National Trails UK is the independent champion for National Trails across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

We speak up for the people who look after our National Trail network, working with our partners to secure a sustainable future for every National Trail.  

Our ambition is a high-quality network of National Trails where everyone, especially those who traditionally face barriers to accessing nature and the outdoors, can enjoy the incredible benefits they have to offer.

National Trails are long distance routes through England, Wales and Scotland. These routes are special; they are recognised by Government and are managed to a high standard, which sets them apart from other routes.

There are 20 National Trails in total: 3 National Trails in Wales, 14 in England and 3 in Scotland. Some National Trails cross national borders. Offa’s Dyke Path runs through both England and Wales, and the Pennine Way crosses the Scottish border.

In England and Wales, there is a National Trail Officer to manage each of the National Trails. They work within a National Trails Partnership, and are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the National Trails. As the King Charles III England Coast Path is so long, it is divided up in to a number of National Trail Partnerships, each with its own National Trail Officer. In Scotland, management is divided between councils, National Park Authorities, and Rangers.

In England and Wales, National Trails each receive some government funding, an annual grant, which is supposed to cover 75% of the maintenance and repair of the National Trail. The National Trail then needs to match fundraise the remaining 25%. Funding for the National Trails has not meaningfully increased since 2013.

NTUK is funded through support from the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), membership fees and other grants.