Pathways > The Pathways book > Ridgeways
Ridgeways
Ridgeways are some of the oldest known tracks in Britain, offering obvious navigational advantages and a clear sight of the surrounding country. For the book we decided to feature the best known of all, the 'Great Ridgeway' running north east from Avebury. The entire track is littered with ancient remains, including several hillforts, prehistoric chamber tombs and, of course, Uffington's famous White Horse.
But ridgeway routes are to be found all over the country and each has its own story to tell. Often the paths will lead through or past an Iron Age hillfort and in later centuries they were regularly used as drove roads (the dryness of being above the springline must have been welcome with a herd of cattle).
Nicholas Rudd-Jones' Woolstone to Uffington White Horse walk, featured in the book, is free to download once you have joined as a member of Walkingworld.
There is a special thread in the Pathways forum on Ridgeways, should you wish to join in the discussion.
Below is a list of other ridgeway walks:
Bedfordshire
A jaunt from the friendly pubs of Aldbury up the edge of the Chiltern Hills to the Ashridge Estate and the majestic Bridgewater Monument. The area has a rich variety of wildlife and mature woodlands, with carpets of spring bluebells and fine autumnal... More info
Berkshire
A lovely walk through unspoilt countryside on the edge of the Berkshire Downs, taking in a 1.5 mile stretch of the Ridgeway long-distance path. At the end the walker is rewarded with some splendid views towards the Thames Valley. ... More info
A good hike in all seasons - on the tough side of moderate! - on the Berkshire and Oxfordshire border, up on to chalk downland and along the Ridgeway with its history and its great views, offering a wide variety of wildlife, then back through... More info
A stimulating walk up onto the Ridgeway from the attractive Berkshire village of East Ilsley, through the North Wessex Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is the third in a 'trilogy' of Ridgeway walks written in early 2008; see also Walks 4624 and... More info
Buckinghamshire
A moderate walk taking in part of the Ridgway long-distance trail.
... More info
A beautiful walk from the Natural History Museum at Tring along a section of the Ridgeway to the Iron Age fort at Cholesbury, then a return along Grim's Ditch through Wigginton, past the obelisk and back to Tring, nestling gently at the foot of the... More info
This delightful easy walk has spectacular views and shaded walks through leafy woodland. In spring there are rich displays of wildflowers. It also includes part of The Ridgeway.... More info
Cardiff
A morning or afternoon walk through a variety of woodland, with stunning views across Cardiff and the Bristol Channel.... More info
Starting from pretty Cefn Onn Park, climb to the ridgeway with extensive views and return through a hidden valley; a mixed walk with broadleaf and conifer woods and open fields.... More info
A varied walk through fields, woodland and along hill-top ridges. The route follows the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk between Machen and Caerphilly Common, returning to Machen over Mynydd Rudry and along a section of the waymarked Machen Forge Trail.... More info
Central South Wales
An energetic but extremely rewarding walk in the Welsh hills, where steep beech woodlands merge into panoramic hilltops.... More info
An attractive rural walk that provides an extension into the lower Rhymney Valley of the waymarked Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk. Part of the route followed is shared with two shorter walks on the Walkingworld website, ID numbers 5552 and 5516.... More info
Dorset
A circular walk taking in views of Portland and Chesil Beach from the end of the South Dorset Ridgeway.... More info
This is a walk through interesting countryside, catching a view of the elegant Hanford House before going down to and across the river to the village of Shillingstone on the other side. You return across another footbridge and along paths and lanes... More info
On this walk you circle around to take the easier way up to the Ridgeway behind Corfe Castle, then stroll along the top, taking in the fantastic views. There is a sharp descent if you feel up to it, but there are easier ways down. The views make it... More info
An excellent walk over good terrain with great Ridgeway views, passing through Kimmeridge Village, continuing along the coast, past the new Clavell's Tower to finish at Swyre Head, the highest point on the Purbeck Hills.... More info
Starting close to the beacon on top of Okeford Hill, from where there are stunning views across the Blackmore Vale, the dog-friendly route follows a section of the Wessex Ridgeway when fine south-easterly views are revealed. Soon the walk enters... More info
Herefordshire
Starting from the 'black-and-white' area of old Ledbury, the walk undulates across the foothills then onto the Malvern Hills, with a visit to the obelisk. Crossing Eastnor Park, with its free-roaming deer herd, the route goes through Eastnor Village,... More info
Hertfordshire
Aldbury is an idyllic village nestling at the foot of the Chilterns. Duchie's Piece is an SSSI and is renowned as having the best butterflies in the county. A climb of some 45m gives good views over the Vale of Aylesbury to the Tring Reservoirs.... More info
