The best way to start the Ridgeway is on a pleasant circular walk (about 8.5 miles/13.5 km, of which 3.5 miles/5.5 km is on the Ridgeway) that takes you through the Ashridge estate to Ivinghoe Beacon, the official start point of the National Trail.
There are 360 degree views from there along the Chilterns: north east to Whipsnade with its giant lion figure incised into the chalk and to Dunstable where the Icknield Way met Watling Street; and south west to Coombe Hill beyond Wendover.
Length: 8.5 miles/15.5 km, of which 3.5 miles/5.5 km are on the Ridgeway.
Difficulty: A couple of quite strenuous rises. Most of the higher level paths are chalk and inclined to be slippery when wet. Low level arable areas can be very muddy in the winter.
Getting there and away
By public transport the nearest station is Tring, on the line from Euston to Milton Keynes. You can return from Tring, or stay in the town, about half a mile from the station, and continue next day towards Wendover. SeeDay 2 : Tring to Princes Risborough.
Directions First follow the Hertfordshire Way first NE then SE to the pretty village of Aldbury with its village pond and stocks.
Opposite the pond, take Toms Hill Road and just past the Veterans’ Hall a steep path, signposted Ashridge Visitors’ Centre, follows a deep hollow way up to the Bridgewater Monument at the heart of the National Trust estate, where there is also a cafe. From here a wide avenue leads north through beech hanger woods about 2.7 miles to Steps Hill car park. Footpaths parallel to the road lead a further 0.7 miles to the final rise to Ivinghoe Beacon with fine views of the Chilterns to the north and south.
A trig point marks the start of the Ridgeway, which is signposted very clearly from here, along at first a parallel path that dips down across the road, then rises up (the middle of three paths) skirting Steps Hill and continuing south east to Pitstone Hill, where the Ridgeway follows parts of Grim’s Ditch for the first time.
Continuing through the Aldbury Nowers nature reserve, with its rare chalk grassland supporting many plants and butterful species, return to the station by rejoining the Hertfordshire Way.
The view of Ivinghoe Beacon from Pitstone Hill. The Old Stone Road is deeply incised into the hills
Breaking the walk If you want to break your trip with a lunch stop, you can take the wide footpath along the ridge that leads directly to Ivinghoe, where there is a very hospitable pub, the Rose and Crown (kitchen 12-2, closed on Mondays), and a community cafe, the Daisy Chain, in an old school building. Also nearby is the 17th century Pitstone windmill, thought to be the oldest windmill in the British Isles, now run by the National Trust and open on Fridays in summer. This diversion adds about a mile each way.
The Ridgeway route is clearly marked with these wooden signs and with the National Trail acorn symbol
Alternative routes A longer but easier route to Ivinghoe Beacon is to follow the Grand Union Canal towpath from just west of Tring station for just over four miles to a swing bridge, just after passing under the railway. From here a wide avenue leads south to Pitstone (there is a good footpath round the north side of the village) and Ivinghoe. Carry on through the village following the road round to the right past the church. About 100 yards past the B489 turning to Ashridge is a footpath through a gate at Middle Path farm, which leads up to the Ridgeway.
