Gloucestershire is a county of contrasts. The Cotswold escarpment runs through it from Chipping Campden to Wotton-under-Edge, with honey-coloured villages, beechwoods and long views over the Severn Vale, while to the west the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley offer ancient woodland, riverside cliffs and quieter paths. The Cotswold Way National Trail runs the length of the county, alongside the Gloucestershire Way, Severn Way and Wye Valley Walk.

Cotswold Way. This 102-mile trail from Chipping Campden to Bath crosses the Cotswold Hills, passing Broadway Tower and Sudeley Castle. The full route takes several days, but shorter sections make excellent day walks.

Wye Valley Walk. Following the River Wye from Chepstow towards Plynlimon, this long-distance trail runs through wooded gorges and past limestone cliffs, Tintern and Ross-on-Wye.

Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. An easy circular of about 4 miles that combines contemporary sculpture with woodland walking.

Cleeve Hill. The highest point in the Cotswolds, with a circular walk of around 6 miles across open grassland and past ancient burial mounds, with panoramic views.

Cotswold Water Park. Over 150 lakes and wetland habitats with trails of every length, good for birdwatching and wildlife.

Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. A flat, easy towpath past locks, bridges and industrial heritage, with sections of any length for shorter walks.

Trails can be muddy or slippery after rain, so wear suitable footwear, carry water and a map or GPS, and dress in layers as the weather can change quickly.