Quaint stone cottages and arched bridge over a stream in Castle Combe village, Wiltshire, England, with the church tower rising in the background.

Wiltshire – Chalk Downs, Open Plain, and Ancient Landscapes

Chalk downland, broad valleys, and open plateau ground across the western edge of southern England.

Wiltshire is a county of chalk downland, open plain, and river valleys in South West England. Walking routes cross the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites UNESCO World Heritage Site and follow the Ridgeway and the Wessex Ridgeway, linking places such as Salisbury, Marlborough, Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, and Swindon across chalk ridges, broad vales, and wide open plateau ground.

Much of the terrain is firm and generally rolling underfoot, with long stretches on chalk tracks, field-edge paths, byways, canal towpaths, and bridleways. Gradients are often moderate rather than sustained, with shorter climbs onto downs and ridgelines followed by longer, easier descents into valleys.

The landscape shifts between areas. North and east Wiltshire include chalk scarp and downland around the Marlborough Downs and Avebury, while central areas open out across Salisbury Plain. West Wiltshire becomes more broken by vales and river corridors around places such as Bradford-on-Avon and the western edge of the county.

Towns and villages are scattered rather than continuous, creating clear access points for shorter walks and longer point-to-point routes, with regular road and rail links on the county edges and stronger gaps across the central plain.

Trails and Routes Through Wiltshire

The Ridgeway

National Trail route starting at Avebury in Wiltshire and running north-east along chalk ridges toward Ivinghoe Beacon, with the Wiltshire section centred on the Avebury area and adjacent downland.

Wessex Ridgeway

Long-distance route running from Marlborough through Wiltshire and onward toward the Dorset coast, following chalk downland, the Vale of Pewsey, and the northern edge of Salisbury Plain.

White Horse Trail

Long-distance Wiltshire route linking chalk hills and downland sites via places including Pewsey, Marlborough, Devizes, and Westbury, with repeated climbs onto open scarp and ridge ground.

Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath

Level towpath walking along the canal corridor through west and north-east Wiltshire, linking towns and villages on a continuous waterside line between the Avon Valley and the Kennet Valley.

Walking Character

Chalk downs and escarpments
Open plain and wide plateau ground
River valleys and lowland corridors
Byways, bridleways, and chalk tracks
Canal towpaths on level ground
Settlements spaced between open areas
Predominantly inland routes with big-sky visibility across higher ground

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Wiltshire located?

Wiltshire is in South West England, inland between the Cotswolds edge to the north-west and the chalk downlands of southern England to the east and south.

What defines walking here?

Chalk downland and track networks dominate, with ridge walking on higher ground and valley routes along rivers and the Kennet and Avon Canal corridor.

Are there long-distance routes here?

Yes. The Ridgeway starts at Avebury, and the Wessex Ridgeway runs through Wiltshire from Marlborough toward the south-west.

Is the terrain steep?

Most routes are rolling rather than mountainous. Expect short, sharper climbs onto chalk scarps and ridges, with long sections of moderate gradient.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn offer firmer ground and clearer visibility on open downland. Summer bings longer daylight but can be exposed on high ground; winter can be muddy on field paths and rutted tracks.