How to Plan a Multi-Day Hike?

Before you buy new kit or sign up for a gym membership, the first thing to do when preparing for a long-distance walk is to find your why. Why do you want to walk a long way? Is it something you’ve always dreamed of achieving? Something to prove to yourself (or maybe others)? A step toward a more active, healthy lifestyle? Or perhaps a way to process or recover from something difficult?

Once you’ve found your why, it’s time to set your goal. What do you want to achieve — and how long do you have to get there? Who’s supporting you? Is your goal realistic and achievable? Write it down. Now you’re ready to start planning. But where do you even begin?

Start small and stay flexible.

Pick a well-established route with clear signage and places to stay, something like the Northumberland Coastal Path or St Cuthbert's Way or Hadrian's Wall. These routes are well-maintained, easy to plan around and offer a good introduction to multi-day walking without feeling too intimidating.

Think about distance.

Around 10 to 12 miles a day is a good place to start, especially if you're carrying your own kit. But really, how far you go each day is entirely up to you. That’s the beauty of the trail. As long as there’s a hostel, pub, campsite or B&B nearby, you can break it up however suits you. And even when there isn’t, there’s often a local taxi or bus to help cover a few miles. You’re not stuck, you've got options.

When we do long-distance trails, we love to run/hike. It’s a way to cover more in a day. We run the flats and downhills and walk the climbs, the road sections and whenever our bodies ask for a break. It’s not for everyone, but we enjoy the variety of movement as much as the variety in the landscapes. It helps us settle into our rhythm and keeps things interesting. 20 miles is the very most we’re comfortable covering in a day, and even then, only for two or three days in a row. Starting early each day gives you options. For us, our daily goal is always finishing in time for a pint (or two) before dinner and an early bed... ready to do it all again the next day. Because of family and work commitments, we usually carve out just one week for our adventures. With travel on either side, that gives us five days of trail time, so 100 miles is about as far as we can go over 5 days.

Hadrian’s Wall can be done in anything from nine relaxed days to an all-out 26-hour challenge (if you take on The Wall Rat Race). It’s all about what kind of experience you want. Decide how many miles feel right, whether you prefer a bit of variation or like to hit the same distance each day. Knowing your limits (and your schedule) can make a big difference in choosing a route that feels like a challenge and a joy.

East to west? North to south?

We like to start with the end in mind, because the end is the place we celebrate. Finishing somewhere with good transport links is practical, especially when your legs are tired and your mind’s already halfway home. But you might also want to end somewhere you can stay a little longer. Do you want the quiet of the countryside, or a bit of city life to round things off?

When we walked St Oswald’s Way, we started at Holy Island and finished in Hexham. While it worked logistically, we scattered straight home afterwards. Looking back, we’d have loved to celebrate the achievement together and finish on the Pilgrim’s Way to Holy Island; it would have made an epic end to our first epic adventure. It’s worth thinking about what kind of ending you want.

How you want to sleep and what you’re willing to carry.

Walking doesn’t have to mean roughing it unless that’s what you’re into. There’s no one right way to do it. If you’re up for wild camping (just be sure to seek permission from the landowner, especially in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland). If you prefer something more comfortable, hostels or bunkhouses can be a great balance. You can carry your essentials and keep it simple. Or, if you fancy a little luxury, you can walk with just a day pack and stay in pubs or hotels, where a hot meal and a cosy bed are waiting at the end of the day. For us, we love the trail, but we also love hot showers, clean beds and all the comforts we can pack into a suitcase (that weighs 22 lbs or less) and that is waiting for us at our next accommodation.

How to plan a multi-day hike? Just Start

I start planning a year or so in advance of the hike: I find a trail, buy a guidebook, research the accommodation, transportation, luggage transfers and daily distance. I write up a training schedule and start increasing the miles 12-16 weeks ahead of hitting the trails. I also think about my why and the goals I have set for myself.

Do you need help planning your multi-day hike along Hadrian’s Wall? We can help plan your route, book accommodation, and arrange a personal guide. We’ll help you make the most of your adventure from start to finish. Contact us today!

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How to train for a long-distance walk? 

Start by writing down your goal. People who put their goals in writing are far more likely to achieve them. Make sure you have the right footwear and give yourself around 16 weeks to prepare. Gradually increase the length of your walks and include uneven terrain similar to the route you’ll be tackling. Add some cross-training too, with activities like strength work, swimming, or cycling can help build stamina, balance, and endurance for the trail.

What are some top long-distance walks for beginners in the UK?

Here are some choices: Hadrian’s Wall Path (84 miles, North England). Cotswold Way (102 miles, South West England), South Downs Way (100 miles, South England), St Oswald’s Way (97 miles, Northumberland) and Northumberland Coast Path (62 miles). Read about our top five Northumberland long-distance paths in our blog post What is the best first long-distance hike?

What is the maximum distance you can walk in a day?

Setting aside record-breaking feats like Jesse Castaneda’s 142.25 miles in 1976 and Annie van der Meer-Timmermann’s 131.27 miles in 1986, the average person without training might manage around 6 miles a day or less. With regular training, that can increase to 15–20 miles a day, depending on terrain and stamina. When planning your walk, think about your goal, time limits and chosen path. For me, covering between 10 and 20 miles a day feels both rewarding and realistic.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Laozi