We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up to 20 people, including the leader.
This all day hike is a tour of the north Chiltern Hills. This northern outcropping of the great line of chalk downs sits on the border between Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and provides the best hill walking and most impressive vistas in Stag Walkers territory.
We begin in Barton-le-Clay, where we make our way up onto the downs by crossing the Barton Hills Nature Reserve with its steep valleys and round hills, enjoying wide views across the lowlands to the north. We travel south across farmland, before encountering the western edge of the hills at Galley Hill, with its wide views into the valley occupied by Luton and Dunstable.
Continuing southeast and east across rolling farmland, we next arrive at Lilley, where we stop for lunch in the village, with an optional mid walk drink at the village pub. After lunch we turn north, crossing farmland atop Lilley Hoo, reaching Telegraph Hill before emerging into the Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve, at the northern edge of the hills.
We begin a long descent off the hills here, with panoramic views ahead of us. The final leg of the walk then takes us back to Barton-le-Clay across the flat lowlands at the foot of the hills and through Hexton village.
Walkers are welcome to join us at The Royal Oak pub for an optional post walk drink.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and please check back regularly in case you do get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a circular walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they purchase membership. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
St Nicholas' Church, Church Road, Barton-le-Clay, Bedford, MK45 4LA. Meet by the Church Entrance. Drivers may park considerately on Church Road, or alternatively on nearby residential roads.
