The Big Walk!

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As part of our Sponsored Walk program, we are conducting a mass participation trek from Cape Wrath at the northern most tip of Scotland, to Land’s End. The walk is 944 miles long and is being conducted over a number ofyears, split into five separate sections. Please see below for a breakdown of the sections and an Update on walk progress.

How it works
The walk is being conducted over a number of years, split into five separate sections, following mostly long-distance trails. Walkers (individuals or groups) can join any section or any part of a section, joining up with the one or two walkers who are doing the entire length. Exact timings of walks and even day-distances can be altered to suit needs. Nights are in B&B’s, hotels and hostels. We expect walkers to raise as much money as they can towards Rainbow’s work and pay all their own travel costs.

Any walkers of any ability are welcome to join us on this walk. Discover deep Britain!

If you are unable to come on the walk, please sponsor a walker. Download Big Walk Flyer and Sponsorship Form here.

big walk map

Walk breakdown:

Section 1: Cape Wrath to Fort William

6 Days (107 miles): Cape Wrath to Inverness, including wildest coast walk in Britain, mountain paths, comfy hotels, B&B’s and Inverness Town: Spectacular!
4 Days (70 miles): Inverness to Fort William along the Great Glen Way: Loch Ness, Ben Nevis and great Fort William Museum!
September `08

Section 2 : Fort William to Glasgow

5 Days (91 miles): Fort William to Glasgow all along the spectacular West Highland Way passing Ben Nevis, Rannoch Moor and Lock Lomond, incl night in comfy Kingshouse Hotel.
June/July `09

Section 3 : Glasgow to Settle (Pennines)

6 Days (109 miles): Glasgow to Gilshead at start of Pennines, incl Clyde Walk Trail, Southern Uplands and Hadrians Wall.
5 Days (92 miles): Gilshead to Settle all along the Penine Way: beautiful uplands, Yorkshire Dales: the spine of England!
September `09

Section 4 : Settle to Presteigne (RDA home)

5 Days (80 miles): Settle to Buxton, Penine Way, Peak District.
3 Days (55 miles): Buxton to Chirk following Dane Valley Way, South Cheshir Way and Maelor Way: heart of West Midlands.
3 Days (55 miles): Chirk to Presteigne all along Offa's Dyke
Path following Welsh border in wild and beautiful countryside.
May , June or July '10

Section 5 : Presteigne to Land’s End

5 Days (91 miles): Presteigne to Bristol starting with half-day 7-mile family walk to Kington, then on following Offa’s Dyke Path to Hay-on-Wye, Black Mountains, Monmouth ,Wye Valley Gorge, Severn Bridge and Estuary: a spectacular walk all the way.
3 Days (53 miles): Bristol to Dulverton via Cheddar Gorge, Somerset Flats, Quantock Hills and Exmoor: Beautiful! 4 Days (60 miles): Dulverton to Bodmin: Deep west Devon.
2 Days (36 miles): Bodmin to St Agnes: Deep rural Cornwall.
3 Days (45 miles): St Agnes to Land's End along coastal path via St Ives: wild and wonderful sea walk to end it all!
July or September '10


see Sponsored Walks for photos