Ridgeway

Routes offered on this trail

The Ridgeway Path is one of the oldest National Trails in Britain, celebrating 50 years anniversary in 2023.  The route passes through the southern part of England, starting in the World Heritage site of Avebury, with its historical standing Stones and finishing 757 ft above sea level on Ivinghoe Beacon.   Walked from West to East.  The route can be walked as a whole or split into two sections. 

There are areas of this route which can be quite demanding, due to the rugged nature of the terrain and the distance between dwellings.

The trail can be very remote in places, giving specular open views.  On the trail you will pass through the North Wessex Downs, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, skimming past small villages and rolling Chalk downland. East of the Thames you walk through the valleys of the Chilterns, another Area of Outstanding Beauty, known for the beautiful wooded areas and more intimate hills and valleys.   All along the route there are many archaeological monuments.  You will find Stone Age long barrows, Bronze Age round Barrows, Iron Age forts and the figures of the White horse cut into the Chalk.          

The mileage shown below is from where the Ridgeway path starts and finishes each day and is for your guidance only. This is an extremely rural path which passes by villages and towns but not often through them.  You will find that a large proportion of the accommodations are a further walk from the path. You will not be asked to walk any further than one and a half miles from the path to your accommodation, unless otherwise informed.  Please see the Itinerary pages for more details.

Avebury has very limited accommodation.  You might need to be booked into Ogbourne St George for two nights and transferred to Avebury on your first day of walking. 

Important information: The Ridgeway finishes at Ivinghoe Beacon, this is at the top of a steep hill and you will need to descend back down to reach your accommodation.  This return walk to Tring, Aldbury or Wigginton could be up to a five miles additional walk from the listed mileage of the path. You will be informed of the exact distance at the time of booking your accommodation. 
 

Ridgeway. 
Full walk
85 miles / 137 Km


 

This route is classed as challenging 
 

Walk the whole of the 85 miles of the Ridgeway. Over 7 to 9 nights. From £895.00 per person

Ridgeway. 
West Section.
Finish at Goring
43 miles / 69Km 
Finish at Wallingford
48.5 miles /78Km

This route is classed as moderate to challenging

Walking the West section of the Ridgeway.  Covering 43 miles from Avebury and finishing at Goring. Over 4 to 6 nights.  From £530.00 per person. Or extending the walk to Wallingford, covering 48.5 miles over 6 nights from £795.00 per person

Ridgeway
East Section.
Start at Goring
43 miles / 69 Km
Start at Wallingford
38.5 miles / 62km

This route is classed as moderate to challenging

Walking the East section of the Ridgeway.  Covering 43 miles starting at Goring and finishing  at Ivinghoe Beacon. Over 4 or 5 nights from £530.00 per person.  Or if you would prefer a shorter walk starting in Wallingford, covering 38.5 miles over 4 or 5 nights from £530.00 per person.

Rest Days, explore or relax it's your choice. 

A rest day is a great way to break up your walking Holiday.  You could explore the area or just take it easy for the day.  

A fabulous way to make your holiday more bespoke.

We give you some ideas below on choice places to stop for that extra day. 

Avebury

Taking an additional day at the start of your Ridgeway walking holiday will allow you to have more time to explore the Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial site at Avebury.  The National Trust Museum is located close by housing finds from the site and there is also a Manor House and gardens to visit. 

Goring

Whether you are visiting Goring as a finishing point, starting point or as a half way stop on your Ridgeway walk. Goring offers an excellent place to break for a rest day.  Located on the side of the River Thames.  A quiet historic Village full of charm. The towpath runs along the side of the River, offering a small walk to Brunel railway bridge at Gatehampton. Or you could just relax at one of the eateries over looking the River.   

feet with boots on relaxing in long grass
Two boots tied to a bench

Letcombe Regis

Letcombe Regis is a small village, just off the Rigeway path.  You might want to visit Wantage Town on your rest day, which is in easy walking distance, with a good selection of independent shops.  Home to the Vale and Downland Museum, offering everything from fossils to Formula One. 

Princes Risborough

Taking an additional day to spend in Princes Risborough will give you chance to visit the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Heritage Railway, a preserved steam railway running on part of the old Great Western Railway to Chinnor. Stopping at one of the lovely pubs in Chinnor for lunch and returning again.  The Steam railway and Chinnor station have been used in the TV shows Midsomer Murders, Grantchester, The Dig and Silent Witness. 

  

What we offer

Please see listed below information for this walk.  If you have any questions, please contact us- we will be happy to help.

What is included 

  • You will be accommodated as close to the path as possible in good quality accommodation using a mixture of Guesthouse, Bed and Breakfast, Farmhouse, local Inns and Hotels.
  • All rooms are booked as en-suite or private bathroom wherever possible
  • Breakfast is always included. Sometimes this is continental not always a fully cooked breakfast.
  • Your luggage will be transferred for you between each of your accommodations.
  • Where your accommodation is not within a reasonable walking distance of the path you will be provided with a transfer to your accommodation.
  • Your route planning will be provided as part of your holiday pack.
  • Your Holiday pack will included your Trail Guide and map, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch information and evening meal recommendations, luggage transfer information and holiday planning details.
  • A packed lunch and your evening meal are not included in your holiday cost.
  • You will be responsible for getting to your first nights accommodation and departing from your last nights accommodation.  

Additional Costs

Rest Days

If you would like to spend additional days in an area, a rest day can be included in your itinerary.  This is great for exploring the area At £70.00 per person per night.  Please let us know at the time of booking so this can be included.  

Solo Walkers 

Solo walker supplement is charged at £70 per night.  All our walks are based on two people sharing a room.  The Solo Walker supplement is applied per night for anyone holidaying on their own.  It is charged to cover the extra costs passed on from the accommodations and luggage transfers. 

Single Supplement

Single supplement applies if you are booking as part of a group but require a room of your own.  Charged at £60 per person per night. Again, it is charged to cover the extra costs passed on from the accommodations and luggage transfers. 

Postage Costs

Postage is calculated dependant on location, as listed below:

UK - £6.99 per pack

Europe - £17.99 per pack

Rest of World - £26.99 per pack

 

How to get to the Ridgeway

Railway stations: Can be found at Swindon (for Avebury), Goring and Tring.

Car Parking: There are no secure car parking facilities.  Please ask on booking, so that we can advise.  

If you would like any help with your arrival or departure arrangements, please contact us at the office, where we will be happy to give advice.  info@embarkwalkingholidays.com  call us on +44 (0)7399 330178.

 

When would you like to start

We want to arrange your holiday to suit you.  So you get to choose the start date and we will work from there.  

Our walks are only offered between April and September, giving better daylight hours and safer walking conditions for you. 

 

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