The Cotswold Way Hike

Route notes checked June 2026.

The Cotswold Way runs 102 miles along the western edge of the Cotswold escarpment from Chipping Campden to Bath. It opened as a National Trail in 2007, though sections have been walked for decades. The route gives the classic Cotswold experience — honey-coloured limestone villages, hilltop views west across the Severn Vale to Wales, and a network of cosy pubs at almost every overnight stop.

What to expect

Seven to nine days at a steady pace. The trail follows the escarpment edge for much of its length, giving long views west and easy reorientation. Daily distances are 10-14 miles with cumulative ascent around 4,000m — not flat, but moderate. Highlights include the Broadway Tower, Sudeley Castle, the Coaley Peak viewpoint, Hailes Abbey, and Bath’s Royal Crescent and Roman Baths at the finish.

Practical notes

Walkable year-round, though spring and autumn give the best balance of weather and accommodation availability. The route is one of England’s most-walked National Trails so book accommodation early, particularly for weekend sections near Bath. Public transport via Great Western Railway runs to most major stops. The Cotswold Way Association keeps an up-to-date diversion notice for trail closures — worth checking before each stage.

Stage by stage

The Cotswold Way runs 102 miles along the western escarpment of the Cotswolds, from the honey-stone market town of Chipping Campden to the abbey at the heart of Bath. It is a trail of long views and frequent short climbs rather than big mountains, following the scarp edge above the Severn Vale. Most people walk it north to south. Broken into natural sections (mileages approximate):

Doing it car-free

The Bath end could hardly be easier: Bath Spa is a main-line station around an hour and a half from London Paddington, so the finish drops you straight onto the rail network. The start at Chipping Campden is the awkward one — the nearest stations are Moreton-in-Marsh and Honeybourne, each a few miles out, with a bus or taxi to fill the gap.

In between, the trail is more accessible than its rural feel suggests. Cam & Dursley station sits right on the route in the middle section, and Cheltenham Spa and Stroud are a short bus ride from the scarp, so the Cotswold Way splits neatly into rail-accessible halves around Stroud.

We scored every National Trail on how easy it is to reach without a car — see where the Cotswold Way ranks in our car-free National Trails index.

Where to stay

The towns and villages along the escarpment — Broadway, Winchcombe, Painswick, Wotton-under-Edge — are well supplied with pubs, B&Bs and small hotels, with bag-transfer services covering the whole trail. It is a popular route, so book ahead in summer and around Bath, where beds are in demand year-round.

Quick answers

How long does the Cotswold Way take?

Most walkers take seven to ten days for the full 102 miles. The distances are modest but the constant short climbs along the escarpment add up, so it is less gentle than the mileage suggests.

Which is the best section?

The northern stretch from Chipping Campden over Broadway Tower and Cleeve Common has the biggest views, while the walk down into Bath is a memorable finish. Either works well as a weekend on its own.

Can you walk it without a car?

The Bath end is excellent by train; the Chipping Campden end needs a bus or taxi from Moreton-in-Marsh. Cam & Dursley station on the route makes section walking around the middle easy.

When is the best time to walk it?

Late spring and early autumn give the best mix of firm ground, long views and quieter paths. The beechwoods are at their finest in May and again in October.