Lands End to John O’Groats is the ultimate walk in this country for the keen walker.

There are all different routes to choose from and really how you do it is entirely up to you and what you want out of it.

The great thing about undertaking it is that you can do it over a period of time or if you have the time, all in one go.

I did the whole in one in 1999 and my route was to include all the highest peaks, weather permitting and backpacking with a tent. This route took me over the Cairngorms, the Ben Nevis Range, into the Lakes and to Wales before emerging over the Severn Bridge and crossing Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. A great route but probably the most challenging.

With the buggy and team however, a different approach was required. Using mainly defined trails over a week long walk, we have put together a route that is easy to follow and accessible to most and at the same time giving you a variety and a sense of achievement as you complete each section. Each section can be done independently and you don’t have to do them in order, rather pick and mix as you go building the whole over a period of time. Ideally you need to make one of the last sections you do either end at John O’Groats or Lands End just for celebratory reasons.

The other plus point with this route is that most come with a Guide Book giving information and easy to follow route maps although you will always need the relevant O/S maps. You can also choose the direction you want to do each section although it is advisable to follow the Guide Book as reading “backwards” is more difficult having to switch “turn left/right to turn right/left” constantly.

So, starting at John O’Groats the route is as follows

JOG – Inverness: a choice of following the coast road or moving slightly inland and making your own route involving some possible wild camps. (routes welcome from those who have already done this)

Inverness – Fort William: The Great Glen

Fort William – Glasgow: West Highland Way

Glasgow – Carlisle: no established route across Southern Uplands but easy enough to break into daily sections. Will publish our route in more detail when we do it. (Again, contributions welcome from readers).

Carlisle – Windermere: Cumbrian Way

Windermere – Ilkley: Dales Way

Ilkley – Edale: cross tha moor to Pennine Way

Edale – Bridgnorth: our route – details on completion in 2011.

Bridgnorth – Gloucester: GeoPark Way – can add section of Severn Way to Bristol or close this gap on next section.

Bristol – Lynton: Samaritans Way

Lynton – Plymouth: Two Moors Way

Plymouth – Lands End: South West Coastal Footpath.

This gives you a route apart from 3 sections out of the 12 with an established path and consequent Guide.

As you can see from Shaun’s Web Site we are half way having mixed it up and are due to take another 6 expeditions to complete the whole.

The variety that this route offers is immense and is doable by most walkers with the incentive to tackle it. You can choose to backpack, B&B or 5 Star Hotel most of it. It’s all in the planning, booking and organising which is all part of the fun.

Contributions, comments and variations most welcome to shane@shaunwaters.co.uk