Why you should walk The Ridgeway

From ancient monuments and hillforts to rolling downlands, beautiful woodland to stunning vantage points, The Ridgeway crosses some of the best countryside in southern England. It was made a National Trail in 1973, but the path’s origins stretch way back to England’s distant past.  

This combination means The Ridgeway has something for every hiker. By hiking The Ridgeway for Macmillan you are choosing a route that’s challenging and highly rewarding.  

 

Where is the Ridgeway? 

The Ridgeway is an 87-mile-long ancient path crossing southern and central England through two national parks, The Chilterns and North Wessex Downs National Landscapes (formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Its bucolic countryside features ancient woodland and downlands, many of which have historical significance.  

The trail passes through 5 English counties; Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire. The western trailhead is at Overton Hill in Wiltshire, and the eastern trailhead at Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. Whether you decide to hike east-west or west-east is completely up to you.  

There are many online maps of The Ridgeway, including from the Long Distance Walkers Association.  

 

Why is it called the Ridgeway? 

A ridgeway is any type of ancient road which crosses hilltop ridges. Although there are many examples of ridgeway-style long distance paths in the UK, The Ridgeway is one of the most famous. Much of the western section of The Ridgeway traverses rolling chalk downland, making it visible many miles away.  

 

Why is The Ridgeway so popular? 

There are many reasons why The Ridgeway is so popular, but its appeal broadly falls into two categories. Firstly, its human history and secondly its natural wonders. The Ridgeway is believed to be Britain’s oldest road, and there is archaeological evidence that people have been using this ancient path as a trading route for at least 5,000 years.  

Many visible clues of the path’s ancient origins last till this day. There are Iron Age hillforts, burial grounds and stone circles dotted along or very near the length of the route. One of the most famous is Uffington White Horse, a prehistoric hill figure carved into the hillside of the highest natural point in Oxfordshire, Whitehorse Hill.  

There are many highlights to choose from, but no hike along The Ridgeway would be complete without some of these unforgettable sites.  

• Think very carefully about how many days you wish to walk The Ridgeway in. Seven is ambitious, 10 is more leisurely. Your fitness levels, how much stuff you’re planning to carry, and the time of year are all important factors when planning your trip. 
   
  
  
• The western section of The Ridgeway between Overton Hill and Wantage is remote. There aren’t many accommodation or transport options for multiday walking. As it’s a linear walk, arriving or leaving by car may not be a realistic option either. Booking accommodation in advance is really important, particularly if you plan to do the route at a popular time of year.  
  
  
  
• Think about the best time of year to walk The Ridgeway.  This isn’t only for your own enjoyment, but also the challenges it may bring. In winter the path can become very churned up and slippery from offroad bikes. In summer, there’s a lack of shade on many parts of the western section through Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. The hard and uneven ground can be painful on your feet too. The best time to do it may be when you are less likely to face either of these extremes. 
  
   
• Decent walking shoes or boots are essential. So too are a durable, adjustable rucksack, waterproofs and thick socks.  
  
   
• Choose where to start. Whether you are starting at Overton Hill in the west or Ivinghoe Beacon in the east, there’s no right or wrong way to walk The Ridgeway. The different terrain it crosses might be factors in deciding which order you choose to do things.  
  
  
  
• Buy paper maps. Ideally detailed ones such as Ordnance Survey. Although walking apps are very useful when hiking, you can’t always depend on a decent phone signal or your battery to last. Paper maps offer a safety net.  

The National Trail website has more information about hiking The Ridgeway.