The Ridgeway the Other Way in six stages

The Ridgeway National Trail is normally walked from SW to NE but this Other Way version begins at the Ivinghoe Beacon lying to the south of Leighton Buzzard. It follows a ridge of chalk hills in a southwesterly direction for 87 miles (139 Km) to reach the World Heritage Site of Avebury. Popularly known as ‘Britain’s oldest road’, The Ridgeway still follows the same route over the high ground used since prehistoric times by travellers, herdsmen and soldiers.

Details

n°23795595
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 97.44 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5,961 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6,152 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 906 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 138 ft

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S

    Ivinghoe Beacon to Wendover, The Ridgeway the Other Way

    ↔11.33 mi ↗712 ft ↘1,027 ft
    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.
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  2. 2

    Wendover to Watlington, The Ridgeway the Other Way

    ↔17.69 mi ↗1,260 ft ↘1,306 ft
    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

    ↔16.03 mi ↗1,043 ft ↘1,204 ft
    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
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  4. 4

    Streatley to Wantage, The Ridgeway the Other Way

    ↔16.48 mi ↗817 ft ↘712 ft
    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

    ↔22.28 mi ↗1,273 ft ↘1,063 ft
    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.
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  6. E

    Ogbourne St George to Avebury, The Ridgeway the Other Way

    ↔13.63 mi ↗856 ft ↘840 ft
    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.
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Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Other walks in the area

Walking Ivinghoe Beacon to Wendover, The Ridgeway the Other Way

Association / Club / Walk leader
↔11.33 mi ↗+712 ft ↘-1,027 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ivinghoe (Buckinghamshire)
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.

Walking Ivinghoe and Pitstone Hill

Association / Club / Walk leader
Ivinghoe and Pitstone Hill
↔4.31 mi ↗+308 ft ↘-318 ft ◔2h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ivinghoe (Buckinghamshire)
A walk suitable for everyone. You start by climbing steadily until you are on top of Pitstone Hill from where you will have stunning views over the Vale of Aylesbury, the Ivinghoe Hills and the woods of Ashridge. On the way back to Ivinghoe you pass close to Pitstone Windmill.

Walking Ridgeway Loops from Ashridge

Visorando Member
↔9.98 mi ↗+1,040 ft ↘-1,024 ft ◔5h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)
A circular trail near Berkhamstead covering the Ridgeway, Grim's ditch, Pitstone Hill, Steps Hill, Ivinghoe Beacon, Beacon Hilll, Icknield Way trail. Starting at Ashridge monument where there is national trust parking.

Walking Ashridge and Little Gaddesden, Chilterns

Association / Club / Walk leader
Ashridge and Little Gaddesden, Chilterns
↔7.33 mi ↗+256 ft ↘-256 ft ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)
Visit some of the quieter parts of the Ashridge Estate on the way to Hudnall Common and Little Gaddesden.

Walking The Chilterns above Tring

Visorando Member
↔11.30 mi ↗+778 ft ↘-784 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)
National Trails and Long Distance Paths crisscross the Chilterns in this area. This Circular Walk makes use of short stretches of at least five such to provide a beautiful and varied walk through Chiltern woodland, on Chiltern chalk downs with wide vistas from the scarp edge of the hills, along a stretch of the historic Grand Union Canal, and through one of the prettiest villages in Hertfordshire.

Walking Ashridge Bluebell Walk, Chilterns AONB

Association / Club / Walk leader
Ashridge Bluebell Walk, Chilterns AONB
↔5.55 mi ↗+253 ft ↘-253 ft ◔2h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)
The National Trust Estate at Ashridge is one of the best places in the country to see bluebells in spring. This gentle walk will take you through carpets of this beautiful plant, and also looks at the history of the estate. There are wonderful views over the valley from Duncombe Terrace. It’s a lovely walk at any time of year but can be very muddy in Winter so wear suitable footwear!

Walking Aldbury to the Beacon and back through Ashridge

Association / Club / Walk leader
Aldbury to the Beacon and back through Ashridge
↔9.93 mi ↗+801 ft ↘-807 ft ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)
From picturesque Aldbury you follow the Ridgeway to Ivinghoe beacon, returning via the Ashridge boundary trail and the Chiltern Way. You can enjoy the contrasts between the two LDPs: airy ridges on the Ridgeway and the patchwork of woods and fields on the Chiltern Way.

Walking Tring Reservoirs Wild

Tourist office
↔6.72 mi ↗+102 ft ↘-98 ft ◔3h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)
Stroll along the waterside and look for waterbirds on this gentle 13km walk. Starting at Tring railway station, it takes in College Lake nature reserve, a section of the Grand Union Canal and three reservoirs.

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