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South of England

Ridgeway Trail – 8 Days

April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct£999 pp

Beat the Price Rise – Book by Fri 18th October!£959 pp

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Dates may vary in price due to demand throughout the season and are subject to changes from time to time. We recommend booking your trip well in advance to secure the best pricing available for your preferred dates.

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SUMMARY

Ridgeway Trail – 8 Days

No. of People: 1

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TOTAL £999

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For the past 5000 years, The Ridgeway has been walked and ridden by traders, invaders, farmers and soldiers. This is your chance to follow in their footsteps along ‘Britain’s oldest road’. A trail of two halves, you will pass through two diverse sceneries on the way; the rolling landscapes of the North Wessex Downs AONB and the woodlands and farmlands of the Chilterns AONB.

Quick Facts

  • 8 nights’ accommodation
  • 8 days’ walking
  • Guidebook and map provided
  • Daily door to door luggage transfers
  • 87 miles (140km) and 2,357m (7,732ft) of ascent
  • Walk along Britain’s oldest road

About & Details

Beginning in Overton Hill just outside the World Heritage Site of Avebury, the Ridgeway stretches 87 miles to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. The trail has a captivating history, dating back thousands of years, remnants of which you will see on your journey, from Iron Age Forts to White Horses carved into chalky hillsides. The western half of the trail in particular is surprisingly remote and follows uncrowded paths through the North Wessex Downs – perfect for those of you who just want to get away from it all! On your way, you will encounter broadleaved woodlands, wide open skies, quaint villages and remarkable historic sites, before taking in the spectacular, far-reaching views from the end point at Ivinghoe Beacon.

We take the stress out of your trip with expert local knowledge, hand-picked accommodation, luggage transfers and detailed support to help you find your way. You will need full walking kit including a waterproof jacket and trousers, a comfortable day sack and comfortable walking boots. You will receive a more detailed kit list upon booking.

The price for this trip is based on 2 people sharing.

Inclusions

  • 8 nights’ accommodation in a good quality B&B or hotel with ensuite or private bathroom and breakfast
  • Luggage transfers each walking day
  • Map and guide book plus detailed directions to your accommodation from the trail
  • Expert local knowledge and 24 hour emergency assistance during your trip
  • Professional event organisation
Exclusions
  • Travel to the start and finish points of the trip
  • Lunches and evening meals
  • Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
  • Guiding (please contact us if you would like this trip to be guided)

Optional extras

  • Single room supplement £90 per person per night (subject to availability)
  • Solo traveler supplement £90 per person per night
  • Odd group supplement £90 per group per night may apply if a single room is required
  • Extra night prior to start (single room) £180 per person
  • Extra night prior to the start (twin room, needs 2 people) £95 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (single room) £180 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) £95 per person

Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.

Getting there and back

Getting There

By Air: The nearest airports are London Heathrow and Bristol.

By Rail / Bus: The closest railway station to Overton Hill is Swindon which has regular services from London Paddington. From here you can then take the number 49 Stagecoach bus to Avebury (around a 30 minute journey).

Getting Away

By Air: The nearest airports to Tring is London Luton which offers both domestic and international flights. Luton can be reached either by taxi, bus or train.

By Rail / Bus: If you wish to depart via train, you will need to retrace your steps to Tring, either via the Ridgeway or an alternative route. You can also take the bus – please visit https://www.traveline.info/ for more information. Tring is on the West Coast mainline and has services to London, Birmingham, the North and Scotland.

Evening meals and lunches

You can purchase evening meals either at the accommodation or nearby. When our event planners send you the schedule with itinerary you could prearrange directly with the accommodation or during the walk.

For lunches we would suggest bringing some of your own favourite snack bars and then asking the accommodation for a packed lunch for the following day and also supplementing that at stops en-route.

Accommodation

Accommodation is generally at B&B, guest houses and small hotels. Once booked in, your event planner will send you a list of your booked accommodation. It is possible to adjust according to preference at this stage so please mention it if you wish to change.

Dog-friendly

If you would like to bring your four legged friend, then we will do our best to source dog friendly accommodation. It is usually possible but if it were not, then we would suggest a change of date to enable it or offer a refund. There may be a small surcharge for the overnight stays. Therefore, once booked in, please alert your event planner that you would like to bring your dog and we can proceed from there.

Need a guide?

If you would prefer to have a guide for your walk, even just for one day, then we are happy to help. We can provide a qualified leader (also first aid qualified) to lead your trek or on just one of the sections. Just ask us.
A guide can not only take the stress out of navigation, but you will also find them a great asset in terms of providing an insight into all things environment and nature.

Dates and prices

For available dates please see the ‘build your trip’ option on the left hand side on desktops or at the bottom on mobiles. You can reserve your space via this route.

After you book

After placing your booking with us, you will in the first instance receive an automated email from our system confirming receipt of your reservation. If you don’t receive it, it is worth checking your spam/clutter folder.

In the process of placing your booking, you will generally set up an access password to our online gateway where you can review the details of the booking.

