16 Cotswold Way Tips I Wish I Knew Before I Started

Weathered Cotswold Way waymarker stands beside a reddish dirt path leading through fields of yellow wildflowers beneath a grey sky. The clearly marked route guides walkers across open farmland on the first day of the trail.

If I could go back and have coffee with myself before starting the Cotswold Way, I’d certainly still tell myself to go.

But there are a few tips I’d share in advance:

Some are practical.

Some would have saved me money.

Some would have saved me sore muscles.

And a few probably would have saved me from repeatedly muttering, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” while staring up yet another hill.

I’m still extremely proud of myself for completing the Cotswold Way and I had an amazing time, but these Cotswold Way tips would have helped me start the trail with more realistic expectations—and I hope they’ll do the same for you.

1. “Rolling Hills” Doesn’t Mean Easy

Narrow footpath climbs steeply up the grassy slope of Cooper's Hill between areas of shade and bright sunshine. The demanding ascent is one of the more challenging sections of the Cotswold Way

This is probably the biggest misconception about the Cotswold Way.

The hills aren’t mountains, but there are a lot of them and they probably are steeper than you might think.

And they never seem to stop.

Train for hills.

Then train for more hills.

Related: Read my full guide to How Difficult the Cotswold Way Really Is.

2. The Mileage On Paper is Not the Same as Real Life

Panoramic view from Cooper's Hill looking across green fields, woodlands, and towns spread across the Severn Vale. The elevated viewpoint rewards walkers with one of the broadest vistas on the Cotswold Way.

A ten-mile day isn’t just ten miles.

It’s ten miles plus:

hills
gates
mud
photos
snack breaks
getting slightly lost
walking to your accommodation

Mentally preparing for that made a huge difference.

3. Book Accommodation Earlier Than You Think

Exterior of The White Hart Inn in Winchcombe with its black-and-white timber-framed façade and hanging sign reading "The White Hart Inn Est 1554." Historic architecture and leaded windows showcase the building’s long heritage.

I booked about two months before my trip and I wish I had booked earlier.

Some villages have surprisingly few places to stay, and that affected my itinerary more than I expected.

Related: Find out more about my Cotswold Way Accommodation options.

4. Trekking Poles Are Worth It

Cotswold Way public footpath marker stands beside a grassy hillside trail climbing toward the horizon under dark clouds. Several hikers can be seen ahead on the steep ascent, illustrating one of the more challenging sections between Chipping Campden and Broadway.

I left mine at home because I didn’t think I’d need them (see point #1) and I hadn’t practiced with them.

That was a mistake.

My knees and my emotions would have appreciated having them.

5. The Trail Is Better Marked Than I Expected

Cotswold Way public footpath marker rises above a dry stone wall with rolling green hills and wooded valleys stretching into the distance. The viewpoint showcases the scenic countryside landscapes encountered near Bath.

Before leaving, I worried about navigation, but it ended up being one of the easiest parts of the walk.

Komoot plus the trail signage worked beautifully.

Related: See my guide to Cotswold Way Apps & Navigation.

6. You’ll Appreciate Recovery More Than New Gear

A green foot roller held above a bed covered with hiking gear, toiletries, and clothing for a Cotswolds Way packing list.

The things that made the biggest difference weren’t fancy gadgets.

They were:

recovery sandals
stretching
body wipes
tea
hot showers

Small comforts become surprisingly important after several long walking days.

Related: See my Cotswold Way Packing List.

7. You’ll Think About Food Constantly

Steak and ale pie served at The Raven pub in Bath with rich gravy, crispy vegetable crisps, and slices of cured meat on top. A pint of beer sits beside the meal on a wooden pub table.

By about Day 4, I found myself planning dinner sometime around lunch.

Walking all day has a way of making every meal taste better.

Especially cream teas.

Related: See my post about Food & Drink on the Cotswold Way.

8. England’s Weather Really is Unpredictable

Bright pink wildflowers bloom beside a traditional Cotswold stone wall at sunset outside a Painswick Airbnb. Soft evening light falls across a meadow and countryside landscape in the background.

I packed expecting cool spring weather and the typical English rain.

England responded with a heat wave and I wasn’t really ready.

Prepare for everything.

9. Luggage Transfer Was Worth Every Penny

A small blue daypack and a blue straw hat sit atop a hardshell blue suitcase inside a bedroom filled with gear for hiking the Cotswolds Way.

Could I have carried everything?

Probably.

Would I have enjoyed it nearly as much?

Definitely not.

I used Carryabag and they worth every penny (or pence).

Related: Read my complete Cotswold Way Cost Breakdown.

10. Your Feet Matter More Than Almost Anything Else

Hiking shoes stretched out in the foreground during a rest stop on Day Four of the Cotswold Way between Charlton and Birdlip. The view overlooks green fields, hills, and a valley below, illustrating a well-earned trail break.

Rotate shoes if you can.

