Start : Roundabout at the junction between High Street, South Street in Wendover. Postcode HP22 6EJ
(S) From the centre of Wendover, head out South-West along Pound Street, past The Shoulder of Mutton pub and across the railway and the A413. Carry on along Ellesborough Road as far as a sharp righthand bend where we leave the road on the left.
(1) The path through the woods climbs steadily up Bacombe Hill then follows the ridge up to Coombe Hill and the striking monument.
(2) Having enjoyed the views and maybe rested a while, take the path heading left (South) to reach the road at Lodge Hill.
(3) Head right along Lodge Hill Lane then left just past the entrance to the farm. The route continues South through Linton's Wood and Goodmerhill Wood.
(4) Turn right at a footpath crossing, coming out of the woods and crossing Missenden Road near Buckmoorend Farm.
(5) Cross over the road and go through a five-barred gate into the field and across the main driveway to Chequers.
(6) The path continues right along the edge of Maple Wood before bearing left along Cradle Footpath past Chequer's Knap.
(7) Again, at a footpath crossing bear left to head South towards Grangelands and Pulpit Hill Nature Reserve to eventually come out onto Cadsden Road. Turn left along Longdown Hill as far as The Plough at Cadsden then turn right along the track next to the car park.
(8) The route bears left opposite a farm building into Giles Wood and climbs steadily to reach the summit of Whiteleaf Hill. Go to the railing to see the 100m high chalk hill figure – The Whiteleaf Cross – on the North-West slope.
(9) The path heads left (South) off the hill to reach Peters Lane at the carpark. Cross over the road and head through the trees along the edge of Brush Hill to reach Knop Hill Lane.
(10) Turn right and almost immediately turn right again to head downhill past a disused pit.
(11) At a footpath crossing turn left to come out onto New Road, near Princes Risborough.
(12) Our route follows the Icknield Way, crossing New Road and heading South-West along a footpath that crosses fields by the side of housing until it reaches Wycombe Road (A4010) where it turns left (South) to follow the road, using the path on the left, to a junction (Shootacre Corner).
(13) Here our route goes right along Upper Icknield Way to a crossroads with Shootacre Lane. Continue across this road to stay on the Upper Icknield Way, past some houses to a small parking space on the left, and a signposted wide footpath leading across the fields in a South-West direction. Go under the electricity cables and through a wooden swing gate. Through a few more gates to cross over the railway line at the Saunderton Tunnel.
(14) Our route goes across a second railway line at a pedestrian crossing then swings left to follow a hedged-in path that runs by the side of the Princes Risborough Golf Club. It eventually runs behind fennced-in houses to emerge onto Lee Road.
(15) Go straight across, past a metal gate and along the side of a field to reach the start of the climb up Lodge Hill. The path goes past a wooden opening and enters the trees as it climbs gently uphill. Through a wooden kissing-gate and straight on. Over Lodge Hill, through another wooden kissing-gate and down the other side to reach a metal swing gate where the path turns left. Once again it's a wide path across the field to reach another metal swing gate. Through another metal swing gate to come out onto Wigan's Lane.
(16) Follow the indications on the other side of the road to continue along the hedgerow and the base of the hill to reach a wooden kissing-gate to go on the other side of the hedgerow. Continue along this path to reach a metal swing gate that gives access to a track where we turn left uphill and into the wood.
(17) The route goes round The Cop and Wain Hill to come out at some cottages. Here, turn left at the end of the cottages to continue along the path with a high hedge on the right and wooden fencing on the left. Follow the indicated route along Swan's Way and the Bledlow Circular Ride. Finally, the path crosses Keens Lane and then Chinnor Hill Road.
(18) Continue along the track, which widens considerably, heading South-West. There are strips of water on either side of the route and a number of footpaths that cross The Ridegway.
(19) Keep following the indicated route to join a disused railway track and cross Kingston Hill Road. The route continues straight on, still heading South-West to eventually reach the A40 at Ashton Hill.
(20) The route continues on the other side of the road, passing Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve and around the base of Beacon Hill and Cuckoo Pen to go under the M40 and cross a road near Hill Farm.
(21) From here the route continues in much the same vein with hedgerows either side of the track and the occasional tree cover around Shirburn Hill and Watlington Hill.
(22) We cross over the Oxfordshire Way (Station Road leading to Christmas Common) which might be a departure point if you have accommodation around Ibstone.
(23) Otherwise, keep on to reach Hill Road where a right turn will take you into Watlington in half a mile.(E)