Leaving it Behind: Packing for Walking the UK Coast
Publication date: 16 Apr 2026
GearInspiration
There are over 4,000 miles of coastal walking in the UK, with the new King Charles III England Coast Path (2,700 miles) opening in 2026, connecting with the Wales Coast Path (870 miles), and many diverse routes in Scotland. There has never been a better time to explore the UK’s coastal edges; it is a boundary where the magic happens. And through my many walks in the region, I’ve learned to travel light, both in my tangible possessions and in my intangible expectations.
Martyn Howe
Martyn Howe, walker, cyclist, mapper and author of The Coast is Our Compass, his second book about walking the UK National Trails. More information is available at www.trailplanner.co.uk
Over the past few decades, I have walked or cycled more than 13,000 miles along the coastlines of the British Isles and the North Sea. What began with a single trip along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path has grown into a passion for coastal adventures. My curiosity has driven me to explore and learn about the natural world and the communities that inhabit the littoral boundaries of nations. Remarkably, my journeys now seem easier as my confidence increases and I streamline what I carry – my checklists have evolved into a travel-light philosophy.
Packing for walking the UK Coast
As I mapped my journeys around England, Wales, and Scotland, I noticed that cities, towns, and villages often occur at regular 10-mile intervals. At a 20-mile daily pace, meals do not need to be carried, but I became bored with the café and shop options and started taking Firepot freeze-dried meals. Along with a simple MSR WindBurner stove, which quickly and efficiently boils water, my pack-weight kitchen has never been lighter. I also began using these meals in hostels and budget hotels, to add variety to a diet that can become monotonous.
Walking such distances and carrying much of my gear in cycle panniers, I began to appreciate durability. As the saying goes, “Weight, Cost, Durability – pick any two,” so I started prioritising longevity over lightness and valued items that can withstand the test of time. Another maxim is to spend your budget on the big four: tent, sleeping bag, boots, and pack. It is a false economy to opt for cheaper gear, and I have found my Terra Nova Photon 1, Feathered Friends UL30 quilt, and Atompacks Mo 50 are still going strong.
The most notable change has been switching to trail shoes, except in very wet and cold conditions. On coastal paths, which are often paved, heavy boots wear out quickly and can cause discomfort. Previous-season cheaper models from HOKA and Brooks can be found online, helping to lower the cost per mile. You’ll also notice your energy levels rise, and when combined with walking poles, you’ll be able to significantly increase your daily mileage. The English coast is over six ascents of Mt Everest, and having four-wheel drive certainly helps.
After each expedition, I always unpack my bag and ruthlessly set aside anything I haven’t used. If I make a mistake, I can simply buy the item along the route. I keep my pack between 10 and 15kg, depending on conditions, with clothing as the main variable. Beyond that, the lighter weight allows me to move more easily through the landscape, making it easier to reach the flow state, where my heart rate, breathing, and cadence harmonise with the gentle waves and rustling leaves. In this state, I seem to float, and my mind clears of the distractions of the modern world. Instead, creative and inspiring thoughts begin to emerge unannounced, as if my mind is free to focus on the deeper task of understanding who I am.
The England Coastal Path
The King Charles III England Coastal Path is more than just a trail, as it establishes a new coastal margin with new rights of access. This is roughly the zone between low water and the path, and is a remarkable 943 square miles, larger than the Lake District National Park. This intertidal space is an incredibly rich and diverse ecosystem that is important to migrating and sea bird life. Moreover, the diverse community, heritage, and urban, leisure, and industrial landscapes blend with the natural world to define our identity as a nation. Walking over 4,000 miles around the UK, I now have a better understanding of an island I call home.
The coast marks the boundary between two worlds, a metaphorical edge where we test our limits; it is akin to the boundary between the conscious (land) and unconscious mind (sea).
Exploring both of these liminal transition zones helps us learn more about ourselves. The pace of walking naturally aligns with the rhythm of thought—an ancestral ability that sharpens our senses, which contributed to success. Ironically, walking too fast causes us to miss important details. I later realised that writing about walking enhances the ability to remember the experience, permanently altering my perception of the world. We come alive by exploring an edge, and doing this in blue space can be truly transformative, for we begin to see things as we are, not as they are.
So the gear list is importantly not only about what you take but also about what you leave behind. It has taken several decades to refine what works for me, and I can venture forth knowing that I have conquered this terrain before. The point is to feel comfortable, so that more of your time is spent enjoying the natural world. As your endurance increases, you may enter that flow state, when hiking becomes pure joy – Type 1 fun, that remains in the memory for many years.
Over the past few decades, I have walked or cycled more than 13,000 miles along the coastlines of the British Isles and the North Sea. What began with a single trip along the 
The most notable change has been switching to trail shoes, except in very wet and cold conditions. On coastal paths, which are often paved, heavy boots wear out quickly and can cause discomfort. Previous-season cheaper models from HOKA and Brooks can be found online, helping to lower the cost per mile. You’ll also notice your energy levels rise, and when combined with walking poles, you’ll be able to significantly increase your daily mileage. The English coast is over six ascents of Mt Everest, and having four-wheel drive certainly helps.
Exploring both of these liminal transition zones helps us learn more about ourselves. The pace of walking naturally aligns with the rhythm of thought—an ancestral ability that sharpens our senses, which contributed to success. Ironically, walking too fast causes us to miss important details. I later realised that writing about walking enhances the ability to remember the experience, permanently altering my perception of the world. We come alive by exploring an edge, and doing this in blue space can be truly transformative, for we begin to see things as we are, not as they are.