The Ridgeway the Other Way in six stages

Step by step walk

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   Ivinghoe Beacon to Wendover, The Ridgeway the Other Way

   18.23 km 217 m 313 m

   The Ridgeway the other way. The NationalTrail from NE to SW. This Stage 1 goes over the Chilterns, across the Grand Union Canal, past Tring, through the Three Hundreds of Aylesbury to reach the market town of Wendover.

   See walk sheet
2. 2

   Wendover to Watlington, The Ridgeway the Other Way

   28.48 km 384 m 398 m

   The Ridgeway the other way. The National Trail from NE to SW. This Stage 2 is the most undulating with several climbs in and out of valleys and is, therefore, the most strenuous part of The Ridgeway. The route climbs Coombe Hill, passes by Pulpit Hill fort and over Lodge Hill. Goes around Bledlow Great Wood near Chinnor to go along a disused railway and go underneath the M40. It goes along the bottom edge of the Chilterns scarp and passes Watlington Hill.

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3. 3

   Watlington to Streatley, The Ridgeway the Other Way

   25.80 km 318 m 367 m

   The Ridgeway the other way. The National Trail from NE to SW. This Stage 3 has a bit of everything. The route runs long the Upper Icknield Way on the way to the small hamlet of Swyncombe. Then crosses the Chiltern Way on it's way to the village of Nuffield. The route then runs on a narrow secluded path alongside the ancient Grim’s Ditch before reaching the River Thames. On the opposite bank, another National Trail runs, The Thames Path

   See walk sheet
4. 4

   Streatley to Wantage, The Ridgeway the Other Way

   26.52 km 249 m 217 m

   The Ridgeway the other way. The National Trail from North-East to South-West. The fourth stage is a broad track for a considerable distance, mostly with a natural surface and few hedges. Here the sky dominates but it can be particularly exposed in wet, cold or hot weather.

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5. 5

   Wantage to Ogbourne St George, The Ridgeway the Other Way

   35.86 km 388 m 324 m

   The Ridgeway the other way. The National Trail from NE to SW. The fifth Stage is probably the most remote section of The Ridgeway, with some wonderful views and prehistoric monuments to enjoy.

   See walk sheet
6. E

   Ogbourne St George to Avebury, The Ridgeway the Other Way

   21.93 km 261 m 256 m

   The Ridgeway the other way. The National Trail from NE to SW. The Stage 6 is a short walk as you will probably have to continue a bit further to get a place to stay and maybe head to Swindon or Trowbridge for onward travel. The countryside is a mixture of arable land, changing colour with the seasons, and areas of sheep or cattle grazed grassland. Some of the best views are from Smeathe’s Ridge as you climb gently up to Barbury Castle.

   See walk sheet