Dan

Breathtaking views from coastal cliffs combine with enchanting Exmoor countryside on the final stage, which takes you to the picturesque seaside village of Lynmouth.With 16.3 miles (26.2 km) of distance, 2,275 feet (693 m) of uphill and 1,725 feet (526 m) of downhill, this is a tough hike. If you skip the extension at the finish it shaves-off 1.3 miles (2.1 km). The hike starts with a leisurely climb out of Porlock, which becomes challenging as you wind through Worthy Wood. The trail maintains height for the next 3 miles (4.8 km) and merges with the South West Coast Path (SWCP) National Trail for a short while. You then veer south away from the coastline and the SWCP before skirting around the edge of North Common and descending into Oare.From here, you hike west to Brendon village and the East Lyn river. For the remainder of the hike, you follow the river though a glorious wooded valley with wild swimming spots.When you arrive in the villages of Lynmouth and Lynton it is worth taking some time to explore as there is lots to see. For an epic finish, catch the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway — the highest and steepest fully-water-powered railway in the UK — to the Lynmouth Viewpoint. If you fancy pushing it further still, hike less than a mile further to finish atop Hollerday Hill, where you get the ultimate view of the Valley of Rocks.Within the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, you find an excellent range of accommodation, places to eat and drink, as well as shops and other attractions.

This larger-than-life stage takes you to the highest point in Somerset, the highest church in England, and through one of the largest ancient oak woodlands in Britain.To make the overall itinerary work, this stage would typically be 8.6 miles (13.8 km) long. However, with some great Highlights tantalisingly-close, it is worth following the extension shown here over Dunkery Hill and Horner Wood. The detour adds 4.7 miles (7.6 km) and increases the amount of climbing significantly.From Wheddon Cross, the trail heads northwest through Little Quarme Wood and Blagdon Wood and a short time later you reach a crossroads on the edge of a woodland where the Coleridge Way intersects with the Macmillan Way West long-distance footpath. If you do not want to extend the route, continue along the Coleridge Way into the trees briefly and then head northwest along the Dunster Path.If you fancy hitting some of the biggest and best sites around, though, instead climb steeply on the Macmillan Way West to the summit of Dunkery Beacon, which is the highest point in Somerset and affords terrific views. From there, you depart from the Macmillan Way West and descend to Stoke Pero, a tiny hamlet nestled in remote moorland that is home to the highest church in England. The trail then rises and falls through the enchanting Horner Wood, one of the largest unenclosed ancient oak woodlands in Britain, and picks up the Coleridge Way at Jubilee Hut viewpoint.The final stretch is a gradual descent from Horner Hill to the bustling village of Porlock, which has a good choice of accommodation, as well as shops, galleries, pubs, restaurants, tea rooms, and more.

An empty patchwork of pretty Exmoor countryside is yours to enjoy on this stage, which takes you to the highest village in the national park.With 15.2 miles (24.5 km) of distance and much more uphill that down — 2,425 feet (739 m) and 1,700 feet (518 m), respectively — this hike really raises the bar.You leave Williton to the south and soon reach Monksilver village. Here, the trail takes you through the pretty churchyard of All Saints, a Grade I-listed church from the 12th century.It is then a steep climb over Bird’s Hill to Sticklepath, where you begin a long and gradual descent into Roadwater village, on the road initially before picking-up a more natural terrain. You follow Church Street out of the village and then climb through Langridge Wood. At the road, the trail descends into Pooltown and then rises over Lype Hill, Lype Common, and White Moor.The trail then drops slightly to finish in Wheddon Cross, which is the highest village in Exmoor and affords breathtaking views of the national park’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon. The village has a few places to stay, a pub that serves food, and two shops.

Stage 1 begins from the former home of Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Colereidge and explores the landscapes that inspired his finest works. Coleridge, who the trail is named after, lived at the cottage in Nether Stowey for three years from 1797. When Lakeland poet William Worsdworth visited, he was equally struck by the landscape and the pair launched the Romantic literary movement, right where the hike begins.The first stage eases you into a tough overall itinerary, with 14.7 miles (23.7 km) of distance, 1,775 feet (541 m) of uphill and 1,825 feet (556 m) of downhill. To start, you climb out of the village past Stowey Castle, a Norman motte-and-bailey, and reach a high point in Bin Combe forest.Now comfortably within the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you descend into Holford before rising over Alfoxton Park. It is then classic walking at the point where moorland meets farmland into East Quantockhead village. When you reach the tiny hamlet of Weacombe a short-step later, it is worth an extension to see two hilltops with breathtaking views: Bicknoller Post and Thorncombe Barrow. If you skip the extension, it shaves-off 2.3 miles (3.7 km). The trail then makes a long descent into Bicknoller, which has a decent pub, before continuing west, crossing the railway line, and winding north through Sampford Brett to finish on the outskirts of Williton.Within this large village, you find a good range of accommodation, plenty of places for food and drink, as well as shops and other attractions.

Breathtaking views over the Arrochar Alps combine with peaceful loch shores and majestic woodlands on this stage.You need a good level of fitness and ability for this hike, which is 18.2 miles (29.3 km) long and has some tough ascents and descents. However, with 1,700 feet (518 m) of uphill and 2,275 feet (693 m) of downhill, the distance might feel slightly easier than expected. (For suggestions on how to split / shorten the stage, read on). From Garelochhead, you must first hike 1.4 miles (2.3 km) back to pick up the trail, or catch the 316 bus as described in Stage 1. You then traverse wild upland terrain with glorious views over the loch. The trail climbs over Tom Buidhe and skirts around Croggan Hill.At Glen Douglas a glorious section of walking awaits, where you are afforded magnificent views of the Arrochar Alps at the northern end of Loch Long.Whilst the official route does not drop into the village of Arrochar, it is a worthy place for a pit-stop, with two pubs and some shops. There is also accommodation here if you want to split the stage. If you skip this extension it shaves-off 0.5 miles (0.8 km). You continue north to Tarbet, pass the Arrochar and Tarbet railway station, and hike along Glen Loin.After crossing Inveruglas Water, it is then a long and gradual descent to Inveruglas hamlet on the shores of Loch Lomond. For an epic finish, continue to the An Ceann Mòr art installation for a breathtaking view of Loch Lomond, the Arrochar Alps, and Ben Lomond. There is no accommodation at Inveruglas and the hamlet is not particularly well-served by public transport. However, if you time your finish right and are ready for the only bus at 3.54pm — the 915 service, see: bustimes.org/services/915-glasgow-uig — you can get back to Tarbet, which has accommodation, places for food and drink, and a train station. Other than that, your best bet is to arrange a taxi or a pick-up.