the rest of your walk.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: gunwharfman on 12:52:12, 29/08/19
From reading your likes and dislikes it sounds to me that you need to walk in the south of the UK, Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex and Hampshire, their landscapes seem to fit your criteria.

So as a suggestion how about linking, with train stations at the beginning and end, The North Downs Way, West to East, The Greensand Way, East to West, The High Weald Trail, West to East and ending with the Sussex Border Path, East to West, finishing at Emsworth on the South Coast? A long zig-zag walk, about 400 miles or so, (could be more) all waymarked and ending on the south coast.

Everything you've identified on your list is in all of these walks.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: sussamb on 12:56:12, 29/08/19
Bonus would be closer to your sister if I recall correctly, and me of course  O0
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Stube on 13:39:39, 29/08/19
The longest single inland route is the Monarch's Way at 625 miles through the black country, cotswolds, mendips and south downs - it links with many other LDPs. lots of canal walking in the Midlands and few climbs apart from the section between Bristol and Wells.
Or try the various Macmillan Way walks - all essentially coast to coast walks through central southern England and Wales. They can be linked in several ways to create circular or zig-zag options.
Both ways are waymarked and have guidebooks available and intersect several times.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: richardh1905 on 14:51:35, 29/08/19
I definitely steer away from anything described as really tough too because my motives are enjoyment.

My motives are enjoyment too, Beth, but for me a bit of 'toughness' heightens the pleasure.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 17:27:10, 29/08/19
From reading your likes and dislikes it sounds to me that you need to walk in the south of the UK, Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex and Hampshire, their landscapes seem to fit your criteria.

So as a suggestion how about linking, with train stations at the beginning and end, The North Downs Way, West to East, The Greensand Way, East to West, The High Weald Trail, West to East and ending with the Sussex Border Path, East to West, finishing at Emsworth on the South Coast? A long zig-zag walk, about 400 miles or so, (could be more) all waymarked and ending on the south coast.

Everything you've identified on your list is in all of these walks.
If you get to Emsworth, you could then add the Wayfarers Walk and then the Test Way, ending at Eling (which has a tidal mill) near Southampton.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Stube on 10:57:25, 30/08/19
e
Quote
If you get to Emsworth, you could then add the Wayfarers Walk and then the Test Way, ending at Eling (which has a tidal mill) near Southampton. 

Ok if we're playing this game

From Eling it's a short hop to Hythe and the Solent Way through the New Forest to Christchurch (last bit is E9). Thenn North to Salisbury along the Avon Valley Path, then east to Winchester on the Clsrendon Way. About 200 miles in total from Emsworth.

At Winchester you are spoilt for choice:
North on the three Castles Path to Windsor.
Northeast via the St Swithin's Way to Farnham and the North Downs Way.
East along the South Downs Way.
South East to Portsmouth on the Pilgrim's Trail (it continues to Le Mont Sant Michel in France)
South on the Itchin Way to Southampton.
Other routs are available!
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 11:09:39, 30/08/19
Wow, some great ideas, thanks gunwharfman, Stube and Bigfoot_Mike  :D
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Doddy on 16:28:05, 30/08/19
Doddys End to End
                          Miles
Cape Wrath trail                    200
West Highland Way                95
A South of Scotland Way       60
Pennine Way                 267
A White Peak Way               67
Heart of England Way               93
Cotswold Way                100
Bath to Barnstable               80
Barnstable to Lands End       188
                         1140
I did it in seven sections, mostly about two weeks long and wild camped 90% of the time. The mileages are my best estimate as I did not use guide books on most and some paths were done before I had a GPS. I did do Lands End to Poole on another trip for the South West Coast Path.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Warbler on 11:45:23, 31/08/19
I'd never heard of the Three Castles Path. Looks quite interesting......It's planted a seed!
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: richardh1905 on 16:05:28, 31/08/19
Don't overlook England's canal network, Beth - towpaths make very pleasant walking.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Stube on 21:52:24, 01/09/19
OOh canal options.

Amberley take the Wey-South path to Guildford.
At Guildford follow the Wey Navigation to Chertsey.
At Chertsey take the Thames Path upstream to Kemble. (Easy camping on this route)
At Kemble switch to the Thames-Severn Link canal.
At the junction turn north for Gloucester (and the Wye valley) or south to Bristol.
At Bristol use the Avon Walkway towards Bath and the Monarch's Way or the Cotswold Way.

These routes are waymarked, and I have walked most if not all of them.

You could prefix this route by following the line of the defunct Chichester-Arun canal. Tou join the Arun at Ford which you and follow north to Amberley or take take the more direct cross-country route. (The river meanders) The path is not custom waymarked, but is signposted.

Overall about 250 miles to the Severn.


Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Jac on 09:01:39, 02/09/19
The options and variations are mind boggling -  how incredibly lucky we are to have so many miles of beautiful walking available to us.
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 08:03:56, 03/09/19


Don't overlook England's canal network, Beth - towpaths make very pleasant walking.
Oh yes! :D  I used to live almost on a canal in the West Mids and loved the walks around there. The Canal and River Trust website shows them all on a single map too    8)
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network


I like your linked canal route, Stube, thanks  :)

The options and variations are mind boggling -  how incredibly lucky we are to have so many miles of beautiful walking available to us.
We are indeed  :) 8)
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: richardh1905 on 09:21:16, 03/09/19
I recall a good towpath walk from Birmingham, down the Grand Union Canal, then west on the North Stratford Canal, finally returning on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, a fine 36 mile loop.

..and you can walk through the Netherton Tunnel!
Title: Re: Linking up a few long distance paths
Post by: Beth FF on 15:14:28, 06/09/19
I recall a good towpath walk from Birmingham, down the Grand Union Canal, then west on the North Stratford Canal, finally returning on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, a fine 36 mile loop.

..and you can walk through the Netherton Tunnel!


Thanks Richard, that sounds like an interesting option  8)  I used to live close to the canal in Stourbridge and have had a few lovely canal walks in that region. It would be nice to go back  :)