Enjoy the contrasts of the airy ridges on The Ridgeway and the patchwork of woods and fields on the Chiltern Way.
From the car park we climb the last stretch of the 87 mile long Ridgeway National Trail (described as Britain's oldest road) to the summit of Ivinghoe Beacon (233 metres above sea level). After admiring the panoramic views we descend to take the Ashridge Boundary Trail all the way to the Bridgewater Arms at Little Gaddesden. This will be the lunch stop where we have permission to eat our packed lunches in the pub garden. It would only be polite to buy some sort of beverage from the bar.
After lunch we follow the Chiltern Way to the picturesque village of Aldbury with its large green at the centre, complete with pond and stocks. Aldbury has often been used for film and TV (Midsomer Murders, James Bond, Avengers). A short distance out of the village we once again pick up The Ridgeway. The trail passes through Aldbury Nowers nature reserve and climbs steadily through beech woods to emerge on Pitstone Hill. From here we look down on our cars and the end of the walk.
This walk includes several ascents and descents where walking poles may be useful. Some of the paths could be muddy and slippery.