Ivinghoe Beacon to Wendover, The Ridgeway the Other Way

Description

Start : Summit of the Ivinghoe Beacon. Grid ref. SP 959 168

(D) From the summit of the Ivinghoe Beacon, head South to drop down to the local road, where a number of paths lead off in different directions.

(1) Cross the road straight ahead to take the path heading for Steps Hill (signposted Ridegway Trail and Tring Station) which starts with a number of steps in the gravel path. Keep following the indications to climb up Steps Hill and drop down near Incombe Hole to cross fields and come out onto Stocks Road, opposite is the Pitstone Hill Car Park.

(2) Either walk through the car park and take the path up Paul's Knob to join the trail on the other side or turn left along the road about 50m to pick up a footpath through the hedge right and into Brook's Statnalls Wood. The trail heads up Pitstone Hill and joins Grim's Ditch bearing left (South-South-East) along the ridge.

(3) The route enters a wood at Aldbury Nowers to go past a disused pit and descend to Westland Farm.

(4) Here the path turns right to run alongside the access road to join Station Road (use the path on the right) that leads to Tring Station.

(5) Cross the railway and after crossing the Grand Union Canal bear left along Beggars Lane. About 50m after the row of parked cars, on the right, the trail is indicated past a metal gate, over the fields and through Chestnut Wood to the old Roman Road (Akeman Street) now the A4251 next to a gatehouse.

(6) The trail is indicated across the road and along the path on the other side. After a 100m turn left up the track into the trees. Bear right then left to cross the footbridge over the A41 and up the hill to the road (The Twist). Go straight across and along the edge of Langton Wood to the top of Langton Hill.

(7) Carry on down to Fox Road and continue on the other side (indicated Tring Park, Rider's Road and Ridgeway) to come to a wooden gate which leads into Bull's Wood. At a path crossing turn left (South-West) to continue on the ridge all the way to Bishop's Wood.

(8) Here the route turns South to meet Marlin Hill Lane. Follow this lane left and at the junction, Hastoe Cross, turn right (West) along Church Lane past Marlin Hill Farm and into the village of Hastoe. At a road junction bear slightly left (West-South-West) to carry on along Gadmore Lane as far as a sharp left, where the tarmacked road becomes Shire Lane.

(9) Our route heads straight on into Pavis Wood and follows the ridge close to the drystone wall and bearing South-West into Northill Wood coming out onto Bottom Road near Chivery Hall Farm.

(10) Turn left then right through a metal swing gate that leads into fields by the side of farm buildings. Head South-West through a small copse and onto St Leonards Lane near Chivery. Go through another metal swing gate almost opposite and along the country track through woods dropping down to Hale Lane near Milesfield Farm.

(11) Cross straight over the road and into Hale Wood. Continue along the indicated route following the ridge past Cock's Hill and through Barn Wood. At a path crossing, follow the indications for The Ridgeway turning right to eventually come out of the wood at Boswells Farm.

(12) Continue along Hogtrough Lane, now heading North-West to reach Wellhead Farm.

(13) Continue straight ahead along Church Lane past the church on your left-hand side take the footpath right with Hampden Pond on your left-hand. At the path junction with Hampden Meadow turn right along the orchard on your left to Chapel Lane.

(14) Go straight on the footpath ahead and keep walking North on Heron Path into Wendover at the roundabout at the junction between High Street, Aylesbury and Tring roads. (A)