Walking The Old Postman's Route, Mallorca

View to the northern coast from the descent to Banyalbufar

Start: Sant Pere d'Esporles, Carrer de sa Rectoria, 1A, 07190 Esporles
Finish: Santa Maria de Banyalbufar, Plaça de la Vila, 2A, 07191 Banyalbufar
Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
Elevation change: + 273m / - 358m. Net -85m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): GR 221 Ruta de Pedra en Sec
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several at start and end in Esporles and Banyalbufar. Cafeteria de La Granja d’Esporles at 1.5km (just off route)
Links: Esporles, La Granja, Banyalbufar, Old Postman’s Route: Mallorca Hiking / Estilo Palma Magazine, GR 221 Ruta de Pedra en Sec

The Old Postman’s Route is a popular section of the GR221 walking trail in the Tramuntana mountains. It runs from Banyalbufar on the coast to Esporles in the interior and follows the mail route between the 2 towns. We chose to do the Esporles to Banyalbufar direction to end at the coast.

I found the Old Postman’s Route when searching for a short interesting hike to do as a part of a non-walking holiday in Mallorca. I usually prioritise finding a walk to an island high point, but Mallorca’s one is a military zone with few walking options. Instead I found this short route in the Tramuntana Mountains that turned out to the the highlight of our trip.

We had a rental car for the week and drove to the end point at Banyalbufar hoping to take a taxi to the start at Esporles. It turned out that there were no taxis in town but there’s a bus from Palma the connects both towns. This is also a good option if you don’t have a car. The bus isn’t very frequent but fortunately it was picking up from Banyalbufar shortly after we arrived.

The start point of the trail is a short walk along the main street from the bus stop in Esporles. You’ll pass several cafes on the street, all of which were packed out with an unusual combination of cyclists and dog walkers. When you get to the church of Santa Maria de Banyalbufar you’re at the start of the trail.

This is actually part of a much longer trail along the Tramuntana Mountains called the Dry Stone Route (GR 221 Ruta de Pedra en Sec). If the short Postman’s Route section is representative, then it will be a very impressive trail and definitely one that I’d love to return for other sections.

Once on the Postman’s Route, you’ll find it very well sign-posted and difficult to lose your way. It’s rocky and steep in sections but not overly challenging for regular walkers. Your main consideration should be taking enough water as there’s no cafes after La Granja.

The route is stunning and on a clear day you get glimpses of the mountains and the seas in breaks in the tree line. Once on the descent to Banyalbufar you get great views of the town and coastline.

The route finishes at Banyalbufar Town Hall next to the Church of Santa Maria de Banyalbufar and, appropriately, the town’s post office. For an extra sense of completion you can continue for another 10 minutes to reach the sea.

Richard gowerTrek, Mountain, Coast, UNESCO, Mallorca, SpainComment
The South Downs Rivers

Here’s a Tube-style map of the rivers of the South Downs National Park. Let me know if you spot any mistakes and I’ll donate £1 per correction to one of my causes. If you would like a printable PDF version, please Buy Me a Coffee and send me your e-mail via the Contact page. All copies for personal, not commercial use.

Note: the map shows rivers that start, end or pass through the South Downs National Park. There are some rivers that are not included as their source is south of the Park even though they flow into the English Channel or join another river on this map.

Other Posts for the South Downs

Tube-Style Maps

Richard gowerCanal, Coast, South Downs, National Park, Sussex, Hampshire, EnglandComment
The Great Trails of Scotland

The Great Trails are 29 long distance walking routes established by Scotland Natural Heritage. The Great Trails website is the best place for further information on each. I’ve experienced a few of them on various adventures although it’s only the Great Glen Way that I’ve (kind of) completed so far. That was by bike and followed a path either on or close to the trail.

The above map is a collaboration between Michael Jones and myself based on research and an original design by Michael. Let me know via the Contact form if you spot any errors and I’ll donate £1 to one of my causes for any error corrected.

BLOG POSTS FEATURING THE GREAT TRAILS

MORE INFORMATION ON THE GREAT TRAILS

Tube-Style Maps

Richard gowerTrek, Coast, Canal, Great Trails, ScotlandComment
The National Trails of England & Wales

The National Trails are 16 long distance walking routes administered by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales. The National Trails website is the best place for further information on each. I’ve experiences a few of them on various adventures although it’s only the Ridgeway and South Downs Way that I’ve fully completed so far.

The above map is a collaboration between Michael Jones and myself based on research and an original design by Michael. Let me know via the Contact form if you spot any errors and I’ll donate £1 to one of my causes for any error corrected.

Note that the England Coast Path is still in development. Currently open sections are shown in the map above.

The England Coast Path will be around 4,500km long when it is complete.

More Information on The National Trails

Tube-Style Maps

Richard gowerTrek, Coast, National Trails, England, WalesComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 3 - Thursley and Witley Park

Walking north through fields between the Greensand Way and Mare Hill Common

Start & Finish: St Michael and All Angels Church, Thursley, Godalming, GU8 6QQ
Distance: 10.9 km (6.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 163m
Greensand Way section covered: The Street to edge of Heath Hills Wood: 43.km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): National Trust Heathland Walk on Witley Common
Other routes touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Haslemere & Petersfield Map | Midhurst & Selborne | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL33
Links: Thursley, Witley Park, Witley and Milford Commons National Trust

This is the third of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

This walk starts at the church of St Michael and All Angels where the previous section left the Greensand Way. From the front entrance of the church take a left onto Highfield Lane then a right onto a small lane on the corner where Highfield Lane becomes The Street. Follow the Greensand Way in a westerly direction for 4.3km until the corner of Heath Hills Wood.

At the corner of Heath Hills Wood you’ll leave the Greensand Way and continue in a north-easterly, then northerly direction following a well marked footpath through fields. After 2 km from leaving the Greensand Way you’ll reach Mare Hill Road. Cross over the road into Mare Hill Common and take a left on the first path in the Common that runs parallel to Mare Hill Road. Here you’ll get some great views to the north. Continue walking in a westerly direction on paths on the south side of Mare Hill Common and Witley Common. You’ll cross over the A286 Haslemere Road and Lea Coach Road along the way.

