Land’s End to John O’Groats – 81 nights / 80 days walking

About this trail

Land’s End to John O’Groats is the ultimate once in a lifetime walking trip (although some people do walk it more than once!). The route starts from Land’s End on the most westerly point of Cornwall and takes you to the northern coast of Scotland.

Your journey starts with the obligatory picture at Land’s End before you follow the northern part of South West Coast Path for the first 170 miles or so.  From Barnstaple the route heads east into the moorland of Exmoor National Park  for a couple of days before crossing the Quantock Hills. From there you take a route into the mediaeval town of Glastonbury, steeped in folklore. Following one edge of the Mendip Hills you reach the Roman town of Bath.

From Bath you strike northwards, traversing the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, before reaching Worcester and skirting the Birmingham conurbation to the west where you will pick up the Staffordshire Way. The next national park you encounter is also the UK’s first – the Peak District, famed for its part in countryside access for all following the Mass Trespass of Kinder Scout. Within the Peak District you will follow a stretch of the Limestone Way through the heart of Derbyshire’s limestone dales. The Peak District village of Edale is also the start of the Pennine Way which you follow in its entirety as you travel north. The midpoint of your journey is reached at Hebden Bridge. At the northern end of the Pennines you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the most important and intact sections of Hadrian’s Wall – particularly if you break your journey at Once Brewed.

Upon leaving the Pennine Way you cross the border into Scotland where you will enjoy the comparatively sedate delights of some of the history and heritage of the Borders Abbeys Way, where it meets St Cuthbert’s Way, including the abbeys of Jedburgh and Melrose. Your route then follows a route north west and into the Highlands and a breathtaking change of scenery with its lochs and mountains. From Fort William your route heads north east following the Great Glen Way and then north again as your route reaches Scotland’s North Sea coast. Here you are on the final section of your walk with the shadow of Scotland’s Highland mountains and moors to your left and the open water to your right as your route takes you down to the shore in places. Your final day takes you to Duncansby Head before you round the headland and reach your destination of John O’Groats with its signpost, Orkney visible across the water and the island of Stroma just off shore.

Terrain and navigation

Over the course of three months you will experience the best trails that the UK has to offer – and also their challenges. The South West Coast Path where your journey begins is challenging and picturesque in equal measures with numerous ascents and descents. The total height climbed across the whole path is almost four times the height of  Mount Everest! It can be worth adding a rest day or two even at this early stage or spreading out the mileages across additional days.  Although our route makes use of as many footpaths and byways as possible, there will inevitably be some road walking. The Pennine Way takes up a significant chunk of the middle part of the walk is another of the UK’s more strenuous long-distance walks, where map reading skills are needed. Read any of our Pennine Way itineraries to learn about some of the challenges of this terrain and schedule some rest days to provide some time to take in some of this spectacular scenary.

Route elevation

Highest point: 893 metres
Total ascent / descent: 33956 metres / 34020 metres

Included as standard in the price

The price quoted is per person and is based on two people sharing a room. It includes:

• Carefully selected, en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation*
• Daily luggage transfers to your accommodation**
• All the necessary maps and guidebooks for your walk
• Route notes and maps detailing how to find your B&B at the end of each day
• The cost of any transfers that are required from the route to your accommodation if we are unable to book you into a B&B within easy walking distance of the trail
• Information about any special facilities offered by your hosts (eg hot tub or licensed bar)
• Suggestions and contact details for places for an evening meal each day
• Telephone support if required
• Advice from our team on travel to and from the start and end of the hike.

*En-suite is always chosen unless all options are booked out, in which private bathrooms are sought. Customers are always consulted about non-en-suite options before details are finalised.

**Standard package includes one piece of baggage per walker, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. Additional bags can be transferred but incur an additional cost. Please enquire if you need this service.

Packed lunches and evening meals

The cost of these is not included in our standard package. All the accommodation providers we use offer packed lunches to keep you well fed during your walk. Payment is made directly to your hosts. Similarly, if you have an evening meal either at your accommodation or another local establishment, you pay them directly for it.

Optional extras that can be provided by Discovery Travel

Discovery Travel specialises in providing completely tailor-made services to our clients. This means that if our standard published itineraries do not suit our customers’ needs, we are always happy to discuss ways in which we can adjust accommodation, shorten or lengthen itineraries and distances to make for the perfect trip.

We also offer the following services to make for a seamless holiday:

• Transport to and from the start and finish of a trail
• Airport transfers
• Minibus and driver service, in particular for large groups where multiple accommodations are required each night and transfers are frequently required at the end of the day’s walk

If you are interested in any of the above or have any particular requirements, please do contact us to discuss your needs.

