National Trails: prepare for your visit

Check your route  

Check for diversions or closures

There may be sections where the trail route is different to your map or guidebook. For example, there can be:

• temporary changes due to erosion, repair work, land management or local events
• seasonal changes made for your safety, or to protect wildlife
• optional routes – sections where you can choose which route you would like to follow

If there are any changes to the trail, these will be clearly signposted. You should always follow local signs on the trail.

You can also check for diversions or closures on the trail maps on the National Trails website.

Check ferries that are part of the route

On some trails, you’ll need to take a ferry as part of your route. These are mostly on the King Charles III England Coast Path. 

You should check local ferry timetables. Some ferries are seasonal or only run at certain times. Ferries may also not run in extreme weather or tides.

Check which sections are open to cyclists and horse riders 

You can find which sections of the trails can be used by cyclists or horse riders on the National Trails website.

Some public rights of way are also open to horse riders, cyclists or motorists. You can find public rights of way on:

• Ordnance Survey (OS) maps
• some council websites

Plan your trip

Plan your transport

Check where your route starts and ends. You’ll need to plan how you’ll get there and back, or to and from your accommodation if you’re staying overnight. 

The trails go through or near places with access to buses, trains and other transport services.  

You can find information about public transport, including a journey planner, at www.traveline.info.

Book accommodation

There’s a range of accommodation along and near the trails. 

If you plan to camp, you’ll need to find an official campsite. You cannot usually wild camp on land near the trails - you would need to get permission from the landowner.

You may want to book your accommodation in advance as places close to the trails can get fully booked quickly, especially in spring, summer and on bank holidays.

Organise luggage transfer

If you do not want to carry luggage on the trail, there are companies you can hire to move your bags between each place you’re staying or from the start to the end of your route.

Get help planning your trip

You can use a holiday company to:

• book a guided holiday or walk
• book your accommodation or luggage transfer
• plan your own itinerary

Before you set off

If you’re going alone, tell someone where you’re planning on going and let them know if your plans change.

Check the weather and tide times

Check the weather forecast before you set off. Conditions can change quickly on mountains and along the coast. Be prepared to turn back if conditions change when you’re on the trail.

If your route is by the sea or near a tidal river, look up tide times before you leave to reduce the risk of getting cut off by rising tides.    

Take a map

Download or get a map, guidebook or directions before you leave. You may not have internet access on the trail, so you should not rely on online resources alone.

You can search for land near that trails that you can explore (known as ‘open access land’) and check if any of that land is currently closed to walkers. Find:

• open access land in England
• open access land in Wales

Staying connected on the trail

Before you leave, you should fully charge your mobile phone and any other devices that you’ll need on the trail. For longer journeys you may want to take a portable power bank.

Phone signal can be patchy along the trails. There may be some areas where you have none.

Wifi is available at some pubs, cafés and accommodation along the trails.

What to pack  

Try to keep the weight of the bag you’re carrying to a minimum.

For some routes, you’ll need to pack a compass and map and know how to use them.

Food and water

For each day on the trail you should carry:

• snacks and food
• plenty of water – especially on hot days

There may be pubs, cafes and shops near or on some trails, but you should still carry enough food and water with you for each day.

There may be remote sections of the trail with limited access to water. If you take water from streams, you should use purification equipment.

Appropriate clothes and footwear

You should be prepared for changeable weather. You’ll need good footwear (such as walking boots), waterproofs and warm layers.

In hot weather, you may need suncream, a hat and lightweight layers.

Emergency items

If you’re going on a longer journey, or to a remote area, you should take an emergency pack. This could include a whistle, torch, first aid kit, survival bag and spare rations.

On the trail

Follow signposts

All National Trails are easy to follow  and are marked with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these on the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

You may also see:

• signposts showing diversions or alternative routes
• danger or warning signs – for example about tides, rock falls or cliff edges
• local information on signs and noticeboards
• other signs – such as keeping dogs on a lead

Public rights of way are marked with signs or coloured arrows, for example yellow for footpaths, blue for bridleways. You can use them to leave the trail and complete a circular walk, explore places of interest, get to your accommodation or find places to eat and drink.

Be safe at the coast

If you’re at the coast, be aware of risks such as:

• storms
• cliff edges
• slippery or unstable rocks
• mud and quicksand
• tides – to avoid getting cut off

Follow guidance from HM Coastguard on how to stay safe by the coast.

Get help in an emergency

If you’re in an emergency, call 999.  

If you’re:

• on the coast, ask for the coastguard
• in a remote place, ask for the police and then mountain rescue or lowland search and rescue

Know your rights and responsibilities 

You should follow the guidance on rights of way and accessing land, including how to:

• use public rights of way
• use your right to roam
• access private land

Help protect the natural environment by following:

• the Countryside Code
• Marine and coastal wildlife code

If you’re by the coast, stay safe by following HM Coastguard’s safety advice.

Owners and managers of land must:

• follow the rules on management, rights and responsibilities for open access land
• manage land in the coastal margin
• follow rules on how to restrict public access on open access land and the coastal margin

Contact

Use the relevant National Trails online form to report a problem on the trail, such as obstructions, things that need maintenance or a misleading sign.