When you reach the western edge of Witley Common the path will take a sharp left, heading south to join French Lane. Follow French Lane in a westerly direction, crossing over the A3 on a bridge to join the Old Portsmouth Road. Take a left onto Old Portsmouth Road and follow it for 400m until you reach Mathwall Engineering (an old petrol station) on the right. Take a footpath to the right of the old petrol station, following it diagonally across a field until you join back with the Greensand Way near the start of the route.

Much of this route is a circuit of the large Witley Park Estate. Much of the land covered in these first 3 Greensand Walks was owned by the estate until it was passed to the National Trust. The Witley Park Estate remains in private ownership.

Richard gowerTrek, Surrey, National Trust, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 2 - Devils Punchbowl and Thursley

Devil’s Punchbowl, Hindhead

Start & Finish: National Trust Devil's Punchbowl Car Park, Thursley, Hindhead, GU26 6AG
Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 199m
Greensand Way section covered: Hindhead Common to The Street: 5.6 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): National Trust walks in Devil’s Punchbowl
Other routes touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway
OS Trig Pillar: TP0323 - Hindhead
Pubs / Cafes on route: National Trust Cafe at Devil’s Punchbowl and The Three Horseshoes, Thursley
Map: Haslemere & Petersfield Map | Midhurst & Selborne | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL33
Links: The Devil’s Punchbowl, National Trust Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punchbowl, Thursley

This is the second of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

This walk starts at the National Trust Visitors Centre at The Devil’s Punchbowl. From here you can either pick up the Greensand Way from the car-park, repeating a small section of Part 1, or, as we did, follow the route of the old A3 to meet the Greensand Way neat Gibbet Hill. The old A3 route is more interesting as it takes you past the Sailor’s Stone, a memorial to an unknown sailor murdered on the road to Portsmouth. A little further along the trail you’ll get to Gibbet Hill, site of both an OS Trig Pillar and a Celtic Cross that marks the place where the sailor’s killers were hanged.

From Gibbet Hill, return to the Greensand Way and follow it in a northerly direction. The route follows the eastern edge of Devil’s Punchbowl to meet the Church of St Michael and All Angels on the south end of Thursley. The church contains the grave of the unknown sailor whose memorial stone you passed earlier on the route.

The Street, Thursley, just beyond the church is where you leave the Greensand Way for this section. Follow The Street north until you reach Thursley Village Centre. This is a good place to stop for a rest at The Three Horseshoes pub, just off the route on Dyehouse Road. From Thursley, take a left onto The Lane to cut off a small section of Dyehouse Road. You’ll now be starting the return section to the start, closely following the path of the Truxford Brook. This is a tributary of the River Wey that starts in the Devil’s Punchbowl, flowing north to the Wey.

From the end of The Lane, you’ll continue onto a footpath that rejoins Dyehouse Road. Take a left onto the road, then first left onto a footpath on a private lane. Take the first footpath on the right of the lane, crossing over a wooden bridge on the Truxford Brook. Follow this path to the Thursley Road, then take a left to follow the road. Be careful here as there’s no pavement on the road. It’s fairly quiet but cars can come fast so keep on the right and keep a look out. After ~400m take a left onto Sailors Lane and follow this for 3.6 km back to the start at the Devil’s Punchbowl NT Visitors Centre.

This walk follows a similar route to Walk #4 in the excellent guide West Surrey Walks into History by David McDowall. David’s book has detailed turn by turn directions and fascinating descriptions of local history and points of interest on the routes.

Richard gowerTrek, Trig Pillar, Surrey, National Trust, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 1 - Haslemere and Hindhead

Devil’s Punchbowl, Hindhead

Start & Finish: Start of the Greensand Way at alley to the left of 43 High Street, Haslemere, GU27 2LA
Alternative Start: National Trust Devil's Punchbowl Car Park, Thursley, Hindhead, GU26 6AG
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 231m
Greensand Way section covered: Haslemere to Hindhead Common: 4.8 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grayswood Walk SCC
Other routes touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Haslemere High Street plus the National Trust Cafe at Devil’s Punchbowl
Map: Haslemere & Petersfield Map | Midhurst & Selborne | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL33
Links: The Greensand Way, Haslemere, The Devil’s Punchbowl, National Trust Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punchbowl

This is the first of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-tun guide.

For this section we started at High Street Haslemere and followed the Greensand Way to the National Trust car park at The Devil’s Punchbowl. From here, continue along the Greensand Way for another 1 km before taking a right hand path towards Hurt Hill in an easterly direction. After Hurt Hill continue in a south-easterly direction to the A286 Grayswood Road. Follow Grayswood Road in a south-westerly direction for ~350m until you reach a war memorial on the right hand side of the road. Shortly after this carefully cross over to the left hand side taking a footpath cutting though the woods to Sandy Lane. Follow Sandy Lane then Highercombe Road in a southerly direction until you get back to the A286. This is now the Haselmere High Street where you’ll shortly be back at the start.

Richard gowerTrek, Surrey, National Trust, England, Surrey HillsComment
Chiltern Walks: Ashridge Boundary Trail

Bridgewater Monument at National Trust Visitors’ Centre, Ashridge

The Ashridge Boundary Trail is a 26km / 16 mile circular walking route of the the National Trust Ashridge Estate in the northern Chilterns. The route is well maintained and well signed in both directions. The National Trust’s own page on the Trail gives detailed directions on the route.

Rather than complete the trail in a single trip I broke it down into 4 smaller sections of between 8 and 10km each. This makes for a more manageable multi-day route and also takes in routes that cross the centre of the property. Each can be done in any order and in any direction. We took them in a fairly random order, saving Route 1, the best in my opinion, to the last. We also alternated the routes between clockwise and anti-clockwise to avoid following the middle crossings in the same direction. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Route 1: Ivinghoe Beacon and Clipper Down

Start & Finish: Ivinghoe Beacon National Trust Car Park, Dunstable, LU6 2EG
Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 185m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Wildlife Walk, The Ridgeway, The Icknield Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
OS Trig Pillar (at top of Ivinghoe Beacon): TP1099 - Beacon Hill
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Ashridge Estate National Trust, Ivinghoe Beacon (Wikipedia)

For this route I included the summit of Ivinghoe Beacon at the north end of the route. The actual Ashridge Boundary Trail bypasses the summit, cutting off about 100m of distance and 10m of elevation. The view from the top of the Beacon is stunning so I’m not sure why you would want to miss the summit.

