Great Walks on the England Coast Path by Andrew McCloy is published by Cicerone this autumn at £ 20 and features a selection of 30 day and weekend walks . It includes photos by Guild members Chiz Dakin , Fiona Barltrop and Vivienne Crow . hindered progress ; and then a global pandemic came along . Despite everything , and although the opening date has yet again slipped ( now next year instead of this ), over a third of the route is open , waymarked and walkable . The ambition of creating a new National Trail which , when complete , will be longer than all the other 15 in England and Wales combined , is likely to bring considerable social and economic bene�its . It passes close to and through large population centres , making it local , immediate and accessible ( especially by public transport ), hopefully encouraging more physical activity and an appreciation of the natural environment . And , if the prospect of walking around the Thames Estuary doesn ’ t appeal , then think of the peaceful sandy bays of Northumberland or the rollercoaster chalk cliffs of Sussex and Dorset ; Atlantic breakers crashing on Cornish headlands or the atmospheric marshes of Norfolk and Suffolk . These are some of the highlights in my new book of one-day and weekend walks based on the England Coast Path ; but in fact the real achievement of the ECP is how it is likely to showcase some of the less well known or unfashionable coastal locations that are every bit as attractive and interesting to walk . So it is that I also feature the peaceful creeks of Essex , County Durham ’ s limestone cliffs , the neglected coastline of Cumbria , Chichester Harbour , Spurn Head , Dungeness , Sefton ’ s gorgeous beaches and the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay .
Stats and more stats
It ’ s not just about numbers , of course , but for a sense of perspective the ECP will not only dwarf any other National Trail but is three times longer than the conventional Land ’ s End to John o ’ Groats walking route . And while there may be other international routes that are wilder , longer and certainly more arduous , the ECP will be the longest coastal walking trail anywhere in the world , far exceeding the GR34 along the Brittany coast ( 1,100 miles / 1,700km ) or the Lycian Way around the south coast of Turkey ( 340 miles / 540km ). Likewise , the ambition to create a North Sea Trail around the seaboard of countries bordering the North Sea is still piecemeal and looks likely to stay that way for now . And , if Paddy Dillon ’ s feet are itching once more , how about adding the Wales Coastal Path for a continuous walk around the entire coast of England and Wales , from Gretna Green all the way round to Berwick upon Tweed ? Just the small matter of 3,665 miles / 5,899km . The England Coast Path may not yet be complete , but against all the odds this incredibly bold , 20- year project has survived a pandemic and Government funding whims and looks set to deliver , for the �irst time ever , a coastal walking trail around the seaboard of an entire country . It will be some achievement .
For the latest update on progress opening up the ECP visit www . bit . ly / england-coast-path
outdoor focus / autumn 2022 5