Begin at the official start in Chipping Campden, a historic wool town built from golden Cotswold limestone and famous for its 17th-century Market Hall. The trail climbs steadily to Dover's Hill at 230m, with sweeping views across the Vale of Evesham, before continuing over open farmland to Broadway Tower, a striking Capability Brown folly perched at 312m. Descend through sheep pasture into Broadway village, then start the second climb of the day onto the escarpment at Shenberrow Hill, passing the remains of an Iron Age hill fort dating to around 500 BCE. The day ends with a steep descent to Stanton, an unspoiled village built entirely of honey-coloured limestone with a 14th-century church tower.
A gentler day with a relaxed start, ideal for tired legs after Day 1. Leave Stanton on a flat path to Stanway House, a magnificent Jacobean manor whose 17th-century gatehouse fronts Europe's tallest gravity-fed fountain at 91m. The trail then climbs to Stumps Cross before crossing farmland and ascending steeply to Beckbury Camp, an Iron Age hill fort with panoramic views toward Cleeve Hill and the Malvern Hills. Descend past the medieval Hailes Abbey ruins and across more farmland into Winchcombe, a Saxon town with several pubs, cafés, a tourist information centre, and the imposing Sudeley Castle just east of the route — last home to Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's surviving wife.
A short half-day with significant climbing, leaving the afternoon free to relax with valley views. Leave Winchcombe past the 15th-century St Peter's Church and climb southward through quiet countryside to Belas Knap, an impressive Neolithic long barrow dating from 3800 BCE. The trail continues down through Breakheart Plantation before reaching Postlip Estate and the Grade I listed 15th-century Postlip Hall. Beyond the estate, the route enters Cleeve Common, the largest area of limestone grassland in the Cotswolds and a Site of Special Scientific Interest known for its rare flora. The day ends at Cleeve Hill car park, beside Cleeve Hill Golf Club, with pub and hotel accommodation nearby.
The longest and most spectacular day. Climb immediately to Cleeve Hill summit at 317m, the highest point on the entire Cotswold Way, with views to the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons, and across Cheltenham. Cross the exposed Cleeve Common grasslands past ancient quarries and Iron Age earthworks, then descend through Dowdeswell Wood to Dowdeswell Reservoir, home to rare white-clawed crayfish. Climb again through Lineover Wood with its 300-year-old heritage beeches to Wistley Hill, then continue to Seven Springs and over Leckhampton Hill at 299m, passing the iconic Devil's Chimney rock formation. The route finishes through Crickley Hill Country Park, a nationally important archaeological site, descending to The Royal George pub at Birdlip.
A welcome short day after the Cleeve Hill epic. Leave Birdlip and descend into the majestic beech woods of Witcombe, where ancient trees create a cathedral-like canopy and spring brings spectacular bluebell displays. Climb to Cooper's Hill, famous for its annual cheese-rolling event where competitors chase a 9lb Double Gloucester down a 1:2 gradient slope. Descend steeply, then climb again through Pope's Wood with its wild garlic carpets in spring. The trail follows the contour with views across the Painswick Valley before descending into meadows and into Painswick itself, the 'Queen of the Cotswolds'. The town's elegant 17th-century buildings and St Mary's churchyard, famous for its 99 yew trees, deserve unhurried exploration.
A moderate day mixing woodland, open ridges, and historic villages. Leave Painswick across Washbrook Valley and climb past the Edgemoor Inn to Cotswold Common, with extensive views back across the town. Enter Maitlands Wood with its diverse beech, ash, and maple trees, passing Cromwell's Stone where Civil War troops are said to have camped. Climb to Haresfield Beacon at 248m, an Iron Age hill fort, and continue to the Haresfield Topograph pointing out landmarks visible up to 50 miles away. The Severn Estuary, Forest of Dean, and Welsh mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. Traverse Standish Wood with its ancient beeches and bluebell carpets, then descend to Ryeford and across the Stroudwater Canal into King's Stanley village.
A long day with sustained climbing through some of the trail's quietest country. From King's Stanley, cross to Middleyard and climb steeply through Pen Wood and Stanley Wood, both rich in ancient beech and wildflower clearings. Follow the escarpment edge with sweeping Severn Vale views, pass Hodgecombe Farm, then ascend the distinctive whale-backed Cam Long Down at 218m for panoramic views across the Bristol Channel and Welsh hills. Descend through orchid-rich meadows into Dursley, a historic market town with its 13th-century twisted-spire church and the Old Spot Inn. Climb again over Stinchcombe Hill — seven counties visible on a clear day — pass through North Nibley and over Nibley Knoll to the Tyndale Monument, then descend through Westridge Wood into Wotton-under-Edge.
A varied day through quiet valleys and historic landscapes. Climb out of Wotton-under-Edge to Blackquarries Hill and along Wortley Hill with sweeping views toward Wales. Descend through sunken woodland tracks to the peaceful village of Alderley, then through a quiet valley showcasing medieval ridge-and-furrow field patterns to Lower Kilcott. Climb gradually through mixed woodland to the Somerset Monument, a 111-foot tower built in 1846 commemorating Lord Robert Somerset's service at Waterloo. Continue to Hawkesbury Upton, then through farmland past Horton Court — a National Trust property with a 12th-century Norman hall — and Horton Camp's ancient earthworks. Pass Little Sodbury, where William Tyndale once lived, before climbing to Little Sodbury Fort and descending to Old Sodbury.
The final day is also the longest, finishing at Bath Abbey. Leave Old Sodbury through cultivated fields to Coomb's End, then enter the elegant parkland of Dodington Estate, designed by Capability Brown and now owned by Sir James Dyson. Pass through Tormarton with its duck pond and the Compass Inn, then cross the M4 motorway and skirt Dyrham Park before cutting through Dyrham Wood. Climb to Lansdown Hill, site of an English Civil War battle in 1643, marked by Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument. From Prospect Stile, the first panoramic vista of Bath appears below. Descend past Kelston Round Hill, through Royal Victoria Park and the magnificent Royal Crescent, finishing at the carved stone disc in the pavement at Bath Abbey.
