The official opening of the King Charles III England Coast Path in 2026 marks the completion of the 2,700 mile walking trail around the entire coast of England.   

The path connects towns and iconic landscapes and gives us the right to explore beaches, cliff tops and green spaces alongside the path, making it easier than ever for people to experience the coast. 

 

The Ramblers campaign to open the King Charles III England Coast Path 

The Ramblers campaigned for years for better access to our coastline so everyone can enjoy it.

 

We began campaigning in 2004, so it’s been a long journey. The project has had its ups and downs, with government commitment to the path waning at times over the years. We’ve had to keep campaigning to ensure the government remained committed to completing the path. 

Since work began on the England Coast Path in 2010, our brilliant coastal access volunteers around England have been working tirelessly with Natural England to put forward the best route for walkers.  

They walk, survey, and map out every stretch of the path.

 

Coastal walking around Great Britain 

The Wales Coast Path, opened in 2012, was the first path of its kind to stretch around a country’s entire coastline.

While Scotland doesn’t have an official coast path, thanks to their fantastic access rights and walking trails, it’s possible to head out on great coastal walks there too.  

 

Not only will people be able to walk along the King Charles III England Coast Path; it also opens up new areas of open access land. It gives us the freedom to explore land surrounding the path, such as clifftops and beaches, all the way to the water’s edge.   

Walking the whole of the King Charles III England Coast Path 

At 2,700 miles long, the path offers a huge range of routes to explore.

Even before the path fully opened, many people have taken on the challenge of walking or running long distances of the British coast. For example:

• In 2013, former Ramblers Cymru President Will Renwick became the youngest person to walk the entire Wales Coast Path.  
• In 2015, Elise Downing became the first woman and youngest person to run the coast of Britain. 
• In 2020 Chris Howard  walked around the British coastline for charity. 

Whilst the entire coast might feel a step too far, we have plenty of brilliant shorter coastal walks for you to enjoy.