Route 2: Ashridge Golf Club and Moneybury Hill

Start & Finish: Ashridge National Trust Car Park, Aldbury, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LU
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 94m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Hertfordshire Way, Wildlife Walk, Woodland Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Berkhamsted Route 6, Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe at The National Trust Visitor’s Centre Ashridge, Café at Ashridge House
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Ashridge Estate National Trust, Ashridge House, Ashridge Golf Club

Note that there is alternative free parking at Ashridge House

Route 3: Northchurch Common and Berkhamsted Common

Start & Finish: Ashridge National Trust Car Park, Aldbury, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LU
Distance: 10.2 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Hertfordshire Way, Rangers’ Ramble, Foresters’ Walk,
Other routes touched (cycle): Berkhamsted Route 6, Chiltern Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe at The National Trust Visitor’s Centre Ashridge, Café at Ashridge House
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Ashridge Estate National Trust, Ashridge House

Note that there is alternative free parking at Ashridge House.

Route 4: Berkhamsted Common and Frithsden

Start & Finish: Car park at Ashridge House, Berkhamsted, HP4 1NS
Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 106m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Berkhamsted Route 6, Chiltern Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Café at Ashridge House
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Ashridge Estate National Trust, Ashridge House

The Complete Route

The Ashridge Boundary Trail in 4 sections, as described above

The complete Ashridge Boundary Trail in 1 route

Elevation Profile for complete Ashridge Boundary Trail in 1 route

Details for the Complete Route

Start & Finish: Ashridge National Trust Car Park, Aldbury, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LU
Distance: 26.3 km (16.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 370m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Ridgeway, The Icknield Way, Chiltern Way, Hertfordshire Way, Rangers’ Ramble, Foresters’ Walk, Woodland Walk, Wildlife Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Berkhamsted Route 6, Chiltern Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe at The National Trust Visitor’s Centre Ashridge, Café at Ashridge House
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North

Richard gowerTrek, Trig Pillar, Chilterns, National Trust, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Leith Hill: Surrey County Top

Leith HIll Tower

Significance: Highest peak in Surrey (Historic County Top), Surrey Hills National Landscape High Point
Member of: Marilyn, Hardy
Parent Peak: Walbury Hill.
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Walbury Hill
Elevation: 295m
Date climbed: 25th August 2012 and 20th March 2022
Coordinates: 51°10′33″N 0°22′11″W
Map: OS Explorer 146 Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Surrey), Wikipedia (Leith Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging, National Trust

Leith Hill is the highest point in both the Historic and Ceremonial Counties of Surrey. It’s on the Greensand Way in the heart of the Surrey Hills and I’ve visited it on several occasions. My favourite walk featuring Leith Hill is Section 10 of the Greensand Way which also takes in Broadmoor and Abinger Common in a 10km walk.

GREATER LONDON BOROUGH HIGH POINTS FORMERLY WITHIN Surrey

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, National Trust, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 10 - Leith Hill and Broadmoor

View from the base of Leith HIll Tower

Start & Finish: Starveall Car Park, Leith Hill Rd, Dorking, RH5 6LU
Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 206m
Greensand Way section covered: Holmbury St Mary to Broadmoor Village: 6.4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Leith Hill Greenway
Other routes touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway, various mountain bike trails in Leith Hill woods.
Pubs / Cafes on route: National Trust Cafe at Leith Hill (1 km in)
Map: OS Explorer 146 Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Surrey), Wikipedia (Leith Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging, National Trust

This is the tenth of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

Our first visit to Leith Hill was in 2012 at the start of my UK County Top mission. That one was a quick drive-by on the way back from somewhere else, taking in only the 1km walk from the car park to the summit. I had wanted to return to do it as a part of a larger Surrey Hills Circular. So, nearly 10 years later, we made our second ascent.

This 10km walk starts at Starveall Car Park and follows the Greensand Way for much of its length. From the car park, follow the well-signed path to the tower. On both occasions that I’ve been there the actual tower has been closed but the small kiosk in the base has been open. This is the only place to buy food or drink on the route to it’s a good place to stop and admire the view before continuing.

After the tower continue along the Greensand Way, descending steeply in a easterly direction. At the bottom of the hill take a left turn to remain on the Greensand Way, now heading to the north. Keep on the Greensand Way for nearly 3km until you reach Broadmoor Road. Take a left onto Broadmoor Road (leaving the Greensand Way) and follow it for 100m, taking the footpath on the right next to the village information sign. At the first path junction take a right and follow this path as it curves to the west to the Mill Pond at Friday Street. You’ll cross over Sheephouse Lane and Noon’s Corner Road on the way.

When you reach the Mill Pond you’ll be back on Noon’s Corner Road. Follow this in a westerly direction, ascending until a bend in the road where you can take the footpath on the left. Follow this path for 300m, then take a right to follow another path to meet Hollow Lane at Abinger Common. Cross over Hollow Lane, then over Abinger Lane following a path through Pasture Woods until you descend to a path next to a stream that runs parallel to the B2126. Take a left to follow the path with the stream on your right until you meet the B2126 at Holmbury St Mary.

Take a left onto B2126 at Holmbury St Mary following it for 300m then take a left onto Pasture Wood Road. Follow Pasture Wood Road for another 300m then take the footpath on the right as the road bends to the left. You’re now back on the Greensand Way which you can follow for 2km back to the Starveall Car Park

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, National Trust, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
Winter Hill and Cookham Dean Circular Walk

View to Hedsor from Winter Hill Golf Course

Start & Finish: Cookham Moor Public Car Park, 2 High Street, Cookham, SL6 9SG
Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 118m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Round Berkshire Cycle Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Bounty, Bourne End, The Mole and Badger, Cookham Dean
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Cookham, Bourne End, Winter Hill, Cookham Dean, National Trust Maidenhead and Cookham Commons

This is a short circular walk mixing the flat ground of the Thames Path and a loop of nearby Winter Hill. Start at the National Trust Car Park (free to members) on Cookham Moor and walk in a northerly direction to the Thames. Take a left and follow the Thames Path in a northerly direction until the Bourne End rail bridge. Leave the Thames Path here as it crosses the bridge and keep to the south side of the Thames, now starting to curve toward the west.

