Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has many long-distance (and some not so long) named paths. Many of the paths are footpath only or follow public footpaths for most of their course, with some sections being bridleway (or even road). There are a few which are entirely ridable, even having regional cycle route status, so there will naturally be crossover with the National Cycle Network.

No other mapping provider bar the OS has any of these paths. The distances involved and the slow restricted modes of transport make comprehensive mapping of them a large task. Use this page to coordinate this effort (add the route relation ids where mapping has begun).

Data Sources

Natural England OGL data release
On 1st April 2012 Natural England began to release data, including National Trails, under the OGL licence. Although it is always best to use ground-truthed data (i.e. by survey) this could provide a valuable second source for OSM. Please discuss

Tagging

Tag with route relations as detailed on the Walking Routes page.

network=nwn specifies a hiking route as a national route. network=lwn specifies the hiking route as a local route.

National Trails (England and Wales)

National Trails are distinguished by being maintained by the Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales. There are fifteen such trails, mostly in England. They are publicised by the website. They are usually marked on the ground by an acorn symbol^[1].

Tag with network=nwn.

Long Distance Routes (Scotland)

Long Distance Routes are proposed and financially supported by Scottish Natural Heritage as 'Scotland's Great Trails'. As of September 2020 there are 28 walking routes. These are administered and maintained by the local authority areas through which they pass.

Tag with network=nwn.

Other routes

When tagging the relations for these routes, use either network=nwn or network=lwn. This is probably down to individual judgment, but if in doubt perhaps a length less than 10 miles/15km would be more likely to be local than regional.

Local Routes

Local routes can usually be completed in a day (or less). They are often circular, waymarked and have leaflets or map boards provided by the local council. It is suggested that local routes are listed on the appropriate county page [example]. When tagging the relations for these routes, network=lwn should be used, from those detailed on the Walking Routes page.

Counties with local route information:-

• Gloucestershire
• Worcestershire

This page is largely copied from the wikipedia:Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom article (licensed GFDL)