The Ridgeway
Explore the Ridgeway at your own pace on a full-length self-guided walking holiday. Accommodation, luggage transfer and custom holiday pack included.
The Ridgeway
https://www.contours.co.uk/the-ridgeway
A walk along Britain's oldest road through the ancient landscapes of the Wessex Downs and the Chiltern Hills.
From £515 per person
An ancient track established by prehistoric man once stretched across the country from Dorset to Norfolk, and the Ridgeway follows it from East Kennet to Ivinghoe Beacon. The trail passes through two distinct landscapes on the way: the rolling North Wessex Downs, and a landscape of beech woodland and farmland dotted with historic towns in the Chiltern Hills.
The long and rich history of these areas is clear throughout, in extraordinary stone circles, ancient barrows, and the striking figure of the Uffington White Horse. The Ridgeway walk is a well-signposted and manageable route overall, and is well worth exploring.
Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.
We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.
From £895 per person
Book a walking holiday along the Ridgeway and follow an ancient track established by prehistoric man. This undulating trail once stretched across the country from Dorset all the way to Norfolk, and the Ridgeway follows in those past footsteps from East Kennet to Ivinghoe Beacon. The trail is 93 miles long and passes through two distinct landscapes on the way: the rolling North Wessex Downs, and a landscape of beech woodland and farmland dotted with historic towns in the Chiltern Hills.
The rich history of these areas is clear throughout, represented by extraordinary stone circles, ancient barrows, and the striking figure of the Uffington White Horse. The Ridgeway is a well-signposted and manageable route.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDG1 | From East Kennett(T) to Ivinghoe Beacon | 6 days walking | £895 | |
| RIDG2 | From East Kennett(T) to Ivinghoe Beacon | 7 days walking | £1015 | |
| RIDG3 | From East Kennett(T) to Ivinghoe Beacon | 8 days walking | £1140 |
On reaching Ivinghoe Beacon, you will need to retrace your steps back along The Ridgeway Trail to your accommodation for your last night. This return walk to Tring, Aldbury or Wigginton should be around five miles depending on the location of your accommodation and is included in the stated mileage on this day.
Travel to East Kennett(T) where your first night's accommodation will be booked
East Kennett(T) to Liddington(L). 16 miles (26km) / 1234 ft (376 m) ascent
Liddington(L) to Letcombe Regis(L). 13 miles (21km) / 863 ft (263 m) ascent
Letcombe Regis(L) to Goring. 15 miles (24km) / 659 ft (201 m) ascent
Goring to Watlington(T). 15 miles (24km) / 1414 ft (431 m) ascent
Watlington(T) to Wendover(L). 17 miles (27km) / 1726 ft (526 m) ascent
Wendover(L) to Ivinghoe Beacon. 16 miles (26km) / 1234 ft (376 m) ascent
Depart from Ivinghoe Beacon after breakfast
This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.
Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.
Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
Experiencing the contrast of landscapes, from the open rolling hills of the Wessex Downs to the woodlands and charming villages of the Chilterns.
Spotting the iconic White Horse emblazoned on the hillside in Uffington.
Admiring the beautiful wildflowers, hedgerows and villages of the Chilterns.
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=tracking}
.jpg)
.JPG)
“An excellent hike, especially the first 3 days to Goring. We were lucky with the weather so got to see all the views and had time to look around some of the Neolithic sites nearby too. Almost all the accommodation was of a very high standard.”Miss Steggall, UK
“A very enjoyable walk, thank you. The arrangements made by Contours all went very well. It’s noteworthy that, as I’ve found previously, the folk you use do appreciate your paying for services up front, in contrast to most other walking companies and it enhances your reputation. Accommodation generally very good, some superb. Taxi transfers went well, particularly those carried out by Village Cars, led by Mark who was very flexible and obliging. A splendid walk across beautiful central English Counties, with lovely woods, especially with the autumn colours, lots of history around and great views. I’d recommend all buy the Harvey’s complete map of the whole route which is waterproof, lightweight and accurate. Contemplating the Thames Path next May.”Mr Bird, UK
“Fantastic, everything worked like clockwork.”Mr Wigglesworth, UK
“Very well organised like always.”Mr Graber, Switzerland
“The Ridgeway is a beautiful and for us, relatively easy walk. All the instructions provided were helpful and the luggage service worked very well. As usual we met a range of interesting people and had a good range of the British weather!”Mr Cribb, UK
“I particularly liked the contrast between the downland west and the wooded Chiltern east.”Dr Bailey, UK
“A wonderful holiday. I enjoyed every step of the way. Absolutely faultless. Thank you very much indeed. Now thinking of next holiday.”Mr Ames, UK
“Fabulous views and we were very lucky to have great weather.”Mr Branford, UK
“As always, very well organised and planned. I enjoyed the wide open panoramas on the Western half.”Mr Wilkins, UK
Dog friendly