After 3 km from the Car Park, the path takes a right-angle behind some riverside houses. Cross the field heading south-east to and take the path that climbs the hill heading in a south-westerly direction. Follow this path for 1.6 km until you reach Quarry Wood Road. Along the way you’ll see some great views across the river to Little Marlow and the Chiltern Hills beyond.

When you reach Quarry Wood Road take a right onto it and follow it for approx 100 metres and cross over to a footpath on the left hand side of the road. Be very careful here as there’s no pavement on this road and cars can be quite fast. Be visible and keep to the right facing oncoming traffic.

Follow the path in Quarry Wood in a south-westerly direction for 200 metres to a path junction. Take a left and follow this path for another 200 metres to the corner with Quarry Wood Road. Take a right and follow the path on the south-eastern edge of the Wood for 300 metres. Cross Over Grubwood Lane and take the path through the field, up the hill next to the llama enclosure. Continue to the woods at the top of the hill where you’ll now be on the Chiltern Way Berkshire Extension.

Once in the Woods, take a left and follow the Chiltern Way. This will take you past the Mole And Badger pub, round the Cricket Common and down to Dean Lane. Follow Dean Lane in an easterly direction to Alleyns Lane having left the Chiltern Way. Follow Alleyns Lane to Broadcuts Lane, then continue over the lane and along the path to Terry’s Lane. Continue over the next field to rejoin the Chiltern Way Berkshire Extension. Take the right hand path to follow the Chiltern Way across Winter Hill Golf Course to the bridge over the railway.

Once over the railway take a right and follow the path to Terry’s Lane. Take a path on the left and follow this to the east then south, following Stroud Water back to the National Trust Car Park.

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Chilterns, National Trust, Berkshire, EnglandComment
London's Protected Views

Kenwood House to St Paul’s Cathedral Protected Sight Line

London’s Protected Views are 13 sightlines of either St Paul’s Cathedral or Westminster Palace that are protected in planning law. Essentially it means that new buildings can’t obstruct these views. I’ve visited all but one of them so far, many as a part of my Greater London High Points series. Here’s the details on each:

Alexandra Palace to St Paul's Cathedral

From: Alexandra Palace: 51°35′38″N 0°07′48″W
To: St Paul's Cathedral: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W
Distance: 9.2 km
Elevation Difference: -57m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Bounds Green (Piccadilly Line): 1 mile.
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Alexandra Palace Station (Great Northern & Thameslink): 0.4 miles
Nearest Underground Station to target point: St Paul’s (Central Line): 0.1 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to target point: City Thameslink (Thameslink): 0.2 miles
On route of: Alexandra Palace and the Parkland Walk

Parliament Hill Summit to St Paul's Cathedral

From: Parliament Hill: 51°33′35″N 00°09′35″W
To: St Paul's Cathedral: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W
Distance: 6.6 km
Elevation Difference: -53m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Belsize Park (Northern Line): 0.9 miles
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Hampstead Heath (Overground): 0.4 miles
Nearest Underground Station to target point: St Paul’s (Central Line): 0.1 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to target point: City Thameslink (Thameslink): 0.2 miles
On route of: Walking The Hampstead and Highgate London Borough High Points

Parliament Hill Summit to the Palace of Westminster

From: Parliament Hill: 51°33′35″N 00°09′35″W
To: The Palace of Westminster: 51°29′57″N 00°07′29″W
Distance: 7.1 km
Elevation Difference: -69m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Belsize Park (Northern Line): 0.9 miles
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Hampstead Heath (Overground): 0.4 miles
Nearest Underground Station to target point: Westminster (Circle, District & Jubilee Lines): 0.1 miles
Nearest Rail Station to target point: Waterloo (South Western): 0.6 miles
On route of: Walking The Hampstead and Highgate London Borough High Points

Parliament Hill Prominent Oak to the Palace of Westminster

From: Parliament Hill Prominent Oak: 51°33'37.4"N 0°09'27.6"W
To: The Palace of Westminster: 51°29′57″N 00°07′29″W
Distance: 7.2 km
Elevation Difference: -64m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Belsize Park (Northern Line): 1.0 miles
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Hampstead Heath (Overground): 0.5 miles
Nearest Underground Station to target point: Westminster (Circle, District & Jubilee Lines): 0.1 miles
Nearest Rail Station to target point: Waterloo (South Western): 0.6 miles
On route of: Walking The Hampstead and Highgate London Borough High Points

Kenwood House to St Paul's Cathedral

From: Kenwood House: 51°34'19.0"N 0°09'54.1"W
To: St Paul's Cathedral: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W
Distance: 7.9 km
Elevation Difference: -81m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Highgate (Northern): 1.1 miles
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Hampstead Heath (Overground): 1.4 miles
Nearest Underground Station to target point: St Paul’s (Central Line): 0.1 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to target point: City Thameslink (Thameslink): 0.2 miles
On route of: Walking The Hampstead and Highgate London Borough High Points

Summit of Primrose Hill to the St Paul's Cathedral

From: Primrose Hill: 51°32'22.5"N 0°09'38.6"W
To: St Paul's Cathedral: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W
Distance: 5.2 km
Elevation Difference: -25m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Chalk Farm (Northern): 0.5 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to view point: South Hampstead (Overground): 1 mile
Nearest Underground Station to target point: St Paul’s (Central Line): 0.1 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to target point: City Thameslink (Thameslink): 0.2 miles

Summit of Primrose Hill to the Palace of Westminster

From: Primrose Hill: 51°32'22.5"N 0°09'38.6"W
To: The Palace of Westminster: 51°29′57″N 00°07′29″W
Distance: 5.1 km
Elevation Difference: -41m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Chalk Farm (Northern): 0.5 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to view point: South Hampstead (Overground): 1 mile
Nearest Underground Station to target point: Westminster (Circle, District & Jubilee Lines): 0.1 miles
Nearest Rail Station to target point: Waterloo (South Western): 0.6 miles

Greenwich Park to St Paul's Cathedral

From: Greenwich Park, north east of the General Wolfe statue: 51°28'40.6"N 0°00'02.9"W
To: St Paul's Cathedral: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W
Distance: 7.8 km
Elevation Difference: -6m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Canary Wharf (Jubilee): 2.7 miles. Connect via the DLR from Cutty Sark Station: 0.6 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Maze Hill (Thameslink, Southeastern): 0.6 miles.
Nearest Underground Station to target point: St Paul’s (Central Line): 0.1 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to target point: City Thameslink (Thameslink): 0.2 miles
On route of: Cycling the Prime Meridian