Bring good socks.

Take care of hot spots early.

Make time for recovery each night: prop your feet up, stretch, use a foot roller, wear recovery sandals.

Everything becomes easier when your feet are happy.

11. Gates Become Part of Your Workout

Waymark post displaying a Cotswold Way National Trail diversion notice and route map beside a grassy path. The sign provides updated directions for walkers where the official trail has been temporarily rerouted.

I expected sheep.

I didn’t expect opening and closing what felt like hundreds of gates with many different locking mechanisms.

(There were also a few I had to climb over which wouldn’t be too bad if I hadn’t just walked 10+ miles.)

By the end of the trip, I considered it part of the daily exercise.

12. Mud Is Everywhere

Deep mud, standing water, footprints, and tire tracks cover a section of the Cotswold Way trail. Wet conditions can make some stretches slippery and challenging after periods of rain.

Even when the weather is nice.

Embrace it. At some point you’ll stop trying to avoid the mud and simply accept that your shoes are going to lose the battle.

Luckily, hotel sinks and showers make great laundry spots (as long as you clean up after yourself).

13. Rest Days Aren’t Wasted Days

Traditional bathroom in a Painswick Airbnb with a freestanding clawfoot bathtub, black and white tiled floor, and floral wallpaper. Natural light streams through a window overlooking greenery outside.

Taking a rest day in Painswick was one of the best decisions I made.

Not because I couldn’t continue, but because slowing down allowed me to enjoy one of my favorite villages and give both my mind and body a break.

14. You’ll Meet More People Than You Expect

Hiker wearing a sun hat and backpack stands with arms outstretched in front of the entrance to the Royal George Hotel in Birdlip. The stone building is covered with climbing ivy and flowering shrubs on a sunny day.

One of my biggest surprises wasn’t the scenery or even the hills—it was the people.

I expected to spend most of the walk by myself, and while I certainly had long stretches of peaceful solitude, I was almost never lonely.

I chatted with other walkers on the trail, compared notes over breakfast at several inns, and one evening ended up having dinner with two other women who were also walking the Cotswold Way solo. Before long, we were laughing about the same things: the hills, the mud, the weather, and how surprisingly safe we all felt walking alone.

I also had lovely support from friends, family, and followers around the world who sometimes sent me a note of encouragement right when I needed it the most.

15. You’re Probably More Capable Than You Think

Walking shoes stand on the circular Cotswold Way finish marker embedded in the pavement in Bath. The engraved stone design features place names and trail details surrounding the Cotswold Way acorn symbol.

I knew this was going to be a challenging walk, but the trail challenged me even more than expected.

But I did it anyway.

Every step, every start and end, and every hill was a reminder that I am strong and capable.

16. Hike Your Own Hike

Smiling hiker wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses pauses on Day Eleven of the Cotswold Way. Rolling fields and distant villages spread across the landscape beneath a dramatic sky.

This might be a controversial take, but: you don’t have to walk every single mile.

I skipped a section (five miles with two steep climbs) by taking an Uber one afternoon.

And I don’t regret it.

One of the best pieces of advice I received during the walk was: Hike Your Own Hike.

There isn’t a prize for suffering and you’re the one who gets to decide for yourself.

(And, even with skipping those five miles, my FitBit still showed I walked more than 106 miles worth of dedicated walking.)

Final Thoughts

Sheep graze in a rolling green field overlooking the Cotswold countryside on Day Three of the Cotswold Way. Sunlight breaks through dark clouds to illuminate the landscape stretching toward distant hills.

Looking back, there isn’t much I would change.

I’d pack trekking poles.

I’d train on more hills.

I’d book my accommodations earlier.

And I’d probably budget for even more cream teas.

But I’d still walk the Cotswold Way exactly the same way: one step at a time, with plenty of tea breaks, a few wrong turns, muddy shoes, and the flexibility to change my plans when I needed to.

Because the biggest lessons weren’t really about hiking.

They were about trusting myself, adapting when things didn’t go according to plan, slowing down enough to enjoy the journey, and realizing that I’m capable of more than I thought.

If you’re planning your own Cotswold Way adventure, I hope these lessons help you start with more realistic expectations—and a little more confidence.

The hills will still be steep.

The mud will still be muddy.

But I have a feeling you’ll discover, just as I did, that the experience is worth every single step.

More Cotswold Way Resources

If you’re planning your own Cotswold Way walk, these guides dive deeper into the topics I only touched on here:

Walking the Cotswold Way: My Overall Guide

Planning & Preparation

Itinerary & Logistics

Food, Inspiration & Lessons Learned

No matter where you are in the planning process, I hope these guides help make your own Cotswold Way adventure a little easier—and maybe convince you that those “rolling hills” deserve a healthy amount of respect! (And if I haven’t answered your question in one of the above posts, feel free to drop me a line with your specific question; I’m happy to share my experience!)