The Most Beautiful Hikes and Walks in the Cotswolds Countryside

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Arguably one of the most well-known routes for walkers in the area and certainly the longest, the Cotswold Way stretches over 161km (100mi) through the region. Starting at Chipping Campden, the long-distance walking trail leads all the way to the beautiful city of Bath, taking in glorious countryside, picturesque villages and ancient landmarks. The full route takes from seven to 10 days to complete, so unless you’re a very keen hiker, you might prefer to dip in and out of the Cotswold Way on one of the many smaller routes on offer.

At 23km (14mi), the Windrush Way is a great choice for those looking for a challenging walk that can be finished in a day. The circular route links the Cotswold Way at Winchcombe with the Oxfordshire Way at Bourton-on-the-Water. Follow the trail up over the Cotswold Hills, through the remains of “lost” medieval villages and along the peaceful River Windrush. This quiet walk is the perfect route for getting away from it all. Just make sure you pack a picnic to refuel midway!

This 10km (6.5mi) walk takes you up to the Cotswolds’ highest common, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views out to the Malverns and even across to Wales on a clear day. The area is famous for its limestone grassland, which is home to a huge number of birds, as well as rare plants and wildflowers. The old English name for the hill is Cleeve Cloud, and as it’s 330m (1,083ft) above sea level, you can understand why. If the weather is bad, it’s best to avoid this route, as the mist can set in very quickly.

Created by the Ramblers’ North Cotswold Group to celebrate its 60th Jubilee in 1995, this 105km (65 mi) walk is the perfect way to explore some of the prettiest villages and towns that the Cotswolds has to offer. The circular (or, to be more precise, diamond-shaped) route crosses undulating farmland and idyllic woodland, passing through sleepy hamlets of honey-hued stone and along meandering streams. There are shorter circular walks along the route that are between 5km and 11km (3mi and 7mi) long, but the whole Diamond Way will take a week to complete, including overnight stops.

One of the many circular routes along the Cotswold Way, the Leckhampton Loop guides you through grasslands into peaceful, ancient woodlands and past an Iron Age hill fort. Magnificent views are on offer, especially when you reach Leckhampton Hill’s viewpoint, and the Devil’s Chimney is a Cotswolds landmark that is worth a short detour if you have time.

At just over 8km (5mi), this scenic route is a great introduction to the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. Starting at the pretty village of Salford, the walk takes you along the valley and then up towards the mysterious Rollright Stones. This collection of three Bronze Age stone circles – the Whispering Knights, the King’s Men and the King Stone – was said to have been formed when a king and his men were turned to stone by a witch. Once you’ve explored the stones, follow the walk down through the charming hamlet of Little Rollright and back towards Salford, and go for a well-earned drink at the Salford Inn.