Plan your route
Choose the right walk for you. All our self-guided walks are graded to provide walkers with a clear assessment of the effort and skill required to undertake a particular route and to compare one route to another.
Ways to get walking
Plan a self-guided walk
Download free maps and route instructions for walks across England and Wales. All our self-guided walks start and end at a YHA hostel.
Visit one of our hostels
YHA hostels are ready to welcome tentative trekkers and hardened hikers all year round. Where will you go?
Explore accessible routes
Accessible means different things to different people. We have identified a range of accessible routes from and near our hostels.
Before you go
For self-led walks:
- check the weather forecast
- check the tide times for coastal routes
- get the right clothing, footwear and kit for the route and weather
- ensure you have enough time to complete the route before dark
- download the OS Locate or What3Words apps to your phone
- the emergency SMS service lets deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired people contact 999 by SMS text (to use the service, you must pre-register by texting ‘register’ to 999)
- tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return — our Walking Route Notification Card can be used as a handy template
- ensure your entire group have the fitness and skills to complete the route
Kit list
Here’s a suggestion of kit to bring with you on your walk:
- map, compass and GPS device or OS Maps app on your phone
- water, lunch and high energy snacks
- charged mobile phone and portable charger
- first aid kit
- head torch and spare batteries
- watch
- whistle and survival bag
- rucksack, with waterproof cover or a dry bag or plastic bag inside
- medicines or toiletries you would usually use
What to wear:
- layers are best— wear a base layer and a mid layer, and pack extra layers if you can
- walking trousers
- warm jacket(s)
- hat, gloves and neck gaiter
- sun hat, sun cream and sunglasses
- waterproof jacket and trousers
- cushioning walking socks
- walking shoes or boots
Extras to bring for longer routes
You might also want to take:
- spare socks, hat, gloves
- balaclava
- leg gaiters
- waterproof baseball cap (handy if you wear glasses)
- walking poles
- bivvy bag or group shelter
- spare food and hot drink
- duct tape (handy for fixing things)
- penknife or multitool
- tissues and hand sanitiser
- plastic bags to take away your rubbish or dog poo
- BMC has a handy video on emergency items for the more challenging walks
In case of emergency:
- Call 999 (or text 999 if pre-registered) and ask for the police.
- Use OS Locate or What3Words to provide a detailed description of your location.
- If you need to attract attention shout or give six blasts on a whistle at regular intervals. In low light flash your torch six times at regular intervals.
- If you can send someone for help, they need to know your location (grid reference), number of people in the group and the nature of the emergency.
- Help could be some time coming so while waiting make the casualty comfortable.
- Keep the casualty warm and dry using spare clothing. Use coats or rucksacks to insulate them from the ground.
- Remember the rest of the group could be getting cold while waiting. Use an emergency shelter or find a sheltered location.
Tell others where you're going
Walks in the countryside, on the coast or in upland areas can be challenging if you are unprepared, potentially resulting in injury. Take time to make sure you know what to expect and can deal with any eventuality.
Please tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to return. Our Walking Route Notification Card (PDF, 0.2MB) can be used as a handy template.
This planning and safety tool is only used in the unlikely event you or your group get into difficulties and/or fail to return from your walk when anticipated.
Develop your walking skills
Check your route
Take our self-guided walks at your own pace with our free downloadable maps. These outline clear routes to follow, plus hazards to be aware of, accessibility, points of interest and nearby facilities.
Learn how to read a map
Get to grips with map reading, using a compass and contour lines. Our partner Ordnance Survey has created a series of videos on the basics. You can also learn about reading digital maps.
Do your research
Ahead of your walk, it’s useful to brush up on your hiking skills. You can watch videos to learn how to use walking poles and a layering system. Take a look at our walking tips blog too!
Read the Countryside Code
Refresh your knowledge of the Countryside Code. It’s important to follow this handy guide so that everyone can enjoy their visit and protect the environment.
Thinking of taking on a challenging walk?
If you're thinking of taking on one of our more challenging routes that include a lot of hilly terrain, it may be a good idea to brush up on your hill walking skills. No matter how experienced you are there’s always something more to learn. The BMC have created a website specifically dedicated to developing your hill walking skills.
Follow our routes on the OS app
Our self-guided routes are available to download from the OS Maps app along with thousands of other routes across Great Britain. You can download maps to your phone or print them off — so no phone signal, no problem.