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King's Coastal Path: World's Longest Walk Unveiled
16 Mar
Summary
- England's coast now features the world's longest path at 2,700 miles.
- New access rights allow walking, picnicking in coastal margins.
- Over 2,000 miles are complete as of February 2026.
The King Charles III England Coast Path is set to become the longest coastal walking route globally, spanning over 2,700 miles around England's entire coastline. This initiative grants new public access rights, allowing people to explore areas previously inaccessible, including stretches of foreshore, beaches, dunes, and cliffs.
The path is being developed in stages with local authorities, marked by the National Trails acorn symbol. The newly established coastal margin offers rights for walking and picnicking, though not for camping or cycling. As of February 2026, more than 2,000 miles are operational, with an additional 556 miles under construction. A final 78 miles await government approval.
This ambitious project, led by Natural England, has been 16 years in the making. Renamed in 2024 to honor King Charles III, the path integrates existing routes like the South West Coast Path and introduces improvements such as clearer signage and enhanced accessibility. A 'roll back' rule ensures the path adapts to coastal erosion.
