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.
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
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
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 Bedruthan 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.
The Classic Cornish Coast Path Walk
5 to 7 days walking
Train Out: St Ives/Penzance
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
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
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
Led by passionate guides and local experts
Handpicked routes across coast, countryside, and highland
Dog-friendly and solo-traveller welcoming
Sustainable, small-footprint experiences