King Charles III England Coast Path linking 4,350 km of coastal walking routes

The King Charles III England Coast Path, officially launched on March 19, 2026 by King Charles III during a ceremony at Seven Sisters in Sussex, is the longest managed coastal walking route in the world giving unprecedented access to the British coastline.

At the inaugural, the King walked a 2-kilometer stretch of the trail, taking in sweeping views of the Seven Sisters, the striking white chalk cliffs, and the iconic coastguard cottages perched along the clifftop—landmarks long celebrated in literature and Hollywood films.

90% of the Coastal route to be opened by summer 2026

Work on the trail began in 2010, with the first segment opening in Weymouth in time for spectators to watch the 2012 Olympic sailing events from nearby cliffs and beaches.

Since then, development has spanned the country—from Cumbria and Cornwall to Northumberland and Norfolk—opening access to East Anglia’s expansive skies and beaches, the rolling dunes of Formby, the ancient landscapes of the Jurassic Coast, and now the iconic white cliffs of the Seven Sisters.

Once complete, the project will deliver 1,000 miles/1,609 km of new trail and enhance 1,700 miles/2,736 km of existing routes, enabling walkers to explore England’s headlands, cliffs, beaches, and dunes. New signage and infrastructure, including bridges and boardwalks, are improving accessibility along the coast. They are designed for both visitors and local communities to enjoy,

All sections meet National Trail standards, helping to boost tourism revenue in coastal communities as more visitors are drawn to the route.

On the inaugural, King Charles III was joined by Natural England Chair Tony Juniper and Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds.

Tony Juniper said the trail demonstrates how access, conservation, and community can come together to improve lives, while honoring the King’s lifelong commitment to nature. He added that the path will reconnect people with the coastline, support nature recovery, and promote a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Emma Reynolds highlighted England’s world-class coastline, noting that the trail offers new opportunities to explore coastal towns and villages and experience areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Economic benefits

Visitors to England’s coastal paths already generate around $440 million annually for local economies and support nearly 6,000 jobs. The completed trail is expected to further drive tourism growth and help revitalize coastal communities.

A key feature of the path is its “rollback” capability, allowing sections to be moved inland in response to coastal erosion, ensuring long-term public access.

The launch marks the culmination of more than 16 years of work by Natural England alongside over 50 coastal authorities, landowners, and organizations, including Wildlife Trusts, the National Trust, the Ramblers Association, Disabled Ramblers, and the British Mountaineering Council.

The full route has been submitted to the government for approval, with work continuing on remaining sections. Currently, about 2,100 miles are open with full access, and around 90% of infrastructure is expected to be completed by summer.

The event also kicks off a year-long celebration of England’s coastline, coinciding with the designation of the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve, also inaugurated by the King.

Named in his honor, both the King Charles III England Coast Path and the King’s series of National Nature Reserves reflect a lasting commitment to protecting nature and expanding public access. Two commemorative plaques were unveiled to mark the occasion.

The England Coast Path was renamed the King Charles III England Coast Path in 2023 to celebrate his coronation.