10 Best Hiking Trails in The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds' Most Popular Hiking Spots
The Cotswolds is filled with historic hiking trails, such as the Warden’s Way and the Blossom Trail, where you can recharge and get back to nature. Though you’ll find many incredible hiking experiences in England, the Cotswolds is home to many of the top hiking trails in the country.
These trails not only travel through gorgeous wooded surroundings, but they also hold the mystery of historical locations and landmarks. Find out how you can find an entire world of natural wonder on these best hiking trails in the Cotswolds.
1. Sherborne Woods Estate
Explore a historical country estate
Good for: Families, Adventure
Sherborne is a historic village and civil parish near Gloucestershire. Its namesake estate boasts public hiking and walking trails that are outstanding for experienced hiking and serene, quiet family walks.
You can follow a path around the edge of the estate field and head toward Ragged Copse Wood, where you’ll find shaded canopies of lush green trees and a broad park that covers many miles of space. You’ll even see a family sculpture trail with unique statuary and art as you go your way.
Location: Lodge Park, Aldsworth, Cheltenham GL54 3PP, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1451 844130
Sherborne Woods Estate
2. The Windrush Way
Enjoy a bit of birdwatching on the trail
Good for: Adventure
The Windrush Way covers over 13 miles from Winchcome to Bourton-on-the-Water. It brings you past a winding river and offers great birdwatching opportunities. The trail is rated as moderately difficult, so it will present a challenge for reasonably experienced hikers.
You can take a 3-night self-guided tour with camping along the English countryside, you it’s possible to do the entire trail in a day. As you go, you’ll get picturesque views of the clear river waters, distant looks at castles and estates and a whole world of peace and natural wonder along verdant trails, riverside walks and shaded canopies.
Location: High St, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5LJ, UK
The Windrush Way
3. The Cleeve Hill Ring
Get back to nature with streams and woodlands
Good for: Adventure
The Cleeve Hill Ring walk is a point-to-point trail that covers about 6 miles of the Cotswolds. It will lead you across bubbling streams and through dense woodlands, and it will immerse you in a fascinating habitat comprised of unique limestone grasslands.
At the summit of Cleeve Hill itself, you’ll find famed features like Belas Knap and even a triangulation station. It’s truly one of the most breathtaking walks in all of England and allows for panoramic views of rolling hills and green fields as far as the eye can see.
Location: Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham GL52 3PW, UK
The Cleeve Hill Ring
4. The Diamond Way
A long but easy walk through quaint Cotswolds villages
Good for: Adventure
The Diamond Way is so named because it’s a circular walking route that’s roughly diamond-shaped. This serene and challenging trail spans 65.5 miles and takes you through a number of small, quaint villages. Despite its length, it’s an easy walk, with quiet footpaths, independent shops and local dining opportunities along the way.
Between village stops, you’ll pass through small forests with lush, green trees and over rolling farmland pastures for a picturesque experience walking through nature and culture that should be on the front of a postcard.
Location: High St, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0BA, UK
The Diamond Way
5. The Leckhampton Loop
A circular trail around beautiful English countryside
Good for: Adventure
The Leckhampton Loop is maintained by National Trails and offers a picturesque 4.5-mile trail that’s known as one of the top local walks in all of Cheltenham. This walk is circular and moderately challenging, with some neighborhoods steeper than others.
Like many of the trails in England, this loop takes you through rich and rolling fields of deep, green grass, which offers a serene stroll and surroundings that are ideal for photo opportunities or just relaxation.
Location: Seven Springs, Cheltenham GL53 9NG
The Leckhampton Loop
6. The Rollright Stones
Reconnect with neolithic traditions
Good for: History, Adventure
The Rollright Stones trail leads you to its namesake monument in Little Rollright. These 3 standing stones date to the neolithic age and are found in a field surrounded by smaller stones. Many travel to these stones to reconnect with nature, commune with the spirit of the land or just to feel a connection to ancient history and the early days of humankind.
The stones are comprised of 3 elements: the Whispering Knights, The King’s Men stone circle, and the King Stone. The field is maintained by the Rollright Trust and is a cherished historic landmark.
Location: Rollright Road, Little Rollright, Chipping Norton OX7 5QB, UK
Phone: +44 (0)3703 331181
The Rollright Stones
7. The Wychavon Way
Walk a premier UK trail that’s both serene and long
Good for: Adventure
A moderately difficult trail, the Wychavon Way is less of a hiking trail than it is a walking path, but it’s a long one. This serene, long-distance footpath is waymarked, so you’ll always know where you are, and it covers a total of 39.7 miles from Droitwich Spa to Broadway. In 2012, the path was revitalized and relaunched in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Today, it’s a premier trail in the UK.
On this trail, you’ll walk through the splendid Worcestershire countryside with its emerald-coloured grass, rolling countryside, farms and quaint villages. Be sure to stop at the small independent shops or grab a bite at a local eatery along the way.
Location: Hanbury St, Droitwich WR9 8PL, UK
The Wychavon Way
8. The Blossom Trail
Marvel at the colors of the fruit blossoms around Evesham
Good for: Adventure
The Blossom Trail is one of the most famous hiking trails in Great Britain and is named for the glorious blossoms you’ll pass through on the way. Expect vibrant pinks, reds and bright whites of the cherry, apple, pear and plum trees.
Because of this sightseeing opportunity, it’s most popular among springtime hiking and cycling enthusiasts, but it’s a scenic trail that people enjoy all year long. On this trail, you’ll take a relaxing walk over field after field of deep, green grass, colorful flowers, and other kinds of plant life.
Location: Abbey Gate, Evesham WR11 4BQ
The Blossom Trail
9. The Winchcombe Way
See the hidden gems along this figure-8 pattern trail
Good for: History, Adventure
The Winchcombe Way forms a figure-8 pattern around its namesake town. It’s specially designed to highlight the hidden gems and deep history of the northern region of the Cotswolds.
The trail takes you through the small and traditional villages of Stanton, Laverton and Buckland along the way, following the Cotswold escarpment. It offers a wide range of scenic neighborhoods, quaint villages and photo opportunities. The trail is waymarked, so you won’t lose your way, and you’ll always know where on the trail you are.
Location: Abbey Terrace, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5LL, UK
The Winchcombe Way
10. The Warden’s Way
See the iconic English countryside
Good for: Adventure
The Warden’s Way is a long-distance walking path that begins at the Oxfordshire Way at Bourton-on-the-Water and ends at the Cotswold Way National Trail at Winchcombe. It covers 13.7 miles and takes you through farmlands, along babbling creeks, through deep and lush woodlands and over fields of deep, green grass.
This trail offers you an iconic look at the classic English countryside. There are several approaches to the path, so even novice hikers can enjoy the trip, though the trail itself is of moderate difficulty if you tackle the whole thing. While it covers a similar route to the Windrush Way (albeit in the opposite direction), the Warden’s Way features fewer hills and more villages, including Lower and Upper Slaughter, Naunton and Guiting Power.
Location: School Hill, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham, GL54 2FA, UK
The Warden's Way
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