The path ahead for the John Muir Way

Trust starts comprehensive audit of John Muir Way access and signage.

The John Muir Trust took on administrative management of the John Muir Way in 2025, strengthening our role in supporting the 134-mile coast-to-coast route that reverses John Muir’s steps from Helensburgh on the west coast to his birthplace in Dunbar, East Lothian. The route was established in 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Muir’s death.

The John Muir Way attracts around 5,500 end-to-end walkers every year and many thousands more local visitors. Alongside offering opportunities for learning, participation in the John Muir Award and volunteering, this route is one of Scotland’s Great Trails and serves as a valuable engagement tool, helping to raise awareness of the Trust’s work.

As part of its role in the management of the route, the Trust invited tenders from suitably qualified and experienced parties to undertake a comprehensive signage and access audit of the John Muir Way. This audit is part of our ongoing commitment to protect, restore and champion the UK’s wild places, ensuring that the John Muir Way remains accessible, safe and engaging for everyone.

Work is now underway on the signage and access audit of the John Muir Way. The first surveys have been completed, covering the route from Corstorphine Hill to North Berwick – including the whole of Section 9.

The audit is recording the location, condition and effectiveness of signage and related infrastructure along the route, helping us build a detailed picture of where improvements may be needed. This forms part of our work with access authorities and partners to support the ongoing management of the John Muir Way, ahead of a bigger focus on the route in 2027.

One recent visitor who experienced the diversity of the route first-hand was travel specialist Anna Lamb, from Absolute Escapes, who walked the John Muir Way in May. “I think the main thing that I was surprised by was that every day was different,” said Anna (pictured below).

“In just one day, you can cross through open countryside, follow a historic canal, wander through woodland and finish  in a lively town for the evening. Another thing I think is great about the route is that it’s a really gentle and easy walk, and definitely a good first long-distance trail to try if you’re interested.”

Testimonies such as Anna’s help inform the ongoing management of the John Muir Way, providing valuable insight into how the route is experienced by those who walk it.

We hope the findings from the audit will help inform future management of the route, ensuring the John Muir Way remains a welcoming and rewarding experience for everyone who uses it.

Our John Muir Way partners

The Trust works closely with ten access authorities, NatureScot and other partners to support the ongoing management of the John Muir Way. These include the John Muir Birthplace Trust, Green Action Trust, Sustrans, Scottish Canals, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Historic Environment Scotland, VisitScotland, The Conservation Volunteers and Scotways.

• Find out more about the John Muir Way.