komoot
  • Discover
  • Route planner
  • Features
Discover

Cotswold

Hiking in the Cotswolds

Hiking

Photo: Hans Uwe Petersen

Our Tour recommendations are based on thousands of activities completed by other people on komoot.

Learn more

Walks in the Cotswolds give you a taste of quintessential English countryside. Pretty villages of honey-coloured limestone nestle in the tranquil valleys beneath gentle rolling hills. Historic castles, manor houses and abbeys abound in the towns and villages, whilst the surrounding countryside is bejewelled with historic treasures. 3,000 miles (4,800km) of footpaths and bridleways allow the intrepid to explore every corner of this walker’s paradise.

From the uniquely beautiful, golden-bricked buildings that are archetypal of the region, there are countless possibilities for circular walks. Often abundantly rich in wildlife, these rambles across the meadows, ancient woodlands and hills offer swathes of colour at any time of year. For longer hikes in the Cotswolds, the Cotswold Way follows the full extent of the escarpment, containing sweeping views, an abundance of wildlife and a plethora of historic interest.

Intermediate
02:47
9.77 km
Expert
05:18
18.9 km
Intermediate
04:43
17.3 km
Intermediate
02:08
7.55 km
Easy
01:19
5.03 km
Expert
09:47
34.7 km
Intermediate
02:20
9.02 km
Intermediate
02:18
7.91 km
Easy
01:55
7.41 km
Intermediate
04:19
15.8 km
Easy
01:59
7.64 km
Intermediate
02:37
9.81 km
Expert
05:03
19.3 km
Intermediate
03:01
10.7 km
Intermediate
01:04
3.70 km
Intermediate
01:52
7.15 km
Intermediate
02:37
10.1 km
Intermediate
01:13
4.55 km
Intermediate
02:54
10.8 km
Easy
00:49
3.00 km

Top 20 best walks and hikes in the Cotswolds

    Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1
    1
    Intermediate
    02:47
    9.77 km
    3.5 km/h
    220 m
    220 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    2
    Expert
    05:18
    18.9 km
    3.6 km/h
    370 m
    370 m
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
  • Sign Up To Discover Places Like This

    Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

  • 3
    Intermediate
    04:43
    17.3 km
    3.7 km/h
    260 m
    260 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    4
    Intermediate
    02:08
    7.55 km
    3.5 km/h
    160 m
    160 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    5
    Easy
    01:19
    5.03 km
    3.8 km/h
    40 m
    40 m
    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
    6
    Expert
    09:47
    34.7 km
    3.5 km/h
    720 m
    720 m
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    7
    Intermediate
    02:20
    9.02 km
    3.9 km/h
    50 m
    50 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
    8
    Intermediate
    02:18
    7.91 km
    3.4 km/h
    210 m
    210 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    9
    Easy
    01:55
    7.41 km
    3.9 km/h
    40 m
    40 m
    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
    10
    Intermediate
    04:19
    15.8 km
    3.7 km/h
    230 m
    230 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    11
    Easy
    01:59
    7.64 km
    3.8 km/h
    50 m
    50 m
    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
    12
    Intermediate
    02:37
    9.81 km
    3.8 km/h
    100 m
    110 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
    13
    Expert
    05:03
    19.3 km
    3.8 km/h
    140 m
    140 m
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
    14
    Intermediate
    03:01
    10.7 km
    3.5 km/h
    230 m
    230 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    15
    Intermediate
    01:04
    3.70 km
    3.5 km/h
    100 m
    100 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    16
    Intermediate
    01:52
    7.15 km
    3.8 km/h
    60 m
    50 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    17
    Intermediate
    02:37
    10.1 km
    3.8 km/h
    70 m
    70 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
    18
    Intermediate
    01:13
    4.55 km
    3.8 km/h
    50 m
    50 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    19
    Intermediate
    02:54
    10.8 km
    3.7 km/h
    130 m
    130 m
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
    20
    Easy
    00:49
    3.00 km
    3.7 km/h
    40 m
    40 m
    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View

Discover More Tours around Cotswold

More Information

Traversing the Cotswold Way

Running from the pretty town of Chipping Campden in the north east to the city of Bath, world famous for its Roman heritage, in the south west, the Cotswold Way is a momentous 102 mile (164km) route across the roof of the Cotswolds. Hikes in the Cotswolds do not come more committing and adventurous than this.

As you tread from summit to summit, you will be treated to expansive panoramas of the surrounding countryside, with views spanning to the Black Mountains of Wales, the Forest of Dean, the Malvern Hills and beyond. Wide blue skies and the freedom to roam make for gorgeous hill days. As well as stunning scenery, there is a lot to discover beneath your feet. You will explore vestiges of ancient history, such as the Neolithic burial chamber at Belas Knap where the remains of 31 people were discovered in 1863.

Following in the footsteps of history

Some of the best hiking trails in the Cotswolds lead to other startling historical discoveries. The influence of the Romans, Celts and Neolithic folk are keenly felt on the countryside. Many of the hills bear monuments attesting to their rich history, some even retaining the hallmarks of their former use as hill forts. Here you can imagine what it would have been like during the Bronze Age, keeping watch across the land for approaching malevolent raiders. Ancient stone circles, Roman ruins and forgotten battlegrounds are all waiting to be discovered amongst these now tranquil hills.

Beautiful flora and fauna

The green valleys, grasslands, woods and hills of the Cotswolds are famously rich in wildlife. Walks in the Cotswolds offer the opportunity to ramble amongst the deep reds and coppers of the beech leaves in autumn. Whilst spring brings a stunning display of blossom and oceans of yellow cowslips to wade through during a gentle stroll.

Summer is a delectable time here. Birds of prey, such as the kestrel can be seen hovering in the blue sky. Amongst the chestnut trees and redwoods of the forests, rare butterflies flutter from flower to flower in a gorgeous display of colour. Higher up, you are likely to be sharing the hills with the many herds of sheep that graze the land.

Cotswold's best walks and hikes on the map

loading
Discover More Tours around Cotswold

Popular around Cotswold

Find the perfect Tour

in

Explore the most popular Tours in the Cotswolds

Discover the most popular attractions in the Cotswolds

Explore more of Gloucestershire: Browse the best Hikes in other regions.