rail to trail

rail to trail

Sustainability is important to us and we like to promote using public transport whenever possible. This includes getting to the start of your walk and getting home.

Sustainability is important to us and we like to promote using public transport whenever possible. This includes getting to the start of your walk and getting home.

our favourite routes

our favourite routes

our favourite routes

Step straight off the train and onto world class walking trails in over 15 locations. We want to promote rail travel to the South West as much as we can and here's a few reasons why.


Enjoy the fastest travel times to the South West, giving you more time to walk & explore.


Avoid holiday traffic, parking problems and tourist car park charges.


Save on the lost holiday time and money returning to collect a car after your holiday


Arrive refreshed and ready to walk without having to recover from hours of motorway driving


Save money - discounts for 3 or more walkers, Britrail & Rover Passes and cheap advance purchase tickets.


And here's a few great trip examples we can create for you.

Step straight off the train and onto world class walking trails in over 15 locations. We want to promote rail travel to the South West as much as we can and here's a few reasons why.


Enjoy the fastest travel times to the South West, giving you more time to walk & explore.


Avoid holiday traffic, parking problems and tourist car park charges.


Save on the lost holiday time and money returning to collect a car after your holiday


Arrive refreshed and ready to walk without having to recover from hours of motorway driving


Save money - discounts for 3 or more walkers, Britrail & Rover Passes and cheap advance purchase tickets.


And here's a few great trip examples we can create for you.

lands end trails

lands end trails

Train in: St Ives

A walk that takes you out to the very end of the country at Lands End...and then back again through a granite coastline of stark cliffs, idyllic beaches, ghostly tin mines and wild coastal moors that never cease to surprise and delight the walker.

The Classic Cornish Coast Path Walk

3-6 days walking

Train Out: Penzance


the Wild West trails

the Wild West trails

Train in: Penzance

Walk through the unique flora and geology around the Lizard Peninsula to the UK's southernmost point on remote and less visited trails. From St Michaels Mount to the maritime port of Falmouth. This route links unspoilt villages, abandoned tin mines, deep wooded creeks and wild headlands - welcome to Poldark Country.

4 to 6 days walking     

-Train out: Falmouth


golden coastal trails

golden coastal trails

Train in: Newquay

Cornwall’s longest run of golden sands and coves on one of the easier walking sections on the SW Coast Path. Pass the mighty stacks of Bedruthun Steps, navigate the mountainous dunes of the Gannel Estuary and refuel at Rick Stein's or Jamie Oliver's restaurants en route to the stunning harbour at St Ives.

5 to 7 days walkingA walk that takes you out to the very end of the country at Lands End...and then back again through a granite coastline of stark cliffs, idyllic beaches, ghostly tin mines and wild coastal moors that never cease to surprise and delight the walker.

The Classic Cornish Coast Path Walk

3-6 days walking

Train Out: St Ives/Penzance


harbours and coves trails

harbours and coves trails

Train in: Falmouth

Walk between the historic ports of Falmouth and Plymouth along 77 miles of South Cornwall's protected coastline. Discover smugglers' haunts and pretty fishing harbours at Portloe, Mevagissey, Fowey and Polperro as you traverse the remote Roseland Peninsula with varied & moderate grade walking all the way.

4 to 7 days walking

Train out: Looe or Plymouth


jurassic coast trails

jurassic coast trails

Train In: Exmouth

Walk through time itself on a unique and prehistoric journey through the superb geology of the Jurassic Coast. Fossil hunting, lost villages, Chesil Beach and the mysterious Isle of Portland. Scale the heights of Golden Cap, marvel at Durdle Dor Arch and overnight in the medieval village of Abbotsbury on the way.

5 to 12 days walking

Train Out: Weymouth / Poole


Somerset explorer trails

Somerset explorer trails

Train In: Weston-super-Mare

The quickest and easiest route we have by train. Less than 2 hours from London, train into and back out from this superb walking trail. Discover REAL Somerset on two feet walking along the little visited Mendip Ridge on a stunning inland route from the coast at Weston-super-Mare to the ancient market town of Frome. Superb views and walking variety all the way as you pass through caving county at Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole, the historic City of Wells with its unique Cathedral and Bishop's Palace and opt to walk on a personal 'Pilgrimage' to visit Glastonbury with it's iconic Tor and Abbey.

Excellent walk for rest day options, activities and exploring when not walking and generally easy/moderate grade so suitable for all walkers

Train Out: Frome


WHY choose encounter

Independently run with over a decade of trail experience

Independently run with over a decade of trail experience

Independently run with over a decade of trail experience

Led by passionate guides and local experts

Led by passionate guides and local experts

Led by passionate guides and local experts

Handpicked routes across coast, countryside, and highland

Handpicked routes across coast, countryside, and highland

Handpicked routes across coast, countryside, and highland

Dog-friendly and solo-traveller welcoming

Dog-friendly and solo-traveller welcoming

Dog-friendly and solo-traveller welcoming

Sustainable, small-footprint experiences

Sustainable, small-footprint experiences

Sustainable, small-footprint experiences

Everything You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know

What is a self guided walking holiday?

What is a self guided walking holiday?

What is a self guided walking holiday?

How do I choose a route

How do I choose a route

How do I choose a route

How hard are the walks?

How hard are the walks?

How hard are the walks?

Can I walk slower or faster than your suggested itineraries

Can I walk slower or faster than your suggested itineraries

Can I walk slower or faster than your suggested itineraries

Can I add in rest days and activity days?

Can I add in rest days and activity days?

Can I add in rest days and activity days?

Start planning your perfect trip — your trail begins here.

Start planning your perfect trip — your trail begins here.

Start planning your perfect trip — your trail begins here.

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