Blackheath to St Paul's Cathedral

From: Point Hill Park, Blackheath, near the orientation board: 51°28'24.5"N 0°00'39.5"W
To: St Paul's Cathedral: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W
Distance: 7.5 km
Elevation Difference: 0m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Canary Wharf (Jubilee): 2.9 miles. Connect via the DLR from Greenwich Station: 0.5 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Deptford Bridge (Overground): 0.6 miles.
Nearest Underground Station to target point: St Paul’s (Central Line): 0.1 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to target point: City Thameslink (Thameslink): 0.2 miles

Westminster Pier to St Paul's Cathedral

From: Westminster Pier: 51°30'06.2"N 0°07'25.4"W
To: St Paul's Cathedral: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W
Distance: 2.2 km
Elevation Difference: +23m
Nearest Underground Station to target point: Westminster (Circle, District & Jubilee Lines): 0.1 miles
Nearest Rail Station to target point: Waterloo (South Western): 0.5 miles
Nearest Underground Station to target point: St Paul’s (Central Line): 0.1 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to target point: City Thameslink (Thameslink): 0.2 miles
On route of: Walking Central London’s Protected views (see below)

Richmond Park to St Paul's Cathedral

From: King Henry VIII's Mound in Richmond Park: 51°26'41.8"N 0°17'41.1"W
To: St Paul's Cathedral: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W
Distance: 15.6 km
Elevation Difference: -25m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Richmond (District Line): 1.5 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Richmond (Overground, South Western Railway): 1.5 miles.
Nearest Underground Station to target point: St Paul’s (Central Line): 0.1 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to target point: City Thameslink (Thameslink): 0.2 miles
On route of: Walking The Merton, Wandsworth and Richmond London Borough High Points
Links: BBC News Article 2006

The Serpentine to the Palace of Westminster

From: The centre of the bridge over the Serpentine: 51°30'22.0"N 0°10'21.6"W
To: The Palace of Westminster: 51°29′57″N 00°07′29″W
Distance: 3.4 km
Elevation Difference: -5m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Lancaster Gate (Central Line): 0.6 miles.
Nearest Rail Station to view point: Paddington (GWR, Heathrow Express): 09 miles.
Nearest Underground Station to target point: Westminster (Circle, District & Jubilee Lines): 0.1 miles
Nearest Rail Station to target point: Waterloo (South Western): 0.6 miles
On route of: Walking Central London’s Protected views (see below)

The Queen's Walk at City Hall to the White Tower

From: The Queen's Walk at City Hall: 51°30'18.4"N 0°04'42.5"W
To: The White Tower, Tower of London: 51°30′29″N 00°04′34″W
Distance: 0.4 km
Elevation Difference: +10m
Nearest Underground Station to view point: Tower Hill (Circle, District Lines): 0.7 miles
Nearest Rail Station to view point: London Bridge (Southern, Thameslink, Southeastern): 0.5 miles
Nearest Underground Station to target point: Tower Hill (Circle, District Lines): 0.2 miles
Nearest Rail Station to target point: London Fenchurch Street (c2c): 0.2 miles
On route of: Walking Central London’s Protected views (see below)

All of London’s Protected Views

Walking Central London’s Protected Views

The three shortest sightlines in Central London can be visited on a scenic 10km walk. The sightlines included are:

  • The Queen's Walk at City Hall to the White Tower.

  • Westminster Pier to St Paul's Cathedral

  • The Serpentine to the Palace of Westminster

The 10km distance includes starting and ending at the closes London Underground Stations. Navigation is very simple as you’re mostly following the Thames Path and/or Jubilee Greenway and it passes many of the iconic London sights. I went on a chilly December day and didn’t hand around so it took me about 2 hours. It’s worth doing it more slowly in the Summer to appreciate more of the points of interest along the way.

Tower Hill on the Circle and District Line is the closest station to the start. From here you’ll pass the Tower of London and over Tower Bridge to get to the first sightline. From City Hall it’s only 400m to the White Tower and most of that is river. It’s a great view but practically impossible to obscure by buildings so it’s a strange one to include as a protected sightline.

From City Hall follow the Thames Path in an easterly direction for ~400m until you reach Westminster Bridge. Cross over the bridge towards the Palace of Westminster then take a right onto Victoria Embankment. You’ll find the sight-line to St Paul’s near the top of the steps down to the lower level. Here you can see the dome of St Paul’s between the roof of the Royal Festival Hall and the London Studio’s Tower.

From Westminster Pier, return to Westminster Bridge Road and take a right onto George Street. Follow this to the edge of St James’ Park. Either follow the Jubilee Greenway around the edge of the park or cut through the centre to get to Buckingham Palace. Cross The Mall and into Green Park, following the Jubilee Greenway parallel to Constitution Hill to Hyde Park Corner. Cross the island at Hyde Park Corner, still following The Jubilee Green Way and into the south-east corner of Hyde Park. Once in Hyde Park either follow the Jubilee Greenway, or the path closest to the southern edge of The Serpentine to West Carriage Drive. Turn right onto West Carriage Drive and onto the bridge over The Serpentine. The protected sightline to the Palace of Westminster is half way along the bright on the right hand side.

From the Serpentine Bridge continue north and take the first footpath on the right, following the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk. This will take you to the northern edge of the park and the Bayswater Road. Lancaster Gate Underground Station, on the Central Line is on the opposite side of the road. On the Central Line change at Notting Hill Gate (heading west) or Bank (heading east) to pick up the Circle Line to return to the start.