Your personal event planner will then be in touch with you to start to confirm the details. This contact will usually be taken up in the working day after receipt of your booking, but may, in busy times, take a little longer. The event planner will then liaise with you regarding the details of the course. If you have any specific requirements, please do mention it at this stage.

At the end of your trip

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point and when you arrive at the end of the trail, you have one of several options. If you have not booked an additional night’s stay then we can transfer your luggage to a location of your choice. From there you may have onward travel arranged as per the ‘Getting There and Back’ tab above.

Some people like to treat themselves to a night’s stay at the end. And why not? You’ve earned it. You can arrange this as an optional add on with your event planner.

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Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Overton Hill / Avebury

    The official start of The Ridgeway is in Overton Hill. However due to a lack of accommodation here, your first night’s accommodation will be in nearby Avebury.

  • Day 2 - Overton Hill to Ogbourne St George

    Make your way to the official start of the walk in Overton Hill, or if you would prefer, you can use one of the alternative starting points from Avebury. The Ridgeway heads out northwards towards Barbury Castle. On the way, don’t forget to look out for the famous Hackpen White Horse carved into the hillside. After admiring the extensive views over the surrounding remote landscapes, the track heads down to the small village of Ogbourne St George and your accommodation for the evening.

    9 miles (14km), 195 meters (642ft) of ascent

  • Day 3 - Ogbourne St George to Bishopstone

    Today can be a fairly strenuous day as the route heads upwards to Liddington Castle and over the highest point on the Ridgeway. Do not let this put you off however as the spectacular views are well worth it! Look out for the detour to the charming village of Bishopstone – a welcome place to stay the night.

    10 miles (16km), 261 meters (858ft) of ascent

  • Day 4 - Bishopstone to Letcombe Regis

    First up today is White Horse Hill, home to the internationally renowned bronze age Uffington White Horse and also the Iron Age Uffington Castle. This is one of the highlights of the entire walk so be sure to take time to enjoy it! After admiring these spectacular sights, follow the route downwards to Britchcombe Farm – an ideal place to stop for a cream tea if your walk falls on a weekend during summer. You will then need to look out for the detour to Letcombe Regis where you will find your accommodation for the evening.

    12 miles (20km), 267 meters (878ft) of ascent

  • Day 5 - Letcombe Regis to Streatley

    Fingers crossed for a clear day today, as you should be able to get your first glimpse of the Chiltern Hills in the distance which you will soon travel through. You should also begin to notice the change in landscape, with woodland becoming much more prominent for this section of the trail. The Ridgeway then meanders its way down to Streatley, on the west bank of the River Thames – the longest river in England.

    16 miles (26km), 311 meters (1021ft) of ascent

  • Day 6 - Streatley to Mongewell Park

    As today’s route is short, be sure to make a short detour to nearby Goring. Streatley and Goring may be situated in different counties, but uniquely, they operate as one large community. The hospitality of these quintessentially English villages is not to be missed. Today, the route leaves behind the undulating terrain of the North Wessex Downs and progresses on to the relatively flat terrain surrounding the River Thames. After passing South Stoke, the route passes under the twin multi-arched viaducts built to carry Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s famous Great Western Railway, before passing North Stoke and finally reaching Mongewell Park.

    6 miles (10km), 37 meters (124ft) of ascent

  • Day 7 - Mongewell Park to Watlington

    For the first few miles today, you will travel along the ancient Grim’s Ditch. This is a fantastic tree-lined section of The Ridgeway. After Passing through Nuffield, the trail heads out across open fields to the charming hamlet of Swyncombe, before a slight detour takes you to the market town of Watlington, believed to be the smallest town in England.

    9 miles (14km), 367 meters (1205ft) of ascent

  • Day 8 - Watlington to Wendover

    This section of the walk is thought to be the most arduous part of The Ridgeway given that the trail follows some steep ascents and descents today. The first part of the route is relatively easy going, following the Icknield Way before crossing under the M40 motorway, emerging at the northern half of the Ashton Rowan National Nature Reserve. After skirting around the edge of Princes Risborough, the path undulates in and out of various valleys. Your efforts are rewarded when you reach the top of Coombe Hill which is the highest point on the eastern section of the Ridgeway, offering magnificent views over the Vale of Aylesbury. After one final descent, you will reach the town of Wendover and your accommodation for the evening.

    17 miles (27km), 528 meters (1732ft) of ascent

  • Day 9 - Wendover to Ivinghoe Beacon

    The final section of The Ridgeway is mostly set deep within the glorious woodlands of the Chiltern Hills.  The route leaves Wendover and passes through Tring Park, before reaching Wigginton. After this, the route crosses The Grand Union Canal which links England’s two largest cities, London and Birmingham. One final climb takes you up on to a broad ridge that leads to the finishing point at Ivinghoe Beacon. Upon reaching the summit, you are treated to panoramic views of the surrounding area – a fitting ending to your trip and a perfect photo opportunity!

    11 miles (18km), 391 meters (1285ft) of ascent

Notes:

This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members’ fitness, weather conditions, accommodation availability, or for any other reason that may be deemed necessary. Any timings and mileages are approximate and for guidance purpose only.

