The Wessex Ridgeway Trail is a magnificent ridge-top route crossing Dorset’s rural heartland.
The walking, cycling and horse riding trail
offers vistas across the county and breathtaking views far beyond.
How long is the Ridgeway path?
The Ridgeway National Trail runs for
87 miles
between Overton Hill in the Avebury World Heritage Site in Wiltshire and Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire, passing through ancient landscapes, including open downland, secluded valleys, woodland and a stretch by The Thames.
Is the Ridgeway a good walk?
The paths often provide splendid views over the relatively flat local landscape. There are some gentle climbs, and often you’ll need to head down hill to get to accommodation. The Ridgeway’s good transport links mean
it’s also an ideal walk if you live in London and wish to complete a walk in weekends
.
Is the Ridgeway a bridleway?
Designated as a bridleway (shared with horses and bicycles) for much of its length
, the Ridgeway also includes parts designated as byway which permits the use of motorised vehicles.
Who owns the Ridgeway?
This is a Neolithic burial mound (long barrow) 50m north of the Ridgeway, owned by
the National Trust
, which can be visited at any time. It is 5,000 years old, compared to the oldest parts of Stonehenge which are a mere 4000 years old!
Can you drive on the Ridgeway?
During the winter, the only part of The Ridgeway National Trail open to the public to drive vehicles is the three-mile Byway section in the Swindon borough area, from Fox Hill to the county boundary near Bishopstone.
Where should I stay when walking the Ridgeway?
- Ogbourne St. George:
- Liddington:
- Bishopstone:
- Woolstone and Uffington:
- Letcombe Bassett, Letcombe Regis and Sparsholt area:
Where does the Ridgeway walk start?
Where does The Ridgeway start and finish? The Ridgeway National Trails’s western start/end point is at
Overton Hill, near the Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire
, and its eastern terminus is at Ivinghoe Beacon, in the Chilterns.
Can you walk Offa’s Dyke?
Running alongside the border between England and Wales, Offa’s Dyke Path is a beautiful 177-mile National Trail. On average, fell-runners take five days to complete it while hikers take 12 days. For everyone else,
Offa’s Dyke Path is a walk to tick off in stages
.
How long is the South Downs Way?
As one of the UK’s most challenging National Trails the South Downs Way is enjoyed by a huge cross-section of walkers of various abilities. The trail is
160km long
and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks.
Where does Pennine Way start and finish?
The Pennine Way is a walking trail running for 429km (270 miles) along the central mountains of England: the Pennines and the Cheviots. It
starts at Edale in the Peak District and ends at Kirk Yetholm in the Borders, just inside Scotland
.
Can you camp along the Ridgeway?
The only problem with the Ridgeway is that
there aren’t too many campsites within easy reach of the route
. Additionally, in 2020, some campsites were also closed due to Covid 19. Campsites are great because it means a hot shower and facilities but it also means a commitment to that location.
Can you cycle the South Downs Way?
The South Downs Way is 100 miles long running from Winchester to Eastbourne and takes anywhere from 2 to 4 days for most cyclists, although we know that some of the fitter riders have done it in a day!
We recommend using a mountain bike to cycle the South Downs Way due to the terrain
.
Can you cycle the Cotswold Way?
The Cotswolds boasts cycle-friendly lanes
, rolling countryside, canal paths and bridleways perfect for exploration by bike.
What is the meaning of Ridgeway?
Definition of ridgeway
:
a road following the ridge of a hill or of a range of hills on road and on ridgeway, on sea and on land
— J. M. Synge.
When was the Ridgeway formed?
The Ridgeway National Trail follows the chalk ridge, from the North Wessex Downs in the west, across the Goring Gap and eastwards over the Chilterns. The chalk started to form
around 100 million years ago
.
Where does the name Ridgeway come from?
The ancestry of the name Ridgeway
dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain
. It comes from when the family lived at the ridgeway a path along the back of a hill or ridge. Ridgeway is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a ridge.
Where does the Thames Path end?
The final part of the Thames Path is
from the town of Cricklade, to the source of the Thames, near Cirencester
. Soon after leaving Cricklade, the path pases into the Cotswold Water Park round the edge of several lakes, the largest being Manorbrook Lake before coming into the lovely town of Ashton Keynes.
Where is the North Downs Way?
The North Downs Way National Trail follows the chalk scarp of the North Downs for 153 miles from
Farnham in Surrey to Canterbury in Kent
.
