The Glastonbury Pilgrims Walk: Following the Mendip Way

Walking towards something

A key characteristic of the Mendip Way is its ridge line. From the start, you ascend and gain perspective, traversing ancient tracks and paths that have been in use for centuries. In certain areas, you walk along old Roman roads and ancient upland crossings. As you head east, the landscape unfolds, revealing the Somerset Levels with Glastonbury Tor rising from them.

Historically, this area was marshland, and the Tor appeared as an island within it. The idea of Avalon, an island of myth and legend, is closely tied to this landscape. The Mendip Way naturally leads you towards it, step by step, from high ground to low.

Why this works as a Pilgrim walk

Walking to Glastonbury via the Mendip Way provides a structure to the journey that shorter routes lack. You start on the hills, experiencing both distance and elevation. You pass through Wells, serving as a natural midpoint on the route. You gradually descend towards the Levels, with the Tor remaining in view throughout the final stages.

You do not arrive quickly; instead, you approach slowly, allowing time to absorb the landscape and sense of direction. By the time you reach Glastonbury, the final ascent to the Tor feels like a conclusion, rather than just an additional viewpoint.

A walk with a destination

There are many long-distance paths in the UK, but not all of them lead somewhere with the same sense of identity. Walking to Glastonbury does. Following the Mendip Way, you see the Tor from afar, lose it behind ridges, and then find it again as you descend. By the time you reach it, you have traced a line across the landscape that makes sense, both geographically and historically. That is what turns this into more than just a section of trail. It is a journey with a clear endpoint and a reason to walk it.

A natural extension of the Mendip Way

At Encounter Walking Holidays, we provide the Glastonbury Tor day as an extra walk upon your arrival in Wells. For more information about the Mendip Way and Glastonbury Tor route, please visit the links on our website below.

The full route is available here The Mendip Way

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