Can I actually walk the England Coast Path right now, or do I have to wait until it's finished?

Yes, you can walk most of it now. As of September 2026, 2,208 miles are complete and open for walking—properly waymarked and legally protected. You just need to stick to the officially opened sections shown on National Trails maps and use existing public rights of way for any gaps.

How do I know which sections of the Coast Path are open and which aren't?

Check the official National Trails maps and Natural England website—they show exactly which sections are open and ready to walk. Don't try to follow proposed routes on consultation maps, as those don't create any access rights and could put you on private land.

How do you cross big estuaries on the England Coast Path?

It depends on the estuary. Some use existing bridges (like the Humber Bridge), some use ferries, and some route inland to the nearest road crossing. A few crossings are still 'under consideration,' which usually means they haven't figured out how to avoid a very long detour or requiring a boat.

Walking the Edge

Following a Path That Hasn’t Quite Finished Being Built

The King Charles III England Coast Path is becoming a 2,700-mile National Trail, but it exists in a peculiar state of assembly. Sections open at different times, while saltmarsh, mudflat and unstable cliffs mean the legal coastal margin does not always match what looks walkable on a map.

17 October 202610 min read