Britains Oldest Road 139 km (87 miles) long, much of it following the ancient chalk ridge route used by prehistoric man, The Ridgeway offers the chance to get away from the bustle of life in this busy part of England. Perfect, but not too strenuous, for long distance use, this Trail is also ideal for day trips or less.

County: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshi
Distance: 87 miles
Estimated time to complete walk:
Terrain details: Most walkers should be able to enjoy the whole length of The Ridgeway since, although there are several hills, it’s not too strenuous compared to some other National Trails. An added bonus is that there are no stiles on the western half of the Trail and only a couple east of the River Thames. You should be aware that The Ridgeway can become rutted and muddy, especially during wet winters, in places where the Trail is legally shared by walkers, cyclists, horseriders, recreational and agricultural vehicles. Cyclists and horse riders can use the entire western half of the Trail (Oxfordshire & Berkshire) as far as the River Thames, and some parts east of the river too.
Type of route: Linear
Starts: Overton Hill(Grid reference: su119681)
Ends: Ivinghoe Beacon(Grid reference: sp961168)
Amenities available on route: The Ridgeway National Trail Companion gives details of accommodation, facilities and services along the trail and is available from the National Trail Office - see link below.
How to get there: The Ridgeway is by and large easily reached with a number of main rail stations near to the Trail. This is particularly true of the eastern side with stations like Goring & Streatley, Princes Risborough, Wendover and Tring near the finish, to name the larger ones. For the western end of The Ridgeway, Swindon is easily reached from London and from there you can take the bus to Avebury, near to the start of the Trail. The National Trails Office produce an excellent large foldout map/transport planner each June that you can either download for free on the transport page of the weblink below or ask for a hard copy to be sent to you free of charge.
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