The England Coast Path is a walk of a lifetime… so start now!

Outdooractive makes sections of coast path inspired by walking programmes available in app
England's 2,748 miles of coastline are some of the most beautiful in the world and walking the entire route is becoming possible. Natural England has just reported on its progress and hopes to have all stretches of the England Coast Path approved by the end of the year.
Sections of the path are already accessible and for those who can't wait to pull on their boots, a number of regions featured in Kate Humble's Coastal Britain programmes have teamed up with Outdooractive to offer their recommended self-guided walks in its app.
Craig Wareham, CEO UK of Outdooractive, Europe's largest digital outdoor tourism platform, says the company has worked with the local organisations to bring together a 'Walking with Kate' selection of coastal routes with mapping and photographs that are easy to follow in the free app.
He says: "Walking the complete England Coast path will be an ambition for many but it could take many years to complete the whole route. During lockdown walking programmes became really popular so we approached a number of destinations to see if we could bring together a collection of walks people can do now, and we will add more as the path opens."
The coastlines of Devon, Dorset, Suffolk and Yorkshire were all featured in Kate Humble's Coastal Britain and Outdooractive's Walking with Kate series includes stunning walks chosen by Visit Suffolk, Discover Suffolk, Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB, North York Moors National Park, National Trails, South West Coast Path and UK South West (view the selection here: https://out.ac/IIOuwA).
Outdooractive is used by UK and European destinations to promote their regions to over 10 million outdoor enthusiasts. Some European destinations, such as ski resorts, use the app to provide timely warnings about route closures and to direct visitors to less well known but equally enjoyable treks.
David Falk, Green Access Manager, Suffolk County Council says:

"If you liked the look of the Suffolk coastline in Kate's Coastal Britain series, come and have an explore yourself. It's a stunning landscape for walking, whether that's a leisurely stroll or a long-distance hike - and being out by the sea is just great for mental health and wellbeing."

Becky Millington, Communications Officer at the South West Coast Path Association, says:

"We're big fans of Kate's Coastal Britain series, and it's great that more people know about the South West Coast Path and the work we do to protect it. We have 630 miles of glorious coastline just waiting for people to explore, and we hope this collaboration with Outdooractive inspires some amazing adventures for people over the coming weeks and months."

Malcolm Hodgson, National Trails Officer at the North York Moors National Park, says:

"It's good that more people recognise the beauty of North Yorkshire after seeing it on TV - but there's plenty else to discover on this coastline.

"Having the local routes on Outdooractive, we're hoping visitors can discover some of our lesser-known trails."

There are currently six routes in the Walking with Kate series

For the best experience, view the routes on a GPS-enabled mobile phone and select 'open in app', to follow the routes with the free Outdooractive route map.
1. The Sailor's Path - Suffolk - Walking with Kate (visit route)
The route passes through the Snape Maltings, which rise over the landscape like a great ship, before following along the River Alde and through Snape Warren Nature Reserve. The route wraps around the medieval shipbuilding town of Aldeburgh, whose streets have inspired many a poet over the centuries.
The Sailor's path is part of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), one of Britain's finest landscapes.

2. Robin Hood's Bay to Whitby - North York Moors National Park - Walking with Kate (visit route)
A route capturing the gothic delights of Whitby and its Abbey, combined with the stunningly scenic former fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay. Whitby is an inspirational town, not least for some literary giants. Charles Dodgson visited several times before he wrote 'Alice in Wonderland' and Bram Stoker's Dracula is also thought to have been set in Whitby.
This route follows the England Coast Path and forms part of the magnificent Cleveland Way, a 109 mile (175km) National Trail. There is a regular bus service from Whitby to Scarborough that stops at Robins Hood's Bay.

3. Runswick to Staithes - North York Moors - Walking with Kate (visit route)
An ambling route along the cliffs from the old fishing village of Runswick bay to Staithes, once one of the largest fishing ports on the North East Coast.
Runswick Bay shelters at the end of an extensive, beautiful beach. Cottages cluster around narrow, winding paths leading down a steep hillside to an expansive bay. The path leads along the cliffs to Staithes, a town filled with beautiful old fishermen's cottages, arranged around higgledy-piggledy, winding streets.
This route follows the England Coast Path and forms part of the magnificent Cleveland Way.

4. Stonebarrow Hill - East Devon - Walking with Kate (visit route)
A demanding route travelling high above the surrounding landscape, with tremendous views in all directions. It passes the remains of a medieval village, and later St Wite's Well, said to cure eye problems and other ailments.

5. Otterton & Mutter's Moor - East Devon - Walking with Kate (visit route)
An invigorating hike through the woods and moorland inland from High Peak, with standing stones that moved, a woodcutter who hid contraband beneath his logs when times were hard, and a landscape crisscrossed with ancient pathways.

6. Minehead to Hurlstone Point - Exmoor - Walking with Kate (visit route)
Spectacular 5-mile section of the north Somerset coast, explorable by trail across the grassy bluffs above the cliffs, or by walking along remote, stony beaches at sea level..
Any of these routes can be followed on a GPS-enabled route map via the free Outdooractive app.

http://www.outdooractive.com

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