Inauguration of the world's longest coastal path (dedicated to King Charles III): up to 6 months to walk the entire length

©Sam Knight via Unsplash

On March 19, 2026, King Charles III walked two kilometers along the cliffs at Seven Sisters, East Sussex, to officially inaugurate the coastal path that bears his name. At 2,700 miles - over 4,300 kilometers - the King Charles III England Coast Path is now the longest signposted coastal route in the world.

The project has its roots in theMarine and Coastal Access Act of 2009, which entrusted Natural England with the task of creating a continuous path along the English coastline. Work began in 2010, with the first section inaugurated in Weymouth in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games. Sixteen years later, the path has come full circle, linking Berwick-upon-Tweed on the Scottish border to Land's End in Cornwall, crossing cliffs, dunes, estuaries, nature reserves and historic ports.

Around 80% of the route is currently open, with final completion scheduled for the end of 2026. On sections still under development, temporary detour are proposed and, in some places, a ferry is required - as for the Mersey crossing in the north-west. One section in Devon even requires you to cross a river on foot at low tide.

Along the way, you'll discover iconic sites such as the white cliffs of Dover, the Jurassic Coast (aUNESCO World Heritage Site), the beaches of Holkham and Kynance Cove, and the dunes of Formby. In all, the project has created 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of new trails and improved 1,700 miles (2,736 km) of existing routes, with bridges, footbridges and new signage to "National Trail" standards.

To cover the entire route at a steady pace - around 15 miles (24 km) a day - takes between four and six months. Those who prefer to tackle it in stages can start wherever they like, as the entire network is already accessible and mapped.

On the same day as the inauguration, King Charles III made the Seven Sisters the thirteenth "National Nature Reserve" in his series, protecting 1,500 hectares of coastal habitat.

Sources: gov.uk / nationaltrail.co.uk

(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor: Julie Morgan - The Press Junction/Picture: Sam Knight via Unsplash)