In January 2013, the Isle of Man - located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland - joined the International Appalachian Trail as the IAT hub of the British Isles. The IoM route will follow the Raad ny Foillan, which is a 95 mile (153 km) footpath loop around the Manx coast, created in 1986 to mark the Island's "Heritage Year" celebrations. Also known as the Way of the Gull, the trail begins near the ferry terminal at Douglas, capital of the Isle of Man, and follows the coast wherever possible. Douglas and the Isle of Man ferry dock Along the way it traverses a varied terrain, from sandy beaches and seaside cliffs, Cliffs near Calf of Man to sheltered harbours and beachfront promenades. Peel Beach Using public roads when necessary, it can easily be walked in sections between towns and villages, and be completed in its entirety in 5 days. From Douglas, hikers can either turn north and make a counter-clockwise loop, or turn south and make the same trek in a clockwise direction. Taking the south route, the trail climbs toward Douglas Head and mostly follows the coast until it reaches historic Castletown, the former capital of the Isle of Man and site of Castle Rushen and the…

    Download the 2012 IAT Seasons Greetings Wallpaper (2880 x 1620 dpi). Download the 2012 IAT Seasons Greetings Wallpaper (2520 x 1620 dpi).  

In October 2010, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path became the first UK National Trail to join the International Appalachian Trail.  Wales' first long-distance route, the path covers 299km (186 miles) of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Britain.  Sea Cliffs at Ceibwr Opened in 1970, it is one of 15 premier long-distance National Trails in England and Wales, all waymarked by the acorn symbol.  In May, 2012 it joined with other Wales trail and countryside partners to form the Wales Coast Path.    View of Strumble Head The Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail twists and turns its way through 186 miles of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in Britain.   Coast Path Kissing Gate at Penycwm From St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south, the trail covers almost every kind of maritime landscape from rugged cliff tops and sheltered coves to wide-open beaches and winding estuaries.   Newgale Sands Lying almost entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park —Britain’s only coastal national park – the trail displays an array of coastal flowers and bird life, as well as evidence of human activity from Neolithic times to the present.     In its entirety the Coast Path represents a formidable physical challenge - its 35,000 feet of ascent and descent is said to be equivalent to climbing Everest — yet it can also be enjoyed in shorter sections, accessible to people of all ages and abilities, with the small coastal villages strung out along its length offering welcome…

In November 2012, England's South Downs Way National Trail joined the International Appalachian Trail as a 96 mile (160 km) trek that follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs.  Experience some of the finest countryside in England, between its historic first capital and the white chalk cliffs of Eastbourne.      The western end of the trail is at the historic and well-preserved city of Winchester, capital of King Alfred the Great.     Winchester Cathedral River Itchen through Winchester The city is also the county town of Hampshire, which has a rolling countryside of mixed farming and small woodlands.  The Meon Valley is particularly attractive, with its quaint villages and superb Iron Age hill fort of Old Winchester Hill.   View Northeast from Old Winchester Hill Fort Continuing east, the trail passes lush pastoral landscapes  Near Whitewool Farm and rustic country churches   Alfriston Church on its way to the scenic coastline of the English Channel.    View of the white chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters   View east from Bras Point The eastern end of the trail is at the tourist resort town of Eastbourne, where the sunny climate, quiet charm and Victorian elegance have contributed to a long history as popular retirement destination.   Eastbourne Beach Eastbourne Sea Front    Eastbourne Pier   If you are interested in spectacular coastal vistas, pastoral landscapes, visible…

In November 2012, England's South West Coast Path National Trail joined the International Appalachian Trail as England's ultimate challenge for long-distance hikers - a 630 mile (1,008 km) adventure around the scenic coastline of the Southwest Peninsula, from Somerset's Minehead on the edge of Exmoor around to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset. Exmoor Coast A fast walker can complete the path in approximately 30 days, but a more leisurely sightseeing pace is between 7 & 8 weeks.  As few people have enough time to walk it in a single trek, most divide it between several holidays and complete it over a number of years.     There are many great things to discover within the natural and built environment of the South West Coast Path. The underlying geology has helped shape the stunning landscapes you’ll walk through,    Sandy Mouth, North Cornwall provides the special habitats for the abundant wildlife you’ll see,    Stealth Kestral and is the reason why the numerous fascinating historical sites you’ll pass on your journey are sited where they are. St. Michael's Mount, Cornwall The geology, wildlife, heritage, and scenery along the way are truly inspirational, and every day brings stunning new experiences.    Chapman's Pool, Dorset Along the Path hikers will also discover evidence from millennia of people living, working and occasionally fighting along the coast. St Pirans Cross above Perranporth, Cornwall The coast has always been the front line for repelling invaders.  Forts and castles dating from the Iron Age to…

The International Appalachian Trail 2013 Annual General Meeting will be hosted by IAT Scotland and held at the magnificent Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park September 18-20.  Meetings will be held at the park headquarters in Balloch, within easy reach of the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh.   The three-day event will also include a walk on the West Highland Way and an excursion on beautiful Loch Lomond.   Stay tuned for more information on the AGM schedule of activities, as well as details on transportation and accommodations. But in the meantime, visit the park website and plan your extended stay!  

In November 2012, England's Thames Path National Trail followed the North Downs Way in joining the International Appalachian Trail.  The path follows the most renowned river in England for 184 miles (294 km), from its source in the Cotswolds towards the English Channel.   Along the way it passes through peaceful water meadows, unspoiled rural villages, historic towns and cities, and finally the heart of London where it ends at the Thames Barrier in Greenwich.   At the source, the River Thames is a trickle in a field in the Cotswolds, bordered by willows and alders.    With the exception of a couple of small towns and villages, there is a real sense of remoteness and rural tranquility as it winds through water meadows and fields of crops on its way to Oxford.   Beyond Oxford, the city of dreaming spires,   you will still be in the heart of the countryside, but the river continues to widen, the willows seem to grow larger, and settlements become more frequent.   From Goring, where the Thames Path coincides for a short distance with The Ridgeway National Trail, the Chilterns provide a wooded backdrop, with the colours changing dramatically with the seasons.   When you reach Henley, the Trail starts to get busier with more people enjoying picnics on the bank, or boats on the water.  Usually however, once you're away from towns or villages around a bend or two of the river, you'll regain the rural peacefulness.    As the Thames Path passes beneath…

In November 2012, England's Cotswold Way National Trail joined the International Appalachian Trail as an important link between southern England and eastern Wales.    The 102 mile (164 km) trail of quintessentially English countryside follows the Cotswold escarpment   with its stunning views    and charming villages,     from the World Heritage City of Bath in the south   to the beautiful Cotswold market town of Chipping Campden in the North.     The Cotswold Way National Trail passes through many picturesque villages and close to a significant number of historic sites, such as the Roman heritage at Bath,   the Neolithic burial chamber at Belas Knap,   Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe,   Hailes Abbey   and many beautiful churches and historic houses.  To learn more about the Cotswold Way National Trail, visit their website .... or take a walk along the escarpment!