The longest hiking trail in the world: King Charles III England Coast Path
To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. the England Coast Path was renamed the "King Charles III England Coast Path". The new hiking trail should be fully accessible by the end of 2024 - at almost 4350 kilometers it would then be the longest managed coastal path in the world!
The English coast is more than 185 million years old and therefore very varied:
The King Charles III England Coast Path combines existing coastal walks into one long walk through historic and scenic landscapes. From Roman ruins to nature reserves, from pristine blue flag beaches to working harbours, from colorful beach shacks to quaint pubs.
Here you will find everything you need to know about it.
Which sections are already accessible and which are still being planned:
And on the map on the right, what the coastal path should look like when it's finished in 2024, and which sections are planned when.
Celebrate!
To celebrate the opening of the King Charles III England Coast Path, there will be events across the country in 2023. Join the celebrations. You can take a guided hike along the coast, learn about fossils and wildlife, take part in a craft workshop, or try your hand at abseiling!
You can check which event is offered where here:
Here are the highlights of the hike divided into five different regions of England:
Southeast
The White Cliffs of Dover
With breasts swollen with pride, the English are longingly amazed on the deck of the ferry, which is slowly approaching the white cliffs of Dover. This coming home, the first sight of England, is described in numerous poems, plays and songs. Here is a walk around the White Cliffs of Dover, which you can do as soon as you set foot on English soil 😉
This vast stretch of coastline stretches from the Wash to Southampton. From quintessential seaside towns with piers, beach shacks and amusements, to long stretches of empty beaches and nature reserves offering peace and reflection, there really is something for everyone.
Southwest
From the Welsh border at Chepstow to Southampton, this stretch follows some of the most dramatic stretches of coastline. It connects coastal towns, towns and villages and takes you along cliffs, to the ends of headlands, along piers and promenades and along estuaries.
The Welsh coast is not part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, but there are wonderful walks here too.
Northwest
From the Scottish border at Gretna Green down to the Welsh border at Chester, this stretch of coast offers a true journey of contrasts, past the wilderness of the Lake District, the fun of Blackpool and the urban culture of Liverpool
Northeast
From the Scottish Borders above Berwick to the Wash, this coast is famous for its beaches, castles and seaside resorts. But there is much more to discover, including tiny fishing villages nestled in sheltered coves and rocky cliffs that are home to vast colonies of seabirds.
You can also read my blog post about Bamburgh Castle in Northumbria read. It is one of the highlights on this route.
The 175 km long Cleveland Way in North Yorkshire, one of the most beautiful and one of England's most varied walks, is now part of the King Charles III England Coast Path
East
From the Wash to the Thames Estuary, past stunning wildlife and culture. Discover the sand dunes, market towns and villages, all bordering stunning seascapes
General information about the King Charles III England Coast Path
The National Trail website has general information about the newly established King Charles III England Coast Path and also a map showing the sections that are already walkable (and those that are planned):
See all events scheduled for the 2023 Year of the Coast event at the link below:
Arrival:
If you are traveling with your own means of transport and don't want to travel all over England, you can also take the ferry directly from Amsterdam to Newcastle. It's quicker via Dover. www.dfds.com
There are direct flights from Frankfurt to either Newcastle or Manchester.
At www.billiger-mietwagen.de you can find prices for Compare and book rental cars.
On the road:
If you want to walk the King Charles III England Coast Path in daily stages, you can usually easily return to the starting point by public transport after the hike.
Sleep:
If you want to sleep like kings at night, check the National Trust and Landmark Trust websites for historic accommodation - don't worry, there are cheaper alternatives too.
In Robin Hood's Bay right on the harbor is The Bay Hotel, which can look back on a long history. Here you can also eat beautifully in the sun, or just enjoy a drink. http://bayhotel.info/index.html
Stablewood Cottages have cosy, well-appointed self-catering cottages in various locations in Northumbria. www.stablewoodcoastalcottages.com
Food:
The Smuggler Ale House in Robin Hood's Bay does not bear this name for nothing - tunnels lead from the basement into the former smugglers' underworld of the small village. Today you can not only eat traditional pub food in the candlelit interior, which is furnished with old wooden barrels, but also wood-fired pizza.
The Apple Inn near Bamburgh is a cozy pub with award-winning food. If you want, you can also sleep in the pub or in a converted – now stylish – shepherd's wagon. https://theappleinnlucker.com