Ancient monuments and wild moorland — Land's End Trail

This initial stage could hardly begin in a more intriguing location. The famous village of Avebury lies mostly within a large, ancient stone circle with many more historic monuments dotted around nearby.



Hike south to the mysterious Silbury Hill and onto West Kennet Long Barrow which dates back to around… read more

This stage leads you up onto Salisbury Plain, a vast chalk plateau famous for its military ranges, far-reaching views and ancient monuments. You skirt the edge using tracks and lanes, often catching sweeping vistas unfolding to the north.



Signs of ancestors long gone are everywhere here, with strip lynchets… read more

This is a stage of three sections: Salisbury Plain, Warminster town and Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs AONB. It’s a little hilly but the ascents are gradual with nothing particularly steep.



Hike around the edge of Salisbury Plain and admire the phenomenal views west before descending into… read more

An undulating hike, this stage takes you through woodlands, past a medieval village and across the fields to the quaint village of South Brewham. Crossing the north western corner of Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB, enjoy the richness of the area’s vibrant forests before descending steeply… read more

This hike is all about the pretty English countryside and little villages bursting with history. Hike west from South Brewham to the thriving town of Bruton. Here, seek out the 16th-century dovecote and watchtower to enjoy far-reaching views.



Ascend Creech Hill where you can fill up on soaring views… read more

This route is actually fairly flat after the descent at West Pennard, but I’ve added in a trip up Glastonbury Tor which adds a large hill in the middle. The Tor is not only rather majestic itself, but offers fantastic views of its surroundings. Of course, if you want to admire it from below then you… read more

This is a quintessential Somerset Levels hike, where you’re never very far from a drain or channel and the only hills you’ll see are very modest. Hike west to Ashcott and Shapwick, two sedate villages surrounded by farms. From Shapwick, head south west down to Moorlinch, a nice halfway spot if you want… read more

This stage is much hillier than the previous one as it cuts across the south of the Quantock Hills AONB. Peaceful and rural, you stick mostly to forest trails, pastoral footpaths and tiny villages.



Hike south west out of Bridgwater along low-lying fields to Goathurst and its intriguing Temple of Harmony… read more

A flat-ish hike, this route takes you through tranquil countryside where farms pepper the landscape and sheep bleat in the hills. Thanks to Bishops Lydeard heritage station, you might get to see a steam train too.



Hike west of our Bishops Lydeard, pausing at the railway to admire its restored beauty… read more

This stage takes you into the fantastic Exmoor National Park – expect steep hills from the very beginning. Hiking west from Wiveliscombe, ascend Maundown Hill which will reward you with some excellent views. Descend to cross the River Tone and follow footpaths across farmers’ fields due west.



At Lowtrow… read more

This stage follows the pretty River Barle for the first third, making it rather picturesque. You pass the grade II-listed Marsh Bridge and walk under the Iron Age hillforts of Mounsey and Brewer’s castles.



Leave the river where it splits and hike up alongside Brewer’s Castle, traversing Hawridge Ridge… read more

You leave Exmoor National Park and hike south east across North Devon’s rambling countryside. This stage is undulating and makes the most of field footpaths and empty lanes. You cross the River Mole at Bicknor Bridge and take a farm track down to South Molton, a historic market town just over halfway… read more

Hilly and rural, you continue hiking through North Devon’s delightfully pastoral landscape. This is one of the trail’s longer stages at 15.5 miles (25 km) to enable you to reach North Tawton, where you can find local buses and nearby accommodation.



Hike south from Kings Nympton over hills using mainly… read more

Dartmoor National Park is your destination for this beautiful stage and you find yourself gradually ascending most of the time as you work your way there. You join a stretch of the Devonshire Heartland Way south of North Tawton using quiet lanes that dip over Rowden Bridge.



Cross the River Taw at Taw… read more

This stage has a couple of hefty hills but the views will more than make up for your effort. You find yourself skirting the perimeter of Dartmoor’s north western corner, passing by the town of Okehampton early on. A historic market town, it’s a good place to restock if you need food or gear.



You share… read more

A particularly glorious stage with quite a different feel than the previous hikes, you can enjoy fantastic views to the moor and to Brentor Knoll, with its eerie church, on this walk. From Lydford, scope out the Norman Castle and visit the exquisite gorge before setting off across moorland. As you loop… read more

Striking west from Tavistock and then south to Callington, this hike takes you across the north of the Tamar Valley AONB. Visit the medieval horse bridge which continues to span the River Tamar as it has done for over 500 years.



The first half is undulating and then you undertake a long, steep ascent… read more

This stage brings you into the next incredible landscape the Land’s End Trail has to offer: Bodmin Moor. Wild with an often desolate feel, this majestic moorland is littered with evidence of its industrial, mining past.



You hike west from Callington and cross the River Lynher at Kerney Bridge and follow… read more

This stage skirts the north eastern edge of Bodmin Moor which is also part of the Cornwall AONB. It’s a hilly hike and one of the highlights is reaching the dramatic Kilmar Tor with its fantastic jumble of stacked granite. This is truly an ancient landscape, littered with the remnants of medieval settlements… read more

This undulating, moorland stage takes you to two famous locations. Firstly, visit Jamaica Inn, the famous smuggling inn featured in Daphne Du Maurier’s novel of the same name. Secondly, summit Brown Willy, Cornwall’s amusingly named highest point.



Hike south west from Five Lanes to reach Jamaica Inn… read more