Chalk hills, ancient paths, and a steady crossing of southern England
The Ridgeway is a long-distance self-guided walking route following one of Britain’s oldest paths across the chalk high ground of southern England, linking routes, landscapes, and places between Avebury in Wiltshire and Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. As a National Trail, it traces a continuous ridge through the North Wessex Downs National Landscape and the Chilterns National Landscape, staying high above the surrounding valleys for much of its length.
Walking here is defined by openness and continuity. The trail follows broad tracks and ancient drove roads across chalk downland, with long, gradual climbs rather than steep ascents. Progress feels steady and unhurried, shaped more by distance and weather than terrain difficulty. With the ridge acting as a natural guide, navigation is simple and views extend far across fields, valleys, and wooded slopes.
The character of the landscape shifts gradually along the route. In Wiltshire, wide skies and open pasture dominate, punctuated by prehistoric landmarks such as Avebury’s stone circles, Wayland’s Smithy, and the Uffington White Horse. Further east, the Berkshire and Oxfordshire downs feel more agricultural, with villages gathered in sheltered valleys below the ridge. Approaching Buckinghamshire, woodland increases and the chalk escarpment of the Chilterns creates a greener, more enclosed finish toward Ivinghoe Beacon.
History runs quietly alongside every step. For thousands of years this high, dry route allowed travellers to move across the country above marshy ground and dense forest. Today, that same line still shapes the walk, giving the Ridgeway a strong sense of continuity and purpose.
Unlike coastal or mountainous trails, the appeal lies in steadiness rather than drama. It is a route shaped by landform, light, and time — a calm crossing of England’s chalk spine experienced slowly and on foot.
Trail Overview
Distance
87 miles / 139 km
Typical time on foot
6–8 days
Start
Overton Hill, near Avebury, Wiltshire
Finish
Ivinghoe Beacon, Buckinghamshire
Terrain
Chalk ridge paths, downland tracks, farmland, woodland sections, and quiet lanes
