Every year, thousands of hikers lace up their boots to take part in something amazing: a full or half-marathon hike to raise money for people living with cancer. As well as being an incredible achievement, it’s a memorable day out with your friends and family in some of the UK’s most beautiful places.
Are you ready to do something Mighty for Macmillan? Choose your hike and sign up today.
How many Mighty Hike locations are there?
There are 12 routes across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with a mixture of flat and hilly routes, so there's something for everyone. Choose from stunning mountain views, beautiful riverside paths or dramatic sweeping coastlines.
What does every Mighty Hike include?
- Regular pit stops with snacks and refreshments, a fresh buffet lunch and a hot meal waiting for you at the end
- Free Macmillan hiking top
- Expert training plans, kit lists and fundraising resources
- At the finish line you’ll be greeted with a glass of fizz and your Mighty medal
- Free professional photos to remember your special day
- All routes are signposted with toilets available along the way
- Route marshals and medics are on hand for any help you might need
Read on to find out more about each Macmillan Mighty Hike location including exact distances, difficulty levels and sightseeing highlights.
Which Macmillan Mighty Hike is the easiest?
It all depends on your fitness and endurance levels, as well as your preference for elevation and terrain. The Thames Path hike is officially the flattest route, so many hikers may find this to be the easiest.
Norfolk Coast and Northumberland Coast hikes are also flat, while the Peak District hike has the least elevation gain of the hilly routes.
Which Macmillan Mighty Hike is the most challenging?
With proper training, all routes can be completed by most hikers. The more challenging options are often hilly, such as the South Coast, Gower Peninsula and Giant’s Causeway hikes. Choose one of these routes if you want to test yourself!
Which Macmillan Mighty Hike is the best?
All of them! Every Mighty Hike location has been picked for its natural beauty, with all hikes offering something different. If you like beaches, go for one of the coastal routes, such as the Jurassic Coast hike. If you prefer peaks and forests, choose one of the National Park routes, such as the Lake District hike.
Macmillan Mighty Hikes: your guide to every route
See the stats and facts on each hike to help decide which is right for you.
Norfolk Coast
South Coast
Lake District
Giant’s Causeway
Yorkshire Dales
Gower Peninsula
Rob Roy
Peak District
Thames Path
Northumberland Coast
Jurassic Coast
Cotswolds
Norfolk Coast
Norfolk, England
Difficulty: Flat with challenging terrain
Full distance 26.1 miles (42 km)
Half distance 14.3 miles (23 km)
Route highlights:
- Start in the gorgeous coastal town of Cromer
- Finish at 18th century country house Holkham Hall
- One of the flatter routes
‘I cannot praise Macmillan enough for making the Norfolk Coast Mighty Hike such a memorable day. From every word of encouragement and your amazing volunteers to the food and drink provided. We managed to smile right to the finish line.’ – Emma
Total elevation gain:
Full: 300 metres (985 ft)
Half: 185 metres (609 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 9 hours, 38 minutes and 46 seconds
Half: 6 hours, 25 minutes and 11 seconds
Find out more about the Norfolk Coast Mighty Hike
South Coast
East Sussex, England
Difficulty: Hilly with challenging terrain
Full distance: 26.2 miles (42 km)
Half distance: 13 miles (21 km)
Route highlights:
- Start in the vibrant seaside town of Brighton
- Walk along the iconic Seven Sisters
- Coastal views and satisfying hill climbs
‘This was my first Mighty Hike and I couldn’t fault it. The organisation from Macmillan was second to none. I’m feeling mighty chuffed! Thanks for a brilliant event and congratulations to all those who took part and raised money for this great cause.’ – Joanna
Total elevation gain:
Full: 964 metres (3,165 ft)
Half: 480 metres (1,578 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 9 hours, 11 minutes and 40 seconds
Half: 5 hours, 53 minutes and 40 seconds
Find out more about the South Coast Mighty Hike
Lake District
Cumbria, England
Difficulty: Hilly with challenging terrain
Full distance: 25.6 miles (41 km)
Half distance: 12.4 miles (20 km)
Route highlights:
- Takes place in the largest national park in the UK
- Walk around picturesque Ullswater lake
- Summit Gowbarrow Fell
‘Congratulations to everyone who participated. A brilliant day despite the weather. I thought the organisation of the event was superb, I’ll definitely be back.’ – Jon
Total elevation gain:
Full: 1132 metres (3,715 ft)
Half: 562 metres (1,845 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 10 hours, 35 minutes and 50 seconds
Half: 5 hours, 24 minutes and 11 seconds
Find out more about the Lake District Mighty Hike
Giant’s Causeway
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Difficulty: Hilly with challenging terrain
Full distance: 25.2 miles (40 km)
Half distance: 12.5 miles (20 km)
Route highlights:
- Walk past the ruins of Dunseverick Castle
- See Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Finish at the beaches of Portrush
‘Wow! What an amazing day. My first ever Mighty Hike and I doubt it will be my last! Huge thanks to everyone that I spoke to on the way, as a solo walker it really made the difference.’ – Nikki
Total elevation gain:
Full: 756 metres (2,482 ft)
Half: 527 metres (1,728 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 9 hours, 31 minutes and 48 seconds
Half: 6 hours, 21 minutes and 41 seconds
Find out more about the Giant’s Causeway Mighty Hike
Yorkshire Dales
