The Cotswold Way is a quintessentially English long-distance walking trail that stretches for 102 miles (164 km) from the charming city of Bath to the picturesque market town of Chipping Campden.
Renowned for its rolling hills, idyllic villages, and stunning landscapes, this National Trail offers a journey through the heart of the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
My friend Gemma and I set out to conquer this beautiful trail, eager to immerse ourselves in its rich history and breathtaking scenery.
Over the course of seven days, we trekked through lush meadows, ancient woodlands, and past historic landmarks, experiencing the magic of the Cotswolds firsthand.
Here's a detailed account of our adventure, highlighting our daily experiences, the challenges we faced, and the moments that made this journey unforgettable. Whether you're an avid hiker or simply someone who loves the great outdoors, I hope this inspires you to lace up your boots and explore the Cotswold Way.
The Journey at a Glance
Walking Days:Ā 7 - Planned for 8, but we were slightly quicker due to a big day on Day 2.
Rest Days:Ā 0 - Not needed for a hike this short.
Travel Days:Ā 2 - 1/2 days of travel to and from the start.
Start Date:Ā 28th May - Bath Cathedral
End Date:Ā 3rd June - Chipping Campden
Methods of Travel:Ā Train & car
Daily Schedule
Earliest Start Time:Ā 7:25 AM - Day 2
Latest Start Time:Ā 10:56 AM - Day 3
Earliest End Time:Ā 2:20 PM - Day 7 (last day)
Latest End Time:Ā 9:15 PM - Day 3 (started walking late)
Longest Time on Feet:Ā Day 2 - 12hrs 55min (included breaks and rest stops)
Shortest Day:Ā Day 7 - 6hrs 35min (motivated by the finish)
Route Breakdown
From | To | Miles | Km | Steps |
Shaldon, Devon ā”ļø Bath Spa, Cathedral | Before Dyrham | 17.5 | 28 | 36,233 |
Before Dyrham | Wotton-under-Edge | 23.0 | 38 | 49,097 |
Wotton-under-Edge | Around Middleyard | 16.0 | 25.8 | 33,091 |
Around Middleyard | Painswick | 10.5 | 16.9 | 21,623 |
Painswick | Close to Lineover Wood | 20.0 | 33 | 42,512 |
Close to Lineover Wood | Stanway | 19.0 | 30.5 | 39,138 |
Stanway | Chipping Campden (the end š) | 13.6 | 21.8 | 28,050 |
Accommodation
Hotel/Bed:Ā 2 nights (#gifted š Thanks Gemma) šš
Wild Camping:Ā 4 nights āŗļøāŗļøāŗļøāŗļø
Gear and Essentials
Gear Destroyed/Broken:Ā 0
Trainers:Ā @inov_8 ROCLITE G 315 GTX V2 (gifted) - Use TOUGHGIRL15 for a 15% discount!āØ
Communication Device:Ā š²š”ZOLEO - Peace of mind with reliable connectivity.
Statistics
Total Km:Ā 194 |Ā Average Daily Km:Ā 28
Total Miles:Ā 121 |Ā Average Daily Miles:Ā 17
Total Steps:Ā 249,744 |Ā Average Daily Steps:Ā 35,678
Total Costs:Ā Ā£211 (thanks to wild camping and Gemma's contributions)
Average Costs Per Day:Ā Ā£30
Total Costs (excluding travel):Ā Ā£168
Daily Costs (excluding travel):Ā Ā£24
Travel Costs:Ā Ā£42.90 (half refunded due to a train delay)
Misc Costs:Ā Ā£0
Weather
Sunny Days:Ā 6 - Beautiful days with blue skies.
Rainy Days:Ā 1 - Expected worse, but it was manageable with an umbrella.
Subjective Experience
šTotal Enjoyment: = 83% Enjoyment - a really beautiful walk, and it was great to do it with a friend. It was a lot of fun. No issues, just great weather, beautiful scenery, great company. A fabulous week. š„³
š«Total Fatigue average:Ā = 50%Ā - which makes sense - I was feeling pretty horrendous through out the whole walk. I havenāt been feeling great for a while. I got a blood test back and Iām anaemic (But not as anemic as Iāve been previously back in 2015 - but my iron levels were lowā¦.. (Blood haemoglobinĀ 91Ā I need to aim to get above 112, Iron level 3 - need to aim to get over 11, Ferritin - 5 - need to aim to get over 13).Ā
ā°ļøTotal Ease of terrain: = 34% - there was no real challenge with the terrain. I found some bit hard because I was so tired and had shortness of breath and felt like I had no fitness. Compared to other challenges, this terrain was wonderful - just a few gentle hills here and there. If I wasnāt anaemic - It would have been very easy going.Ā
Challenges and Highlights
Challenges:Ā Low energy, constant tiredness. Grateful for the hot shower and bed on Day 4. š
Least Enjoyable Sections:Ā Walking through areas with cows and cow dung. š
Highlights:Ā Stunning views, charming villages, wild meadows, and beautiful gardens. āØ
Common Question
Was it easy to find wild camping spots?Ā Generally, yes. We just had one day where it was an issue. There was nothing and the only area where there was a slightly possibility of putting up the tent, the ground was too hard to put pegs in and I donāt have a free standing tent. I think there are always places to find, you just need to keep your eyes open. Plus as it was light till really late, we werenāt in any rush to get places, as we didnāt set up our tents till as late as possible, unless we were really remote and there were no change of dog walkers, landowner, coming by. Make sure to leave no trace.Ā
For more adventures, check out the Tough Girl YouTube channel where you can watch vlogs from other UK walks like the Wales Coast Path, Offa's Dyke, South Downs Way, West Highland Way, and more. š
Watch the complete series below!
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