Cotswold Way*

The Cotswold Way, one of England's finest National Trails takes you from Chipping Campden, all the way to Bath, through quintessential English countryside. Almost the entire trail runs through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and passes through a succession of enchanting English villages, featuring traditional Cotswold cottages and welcoming country pubs. Cross fields still bounded by hedges and stone walls as the trail twists and turns through undulating and stunning landscapes. You will enjoy expansive views, stumble across Neolithic sites and be surprised by elegant village churches. End your tour in the City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and brimming with fine architecture.

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Sally Thompson 
updated on: August 30, 2022
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Hiking route · United Kingdom
Chipping Campden to Stanton*
recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 16.5 km
Duration 4:45 h
Ascent 380 m
Descent 416 m

Leave Chipping Campden and enter classic Cotswold countryside as you traverse open land, climb above the picture-perfect villages and enjoy iconic ...

2
from Callum Broad,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Stanton to Winchcombe*
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 12.3 km
Duration 3:30 h
Ascent 201 m
Descent 214 m

On the short connecting section from Stanton to Winchcombe, the walk starts with more ups and downs and interesting sites enroute.

1
from Callum Broad,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill*
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 10 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 363 m
Descent 151 m

A focal point of the Cotswold Way, take in scenic views from above Cheltenham as you walk across the high grassland to Cleeve Hill. 

1
from Callum Broad,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Cleeve Hill to Charlton Kings*
recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 9 km
Duration 2:30 h
Ascent 65 m
Descent 279 m

Follow the route to Cleeve Hill to Dowdeswell enjoying a series of outstanding views from the Cotswold escarpment. Your overnight accommodation ...

1
from Taylor St John,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Charlton Kings to Seven Springs*
recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 7.6 km
Duration 1:30 h
Ascent 315 m
Descent 192 m

This short section connects Charlton Kings to Seven Springs, passing through Lineover Wood and toward the tiny crossroads of Seven Springs. 

1
from Callum Broad,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Seven Springs to Birdlip*
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 12.2 km
Duration 3:30 h
Ascent 170 m
Descent 118 m

Ascend onto the Wolds, where the vistas continue to impress; you'll pass a few hill forts as you make your way to Birdlip. 

1
from Taylor St John,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Birdlip to Painswick*
recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 11.8 km
Duration 3:30 h
Ascent 237 m
Descent 352 m

A pleasant woodland walk leads away from Birdlip before the ascent onto Cooper’s Hill. Continuing on through Buckholt Wood the path crosses ...

from Laura Paterson,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Painswick to King’s Stanley*
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 14.8 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 254 m
Descent 354 m

A short but delightful walk , through open meadows, shaded woodland and open common with some of the finest views on the Cotswold Way.

from Laura Paterson,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
King’s Stanley to Wotton-Under-Edge*
recommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 23.9 km
Duration 7:15 h
Ascent 611 m
Descent 558 m

This is an action-packed walking section with plenty of interetesting historical sites, including mansions and burial grounds, with splendid views ...

from Callum Broad,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Wotton-Under-Edge to Old Sodbury*
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 20.3 km
Duration 5:55 h
Ascent 356 m
Descent 334 m

Open fields interspersed with patches of woodland dominate your walk to Old Sodbury. 

1
from Callum Broad,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Old Sodbury to Tormarton*
recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 3.8 km
Duration 1:15 h
Ascent 59 m
Descent 10 m

This short section connects Old Sodbury with the village of Tormarton via Coomb's End. 

from Taylor St John,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Tormarton to Cold Ashton*
recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 10.6 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 137 m
Descent 107 m

This penultimate stretch of the Cotswold Way brings you through farmland to the village of Cold Ashton. 

from Taylor St John,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Cold Ashton to Bath*
Difficulty moderate
Distance 16.3 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 258 m
Descent 430 m

The last section of the Cotswold Way takes you across fields and historic battlefields before descending into the Regency splendour of Bath and ...

from Laura Paterson,   Macs Adventure