The MacMillan Way West, a 102 mile waymarked path, runs from Barnstaple on the North Devon coast through deep wooded valleys initially, before rising and crossing Exmoor, the Quantocks and the Somerset Levels to the historic town of Castle Cary. Glastonbury Tor and Cheddar Gorge offer further delights of the West Country before rounding Bristol and making toward the Severn estuary.


Crossing the River Severn by the famous bridge to the western bank, Sedbury Cliffs are the official starting point of Offah's Dyke Path. Heading north through the pastoral lowlands of the Severn valley, thick woodlands of the Wye valley and the stern uplands in the Black Mountains, the path follows quiet and beautiful border country rather than staying with the line of the ancient Dyke regardless.


At Clun, the path joins the Jack Mytton Way, Shropshire's Long Distance Bridleway. Using this path as a guide the route now heads east, taking in the high ground of the Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge to Much Wenlock before utilising part of the Monarch's Way and Staffordshire Way to reach Cannock Chase, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A short distance away along footpaths and canal towpaths is the point on the mainland that is furthest from the sea in all directions.


Rejoining the Staffordshire Way and heading north through Abbots Bromley and Rochester, the route then enters the Peak District National Park near Ashbourne and winds its way through the White Peak area, following the Tissington Trail, High Peak Trail and the Limestone Way to Castleton. A short walk over Mam Tor descends to Edale, the official start of the Pennine Way, the first long distance path in Britain.


Through the wild moors of the Dark Peak, Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Fells and on to the remoter parts of the Border Ridge and the Cheviot Hills in Northumberland National Park, the Pennine Way takes in some of Northern England's finest scenery and features. Malham Cove, High Force, High Cup Nick and Hadrian's Wall are met on the way to Kirk Yetholm just over the Scottish border.


From Kirk Yetholm, St Cuthbert's Way, another long distance path follows a ridge climbing westward, then across Grubbit Law to Morebattle. The route continues to Cessford, where the remains of the castle can be seen, then follows the Roman Road, Dere Street, to Maxton, then along the River Tweed and across the Eildon Hills to the 12^th Century Melrose Abbey where St Cuthbert began his ministry.