The Ridgeway

Quick Facts

About & Details

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 metres (642 ft) 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 metres (858 ft) 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 metres (878 ft) 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 metres (1021 ft) 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 metres (124 ft) 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 metres (1205 ft) 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 metres (1732 ft) 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 metres (1285 ft) of ascent

  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. We will notify you of this when confirming your booking.

Disclaimer

Please note: 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 are approximate and for guidance purpose only.

Payment Terms

• 

  Deposit £299 - at point of booking

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  Balance due 10 weeks before departure