The world’s longest coastal path, 4,300 kilometers long, has opened in England.

On March 19, a new walking trail officially opens, which stretches along the entire coast of England, writes the BBC. According to Natural England, which created the route, it is 4,327 kilometers long, making it the longest protected walking route in the world.

The trail received an unusual name – “King Charles III’s Coastal Path in England.” For the first time, it forms a continuous path, allowing you to go through the entire coast of the country step by step. The route passes through varied and picturesque settings, from salt marshes and sandy beaches to rocky coastlines, dunes and ancient coastal towns. One of the main natural attractions along the route is the picturesque chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters in East Sussex, which were recently awarded National Nature Reserve status by Natural England.

Although much of the trail existed before, more than 1,600 meters have been re-laid, and many sections have been significantly improved: roads have been updated, stiles have been removed, timber decks have been built, and bridges have been erected. The project started under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and its implementation took 18 years and seven heads of government. Approximately 80% of the route is now open, with the remaining sections expected to be completed by the end of the year. Natural England project manager Neil Constable notes that it is not so much the length of the trail that is important to him, but its idea: at any point on the coast of England you can go to the sea, turn in any direction and walk along the coast as long as you want.

To create the route, it was necessary to pass a special law on access to marine and coastal areas (2009), as well as carry out many years of preparation and large-scale work along the entire coastline to make the route continuous and convenient. In many places, new access rights have opened up previously off-limits areas, including beaches, dunes and coastal slopes. Accessibility for people with limited mobility has also been improved, allowing more people to use parts of the route. Gaps in the existing trail network were addressed, bringing the route closer to the water and connecting previously isolated sections of the coast. However, in some places tourists have to temporarily deviate from the main path. For example, in the north-west of England you need to cross the River Mersey by ferry.

The route was also created taking into account the effects of climate change – increased precipitation and rising sea levels. For the first time, legislation provides for the option of moving the trail inland in the event of shoreline erosion. This approach allows the route to adapt to changes in nature and maintain its continuity and accessibility for future generations. This route also offers the opportunity to travel along the coastline across almost the entire island of Great Britain without interruption.