Andy Devaney
There are walks that clear your head. And then there’s the raw, elemental stretch between Bude and Westward Ho! – a windswept ribbon of trail along the Hartland Peninsula that’s just been crowned Britain’s Favourite Path 2025. As accolades go, it’s less red carpet, more muddy boots and blown hair – but in this case, the honour speaks volumes.
The Ramblers, Britain’s venerable walking charity, held a month-long public vote to crown the winner. Nearly 1,000 paths were nominated – from secretive local lanes to storied national trails – but the untamed drama of this South West Coast Path segment won hearts and soles alike, bagging 26.6% of the public vote.
And it’s no wonder. With Atlantic winds whistling past ancient cliffs and views that feel like they’ve been carved by God’s own penknife, the path is part of the legendary 630-mile South West Coast Path – England’s longest National Trail since 1973 and now a proud chunk of the King Charles III England Coast Path.
For Jonathan Jones, who nominated the winning path, it was more than scenic beauty – it was salvation. “I first visited the path 15 years ago, and it left a lasting impression,” he said. “It was during a time of my life when things were changing a lot. Walking this path gave me a clarity of mind.
Even though my legs were heavy, the path made me feel a lot lighter, cleaner and clearer – the emotional baggage just lifted away. I take every chance I get to walk along coastal paths and just enjoy the sounds of the sea.”
That kind of testimonial doesn’t come from a marketing department. It comes from the kind of trail that makes you feel like you’ve left more than footprints behind.
This year’s Britain’s Favourite Path competition was the second of its kind, part of the Ramblers’ growing campaign to celebrate the UK’s vast network of nearly 200,000 miles of paths – many of which remain underappreciated, if not entirely unknown. With the support of long-time partners Cotswold Outdoor, the contest not only crowned a winner but underscored the nation’s emotional connection to its walking routes.
“So many entrants in this year’s competition highlighted the physical and mental health benefits of getting outside and walking in nature,” said Rachel Mulrenan, Campaigns Manager at the Ramblers. “We know that having accessible, high-quality paths is vital for ensuring that everyone is able to get walking – which is why we are calling on the UK Government to introduce an Access to Nature Bill for England, to protect and expand this precious resource, and ensure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The stats back her up. The UK’s path network reportedly adds around 3,000 healthy years of life to the population annually. Imagine what that number could look like with better access and broader protection.
Runner-up honours went to Robert Marshall’s beloved section of the West Highland Way near Loch Lomond in Scotland – a trail he’s walked 96 times, with the 100th already pencilled into September’s diary. His nomination secured 24.5% of the vote, proving the Scots know a thing or two about scenic devotion.
Elsewhere, the Simonside Ridge in North East England and the Ambleside to Grasmere trail in the Lake District rounded out the top four.
The winning nomination earned Jonathan Jones £200 in vouchers from Cotswold Outdoor, while the seven remaining finalists each bagged £50 – enough, perhaps, to upgrade those threadbare socks or invest in a decent waterproof.
“Congratulations to Jonathan Jones for winning Britain’s Favourite Path 2025; so well deserved,” said Lucy Sutton, Marketing Director at Cotswold Outdoor. “It was brilliant to see all the breathtaking paths captured throughout England, Scotland and Wales. We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Ramblers by supporting this amazing campaign, along with funding projects to help more people start walking in nature, such as the Out There Award for young people.”
If all of this makes you want to lace up and head for the coast, you’re not alone. Britain’s Favourite Path 2025 isn’t just a prize – it’s a reminder. That nature is near. That clarity is found one step at a time. And that sometimes, the path ahead really is the best place to start.
Top 4 in the Public Vote – Britain’s Favourite Path 2025
| Rank | Path | Region | % of Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Hartland Peninsula, South West Coast Path | South West England | 26.6% |
| 2nd | Loch Lomond, West Highland Way | Scotland | 24.5% |
| 3rd | Simonside Ridge | North East England | 10.9% |
| 4th | Ambleside to Grasmere | North West England | 10.8% |
To learn more about the Ramblers’ Outdoors Unlocked campaign and their push for the Access to Nature Bill, visit www.ramblers.org.uk
