UK trails easily accessible by public transport

The Ribble Way

Where: Lancashire and Yorkshire
How long: 116km (72 miles)
How many days: 7 days
How hard: general fitness and stamina required
Season: year-round

This long-distance trail follows the River Ribble from its estuary in Lancashire to its source in the Yorkshire Dales, offering peaceful riverside paths, market towns and sweeping countryside views. The Ribble Way is well-suited to day walking and multi-day itineraries alike, thanks to good public transport access along much of the route. Towns such as Preston, Ribchester, Clitheroe and Settle are served by regular trains or buses, with other villages like Longton, Hurst Green, Gisburn and Horton in Ribblesdale offering more occasional connections. While the northern end point at Ribblehead is remote, it does have a station on the scenic Settle–Carlisle railway, with a few services each day. Circular walk options are plentiful along the route, and there are easy detours to local peaks like Pendle Hill and Ingleborough. Whether walking a short section or attempting the full route, it’s easy to explore the Ribble Way without relying on a car.

The Dartmoor Way

Where: Devon
How long: 173km (109 mile)
How many days: 10 days
How hard: suitable for those with some previous hiking experience
Season: ideal conditions in Spring and Autumn

A scenic 108-mile circuit around the edge of Dartmoor National Park, the Dartmoor Way weaves together quiet lanes, bridleways and moorland paths through some of Devon’s most beautiful landscapes. The trail passes through towns like Okehampton, Tavistock and Bovey Tracey, all of which are served by regular bus services. With Great Western Railway connections into nearby Exeter and Newton Abbot, you can join the trail in several places and walk in either direction. Shorter sections work well for weekend trips, and the circular nature of the route makes logistics refreshingly simple.

The West Highland Way

Where: Scotland
How long: 156km (96 miles)
How many days: 7 days
How hard: good level of fitness required
Season: May-June and September-October avoid the worst of the midges

Scotland’s most famous long-distance trail spans 156km from Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Both ends are accessible by public transport: Milngavie is a short train ride away from Glasgow, while the scenic West Highland Line serves Fort William. Along the route, several points, such as Balmaha, Crianlarich, and Bridge of Orchy, offer good public transport links, making it easy to break the journey into manageable sections. With year-round bus and train services, plus ample accommodation options, it’s one of the UK’s most accessible mountain walks.

The Pilgrims' Way: Canterbury from Winchester and London

Where: North Downs and Kent countryside
How long: 230 km (138 mile)
How many days: under a fortnight
How hard: long flat stretches suitable for most walkers
Season: summer and autumn

The modern-day Pilgrim’s Way from either London or Winchester to Canterbury follows in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, offering a rewarding long-distance journey through the North Downs and Kent countryside. Both routes are covered in our guidebook and divided into clear stages, with regular rail links throughout. In fact, on the London–Canterbury route, train stations appear roughly every 10 miles, making it easy to tackle the trail in day sections and return home each evening, particularly handy if you’re based in or near the capital. It’s a peaceful walk rich in history, churches, and ancient trackways, with excellent public transport access from start to finish.

The England Coast Path

Where: England
How long: walks range from 5–28 miles (9–45km) 
How many days: walks between 3 hours and 2 days
How hard: various levels of difficulty
Season: year-round

The England Coast Path might stretch over 4,500km, but it’s ideal for dipping into by public transport. Many sections are perfectly suited to day or weekend walks, with railway lines, local buses and dedicated services like the Coasthopper and Jurassic Breezer making access simple. From Cornwall’s rugged headlands and Kent’s white cliffs to the open beaches of the north-west, each of these routes can be reached and walked without needing a car. Whether it’s cliff-top drama between Seaford and Eastbourne or sea views from the Cumbria Coast Line, you’ll find options all around the country. Examples include:

• Southport to Crosby: a 31km one or two-day walk between the Mersey and Ribble estuaries that makes use of Merseyrail’s frequent local service, taking in sand dunes, huge beaches and Antony Gormley’s famous wave-kissed statues.

• Pendeen to Penzance: a 2-day walk of 45km around the stunning Land’s End peninsula of west Cornwall, with soaring cliffs, headlands and hidden coves, using the open-top Land’s End Coaster bus service from Penzance.

• Burnham Deepdale to Sheringham: a 2-day 50km walk along north Norfolk’s wildlife-rich coastline via nature reserves, empty beaches and saltmarsh, using the popular daily Coasthopper bus that serves the entire trail.

• Whitehaven to St Bees: a scenic one-day station to station walk using the Cumbria Coast Line, featuring a 10.5km cliffpath via St Bees Head with views across the Irish Sea and inland to the Lakes.

• Lulworth Cove: a classic 14km circular walk along the Dorset coast towards Ringstead and back via the rollercoaster cliffs and Durdle Door beauty spot, using the Jurassic Breezer dedicated bus service via Lulworth.