John Scott started walking in his mid-30s and hasn’t stopped. In 2026 he plans to complete the Slow Ways National Parks Challenge – by walking between all of Britain’s National Parks and the world’s first National Park City: The Broads, London, South Downs, New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Pembrokeshire Coast, Eryri (Snowdonia), Peak District, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Northumberland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and Cairngorms.
In 2025 I joined the Slow Ways National Parks Trail Challenge, walking a section from near Rugby to Peterborough, and had a lightbulb moment: I’d completed the Appalachian Trail in anticipation of my 40th birthday, so I could complete this Challenge as a belated celebration of my 65th.
Julian at Slow Ways sent me the latest version of the Slow Ways National Parks Trail, starting Cromer, Norfolk. I like its elegance, so will start there in March and emerge in Nairn, near Inverness, some six months later.
I will walk no more than 15 miles/day and take every eighth day off. I do this to contain my capacity to walk long distances at speed without rest and then pay a heavy price. With some luck along the way, this should allow me to complete the 2,300-mile route.
I will savour the experience of walking through three nations, fifteen National Parks and the world’s first National Park City. Most of my hiking has been done elsewhere in the world and I know so little of Wales and indeed my home country of Scotland.
Apart from a book launch and a family wedding, I will be on the Challenge throughout, although an August weekend with friends near Glasgow as I approach Nairn is a possibility.
On the Appalachian Trail, thru hikers adopt or are ‘given’ nicknames. My friend Ray from Maine quickly became Walkin’ Home because he was doing just that over 2,160 miles. On this occasion, I also will be walking home.
John’s book about completing the Appalachian Trail ,“To The Woods”, is available here and the audio book is on the usual platforms.
Follow John’s journey on instagram at NationalParks_Challenge.
