How long is the Cotswold Way?

It is 102 miles (164 km) from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire to Bath in Somerset.

How many days does it take to walk?

The National Trails guide suggests around ten days for the whole route, though many people walk it in day sections over time.

Where does the Cotswold Way start?

It is usually walked from Chipping Campden in the north to Bath in the south, though it can be walked in either direction.

Is the Cotswold Way hard?

It is well waymarked, but there are frequent steep climbs on and off the escarpment, so a reasonable level of fitness helps.

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The Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile (164 km) National Trail running between Chipping Campden and Bath along the western edge of the Cotswold Hills. Most people walk it in short sections rather than all at once, taking in beech woods, open pasture, stone villages and big views across the Severn Vale.

Photo: Derek Harper · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Display cropped to fit

What it is and why it matters

Gloucestershire County Council first launched the route in May 1970, stitching it together from existing rights of way, and it was inaugurated as a National Trail in May 2007. The path follows the Cotswold escarpment for most of its length, which is why the views west are so wide and why the climbs come often. Along the way it passes Broadway Tower, Hailes Abbey, Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe, Cleeve Hill (the highest point on the route at 330 m), the Tyndale and Somerset monuments and the Battle of Lansdowne site above Bath.

Visiting practicalities

The official National Trails guide divides the route into 15 sections and suggests around ten days for the full walk. The path is well waymarked, but the trail team warns that many walkers are surprised by how often it climbs steeply, so allow more time than the distance suggests and wear proper footwear. For a single day, Chipping Campden to Broadway is a popular first stretch, and the Cotswolds National Landscape publishes circular walks that use parts of the Way, such as the loop over Dover's Hill from Chipping Campden. Check the National Trails site for route diversions before you set out.

Nearby and combine with

Chipping Campden itself rewards an hour or two before or after walking, with its long High Street and St James' Church. Further south the route passes close to Sudeley Castle, so a Winchcombe section pairs well with a castle visit. At the southern end, finishing in Bath lets you add the city's Georgian streets and Roman Baths.

Highlights

102 miles (164 km) from Chipping Campden to Bath
National Trail status since May 2007
Highest point is Cleeve Hill at 330 m
Passes Broadway Tower, Hailes Abbey and Sudeley Castle

Good to know

The official route description is split into 15 sections, handy for day walks.
Expect frequent steep climbs along the escarpment.
Check the National Trails website for current diversions and closures.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: nationaltrail.co.uk · en.wikipedia.org · cotswolds-nl.org.uk