The Cotswold Way
A Solo Hike By Michael
This was my third solo hike in the United Kingdom. After completing both Hadrian’s Way and St. Cuthbert’s Way, I’d found that I really enjoyed not only the English countryside, but also hikes that had some historical connection, and that placed the Cotswolds on my list (more on that coming soon!)
Due to some time restraints, I only hiked the portion between Painswick and Bath, about 66.5 miles. Simply put, it was one of the most beautiful trails I’ve been on in the UK (and I’ve done 5 so far), and I’m already planning to go back and complete the northern part of the trail.
The trail winds along a series of ridges with descents down into historic farms and small towns. It you are looking for a walk in the English countryside, then this one is for you.
The Intinerary
For this hike I had a limited amount of time, so I worked with Macs Adventures to design a six-day Cotswold Itinerary starting in Painswick and ending in Bath. After arriving in the UK I took an extra night in Painswick and hiked north along the trail back towards Painswick Beacon. The total distance for my hike was 66.5 miles.
Travel arrangements by Macs Adventures
FAQs
What is the difficulty? Most of the guides state that the trail is Easy to Moderate, but I found the southern portion of the trail (from Painswick to Bath) to be more on the Easy side. Some of the ascents out of the towns were steep, but generally short in duration (no more than a mile).
What was the weather? I hiked this trail in late April, so mornings were cool with temperatures reaching upper 60s and low 70s by midday. I did not have any rain (a very odd event in the UK), but I was prepared with full rain gear.
What condition is the trail in? Excellent. It was well-marked and large sections were maintained by the Cotswold Way Association. There is a decent amount of hiking through farmland, but those are clearly marked as well and easy to follow.
Recommended Books on the Cotswold Way
The trail guide I used for the trip. Accurate with good maps and lots of historical information.
If you want to get into some of the history of the region before heading out on the trail, this is a great place to start. Great reference to the history, culture, and people of the Cotswolds.