874 miles is the direct challenge.
I’m not exactly taking the direct route.
A tent on my back, no support vehicle planned, no fixed timetable and a general commitment to keep heading north.
Challenge facts
- Challenge
- Land’s End → John o’Groats
- Traditional distance
- 874 miles / 1,407 km
- Planned detours
- 22 so far
- Final walking distance
- Unknown until I finish
- Style
- Solo & self-supported
- Sleeping
- Tent / camping
- Support vehicle
- None planned
- Timetable
- None fixed
- Daily mileage target
- None
874 miles is the commonly quoted direct distance. My detours will add to it, so the real total won’t be known until I reach John o’Groats.
Where it starts, where it ends
This is a real map of Britain. It shows the start, the finish and the planned detours whose locations have been checked. It doesn’t show my route, where I am, or how far I’ve walked.
Map key
- Start — Land’s End
- Finish — John o’Groats
- Planned detour (location checked against OpenStreetMap)
- Straight line for orientation only — not the walking route
Tap a pin for details. On a computer, click the map first to zoom with your scroll wheel.
Location not verified for map
These planned detours aren’t pinned until their exact location has been checked.
- 04 Twisted Chimney
- 13 Open All Hours shop exterior
- 14 Whitehall Yard
- 15 Sally’s Bridge / Pack Horse Bridge
- 16 Land Rover graveyard
- 17 Halnaker Windmill
- 18 Penmachno old bridge
- 19 The Gatehouse
- 20 L. S. Lowry former home
- 22 Harlech Tower
How the walk will work
A flexible route
I’ll work the route out as I go, generally heading north from Land’s End towards John o’Groats. There’s no fixed itinerary — weather, terrain and how my legs feel will all have a say.
Rest and safety first
There’s no daily mileage target and no clock to beat. I’ll rest when I need to, and staying safe matters more than staying on any schedule.
Carrying everything
Self-supported means I carry what I need — tent, camping and cooking gear, clothing, food, and the tech to navigate and share the journey. No support vehicle is planned.
Where I’ll sleep
I plan to camp. I’ll only wild camp where it’s lawful, and I’ll ask permission where it’s needed. Campsites are the fallback. Hotels, B&Bs and hostels aren’t part of the plan, but I’ll stay flexible if circumstances call for it.
The detours
I’ve got 22 detours planned so far — places, people and landmarks I want to see. They’ll put a few deliberate wiggles in the line north.
Keep up from home
Once the walk begins, the map will show roughly where I am, and the diary will hold daily notes, photos and videos.
Want to lend a hand?
Kit, a place to pitch a tent, or help with walk costs — the Support page explains what’s useful and how any money will be accounted for.
Ways to support