Guidance

Cotswold Way: National Trail

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England

The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile (164km) National Trail in the south west of England. It goes along the Cotswold Edge (escarpment) from Chipping Campden in the north to the city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The trail also goes through Cotswold National Landscape.

About the trail

The trail goes between:

• Chipping Camden
• Bath

You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail.

You can find circular and linear walks on the National Trails website.

When to visit

The trail is open all year.

Signposts on the trail

All National Trails are marked with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

Walking the whole trail

• Length: 102 miles (164km)
• Time to complete: around 7 to 10 days

Most people walk the route from north to south. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose.

Accessibility on the trail

There are many steep climbs on the trail.

There are several sections that are suitable for people with restricted mobility, including at Leckhampton where there’s a 2.25 mile mobility scooter route. You can also hire off-road mobility scooters to explore the Cotswold Way.

You can find out about accessible self-guided routes in the Cotswold National Landscape – including stile free and wheelchair friendly routes.

You can also follow the Cotswold Way and see what the trail looks like on Google Street View.

What you can experience on the trail

There are many things you can experience on the Cotswold Way, including:

• wildlife – such as beech woodland, bluebells and wood anemone
• historic and heritage sites – such as Belas Knap Neolithic burial chamber, Broadway Tower, Hailes Abbey and Sudeley Castle
• nature reserves – such as Cotswolds Commons and Beechwoods
• local culture, food and entertainment

On the trail you can also visit cities, towns and small villages, including:

• Stanton
• Winchcombe
• Painswick
• Wotton-under-Edge

Sections of the trail

You can break the trail into sections that you can walk in a day, or that give you time to visit specific things on or near the trail.    

There’s an example below, but you can find more information online and in guidebooks to help plan your route.

Chipping Campden to Broadway – 6 miles (9.6km)

This section starts in the historic market town of Chipping Campden. The trail climbs to Dover’s Hill, then crosses fields to Broadway Tower. It then drops into Broadway.

There’s 567 feet (173m) of ascent and 790 feet (241m) of descent overall on this section.

Broadway to Wood Stanway – 6.5 miles (10.5km)

The trail climbs to Shenberrow Camp, an Iron Age hill fort, and descends to the village of Stanton. The trail then crosses the level parkland of Stanway Estate. This section finishes in the hamlet of Wood Stanway.

There is 813 feet (248m) of ascent and 715 feet (218m) of descent.

Wood Stanway to Winchcombe – 5.4 miles (8.8km)

A steep climb leads back to the escarpment with views over the Vale of Evesham. The trail passes the Iron Age hill fort of Beckbury Camp, then descends to Hailes Abbey and continues into Winchcombe.

There is 564 feet (172m) of ascent and 679 feet (207m) of descent.

Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill – 5.6 miles (9km)

The trail rises through the Sudeley Estate to Belas Knap ancient Neolithic long barrow. It then drops steeply through Breakheart Plantation and climbs again to Cleeve Hill Golf Club. Cleeve Hill is the highest point of the Cotswold Way at 330 m (1,080 ft).

There is 1,082 feet (330m) of ascent and 476 feet (145m) of descent.

Cleeve Hill to Dowdeswell – 5.5 miles (8.9km)

South of Cleeve Hill is the highest part of the trail. The trail crosses Cleeve Common with views over Cheltenham and beyond. It passes a Butterfly Conservation reserve at Prestbury Hill then descends through Dowdeswell Wood to the reservoir.

There is 325 feet (99m) of ascent and 604 feet (249m) of descent.

Dowdeswell to Leckhampton Hill – 4.7 miles (7.6 km)

The trail goes through Lineover Wood and climbs to Wistley Plantation. It then descends near Seven Springs. The trail climbs again to Charlton Kings Common, with views across Cheltenham and the Severn Vale. Following the escarpment, the trail goes to Leckhampton Hill where you can see the rock pillar known as the Devil’s Chimney.

There is 902 feet (275m) of ascent and 344 feet (105m) of descent.