North Yorkshire, England
Difficulty: Hilly with easy terrain
Full distance: 25.8 miles (41 km)
Half distance: 15.1 miles (24 km)
Route highlights:
- Starts in the charming town of Skipton
- Takes place along some of the Pennine Way
- Walk past the iconic Hebden Suspension Bridge
‘What an incredible day from start to finish. My first Mighty Hike and it won't be the last. Well done everyone. Big thank you to all the staff and volunteers for looking after us all.’ – Claire
Total elevation gain:
Full: 859 metres (2,820 ft)
Half: 629 metres (2066 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 10 hours, 12 minutes and 55 seconds
Half: 6 hours, 7 minutes and 5 seconds
Find out more about the Yorkshire Dales Mighty Hike
Gower Peninsula
Swansea, Wales
Difficulty: Hilly with challenging terrain
Full distance: 26 miles (42 km)
Half distance: 14.6 miles (23 km)
Route highlights:
- Visit the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Enjoy several stretches of beach walking
- Fantastic views of Worm’s Head
‘I was blown away by the whole event from start to finish.’ – Kane
Total elevation gain:
Full: 826 metres (2,711 ft)
Half: 486 metres (1,595 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 10 hours, 16 minutes and 46 seconds
Half: 6 hours, 27 minutes and 1 second
Find out more about the Gower Peninsula Mighty Hike
Rob Roy
Callander, Scotland
Difficulty: Hilly with challenging terrain
Full distance: 25.5 miles (41 km)
Half distance: 14.5 miles (23 km)
Route highlights:
- Experience Trossachs National Park
- Visit Loch Venachar and Loch Drunkie
- Walk through the Achray Forest
‘Amazing organisation, the marshals, the food, the medical teams, tooting horns, people cheering us on and all of us competitors keeping each other going.’ – Richard
Total elevation gain:
Full: 907 metres (2976 ft)
Half: 509 metres (1673 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 9 hours, 40 minutes and 46 seconds
Half: 6 hours, 10 minutes and 33 seconds
Find out more about the Rob Roy Mighty Hike
Peak District
Derbyshire, England
Difficulty: Hilly with easy terrain
Full distance: 26.2 miles (42 km)
Half distance: 14.2 miles (23 km)
Route highlights:
- Takes place in England’s oldest national park
- Starts in the picturesque town of Bakewell
- One of the flatter routes
‘The feeling of camaraderie and shared experience will warm my soul till the next one.’ – Jenny
Total elevation gain:
Full: 753 metres (2,472 ft)
Half: 410 metres (1,348 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 9 hours, 25 minutes and 15 seconds
Half: 6 hours, 4 minutes and 39 seconds
Find out more about the Peak District Mighty Hike
Thames Path
Berkshire, England
Difficulty: Flat with easy terrain
Full distance: 26.1 miles (42 km)
Half distance: 12.8 miles (20 km)
Route highlights:
- Starts in the town of Windsor, home to Windsor Castle
- Perfect for all abilities
- The flattest route available
‘It was tough, emotional and absolutely worth every step.’ – Frano
Total elevation gain:
Full: 236 metres (774 ft)
Half: 141 metres (465 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 9 hours, 23 minutes and 23 seconds
Half: 4 hours, 56 minutes and 49 seconds
Find out more about the Thames Path Mighty Hike
Northumberland Coast
Northumberland, England
Difficulty: Flat with easy terrain
Full distance: 26.2 miles (42 km)
Half distance: 12.9 miles (21 km)
Route highlights:
- Walk past the beautiful Craster Harbour
- Historic castles and non-stop coastal views
- One of the flatter routes
‘We had a fab day from start to finish. The views were stunning along with the weather for the most part. A huge well done to all who were involved in putting this event together.’ – Alison
Total elevation gain:
Full: 312 metres (1024 ft)
Half: 173 metres (569 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 9 hours, 50 minutes and 27 seconds
Half: 4 hours, 51 minutes and 25 seconds
Find out more about the Northumberland Coast Mighty Hike
Jurassic Coast
Dorset, England
Difficulty: Hilly with challenging terrain
Full distance: 26 miles (42 km)
Half distance: 13.5 miles (21 km)
Route highlights:
- Walk past the 11th century Corfe Castle
- Panoramic views of the coastline
- See Old Harry Rocks
‘What a well organised event, from start to finish it was amazing! Thank you for looking after us so well Macmillan!’ – Kerry
Total elevation gain:
Full: 728 metres (2,390 ft)
Half: 485 metres (1,591 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 9 hours, 23 minutes and 8 seconds
Half: 5 hours, 26 minutes and 10 seconds
Find out more about the Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike
Cotswolds
Difficulty: Hilly with easy terrain
Full distance: 26 miles (42 km)
Half distance: 12.6 miles (20 km)
Route highlights:
- Start at the iconic Blenheim Palace
- Riverside walking
- Pass through picturesque Cotswolds villages
‘What a fantastic and uplifting day. Really lovely scenery and a great route. Topped off by great organisation and marshals.’ – Annabel
Total elevation gain:
Full: 544 metres (1788 ft)
Half: 312 metres (1025 ft)
Average time to complete (2025):
Full: 10 hours, 18 minutes and 13 seconds
Half: 6 hours, 17 minutes and 3 seconds
Find out more about the Cotswolds Mighty Hike
Become a Mighty Hiker
Once you’ve decided which route is best for you, rally your friends, family and colleagues and sign up as a team. Train together, track your progress and raise money collectively. Plus, sign up a team of 5+ people and you’ll automatically receive a 50% discount.
Take part in a Mighty Hike and raise money to help Macmillan fund vital services. With your help, better cancer care is possible for everyone.
Use code NEWYEAR25 to get 25% off your registration fee before the end of February. Offer ends 28 February 2026.