Chalk ridges, ancient paths, and farmland tracks tracing one of Britain’s oldest route corridors
The Icknield Way follows an ancient line across southern England from Ivinghoe Beacon in the Chiltern Hills to Knettishall Heath on the edge of the Brecks. The route connects chalk downs, lowland farmland, and heathland landscapes, broadly following one of the oldest known trackways in Britain.
Walking here is shaped by steady forward movement rather than dramatic terrain. Early sections cross the chalk ridges of the Chilterns with open views along escarpments and dry valleys. Further north-east, the route settles into farmland and green lanes before reaching the flatter landscapes of Cambridgeshire and the sandy soils and heath of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Surfaces are generally firm and varied, including bridleways, farm tracks, grassy paths, and quiet lanes. Gradients are mostly gentle, with occasional climbs onto higher ground that provide wider views before returning to level fields and woodland edges.
Settlements such as Tring, Royston, Newmarket, and Thetford provide regular stopping points along the route. The character feels rural and continuous, with long stretches between towns and a strong sense of following an established line through the landscape.
A defining feature of the Icknield Way is its historical continuity. The path passes hillforts, burial mounds, and ancient boundaries, reflecting its long use as a trading and travel route across the chalk belt.
The appeal of the Icknield Way lies in its steadiness and clarity. It offers a consistent long-distance journey through varied but gentle terrain, linking several distinct English landscapes along a single historic corridor.
Trail Overview
Distance
Approximately 110 miles / 177 km
Typical time on foot
7–9 days
Start
Ivinghoe Beacon, Buckinghamshire
Finish
Knettishall Heath, Suffolk (near the Norfolk border and Peddars Way)
Terrain
Chalk ridge paths, bridleways, green lanes, farmland tracks, woodland paths, minor roads, towns and villages
