Hambleden Circular

Start : Ridgewood street along the main road (Skirmett Road). Grid ref. SU 784 860.

(S/E) From the main road, follow the main track around the foot of the hill on your right side (South-South-West). Follow this path for around 1 Km until you meet a metalled road (Dairy Lane).

(1) Turn right (North) on the road and continue to follow as you begin a slow climb, initially through farmland changing to woods (Great Wood). The footpath is clearly marked as you walk around 2 Km.

(2) When you meet the Shakespeare's Way coming down the hill from the right, you should turn left (West) as the path ahead is closed (marked on a 4-way direction post).

Here you can also take a shortcut (see alternative) and carry on to read from waypoint (7).

Otherwise, climb this new dirt track up towards a field boundary fence. The path is rutted and can be muddy if it has recently rained. Follow the boundary fence until you reach a stile on your right.

(3) Turn right (North-East), climb over the stile and cross over 2 fields before re-entering woodland.

(4) At the end of this short wooded stretch, turn right (East) along a minor road and carry on past Luxters Farm Winery and Brewery, descend Dudley Lane to a road junction.

(5) Cross the road (take extra care along this busy, narrow, country road) to take the road opposite. Join the Chiltern Way after about 250m.

(6) Turn right on the Chiltern Way (South-East) walk along to reach a road at Colstrope Farm. Follow the road straight South and as the road curves right, find a footpath on your left, still following the Chiltern Way.

(7) At the path junction, keep straight and follow this path South towards Hambleden.

(8) Cross the road and continue along the path when you reach Pheasant's Hill and continue south until the path ends at a road.

(9) Turn left past the church in Hambleden on your left. Follow the road around and turn right when you reach the village square. Cross the bridge and your start point will be ahead of you. (S/E)

Start : Ridgewood street along the main road (Skirmett Road). Grid ref. SU 784 860.

Parking : Find a spot nearby the start in Hambleden village there's plenty of parking around the church then walk to the start following the main road South. Otherwise, go to Mill End car park 0.5km South of the start point and use the footpath behind the opposite hedge to walk to the start.

Alternative route : At waypoint (2) take the Shakespeare way for a short way (300m) before taking the footpath on the LHS through Barn Wood and by Bacres Farm. Cross the busy road to go ahead on the minor road. Cross the bridge and take the footpath on the right to rejoin the route at waypoint (7).

Terrain : Wet and muddy underfoot as much of it is on hard surfaces.

- Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery