contact@bookatrekking.com +31 (0)85 01613 54

Cotswold Way - Intensive

Name: Cotswold Way - Intensive
Brand: Bookatrekking
Price: 810.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (1611 reviews)

Duration: 6 days

Trails: T2 trails

Distance: More than 20 km per day

Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day

Hiking Holidays

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ
Reviews

> Walk the Cotswold Way in the famous Cotswolds

> Enjoy breathtaking views of valleys and meadows

> We will take care of arranging the accommodation before, during, and after the hike for you!

The Cotswolds might be one of the most famous natural scenic areas of Great Britain. For most people, when thinking about England, the old stone Cotswold houses and glowy, rolling hills come to mind. Walking the Cotswold way is on top of the bucket lists of many hikers, and they are right to have put it there.

On this 4-day walk, you will start in Painswick and work your way down south to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath (nearby Bristol). In the beginning, you will spend your way walking through the tiny villages, but it won’t be long before you smell the wild flowers in the English meadows or wander around the beech tree forest. The endpoint of the Cotswold Way is the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath. Here, you will find the beautiful Roman Thermal Spas that mark the beginning of the history of the city.

Itinerary

Day

Arrival in Painswick

We will book your first night, before starting the Cotswold Way in Painswick, where you will be able to relax and prepare for your adventure.

Day

Painswick - Stonehouse

Duration: 04:28 h

Distance: 18.3 km

Ascent: 280 m

Descent: 400 m

The stage begins with a steep descent from Painswick, crosses the Wash Brook, and climbs up to open grassland and heathland areas such as Edge Common.

You then descend through wooded sections, passing by the ancient fort at Haresfield Beacon, until you approach the wide Stroud Valley. From there, the trail continues to Stonehouse, a historic village with roots dating back to the Domesday Book.

Enjoy the rich blend of history, panoramic views, and the quintessential Cotswold landscape along this beautiful stage. Be mindful of the occasionally steep terrain, but let yourself be surprised by the beauty along the way!

Day

Stonehouse - Wotton-under-Edge

Duration: 07:35 h

Distance: 26.2 km

Ascent: 670 m

Descent: 610 m

This stage of the Cotswold Way is a beautiful and varied walk, full of views, woodlands, and history. From Stonehouse, you quickly leave the bustle behind as you follow country lanes and quiet forest paths. You wind your way through Westridge Woods, where tall deciduous trees provide a wonderfully green and peaceful start to the day.

As the walk continues, the path begins to climb, and before long you find yourself on the famous Cotswold escarpment, a long ridge offering spectacular views over the Severn Valley. You pass through meadows and open fields, with the silhouette of the impressive Tyndale Monument near North Nibley visible in the distance. This tower is not only a historic tribute to Bible translator William Tyndale, but also a fantastic spot for a break, the view from the top is well worth the climb.

The final part of the route takes you across gently rolling hills and through small woodlands, until you eventually arrive in the charming town of Wotton-under-Edge. This characterful market town welcomes you with its stone cottages, tearooms, and relaxed atmosphere, a lovely place to unwind after a rewarding day of walking.

Day

Wotton-Under-Edge - Old Sodbury

Duration: 06:15 h

Distance: 21.9 km

Ascent: 480 m

Descent: 410 m

This varied stage takes you from the charming town of Wotton-under-Edge to the peaceful village of Old Sodbury.

You begin with a climb to the edge of the Cotswold escarpment, where you're rewarded with beautiful views. The route continues through open fields, woodlands, and past the village of Alderley. You then pass the historic Little Sodbury, known for its medieval church where William Tyndale may have once worked.

One of the highlights is the impressive Old Sodbury Hill Fort, offering panoramic views over the Severn Valley. The day ends in Old Sodbury, where you can relax at a local pub or B&B.

Cross Hands Hotel by Greene King Inns (Old Sodbury)

Day

Old Sodbury - Bath

Duration: 08:40 h

Distance: 31.2 km

Ascent: 500 m

Descent: 650 m

This final stage of the Cotswold Way is a beautiful conclusion to the route. The walk takes you from the rural village of Old Sodbury to the grand city of Bath, offering a lovely mix of nature, history, and wide-reaching views along the way.

From Old Sodbury, you walk through gently rolling countryside toward Dodington Park, an impressive estate surrounded by ancient trees and landscaped gardens. You follow peaceful paths through fields, hedgerows, and woodlands, passing through villages like Tormarton and Cold Ashton, where time seems to have stood still. Along the way, you pass the historic Battlefield of Lansdown, with panoramic views over the valley and the city of Bath on the horizon.

After a final descent, you eventually reach the centre of Bath. Here, surrounded by Roman baths and elegant Georgian architecture, you can celebrate your well-earned arrival.

Day

Departure

After breakfast, our services and your Cotswold Way adventure will be over. Have a safe trip back home!

See entire itinerary Hide entire itinerary

Included

Accommodation

We will arrange your accommodation on the Cotswold Way in hotels, inns, and guesthouses. Accommodation will be private in single, double or twin rooms and with en-suite bathroom where possible.
Full travel guide

You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Cotswold Way. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.
Baggage Transfer

This trek includes the transfer of your luggage throughout the entire Cotswold Way trek. Your bags will be picked up every morning from the hotel lobby and will be driven to your next next accommodation. Baggage transfers allow you to travel lighter during the day and enjoy the walk in a more relaxed manner.
Navigation support

Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.
Breakfast (when possible)

We will arrange breakfast for you whenever possible. Some accommodations on the Cotswold Way, however, do not allow us to pre-book it. In those cases, you can usually request breakfast for the next morning directly at the accommodation (at your own expense), or simply enjoy one of the cafés in the area.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport. This also applies to any transport from the end point of your trail.
Transfers

If you require any form of public or local transport during the trek, it is not included in the package unless stated otherwise. This applies to taxis, buses, cable cars, gondolas, and similar services.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Lunch and Dinner

Breakfast is, if possible, included in the price of the trek. You can get lunch and dinner at the shops, hotels, and restaurants along the way.