Top Trails I’ve Completed: My Most Memorable Hikes So Far
Estimated reading time 3 minutes
I have carved a life where I get to prioritise exploring. Trails are one of my favourite ways to see the country and you learn so much about yourself, the environment and the history of the area on each trail.
I used to be obsessed with pushing for extra miles each day, now my focus is on taking my time, seeing what's around me and learning. Trails can be done in one hit or over a period of time, you need to find what suits your lifestyle and body best.
Here are a few that live rent-free in my mind:
1. North Downs Way
The North Downs Way National Trail is a 153 mile path in South East England, opened in 1978. It runs from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent, past Guildford, Dorking, Merstham, Otford and Rochester, through the Surrey Hills National Landscape and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. I am an ambassador for The NDW and many of our walks incorporate sections of this.
2. The Great Glen Way
The Great Glen Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe a' Ghlinne Mhòir) follows the Great Glen, running from Fort William in the southwest to Inverness in the northeast, covering 78 miles. Whilst this wasn't the most technical of paths I learnt so much and it was my first trek that I wild camped the whole distance. My bag even got nibbled by a pine martin.
3. Fife Pilgrim Way
The Fife Pilgrim Way is a The Fife Pilgrim Way is a Scottish long distance footpath that runs inland through Fife, from Culross and North Queensferry to St Andrews. The path launched on 5 July 2019. It is 65miles (104km) long and due to it being a fairly new path, I hardly saw anyone!!
4. West Highland Way
The West Highland Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe Taobh an Iar na Gàidhealtachd) is a linear long-distance route in Scotland. It is 154 km (96 miles) long, running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. I did this in a heat wave and the scenery was amazing!
5. Saxon Shore Way
The Saxon Shore Way is a long-distance footpath in England. It starts at Gravesend, Kent, and traces the coast of South-East England as it was in Roman times as far as Hastings, East Sussex, 163 miles (262 km) in total. This means that around Romney Marsh the route runs significantly inland from the modern coastline. This route was when I got the bug for longer distances and trails. Ultimately I walked this completely wrong, far too much distance on the days, poor food choices and my feet went from a UK size 6 to a UK size 7.5 and have never gone back!
As a group we are 9 sections into the Greensand Way to and will complete in December. Personally this year I have completed many smaller trails as well as The Yorkshire Wold Way.
So far in 2026 I have plans for The W Trail in Patagonia, The Vanguard Way and MANY scottish trails. But we are only in September of 2025, so lets see how many I fit in!
