Chinnor Ridgeway and Oakley Hill Nature Reserve

A visit to the Oakley Hill and Chinnor Hill Nature Reserves with varied, mainly off road walking and 3 hills to climb. 400M ascent.

We set off along the Ridgeway Trail beside flooded quarries and visit the tranquil BBOWT Oakley Hill Nature Reserve which has a pair of docile wild ponies (in Summer) to keep the grass down. The reserve overlooks the flooded quarry. We turn back and climb Crowell Hill to Sprigs Alley and along the edges of Sunley and Hedgerley Woods, (lovely in afternoon sunshine). Later, and after passing through a possible field of cattle, we zig-zag along Chinnor Hill where there are fantastic views if visibility is good and where we can stop to eat if the weather is favourable. Sometimes the reserve has some placid Dexter cattle. We take a chalk path down to the Lions of Bledlow where those who would like to can partake in some hot or cold refreshment at about the 7.5 mile point and make use of the facilities. The rest of the walk is fairly level. Our path takes us quite closely parallel with the Chinnor and Princes Risborough railway. If we are lucky we might see the 2.30pm departure Santa Steam Special near the end as it comes into Chinnor from Princes Risborough.

If you only wish to take an easy, mainly level 2.5 mile or more walk, you will be welcome to come with us to the Oakley Hill Nature reserve for the first mile and a quarter, then make your own way back, with an option for your own walk perhaps devised to spot the Santa Steam Special 12.30pm departure from Princes Risborough. A good location to watch at about 25 minutes after departure is at Keens Lane Crossing accessible from the Ridgeway Path by taking a bridleway which gently goes down to the crossing and on into Chinnor.