England Creates Longest Coastal Walking Path

England is making the world’s longest coastal walking trail. The trail, called the England Coast Path National Trail, is estimated to stretch over 4,500 kilometers, connecting the four sections of the English coast: north east, north west, south east, and south west. Near Scotland, the north east section features rocky cliffs, meadows, beaches, and cozy English pubs offering food and drinks. Near Wales, the north west section is home to historical landscapes, nature reserves, museums, and wind farms. The south east section showcases landscapes teeming with wildlife, long sandy beaches, and quaint piers. Last, the south west section offers a dramatic coastline, cliff tops, fishing villages, and seafood restaurants. Back in 2010, local conservation body Natural England, together with local charities and landowners, started to spearhead a campaign to link the entire coast via one continuous path. The campaign aims to improve the economy of the coastal communities and to promote the beauty of England's coastline. Walking along the shore is a popular activity among both English locals and tourists. According to Natural England, almost 30 million people trekked some parts of the English coastline last year. The figure is expected to increase upon the England Coast Path’s completion. Although some parts of the Coast Path are already accessible to the public, the entire trail is not expected to open until 2021. Its debut will include a series of scheduled events focusing on sustainability, beach cleanups, food and drink festivals, and nature walks. Once opened, it will be included in the list of the United Kingdom’s National Trails, which are long-distance trails that showcase some of the country’s best landscapes.