National Trails: maintaining the trails
Find out about who manages, maintains and improves the trails and how changes to the routes are made.
Applies to England and Wales
National Trails are long distance walking routes through England and Wales. Some of the trails are also open to cyclists and horse riders.
You can find interactive maps for each trail and download GPX (GPS Exchange Format) data on the National Trails website.
You can also find geographic information (GI) data in the:
- geospatial datasets for National Trails in England on Natural England’s Open Data Geoportal
- geospatial datasets for approved sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path on Natural England’s Open Data Geoportal
- geospatial datasets for National Trails in Wales on DataMapWales
You can download the data for use in GIS applications. You’ll need software such as ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro or QGIS to access and use the data.
Management of the trails
National Trails are ‘designated’ by government, meaning they have special status and are protected because of their natural and cultural importance. They are administered by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales.
In England local authorities, and sometimes other stakeholders , form a partnership and work together to maintain each trail. In Wales local authorities are responsible for maintaining each trail.
Usually there is a dedicated trail officer or manager who is responsible for keeping the trail up to the standards set for National Trails.
Local highway authorities usually coordinate and carry out maintenance of the trails, sometimes with the help of landowners and volunteers.
You can read the:
Funding for the trails
Funding for National Trails is provided by:
- government through Natural England and Natural Resources Wales
- local highway authorities
- other funding partners
Accessibility of the trails
National Trail partnerships and local authorities work to help make the trails accessible to more people. For example, removing gates and stiles, improving surfaces and providing information in more accessible ways.
You can find more information about:
- accessibility of the trails on the National Trails website
- accessible visits, routes and trails in Wales
- other accessible routes from your local council
Changes to the trails
The route of each trail can change. Most changes are temporary or seasonal.
Permanent changes to the trails must be made through a formal process. There are different processes for:
- the King Charles III England Coast Path
- other National Trails
The King Charles III England Coast Path
Natural England can propose permanent changes to the route of the King Charles III England Coast Path if needed. Their proposed changes are available to read on GOV.UK as a ‘variation report’.
You can view proposed changes to sections of the coast path that are under development or not yet open.
Find out how to comment on or object to proposed changes.
Other National Trails
Most National Trails follow existing public rights of way. Your local council makes decisions about recording and changing public rights of way, which can include National Trails.
You can comment on or object to a right of way order when it is advertised by the council.
Contact
Use the relevant National Trails online form to:
- report a problem on the trails, for example obstructions, things that need maintenance or a misleading sign
- ask a question about accessibility on the trails
- find out about volunteering opportunities
If you run a business on or near a trail, you can find information for businesses on the National Trails website.