 

Start: Tower Hill Underground Station: London, EC3N 4DJ
Finish: Lancaster Gate Underground Station: Bayswater Rd, London W2 2UE
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: +84m / -71m. Net +13m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Jubilee Greenway, Jubilee Walkway, Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, CS 3, 6 7,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots on Queen’s Walk
Maps:
- London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
- London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Tower of London, The White Tower, Tower Bridge, Queen’s Walk, City Hall, Westminster Pier, Palace of Westminster, St James’ Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, The Serpentine

More London posts

Richard gowerTrek, London Borough High Point, London, Middlesex, EnglandComment
Alexandra Palace and The Parkland Walk

Protected View to St Paul’s Cathedral

Start & Finish: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 138m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): New River Path, Capital Ring
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many, including: Finsbury Park Cafe, Goods Office (Parkland Walk South), Queens Wood Cafe (Highgate Wood)
Map: OS Explorer 173 London North
Links: Alexandra Palace, New River, Finsbury Park, Parkland Walk, Highgate Wood, London’s Protected Views

This is a short circular walk in north-west London that takes in Alexandra Palace, The New River Path and The Parkland Walk. The Parkland Walk follows a disused railway line and is now an area of calm in a busy part of the capital.

If you’re driving there’s a large car-park at Alexandra Palace that, at the time of writing, takes donations rather than a fixed charge. To access the route by public transport, the route passes close to Hornsea and Harringay rail stations and Highgate tube on the Northern Line.

At Alexandra Palace find the view point on the terrace at the centre of the south side of the main building. This is a Protected View to St. Paul’s Cathedral, although we couldn’t see St Paul’s even through the viewfinder. Must have been hiding.

From the view point take the paths through Alexandra Park to the southern exit to North View Road. Here you can either take a left onto the path following the southern edge of the park, or follow North View Road and Newlands Road as they run parallel to the path. We were there after a lot of rain and the path was muddy so we took the roads. The path and Newlands Road join just before Campsbourne Play Centre. Follow Newlands Road, then Greenways in an easterly direction until you reach the New River Path.

Follow the New River Path in a southerly direction for 2.6km until the junction of Alroy Road and Endymion Road. Take a right onto Endymion Road and follow it south until the entrance to Finsbury Park. Enter the park and follow the path on the western edge down to meet the Capital Ring just south of the Finsbury Park Café. Take a right onto the Capital Ring, cross the footbridge over the rail line and join the Parkland Walk.

Parkland Walk South

The Parkland Walk follows the route of the old railway line that ran from Finsbury Park station to Alexandra Palace. The route of the southern, and longer, section of the Parkland Walk runs from Finsbury Park (the park not the station) to the Holmesdale Tunnels near Highgate tube station.

Disused Stations Passed:

When you reach the western end of Parkland Walk have a look at the entrance to the tunnels before leaving the path. These are now blocked off to protect the bats that now live there. Leave the Parkland Walk at Holmesdale Road and follow signs for the Capital Ring. You’ll pass through Priory Gardens, Queen’s Wood and Highgate Wood. The Queen’s Wood Café is a great place to stop for a rest ahead of the final 2 km. Once you have crossed Muswell Hill Road from Queen’s Wood into Highgate Wood, leave the Capital Ring and follow the path on the eastern edge of Highgate Wood to the north-east corner at Cranley Gardens.

If you want to stay true to the route of the old rail line, you could follow the path on the western side of Highgate Wood instead.

Parkland Walk North

After Highgate Wood, the Parkland Walk can be picked up again on the junction of Muswell Hill Road and Cranley Gardens (road). This section of the Walk exits into Alexandra Park where you’re a very short walk back to the start.

Disused Stations Passed:

More Disused Railway Posts

Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Railway, Underground, Disused Railway, Middlesex, London, EnglandComment
The Salty Dogs of Cabo Verde

One thing you can’t avoid noticing when you visit Sal Island, Cabo Verde is the large number of stray dogs. I was wary of them at first but soon saw how friendly they were. They mostly sleep in the sun all day with the occasional barking party at night. Here are some of our favourites.

Richard gowerCabo Verde, AfricaComment
Santa Maria Cycle Tour, Sal Island, Cabo Verde

Start & Finish: Electrica Electric Bikes, Pier Street, Santa Maria, Cabo Verde
Distance: 20 km (12.4miles)
Elevation change: +/- 142m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
Cafes on route: Many in Santa Maria Centre, plus Cafe at Mitu & Djo Kite Surf School Kitebeach (9km in) and Ponta Preta Cafe or Bo Beach Bar (16km in)
Map: Free leaflet with a map available at Electrica Bikes. See image
Links: Cabo Verde, Sal, Santa Maria, Ponta da Fragata

The Electric Bike tour is a highlight of a stay in Santa Maria on Sal Island in Cabo Verde. You can either take a half-day guided tour or rent the bikes for a full or half day. We opted for the half day rental without the guided tour and roughly followed the map on the leaflet provided at the bike shop. The half day is enough unless you want to explore the north of the island.

Navigation via the small map on the leaflet was fairly straightforward. Roads and tracks are not well signed so we took a couple of wrong-turns before finding our route again. The GPX file linked above is a good option if you want to be more confident that you’re on the right track.

From Electrica Electric Bikes on Pier Street head toward the beach then take the street on the left closest to the ocean. Follow this in a easterly direction, taking the first street on the left and then the first on the right to join Rua 15 Agosto. When you reach the Angulu Beach bar on the right you’ll have left the paved streets and will now be on sandy dirt track. Here’s a good point to turn on the electric assist if you’ve not done so already.

From here continue along the track closest to the sea for ~3 km km until you reach the edge of the Nature Reserve. Along the way you can stop to see the Shell Cemetary, Ponte Leme Rock Pier and a decaying memorial stone on Praia de Igrejinha. The Costa da Fragata Nature Reserve is the furthest point you can go by bike. Follow the track away from the beach to the north easterly point of the town, re entering it one of the parallel roads running to the north-west. These roads are not named on the map so unless you’re using a GPS, keep to the most northerly residential road.

Continue down the road for approx 700m and take a right onto the road that lead you out of town in a northerly direction to the kite beach. Stop along the way for some great photos of the salt beds. The café at the kite beach is a good place to stop for a coffee and a rest. It took us around an hour and a quarter to get to this point.

