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.

Technical sheet

n°23795595
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 156.82 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 6 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,768 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 1,818 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 275 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 42 m

Step by step walk

This walk 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.
    See walk sheet
  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.
    See walk sheet
  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

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Other walks in the area

Walking Ivinghoe Beacon to Wendover, The Ridgeway the Other Way

Association or club
↔18.23 km ↗+217 m ↘-313 m ◔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 Ashridge and Little Gaddesden, Chilterns

Association or club
Ashridge and Little Gaddesden, Chilterns
↔11.80 km ↗+78 m ↘-78 m ◔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

Walker
↔18.18 km ↗+237 m ↘-239 m ◔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 or club
Ashridge Bluebell Walk, Chilterns AONB
↔8.90 km ↗+84 m ↘-84 m ◔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.

Walking Walk Suspended - Aldbury to the Beacon and back through Ashridge

Association or club
Walk Suspended - Aldbury to the Beacon and back through Ashridge
↔15.98 km ↗+244 m ↘-246 m ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)

The steps after Waypoint 9 are currently closed. Please do not do this walk until it is updated!

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
↔10.81 km ↗+31 m ↘-30 m ◔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.

Walking Tring Park Wild

Tourist office
↔16.00 km ↗+148 m ↘-147 m ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)

Enjoy scenic views, wooded valleys and ancient parkland on this 10km circular walk through the Chilterns. Starting in Tring, the walk takes in Dancersend nature reserve and the Ridgeway National Trail.

Walking Walk Suspended - Ivinghoe Beacon & Ashridge, Chilterns

Association or club
↔14.02 km ↗+275 m ↘-275 m ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aldbury (Hertfordshire)

The steps after Waypoint 7 are currently closed. Please do not do this walk until it is updated!

This walk follows the ancient Ridgeway with stunning views from the tops of both Pitstone Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon, before returning through the beautiful woodland of the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.