Updated August, 2026
Few places capture the romance of walking quite like Britain and Ireland. Ancient footpaths cross rolling countryside, follow wild coastlines, climb into rugged mountains, and connect villages where history and local traditions remain part of everyday life. From the Cotswolds and Wales to the Scottish Highlands, Cornwall, and Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula, each offers its own distinctive sense of place.
Ryder-Walker offers four guided journeys through Britain, along with self-guided treks and shorter Mini-Treks in Britain and Ireland. Our guided journeys are led by Rogan O’Herlihy, who was raised in the Cotswolds and brings his knowledge of Britain’s history, culture, and walking traditions to each trip.
Guided – England: The Cotswolds
2027 Guided Departure: May 1–8
If you’ve ever imagined yourself walking through storybook England, this is the place. The Cotswolds seem almost designed for walking. Rolling green hills, honey-colored limestone villages, country lanes, ancient footpaths, and traditional pubs create a landscape that feels quintessentially English. This is countryside meant to be explored slowly, moving from one beautiful village to the next.
Our Guided England: The Cotswolds explores beyond walking a single footpath. Beginning in Broadway, we explore the region through a combination of beautiful country walks and cultural experiences, visiting historic villages, castles, gardens, and country estates before finishing in Bath. One of the highlights is a visit to Stonehenge, the remarkable prehistoric monument that has stood on Salisbury Plain for thousands of years. Along the way, there is time for cream teas, cozy pubs, local history, and the hidden corners of the Cotswolds that are best discovered with our guide, Rogan O’Herlihy, who knows the region.
Self-Guided – Cotswold Way
Self-Guided Season: March–October
For a very different experience than our guided trip, our Self-Guided Cotswold Way follows portions of England’s 102-mile National Trail. The route begins in Chipping Campden and winds through rolling countryside and classic Cotswold villages, including Broadway, Winchcombe, and Painswick, before finishing in the historic city of Bath.
For travelers with less time, the 6-day Cotswold Way Mini-Trek captures a classic section of the route from Chipping Campden to Painswick, offering a shorter taste of one of England’s most celebrated long-distance walking trails.
Guided – Wales: Gower, Pembrokeshire, and Snowdonia
2027 Guided Departure: May 13–20
Wales packs an extraordinary variety of walking into a small country, from rugged coastlines and pastoral valleys to the mountains of Snowdonia. Its Celtic roots, living Welsh language, ancient castles, and strong local traditions give the country a character all its own.
Our Guided Wales: Gower, Pembrokeshire, and Snowdonia explores the Gower Peninsula and Three Cliffs Bay, follows sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast, and eventually heads north into Snowdonia (Eryri National Park) for mountain walking around some of Wales’ most iconic peaks.
Along the way, places such as St Davids and Caernarfon Castle bring Wales’ Celtic roots, living Welsh language, and centuries of history into the experience. Spring adds green countryside, blooming daffodils, newborn lambs, and wonderfully quiet trails.
For a closer look at the journey, read what makes walking in Wales so special.
Guided – Scotland: Highlands and Isle of Skye
2027 Guided Departure: May 30–June 9
Scotland’s craggy peaks, glassy lochs, sweeping glens, and mossy forests create a landscape made for adventurous walking. Our Guided Scotland: Highlands and Isle of Skye journey takes us from the southern Highlands into Glen Coe and the Isle of Skye, before continuing into the spectacular Torridon Mountains. Along the way, hikes such as Ben Lomond give you a taste of Scotland’s classic mountain terrain, while castles, Highland villages, whisky, and local food bring its history and culture into the journey.
Our early-season departure brings quieter trails, fewer midges, and beautiful spring light to the Highlands. Discover four of our favorite gems from this journey.
Self-Guided – Scotland: Rob Roy Way
Self-Guided Season: March–October
For travelers who prefer to explore Scotland independently, our Self-Guided Rob Roy Way follows a historic long-distance route through the Trossachs and Perthshire. Rolling hills, woodlands, moors, and shimmering lochs lead from one welcoming village to the next, with traditional inns and local character along the way.
Named for the legendary Rob Roy MacGregor, the route passes through countryside closely tied to his story, including Balquhidder, where you can visit his grave, before continuing through the hills above Loch Tay and on toward Pitlochry. It’s a wonderful combination of Scottish history, Highland scenery, and the freedom of walking at your own pace.
For a shorter taste of the route, our 6-day Rob Roy Way Mini-Trek captures some of the classic scenery and character of the Rob Roy Way in a more compact journey.
Guided – Cornwall: Walking the Cornish Coastal Path
2027 Guided Departure: June 12–19
Cornwall’s steep cliffs, turquoise coves, fishing villages, and ancient coastal paths give England’s southwestern tip a character all its own. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the peninsula is surprisingly lush, with palm trees, beautiful beaches, and brilliant blue water.
Our Guided Cornish Coastal Path journey follows spectacular sections of the South West Coast Path, passing through seaside villages such as Mousehole and along the dramatic coast near Porthcurno. Sweeping Atlantic views, hidden coves, and historic fishing ports make the walking memorable, while fresh seafood, Cornish pasties, traditional cream teas, and welcoming village pubs are all part of the experience. Spring brings coastal wildflowers and quieter trails, making it an especially beautiful time to walk Cornwall.
Self-Guided – Ireland’s Dingle Way
Self-Guided Season: April–October
Jutting into the Atlantic from Ireland’s southwest coast, the Dingle Peninsula combines green mountains, sweeping beaches, rocky headlands, and small seaside villages. Ancient ruins dot the countryside, Irish is still spoken in Gaeltacht communities, and traditional music and local culture remain part of everyday life.
Our Self-Guided Dingle Way follows the peninsula from Tralee through the mountains to the colorful harbor town of Dingle, then continues west through remote coastal communities. Along the way, walk sandy beaches and quiet country lanes, pass ancient clocháns (stone beehive huts), and climb to the summit of Brandon Mountain, Ireland’s second-highest peak, with sweeping views across the peninsula and Atlantic.
For travelers with less time, our 6-day Dingle Way Mini-Trek begins in Dingle, ends in Killarney, and captures some of the peninsula’s most memorable coastal and mountain walking in a shorter journey.
Ready to Explore?
From the countryside of England and wild landscapes of Wales and Scotland to Cornwall’s Atlantic coast and Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula, Britain and Ireland offer an extraordinary variety of ways to explore on foot.
Whether you prefer the camaraderie and local knowledge of a guided journey, the independence of a self-guided trek, or a shorter Mini-Trek, there is a Ryder-Walker adventure waiting for you.
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