When leaving the kite beach café, take a right onto the road, continue past another café then take a smaller track on the left. Follow this for 1.7 km, past the sewerage works until you meet the main north/south highway at a roundabout. Despite being the main island road it’s not very busy and we were able to safely cross it during a very large gap in traffic. Take the 2nd exit and follow the main track as it curves in a south-westerly direction to Cabocan

The track to Cabocan follows flat sandy ground that’s empty apart from stones marking out future roads and hotel developments. Join the main north/south road, then take a track down the north side of the Melia Dunas Beach Resort to a promenade by the beach. Continue heading south until you reach the end of the promenade. The leaflet from the bike company made it look like they continued along the beach but it was very sandy so we took the track on the south side of the Melia Tortuga Beach resort to rejoin the main road. From here we continued south until the end of the developments and took a track across the sand to Ponta Preta.

Ponta Preta is another good place to stop as there’s 2 bars on the beach. We stopped for lunch at the bar called Ponta Preta. This is another popular kite and windsurfing spot. Don’t stay too long though as you’ll need 30 minutes to get back to the bike shop from here.

When leaving Ponta Preta take the track south as it curves around the turtle hatchery beach. Head for the far corner of the closest resort to the beach and take the promenade as far as you can. When you run out of promenade head toward the main road that runs behind the big resorts. On the north-west side of the Hilton you can take a side road to the main beach promenade. Take a left on the promenade and follow it back to Pier Road and the bike shop where you started.

We made full use of our 4 hour / half day rental, retuning the bikes within 2 minutes of our allotted time. This included a short break at the kite beach for a coffee and 30 minutes for lunch on Ponta Preta. It was a great first experience for us of riding electric bikes. I won’t be giving up my mountain bike anytime soon, but this one was fit for purpose for the trip. It would have been doable on a normal mountain bike with a light frame too but this was a far more relaxing way to get through the sand and rocks to see the main sights of the southern end of the island.

Richard gowerCycle, Coast, Cabo Verde, AfricaComment
Salinas de Pedra de Lume Crater Walk, Sal Island, Cabo Verde

Start & Finish: Visitor Centre, Salinas de Pedra de Lume
Distance: 4.3 km (1.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 35m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
Cafes on route: Cafe at the Visitor Centre
Links: Cabo Verde, Sal, Pedra de Lume, Pedra de Lume Salt Mine

Visiting the Salinas (Salt Mine) at Pedra de Lume is a highlight of any day-trip around Sal Island in Cabo Verde. Most visitors to the island will be staying in or around Santa Maria and island day-trip excursions are easily found. We wanted a more private tour so we hired an English speaking taxi driver for the day for 60 Euros. For 2 people that’s not much more than the cost of joining a group tour. The roads to the Salt Mine are very poor and I wouldn’t recommend driving there yourself.

The Salt Mines are in the Pedra de Lume crater which is an extinct volcano. The salt evaporation ponds were built over a natural salt lake that formed through infiltration of water from the sea. The floor of the crater is below the sea level and is the lowest point in Cape Verde.

On the approach road to the Salinas you’ll pass Pedra de Lume village on the coast. There’s not been active salt extraction since the 1990s but you can still see the decaying buildings and equipment. The boat graveyard has the remains of the vessels that exported the salt out of the island. From the coast you can trace the route of the salt to the crater via the line of towers that carried the salt via cables.

There’s a small car park on the outside of the crater where you can access the interior via a tunnel. On the other side, at a lower level, is the Visitor Centre. Here you can find a café, shop, toilets and showers. Many groups visit to float in the salt pools. I was in 2 minds about doing it and probably would have if I hadn’t already has the salt floating experience in the Dead Sea in Israel. It was cold and windy when we were there so we opted for a circular walk of the crater instead.

The crater is around 900 m in radius and there’s a walking path of approx 3km around the salt flats on the base. From the Visitor Centre it’s best to start in an anti-clockwise direction. This north-easterly side has the clearest path and best signage. Although the path on the first half is very clear, the benches have seen better days. Some are intact, others somewhat dilapidated, and there’s information boards without information. When you get to the half-way point, just beyond the track from the Visitor Centre that bisects the salt flats, the perimeter path is much less clear. You can’t get lost though, just look out for the next bench (or remains of) and stay close to the outer edge of the ponds until your return to the start.

After the circuit we also walked half-way along the central path to get a closer look at the salt-flats. Our total walk in the crater, including the out and back from the car-park was around 5km.

 

Salinas de Pedra de Lume

Pedra de Lume Village

Other stops on the Sal Island Day Trip:

Richard gowerTrek, Coast, Cabo Verde, AfricaComment
Walking The Oxfordshire Way: The Chilterns Section

Intersection of The Ridgeway and The Oxfordshire way at the north edge of The Chilterns AONB

The Oxfordshire Way is a 66 mile long-distance path connecting Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds with Henley-on-Thames. The first 18km on the southern end stretch from the Thames Path at Henley to The Ridgeway at Watlington through the Chiltern Hills AONB. Here’s how to walk the Chilterns section either as a point-to-point or in a series of 4 short circular walks. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Point to Point: Henley to Watlington

Start: Henley Bridge, White Hill, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3HG
Finish: Junction of Station Road and Watlington Road, OX49 5RR
Distance: 17.8 km (11 miles)
Elevation change: + 378 / - 298m. Net -80m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way, The Chiltern Way, The Chiltern Way Southern Extension, The Ridgeway
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Henley and Watlington High Streets, plus: The Rainbow Inn (Middle Assendon), The Fox and Hounds (Christmas Common)
Map: Chiltern Hills West Map | Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 171
Links: Henley-on-Thames, Middle Assendon, Bix, Maidensgrove, Pishill, Christmas Common, Watlington

If you’re attempting the Chilterns section as a point-to-point the first decision is how to get back to the start. I didn’t find any practical public transport solutions of less than 3 hours and multiple changes. It’s only a 20 minute drive between the two towns though so the best options are either a 2-car shuffle or to get a taxi.

This first section starts at Henley Bridge, where the Oxfordshire Way meets the Thames Path. From here, walk up Hart Street in a westerly direction and turn right onto Bell Street. Continue along Bell Street until the mini-roundabout, crossing this onto Northfield End. After 300m, and 1km into the route, take the footpath on the right, following it diagonally up the hill to a wooded area.

From here, navigation is pretty straightforward after leaving Henley. There’s a lot of footpath roundels labelled with the Oxfordshire Way and white painted arrows on trees through wooded sections. Be careful of these though as other connecting routes like the Chiltern Way use similar arrows.

