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NATIONAL TRAILS The aim of this briefing paper will be to critically review the National Trail system in England. This will include a discussion of their history, key duties and role in rural tourism and recreation. National Trails are a comprehensive network of footpaths. There are thirteen long distance walks, ten of which are fully developed and three which are currently in the process of being completed. Their purposes are: “… to allow for either short or extended journeys on foot, bicycle or horseback along routes which by virtue of their character and quality, are national, reflecting the grandest, wildest and most beautiful, landscapes the nation has to offer and also the most characteristic”. (Sharpley:1996:p216) The paths vary in length and account for 2500 (CountrysideAgency:2000) miles of footpaths and bridleways in England. All have distinctive qualities and these are described by the Countryside Agency as: o Providing continuous walking through the countryside o Routes