We will always endeavour to accommodate you in the locations detailed in the above itinerary. Due to very high demand, some accommodation providers may occasionally have limited availability and so we may need to accommodate you in an alternative location, nearby. In this case, we will arrange a taxi transfer for you to take you from the trail to your accommodation and back again the following morning. An additional charge may be payable. We will notify you of this when confirming your booking.

The Route
Reviews

Find some of the reviews our wonderful customers have left for us below, or read them all here!

Heather Parr
3 months ago

Maximum Adventure exceeded expectations, planning a trip for me last minute and off season through the glorious Lake District. The hotels were top rate, as was the food and my daily gluten free sandwich. Nathalie got the route guide sent to me in a couple of days and the baggage service was impeccable. It was the only tour guide company that responded immediately to my last minute request. Looking forward to more adventures with your company!!!

Chris Evans
3 months ago

David and I walked the Speyside Way in September 2023 and very much enjoyed the adventure. Maximum Adventure Ltd organised our nightly accommodation and uplifting of our luggage in a seamless manner, which made the whole trip so easy with no stress. This is the second time that I have personally used Maximum Adventures Ltd and I would recommend them to others as they offer a friendly and efficient service.

Göte Fredriksson
4 months ago

We realy appreciated the tour we did on Hadrians Wall path in May.Beautiful scenery, decent weather, god arrangements including lodging, transport, bagagehandling etc. We came well prepared . In this preparation Maximum adventures gave us great support, as we are coming from abroad with no knowledge of conditions on the path. We had great BnBs and could concentrate on de daily walks that gave us great pleasure.Thank you England and Hadrians Wall path for your friendly reception and well mantained walking path.Thank you Maximum Adventures for your good service.We would love to come back in the future.

Jerry Kashinski
4 months ago

Maximum Adventure did a great job for us. With less than a month's notice, it set up an itinerary, lodging and luggage porterage for a walk from Carlisle to Newcastle, England along Hadrian's Wall. The lodging was fantastic, as was the itinerary and support during the walk. We'd definitely use Maximum Adventure again and would recommend them without reservation!

Fiona Reilly
5 months ago

I was part of a climb on 23/09, didn't think I would make ut, but I did. The descent was a different story.. I got jelly legs and lost my confidence. If it wasn't for James, my Sherpa would never have made it. Can't thank him enough, Will, met you briefly.Both of them were very knowledgeable, we had the most amazing views at the summit...the pain is still worth it and

Tom Graham
5 months ago

I walked the West Highland Way with my dad and brother. The organisation was excellent by Samantha. Itinerary and instructions were clear and all the bookings and luggage transfers went smoothly. As a result we were able to ensure the fantastic walk and not worry about anything. I would happily recommend Maximum Adventure to others.

Sarah Bracken
5 months ago

Absolutely brilliant guide - knowledgeable, interesting and humorous in addition to looking after our safety so well - making sure we ate and suggesting when to layer up! Would highly recommend!

Diana Straub
6 months ago

We just got home from our 8-days Hadrian's Wall hike and we just loved it!Everything was perfectly organized!We had great B&Bs and hotels with very friendly, welcoming and helpful staff. Our favorite was the Dacre House with Clare. But then again, all were great!The luggage was always at the day's destination, no matter how early we got to the accommodation.The description of how to get to the accommodations were clear and precise.The road map and the guide book were waiting for us as we got to the first B&B and were very helpful and interestingThanks, Maximum Adventure!

Kristin Hentschel
6 months ago

Praise for the West Highland Hike and the Maximum Adventure planners, esp. our planner Samantha. Great experience in every regard.

Simon Bradish
6 months ago

Booked for the 3 UK Peaks adventure, it was organised perfectly and everything when to plan. Accommodation was good, transport excellent, our guide (Patrick) brilliant, so cannot fault the trip and adventure. I personally expected too much from myself and was unable to fully summit as this adventure is not for beginners, I climbed Kilimanjaro in 2003 when I was 42 and twenty years later, although relatively fit, my endurance didn't last. So I did a half summit for Ben Nevis & Scafell, thanks to Patrick for letting go back down on my own, it was brilliant. With Snowdon, a half summit is tricky as you can't descend the way you go up, so I decided to do some hiking in the area while the rest of the group did the climb. I took a chance and went to the ticket office and managed to get a single return ticket up to the summit of Snowdon at 9am which returned down by 11.30am. I was hoping to see my group on top and spring a surprise but the weather was terrible. I highly recommend the trip but make sure you are fit enough otherwise as there is an emphasis on time, so a slow walk up is going to slow everyone down and really delay the trip. Have Fun, Simon Bradish

Why book with us

We know you have a choice of companies providing trips for your next adventures. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

  • We are an established adventure travel business
  • We have been trading since 2002
  • We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
  • Knowledgeable and available office staff
  • Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
  • All activities are risk assessed
  • We will provide you with the best service available
  • We are aware this is your holiday/your challenge and will do our best to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience
  • We have many repeat clients stretching back over a number of years
20+ years adventure organisation experience
Full liability & financial protection
Leading provider of high quality adventure challenges
Great team of staff to support you

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