The Ridgeway National Trail stretches across the heart of southern England, offering walkers a journey through ancient landscapes, historic sites, and stunning countryside. To make planning your walk easier, the trail is divided into different sections, each with its own detailed guide and maps that can be downloaded free of charge for offline use. You can pick a section below to find out more.
Avebury to Ogbourne St George (12 Miles)
The first stretch of the Ridgeway from Avebury to Ogbourne St George offers a great introduction to this historic trail. Walkers will encounter to a mix of ancient monuments, open chalk downs, and charming village landscapes along the way. The terrain is generally gentle and well-maintained, making it suitable for walkers of moderate fitness.
Ogbourne St George to Sparsholt Firs (16 Miles)
The second section of the Ridgeway is one of the most remote stretches of the trail. It offers a peaceful walk through open farmland, undulating hills, and ancient earthworks. Along the way, you’ll encounter ancient monuments, including Neolithic long barrows like Wayland’s Smithy, which hint at the area’s long history of human settlement. The section ends in the small town of Sparsholt Firs.
Sparsholt Firs to Streatley (17 Miles)
This stretch of the Ridgeway traverses the open ridges of the Berkshire Downs before descending into the Thames Valley. The route combines sweeping panoramic views, ancient earthworks, and remote farmland with the satisfying conclusion of reaching the bustling riverside village of Streatley-on-Thames, twinned with Goring across the bridge.
Streatley to Watlington (15 Miles)
This section of the Ridgeway sees the trail leave the wide, open downs and enter the rolling hills of the Chilterns. Starting from the Thames at Streatley and Goring, the route climbs into a landscape of beech woods, chalk grassland, and hidden valleys. The walk ends near the historic market town of Watlington.
Watlington to Wendover (17 Miles)
The next section of the Ridgeway offers a classic Chilterns experience, combining long stretches through ancient beech woods, panoramic chalk ridges, and a series of Iron Age hillforts. From the historic market town of Watlington, the trail climbs steadily back onto the Chiltern Hills, weaving through a mixture of woodland and open farmland.
Wendover to Ivinghoe Beacon (11.8 Miles)
The final section of the Ridgeway provides a fitting climax to the trail. From Wendover, the path climbs back onto the chalk escarpment and follows it north-east through the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The trail finishes at Ivinghoe Beacon, an iconic hilltop and ancient hillfort that marks the northern end of the Ridgeway.