The U.K. is home to many famous multiday hikes, and soon it will have a new king trail to rule them all. The government recently debuted the King Charles III England Coastal Path, a 2,700-mile hike that will loop around the entire coastline of England. Once complete, it will be the longest managed coastal path in the world.
What Is the Trail?
Work on the trail began all the way back in 2010, in anticipation of London hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics. Part of the trail opened so that people could watch the Games’ sailing events from the coastline.
The 2,700-mile trail is still under construction. Around 2,100 miles are currently open, and Natural England, a government agency, expects 90% of the trail infrastructure, including signage, bridges, and boardwalk footpaths, to be finished by the end of the summer.
The trail is divided into eight sections, and covers all of England’s coastline. The path is not continuous, since there are land borders between England, Scotland, and Wales.
King Charles III officially inaugurated the path on March 19 with a visit to the scenic Seven Sisters area. “With this national asset, people around the country alongside international visitors will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the English Coast and the feeling of wellbeing, both mental and physical, that it brings. This will reconnect people with the land, support nature recovery, and create a more inclusive, sustainable future,” Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said in a press release.
Why Build a Trail?
There is a long tradition of hiking, or rambling as the Brits say, in England. There are over 500 rambling clubs across Britain that offer group hikes and other social outdoor events. The “rights of way” laws have helped bolster the popularity of hiking. These laws allow hikers to walk across private land, even if there’s not a designated path, for the purpose of outdoor recreation as part of people’s “right to roam.”
National Trails manages many other multiday and long-distance hikes, including the Cotswold Way (102 miles) and Coast to Coast Path (190 miles).
In addition to the U.K.’s culture around hiking, economics is also likely a large motivator. The economic impact of thru-hikes and national parks on rural communities in the U.S. is well-documented.
“Visitors to England’s coastal paths already generate £350 million in spending within local coastal economies each year and support nearly 6,000 jobs. The [King Charles III] path opens up new opportunities for growth along its route, with the potential to become part of the fabric of coastal economies by boosting tourism and revitalize coastal towns,” a press release stated.
Throughout this summer, National Trails has hosted multiple events to raise awareness about the trail and get the public excited. The King Charles III England Coastal Path will “encourage the public to connect with the outdoors, improve their physical and mental wellbeing in nature, and appreciate England’s beautiful coastline,” the organization said.
