The Ridgeway Map and Itinerary

The Ridgeway path stretches 87 miles starting in Overton Hill near Avebury and finishes at Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring. You can walk the full trail in either 6 or 8 days or if you are short of time then why not walk either the West section through the North Wessex Downs or the East Section through the busier Chiltern Hills.

Below you will find a brief description of the entire walk broken down into the main sections.

Arrive in Avebury

Your first night’s accommodation will be in Avebury which is a short walk away from the start of the Ridgeway at Overton Hill. Arrive early and take time to visit the Standing Stones. The closest rail station to Avebury is Swindon (12 miles away) which is on the main line from London Paddington (1hr). From Swindon you can catch the bus to Avebury (30mins). Please visit the travel section of the brochure for more details.

Avebury to Bishopstone: 17 Miles

The official start of the Ridgeway is from Overton Hill which is right at the side of the A4, as you are staying in Avebury the night before, there are a number of alternative starts to the walk (detailed in the guidebook) which make for a more exiting start to this wonderful walk. The first section of this walk sees you climbing gradually to Barbury Castle Iron Age Fort where the views on a clear day are fantastic. The landscape is remote and walking is mainly on grassland until you head down to Ogbourne St George. This pretty village has many lovely cottages with thatched roofs and its two pubs are a welcome stop for many walkers. From here to Bishopstone is fairly tough but worth it when you reach the village located just off the Ridgeway path.

Bishopstone to Letcombe Regis: 10 Miles

From Bishopstone you soon make your way up to White Horse Hill and Uffington Castle. This is quite a tough climb but its worth it when you reach the top and see these amazing horses cut into the hillside. Dating back to around 800bc the Uffington White Horse is over 100 metres long and its still a mystery how it was so well excavated from the hillside. The White Horse Hill area is one of the highlights of the Ridgeway so take time to relax and enjoy it. Soon you will take the turn off for Letcombe Regis which is just 2km from the path.

Letcombe Regis to Goring: 14 Miles

This section of the walk is fairly easy with most of the walking on flat broad, grassy paths. On a clear day you can see the Chiltern hills in the distance which the Ridgeway later travels. After the road crossing, more trees become apparent and the path starts to undulate slightly. You gradually descend into Streatly on the west bank of the River Thames before you cross over to the bustling town of Goring.

Goring to Watlington: 14 Miles

This stretch of the Ridgeway is very enjoyable and highlights the contrast from the previous days walking in the remote and open countryside. You follow the River Thames (England’s most famous river) for the first 5 or so miles and pass charming little villages. The walking is on narrow secluded paths and in the springtime these are covered with bluebells and wood anemones. When you reach Nuttfield the path heads north and you pass Swyncombe and then up to Watlington which officially is the smallest town in England.

Watlington to Princes Risborough: 11 Miles

This 11 mile section is a pleasant days walk. It is fairly short so you can take your time and enjoy the sights and possibly take a detour to Lewknor or Chinnor if you have time. The walking is mainly on sheltered beech woodland trails where the wildflowers dominate the surroundings. Unfortunately a short main road walk follows as you come into Princes Risborough which is the biggest town you will have seen so far on the walk.

Princes Risborough to Tring: 10.5 Miles

This section is the most undulating section of the walk with several climbs in an out of valleys so even although it is a short day if can be quite tough. Wendover which was mentioned in the doomsday book, serves for a good halfway stop and has an attractive centre with old cosy pubs. From here to Wiggington you pass through woodlands and you will be surrounded by beech trees, your overnight is is Tring which is slightly off the path but will be your base for the next 2 nights.

Walk to Ivinghoe Beacon and return to Tring: 10 Miles

From Tring this last section of the walk up to Ivinghoe Beacon is wonderful, it takes around 5 miles to reach the end but you have to come back to Tring for your overnight. The path up is fairly steep and you pass through Duchies Piece Nature Reserve before emerging onto Pitstone Hill where the views for the rest of the walk to Ivinghoe Beacon are outstanding. The last two miles are undulating but you will be rewarded with views over the Vale of Aylesbury and you can also look back from where you have followed the Ridgeway path. Take time to reflect at the journey you have taken along Britains Oldest Road. Onward Travel We base your last two nights in the large town of Tring as onward travel is easier from here. There is a train station in Tring and you can reach London Euston in 40 mins from here.

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