For the final section you’ll descent a steep hill down from Christmas Common that joins Station Road. You’ll cross The Ridgeway and 1km later you’ll reach the B4009 Watlington Road. There’s not much here so a sensible end is to leave the Oxfordshire Way by taking a left onto the B4009 and follow it for 800m to Watlington High Street.

Walking The Oxfordshire Way Chilterns Section in 5 Circular Routes

If you’re not up for an 18km walk in one go, you can take in the Oxfordshire way in 5 circular walks of between 8 and 11 km each. We chose this option, completing all 5 sections in winter 2021/22. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths to the west of the main route. As with the point-to-point option, public transport options are very limited so driving to the start points of each is more practical.

Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS

Click on the link in the title of each route to go to the detailed page for each route.

Route 1: Henley, Middle Assendon and Lambridge Wood.

  • Covers The Oxfordshire Way from Henley on Thames to Middle Assendon

  • Distance = 10.9 km (6.8 miles). +/- 185m elevation change.

Route 2: Middle Assendon, Bix and Crocker End

  • Covers The Oxfordshire Way from Middle Assendon to Maidensgrove

  • Distance = 10.9 km (6.8 miles). +/- 190m elevation change.

Route 3: Russell's Water, Pishill and Maidensgrove

  • Covers The Oxfordshire Way from Maidensgrove to (near) Hollandridge Farm

  • Distance = 9.2 km (5.7 miles). +/- 166m Elevation change

Route 4: Christmas Common, Watlington Hill and Greenfield

  • Covers The Oxfordshire Way from Hollandridge Farm to The Ridgeway near Watlington

  • Distance = 10.9km km (6.8 miles). +/- 239m Elevation change.

Route 5: Watlington and The Ridgeway

  • Covers The Oxfordshire Way from The Ridgeway to Watlington Road

  • Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 miles). +/- 59m elevation change.

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Thames, National Trust, Oxfordshire, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Christmas Common, Watlington Hill and Greenfield

Rolling hills between Pishill and Greenfield

Start & Finish: Parking spot opposite The Fox and Hounds Pub, Christmas Common, Watlington, OX49 5HL
Distance: 10.9km km (6.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 239m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Oxfordshire Way, The Ridgeway
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Fox and Hounds at the start and end.
Map: Chiltern Hills West Map | Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 171
Links: Christmas Common, Watlington Hill (National Trust)

For our latest Chiltern Walk we returned to the Oxfordshire Way. This is a 66 mile long-distance path connecting Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds with Henley-on-Thames. Our plan is to start with the Chilterns section, taking it on in short circular walks of around 10km. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From the parking spot opposite the Fox and Hounds, walk south for 100m along Nettlebed Henley Road then take the Oxfordshire Way footpath to the left. Continue along the Oxfordshire way in a south-easterly direction for another 2km to meet the Chiltern Way. At this junction take a right turn, still following the Oxfordshire Way plus the Chiltern Way in a south-westerly direction. After 600m leave the Oxfordshire Way but continue along the Chiltern Way through the woods. After another 1km leave the Chiltern Way and follow a path heading in a westerly then north-westerly direction to Greenfield.

When you reach Greenfield you’ll meet the Nettlebed Henley Road again. Cross over the road and through an old wooden gate in a stone wall. This will take you into wooded National Trust land. Continue along the footpath for 1.6 km in a north-westerly direction to Howe Road. Follow Howe Road in in a north-westerly direction for 500m. Be careful here as there’s no pavement but there is a wide enough grass verge to keep to.

Leave Howe Road by taking a right turn onto a private road at Five Acres. After 100m take the footpath on the left towards Watlington Hill. At the path junction after 200m, take the path on the left to cross fields on the western side of Watlington Hill. Continue until the meet The Ridgeway and take a right onto it. Follow The Ridgeway for 1km until you meet the Oxfordshire Way at Station Road. Follow the Oxfordshire Way steeply uphill to return to the start at Christmas Common.

Oxfordshire Way Previous Section (south): Russell's Water, Pishill and Maidensgrove
Oxfordshire Way Next Section (north): Watlington and The Ridgeway

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, National Trust, Oxfordshire, EnglandComment
Walking Trails in The Colne Valley

The Colne Valley Regional park is a fascinating mix of countryside and industry to the west of London. As the name suggests, it follows the River Colne and stretches from Rickmansworth in the north to Staines in the south. Rickmansworth is where the Colne picks up the waters carried by the Chess, Gade and Ver from the central Chilterns. Exploring further down the valley you’ll find rivers, streams canals and lakes before the waters reach the Thames at Staines.

There’s a lot of industry too, with the park cut through with the M25, M4, M40, train and tube lines and, under construction, HS2. For those, like the Colne Valley Landscape Partnership who protect the park, it’s a never-ending mission. For unspoilt beauty, the nearby Chiltern Hills AONB is the place to go. For interesting walks, diverse landscapes and accessibility to London, there’s a lot to do in the Colne Valley.

Living nearby and needing to stay local during the Covid lockdowns, I spent a lot of time exploring the Colne Valley Trails. Most are medium-distance point-to-point trails that can be completed in short sections or one long summer day. Although we had the benefit of use of 2 cars for our trips, the start and end of most of the trails or sections can also be accessed by public transport.

Here’s the map of the routes with links to each below.

The Trails

  • Beeches Way. Runs for 27 km from Cookham to West Drayton. The Shakespeare’s Way follows the Beeches Way through the Colne Valley

  • Celandine Route. Runs for 19 km along the River Pinn from Pinner to the Grand Union Canal at Yiewsley

  • Chess Valley Walk. Runs for 16 km along the River Chess from Chesham to Rickmansworth.

  • Colne Valley Trail. Runs for 33 km along the River Colne from Rickmansworth to Staines. The southern parts of the trail are called the Colne Valley Way.

  • Grand Union Canal Towpath. Runs for 220 km from Birmingham to London.

  • Hillingdon Trail. Runs for 32 km from Springwell Lock on the Grand Union to Cranford Park near Heathrow.

  • London Loop. Runs for 242 km in a circle around London.

  • Slough Arm Canal. Runs for 10km from Slough to Yiewsley.

  • Thames Path. Runs for 298 km from Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Estuary, east of London.

Richard gowerTrek, Cycle, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Canal, Thames, Berkshire, Surrey, Middlesex, London, EnglandComment