We are the Chiltern Young Walkers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Important! As this is a linear walk, we will actually meet at the end point and then carpool together to the start point.
Meet at the Uffington White Horse carpark - from there we will organise ourselves into cars and head to the actual start point, Bury Down. It would be very much appreciated if you could let Beth know in advance if you're willing to take people to the walk start point in your car. At the end of the walk, we will drop those people back at their cars at Bury Down.
2023 marks 50 years of The Ridgeway footpath!
Have you noticed signs for the Ridgeway when walking in the Chilterns?
Ever wondered about where it goes?
The Ridgeway National Trail is part of Britain’s oldest road and follows the same route over the high ground used since prehistoric times by travelers, herdsmen and soldiers. The path is in a surprisingly remote part of southern central England with views over open countryside form much of its length of 87 miles (139 km) from Overton Hill near the Avebury Stone Circle World Heritage Site in the North Wessex Downs AONB to Ivinghoe Beacon in the Chilterns AONB.
In 2023 CYW are planning to walk the Ridgeway to celebrate its anniversary. Starting at the eastern end in our familiar patch, we’ll walk the first few sections in day walks and the sections towards the end will either be coordinated with group lifts or optional weekends away. If you're interested in doing the whole of the Ridgeway, we’ll try to schedule the later sections to take into account the availability of those interested.
The Fifth section really puts the "ridge" in Ridgeway. Starting right on the ridge, we'll set off from Bury Down carpark and head west for a steady 12.5 miles along a stunning but remote part of the Ridgeway. We'll walk parallel to another (cheerfully named) Grim's Ditch before passing right by the remains of Segsbury Camp, an iron-age hill fort and enjoying glorious views over the equally cheerfully named Devil's Punchbowl. Finally, we'll continue along the open ridge until reaching Whitehorse Hill, where we can admire the famous Bronze-Age chalk horse and the Iron Age hillfort known as Uffington Castle.
Note: this is the most remote part of The Ridgeway and we won't pass through any villages enroute. Please plan water and food accordingly.
This is a moderate walk with around 250m of ascent over the walk.
Please wear appropriate clothing (no jeans, please), walking boots/shoes, bring warm layers, waterproofs, a packed lunch and plenty of water.
We will leave at least one car at Uffington to drop people back at the walk start, and would appreciate volunteers to do the same to reduce number of ferrying trips.
Did you know we're on Instagram? Follow us at @ChilternYoungWalkers to see pictures from our walks!
Tell us you're coming: Sign up for the free Meetup app and if you'd like to tell us you're coming via the CYW Meetup page. If you sign up and later find out you cannot attend please change your RSVP on Meetup so we don't wait for you.
Meet at the Uffington White Horse carpark - from there we will organise ourselves into cars and head to the actual start point, Bury Down. It would be very much appreciated if you could let Beth know in advance if you're willing to take people to the walk start point in your car. At the end of the walk, we will drop those people back at their cars at Bury Down. Parking is £4 per day at Uffington and free for those who volunteer to take walkers to the start at Bury Down. Recommend bringing coins for the pay and display carpark.
Important! As this is a linear walk, we will actually meet at the meeting/end point and then carpool together to the start point.
End back at the Uffington White Horse carpark - At the end of the walk, we will drop those people who took us to Bury Down back at their cars.