Make more of your break

If you would like to pause during your trip- perhaps every ten to 14 days there are some fantastic locations on route. Here are a selection of potential overnight stays spread throughout the holiday but you are welcome to choose any location. If you would like to book additional overnight stays please email us when you book your Land’s End to John O’Groats itinerary.

Prices for extra days are quoted above and will be added to the total cost of the holiday. If the itineraries on our website do not quite meet your requirements please do get in touch to arrange a bespoke trip.

Below are some suggestions for good places to spend an extra day or so.

Boscastle

Boscastle is famous for its harbour, which was constructed in medieval times, showing how steeped in history this town is. It is also home to some particularly attractive and delightful scenery – no mean feat considering the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Tintagel Castle, steeped in Arthurian legend, is 5 miles away.

Bath

Bath is a Unesco World Heritage Site,  located on its own thermal spa which was hugely important in Roman times and remains a fine example today. While exploring the historic and beautiful locations within this city you might treat yourself to a spa at the modern day Thermae Bath Spa or one of the many other spa experiences the city has to offer ahead of your long walk north. Bath also features heavily in the work of Jane Austen, so take a walk through the Georgian architecture and imagine yourself chatting with Mr Darcy!

Picture credit: Visit Bath

Worcester

Worcester has a magnificent Cathedral and is also famous for the world renowned Worcester Porcelain. Visit the Commandery to learn about the city’s important role in the English Civil War and take in the half-timbered buildings in Friar Street including the 500 year old Tudor House.

Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge has a bohemian feel to it inspired by the influence of the writers and artists who flocked to the town around the 1970s and 1980s. You will find local artisan shops, galleries and cafés in this happening town, while pretty wooded valleys and picturesque heather moorland are just a few minutes away.

Once Brewed

Pause overnight at Once Brewed on your journey north to explore the finest archaeological sites on Hadrian’s Wall – the northern boundary of the empire overseen by Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century. From this location you can reach many of the most important sites on this epic Roman landmark, including the magnificent remains of the frontier fort at Housesteads and the Vindolanda garrison fort and museum.  The Roman Army Museum is also a couple of miles west at Cawfields. Between April and October all of these sites are served by a regular bus service that stops at Once Brewed.

Jedburgh

Once you have drunk in the splendour of Jedburgh Abbey there are a variety of interesting sites to take in, from the house that was home to Mary Queen of Scots to the expansive town jail.  Take a short walk through Lothian Park to Inchbonny where you will find the sculpture of Hutton’s Unconformity – a 40-foot-long, 9-foot-high dry-stone sculpture created by Scottish sculptor Max Nowell in memory of the famous geologist.

Fort William

Fort William is the place where walkers stop before taking on the evocative and towering Ben Nevis. But if the idea of adding an additional hiking challenge is too much as your draw close to the conclusion of your once in a lifetime hike then take let the train take the strain and relax for a scenic trip aboard the West Highland Line.

John O’Groats

While John O’Groats marks the end of your epic journey it needn’t be the end of your adventure. Stay on to savour the success of your completed walk and the beauty of this northern point on the Scottish mainland – or continue even further north. John O’Groats is the gateway to the stunning islands of Orkney full of wildlife and ancient monuments – which can be reached by ferry on a day trip. Within John O’Groats itself there are many opportunities to explore this wild coastline by boat or on foot. Grey seals are common and Orcas can be seen. The town itself offers charming opportunities to relax with a visit to the local brewery or gallery.

When to go

You need to start relatively early in the season with this holiday so that you finish your 80 days of walking before the clock change at the end of October. The weather in the UK can vary hugely so be prepared for all weathers whatever time of the year. April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking. September is one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather can be much more changeable.

Getting to and from the trail

By Air: Plymouth is the nearest airport to the start of your journey and Wick or Edinburgh at the end.

By Rail: Penzance is the nearest train station to the start of your journey while Thurso where you will stay on your final night has a railway station. Thurso serves Wick, Inverness and Edinburgh. Inverness is the most northerly station of the iconic Caledonian Sleeper train to London. For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.

By bus: Land’s End is served by buses. You can find details on getting to Land’s End using Google Maps. Click on “directions” in the left hand tab and enter your starting point. There are also bus services from Wick and Thurso to Inverness.

Got a question about travel? If you need any advice about travel to and from your walk please get in touch with Discovery Travel and we will be happy to help.