Click an icon on the map above to read more about each of our treks
Miles
Hiking Days
Average Miles Per Day
When we set off to travel around the world in 2012, one of our goals was to seek those areas with cultural and natural significance while trekking on our own two feet. Since then, we have hiked more than 4,200 miles on six continents, while visiting over 70 countries.
In 2020, we made plans to trek in the British Isles for several months, but had to cancel our trip due to the pandemic. With things improving in 2022, we became cautiously optimistic about resuming international travel. So we began planning our British Isles journey once more.
There are no shortage of hiking opportunities in the British Isles, as the region is packed with cultural attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national parks, and Areas of Outstanding Beauty. During our four months of land travel, we experienced the beauty and history of the area by completing a variety of long distance hikes. Two of our treks even took us coast-to-coast across England and Scotland.
In total, we trekked about 700 miles as we circumnavigated the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
The treks we chose were:
- Cotswold Way – England (102 miles, 8 stages, 9 days)
- Hadrian’s Wall Path – England (91 miles, 7 stages, 7 days)
- John Muir Way – Scotland (134 miles, 10 stages, 11 days)
- Speyside Way – Scotland (74 miles, 5 stages, 6 days)
- Causeway Coast Way – Northern Ireland (32 miles, 4 stages, 4 days)
- Wicklow Way – Ireland (80 miles, 7 stages, 7 days)
- South Leinster Way – Ireland (65 miles, 5 stages, 5 days)
- Kerry Way – Ireland (123 miles, 9 stages, 11 days)
Take a look at our summary video.
Read more about our journey below:
Announcing Our Next Journey – Trekking the British Isles!
This year we are circumnavigating the British Isles to trek 700 miles over a four month period. We are traversing some of the region’s iconic national trails on eight multiple-day hikes. Along the way, we will visit cultural attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national parks, and Areas of Outstanding Beauty.
It’s a Whole New World: Planning and Packing for our Trekking the British Isles Journey
During our time of Trekking the Planet, we have taken several extended trips. So we know what it is like to plan and pack for a long journey. But planning and packing for this year’s Trekking the British Isles adventure is much different.
Into the Wold: Beginning the Cotswold Way
The word “wold” refers to a hilly or rolling region. The Cotswold area is a series of hills that rise to a steep slope, known as the Cotswold Edge. The 102-mile Cotswold Way National Trail runs along this escarpment, passing through many quaint villages.
Discovering the Village Charm: Finishing the Cotswold Way
After 55 miles and four days on the Cotswold Way in England, we had hiked a little more than halfway on the 102-mile path. On the second part of the trek, we looked forward to discovering the village charm that makes the Cotswold area famous.
Do As the Romans Do: Trekking Hadrian’s Wall Path
One of the British Isles’ most famous sites is Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans 1,900 years ago. The wall was a 73-mile stone and turf structure, averaging about 15 feet high, and built over seven years. It was also the location of our 91-mile trek.
Scotland in a Microcosm: Beginning the John Muir Way
John Muir was a founder of the Sierra Club and an early United States National Park advocate. He was also born in Scotland. Trekking the 134-mile John Muir Way would provide us with a microcosm of the natural beauty and cultural significance of Scotland over 10 hiking stages.
Keep Close to Nature’s Heart: Completing the John Muir Way
After 65.9 miles of hiking, we had six more stages to go before the end of our John Muir Way trek. Many of our remaining miles would be through the “nature’s heart” of the Scottish coastline, as we hiked east to the North Sea.
Following a Highland River to the Sea: Trekking the Speyside Way
The River Spey is Scotland’s second-longest river, flowing 107 miles from the Scottish Highlands to the North Sea. The Speyside Way follows the course of the river through mountain highlands, moorlands, forests, and river valleys. It also passes through distilleries in Scotland’s whiskey country.
A Coastal Saunter: Trekking the Causeway Coast Way
Northern Ireland’s County Antrim northern coastline consists of secluded beaches, dramatic cliffs, and ancient castles. It is also the location of the Giant’s Causeway, a World Heritage Site. Our four-day “saunter” on the 32-mile Causeway Coast Way trail provided us with easy access to all of these sites.
Of Mountains, Forests, and Glacial Valleys: Trekking the Wicklow Way
The Republic of Ireland has 43 long-distance waymarked trails, totaling over 2,500 miles. We chose the 80-mile Wicklow Way to experience hiking over secluded mountains, through lush forests, and into deep glacial valleys. As a bonus, we would also travel to the monastic city of Glendalough.
Finding the Irish Charm: Trekking the South Leinster Way
While planning our treks, we were intrigued by Ireland’s South Leinster Way. There weren’t any books or detailed trail websites, but several blogs described beautiful mountains, peaceful river scenery, and quaint villages. We decided to take a chance by hiking this 65-mile route.
Over the Mountains and to the Coast: Beginning the Kerry Way
The Kerry Way is the longest of the Republic of Ireland’s long-distance paths. It circles the Iveragh Peninsula, providing a walkers’ version of the famous Ring of Kerry drive. With many path options to consider, we chose a trekking route totaling 123 miles over nine stages.
May the Road Rise Up to Meet You: Completing the Kerry Way
We found the Kerry Way to be one of the most challenging hikes of our entire journey. But we also felt the blessings beneath our feet, the wind at our backs, and the sun on our faces as we neared the completion of our eighth and final trek.
Ten Things I Learned from Trekking in the British Isles
On May 8, 2022 we took the first of about 1.4 million trekking steps as we began the Cotswold Way. Eight treks and 700 miles later, we completed the Kerry Way. Here are the ten things I learned from our latest journey in the British Isles.
Trekking the British Isles Summary Video
From May to August 2022, we spent four months trekking in the UK and Ireland. During that time we completed eight treks, totaling 700 miles. This video shows some of the natural beauty we encountered and cultural sites we visited in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.