Leicestershire
Walk from Staunton Harold with its lovely old hall and church, along 'Staunton Ridgeway', crossing thirteen specially made, one step, pass-through stiles. Take a notepad and pen; each stile has a carved inscription on both sides. Write each one down... More info
Oxfordshire
A fairly long (12 miles) but otherwise not particularly strenuous walk across the gentle, undulating Oxfordshire farmland, then up to and along the Ridgeway with good views. Of particular interest is the lunch stop in the ancient village of Blewbury... More info
Another 'tough side of moderate' walk in south Oxfordshire, climbing up onto the Ridgeway for the outward leg and dropping down into the vale to pass through several attractive villages on the way back. There are three pubs and three churches, plus... More info
An enjoyable, varied and moderate walk in my series along the Ridgeway, climbing up from Sparsholt, passing the Devil's Punchbowl and Crowhole Bottom of archaeological and ornithological interest respectively, then dropping down through the... More info
This walk strikes up onto Blewbury Down (close to the Ridgeway) with fine views over the Thames Valley, before heading for Churn Hill where St Birinus preached. It descends a bridleway to the pretty village of Blewbury to see the thatched cottages,... More info
This walk is a Ridgeway National Trail special in the Chilterns AONB to the east of Goring. As well as some great countryside, the walk visits the picturesque village of Ewelme, plus it takes in a stretch of the ancient Icknield Way.... More info
This walk takes you along the delightful Ridgeway national path (over hills and through woodland) in the Chilterns AONB (east of Goring) en route for Britwell Salome. It returns on the Swan's Way over rolling hills and luscious countryside to enjoy,... More info
A scenic walk in the Vale of the White Horse (Oxfordshire) taking in the famous Ridgeway National Trail, a number of ancient monuments including the White Horse, plus a selection of picturesque villages.... More info
A circuit of the Ridgeway starting from a pretty Oxfordshire village with a pub. There can hardly be a walk in England that passes by as many Neolithic, Iron Age and Bronze Age remains, including the famous White Horse of Uffington, which dates back... More info
Pembrokeshire
A short walk with plenty of interest and far-reaching views, with a short climb to begin with but then a walk along the Ridgeway before a gentle descent back to Penally.... More info
Wiltshire
A walk around the ancient stones and burial grounds of this famous location, including a short stretch along the Ridgeway. Walk featured in the 'Pathways' book... More info
An elevated walk with fine views around the Marlborough Downs, the latter half following a section of the Ridgeway long-distance path. ... More info
An exhilarating walk along part of the Salisbury Plain boundary and through some of the picturesque Pewsey Vale villages.... More info
Starting at the village of Easterton, this walk takes you up to its highest point on the Wessex Ridgeway at 203 metres. The route then follows the Wessex Ridgeway south-westwards, eventually to turn north-west towards the outskirts of West Lavington,... More info
A good hike in all seasons - on the tough side of moderate! - on the quiet Marlborough Downs, along the Ridgeway with its history and its great views and finishing in a country pub. Re-written in 2008 to encourage walkers to use public transport... More info
A circular walk from Win Green, the highest point in Cranborne Chase, descending through a dry valley to Tollard Royal, the route returns via a mostly gradual climb back to the main ridgeway.
There is a pub and a church at Tollard Royal.... More info
This easy walk takes in most of the ancient monuments that surround the village of Avebury. It gives visitors to Avebury an excellent opportunity to see the village and stone circle in the wider context of the surrounding countryside and monuments.... More info
A walk around the ancient hill-fort of Bratton Camp, with close-up views of the Westbury White Horse and great views of the surrounding area. Walk a section of the Imber Range Perimeter Path / Wessex Ridgeway and take the opportunity to look into a... More info
This is a walk with great views over the open downland around Upavon. You will walk eastwards from Upavon, up Upavon Hill and over Bohune Down, then southwards over MoD territory to Littlecott Down and on down to the outskirts of the village of... More info
This circular walk follows the Wessex Ridgeway southwards from Hindon for just over 7.5k. You will pass over hills with great views and through interesting woods as well as the tiny villages of Newtown and West Hatch. The walk then leaves the Wessex... More info
Barbury Castle is an Iron Age hill-fort, offering commanding views over the Marlborough Downs and Swindon. From the country park, the walk follows the Ridgeway along the top of Smeathe's Ridge, which can be seen gently curving round in front of you.... More info
This walk is a great opportunity to take in a stretch of the famous Ridgeway on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border together with the views over the downs. The walk passes through Ashdown Park with the option of visiting the stately home.... More info