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Walking the End to End Trail

Land's End to John o' Groats on foot

A practical guidebook for walking from Land's End to John o' Groats. The 1956km (1215 mile) long-distance route, known as the End to End Trail, follows paths and tracks rather than road, and takes to the hills whenever it can. The route is presented in 61 daily stages averaging just less than 32km (20 miles).

Quick facts

  • Location: United Kingdom — from Cornwall to northern Scotland (End to End Trail)
  • Distance: ~1956 km / ~1215 miles
  • Typical duration: ~2–3 months (suggested two- and three-month schedules)
  • Start: Land’s End
  • End: John o’ Groats
  • Route format: Linear long-distance walk linking existing UK trails and paths
  • Stages: 61 clearly defined stages
  • Difficulty: long distance requiring fitness, preparation and resilience
  • Best season: Spring northbound (April to June) to avoid summer heat and midges in southwest and winter conditions in Scotland

Detailed overview

Take on Britain’s ultimate long-distance walking challenge with the End to End Trail — the Land’s End to John o’ Groats (LEJOG) route. Spanning 1956km (1215 miles) from Cornwall’s cliffs to Scotland’s northern tip, this extraordinary journey stitches together many of the UK’s finest trails into one epic adventure, offering a true test of endurance for experienced long-distance hikers.

From the South West Coast Path, the trail passes through Exmoor, the Welsh borders, Shropshire and the Peak District. It continues across the Pennines, Cheviots and Southern Uplands, follows the West Highland Way, and finishes through the wild Northern Highlands to the far north of mainland Scotland. The End to End Trail showcases Britain's extraordinary range of landscapes, from coastline and lowland countryside to remote uplands and mountain regions.
This Cicerone guidebook supports you from the first planning stages to your final footsteps at John o’ Groats. It combines detailed route descriptions with practical advice on logistics, preparation, and equipment, tailored specifically to the demands of walking the length of Britain.

The End to End Trail is divided into 61 clearly defined stages, making navigation and planning manageable, whether you aim to complete the route in one continuous journey or tackle it in sections
Suggested two- and three-month schedules are included, helping experienced hikers choose a realistic approach to LEJOG based on fitness, experience and available time
The guidebook provides in-depth advice on choosing and testing equipment, carrying and resupplying food, budgeting for a multi-month journey across the length of Britain, as well as building in contingency time for bad weather or rest days
Accommodation and services are covered in depth, with information on campsites, hostels, B&Bs, shops and other facilities in towns along the way, including Barnstaple, Hebden Bridge and Fort William, so you can decide whether to backpack, mix accommodation types or walk with lighter loads
Carefully researched historical and local details from expert author Andy Robinson enrich each day on the trail and highlight how the route links some of Britain’s finest hill country and coastal scenery


Walking the End to End Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement: a continuous journey across an entire island that demands commitment, resilience and preparation, but delivers an unrivalled sense of accomplishment, whether tackled in sections or in one continuous push. With stage descriptions and comprehensive preparation advice, this guidebook gives you everything you need to turn the idea of walking from Land’s End to John o’ Groats into an achievable and unforgettable adventure.

Where and when to go

Seasons

April to June, heading north, works best for this walk. This avoids the summer heat and crowds in the southwest, and reduces the risks from midges and winter conditions in Scotland.

Centres

Land's End, Barnstaple, Knighton, Hebden Bridge, Jedburgh, Fort William, John o' Groats

Difficulty

A 1200-mile walk needs fitness and preparation. It is advisable to train beforehand with long days out, carrying the weight you plan to take, wearing the things you plan to wear. You will still hit problems along the way with both your body and your equipment, so plan contingency into both your schedule and your finances.

Must See

the best of Britain's hill country, coastal scenery in Devon/Cornwall, the Peak District, the Highlands

Which format is best for me?

Printed book

A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps — everything you need on the trail.

ISBN9781786311474
AvailabilityPublished
Published20 June 2023
Weight 470g

Updates

  1. Updated

    Greenman hostel

    Greenman hostel in Chepstow is closing down in June 2024.

Meet the author

Andy Robinson

View author


Andy Robinson has been walking around the hills and mountains for more years than he cares to admit to, and is a mean hand with a map and compass. He has a habit of setting off on unreasonably optimistic expeditions and usually gets away with it. But not always. His family is very supportive and puts up with a lot, but he’s not quite sure why.


Andy Robinson is the author of The End to End Trail – Land’s End to John o’ Groats on Foot and has worked together with Jay Wilson to create a guide to the John o' Groats Trail.