Leckhampton Hill to Birdlip – 5.6 miles (9km)

After leaving Leckhampton Hill, the trail follows tracks and lanes to Crickley Hill Country Park. It crosses Barrow Wake and woodland before reaching Birdlip.

The ascent and descent are both around 425 feet (130m).

Birdlip to Painswick – 8.6 miles (13.9km)

The trail passes through beech woodland and on to Cooper’s Hill. It then emerges onto the common land and the golf course of Painswick Beacon, with its Iron Age ramparts. This section ends in the town of Painswick, which is the mid-point of the Cotswold Way.

There is 590 feet (180m) of ascent and 1,066 feet (325m) of descent.

Painswick to King’s Stanley – 7.8 miles (12.6km)

The trail drops to Wash Brook, climbs to Edge Common, then goes through woodland to Haresfield Beacon. It descends through Standish Woods and into the Stroud Valleys. At the Stroudwater Navigation there’s a choice of 2 routes. One option is to take the route alongside the canal and up over Selsley Common, and the other is to head through King’s Stanley.

There is 1,033 feet (315m) of ascent and 1,082 feet (330m) of descent.

King’s Stanley to Dursley – 7.2 miles (11.6km)

The trail climbs through Pen Wood and reaches Coaley Peak. It passes a disused quarry, then climbs steeply to Cam Long Down. It then descends to the market town of Dursley.

There is 771 feet (235m) of ascent and 951 feet (290m) of descent.

Dursley to Wotton-Under-Edge – 7.3 miles (11.8km) or shortcut 4.8 miles (7.8km)

The trail climbs steeply up onto Stinchcombe Hill. The longer loop around the perimeter of the hill gives the best views. It then descends to the village of North Nibley and climbs steeply again to the Tyndale Monument.

The trail becomes level across grassland and through woodland to Wotton Hill. The trail then descends into the town of Wotton-under-Edge.

Ascent is 835 feet (260m) and descent is 836 feet (255m).

Wotton-Under-Edge to Hawkesbury Upton – 7.4 miles (11.9km)

The trail climbs to the escarpment near Newark Park, and then drops to Alderley. It crosses a quiet valley and follows a millstream at Lower Kilcott. It climbs to the Somerset Monument and continues to the village of Hawkesbury Upton.

There is 984 feet (300m) of ascent and 623 feet (190m) of descent.

Hawkesbury Upton to Tormarton – 7.7 miles (12.4km)

From Hawkesbury Upton the trail passes an ancient drover’s pond. It then follows Bath Lane to Horton and climbs Horton Fort. It crosses farmland to Horton and Old Sodbury, then passes through the Capability Brown parkland at Dodington Park. The trail crosses fields to the village of Tormarton.

There is 476 feet (145m) of ascent and 590 feet (180m) of descent.

Tormarton to Cold Ashton – 6.6 miles (10.6km)

The trail crosses arable land and follows a path around the perimeter wall of Dyrham Park. The trail then climbs through Dyrham Woods and continues through farmland to the village of Cold Ashton.

There is 558 feet (170m) of ascent and 410 feet (125m) of descent.

Cold Ashton to Bath – 10.2 miles (16.5km)

The trail descends to the secluded valley at Lower Hamswell, then climbs to Lansdown. It crosses the plateau past the hill fort at Little Down and on past Bath Racecourse. The route becomes more urban as it approaches Bath Abbey, where a carved stone disc set into the pavement outside the west doors marks the end of the Cotswold Way.

There is 738 feet (225m) of ascent and 1,312 feet (400m) of descent.

Maps for the trail

You can find:

• a map on the National Trails website - you can also download GPX data
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover the Cotswold Way are:

• 155 Bristol and Bath
• 167 Thornbury, Dursley and Yate
• 168 Stroud, Tetbury and Malmesbury
• 179 Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud
• OL45 The Cotswolds

Diversions or closures on the trail

You may find minor diversions, seasonal or tidal changes to the route. These will be clearly signposted and you should always follow the signposts on the trail. 

Prepare for your visit

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on: 

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures 
• planning your trip 
• what to prepare before you set off 
• what to do on the trail

Contact

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:

• report a problem
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail
• find out about volunteering opportunities

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.