Ridgeway (East): Wendover to Tring Station

The Walk: This fourth leg of the Ridgeway East of the Thames starts where Leg 3 finished at Wendover Station, and follows the Ridgeway National Trail to Tring Station. The first half of the walk is mainly through woodland (great for bluebells in Spring). At Tring Park, there are fine views out over the countryside to the North. The final descent into the Tring Gap has more open views.

Route

NB The map shows my route, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely. You can download the Google map info, as a KML/KMZ file, then convert to GPX using a site like GPS Visualiser. The GPX for the entire Ridgeway can also be downloaded from the National Trails website.

The Ridgeway runs through the centre of Wendover. From Wendover Station, walk into the village centre and along the High Street. Just before the clock tower, take the Heron Path heading South passing a park and St Mary's Church. Continue along Hogtrough Lane until the Trail leaves the road, signed to the left (East).

Wendover Clocktower, ridgeway signed on right

The path undulates through woodland, passing through the Dancers End Nature Reserve to emerge onto a quiet country lane through the hamlet of Hastoe.

The Trail then enters Tring Park and follows the old carriageway (King Charles' Ride) along the escarpment, culminating in a fine viewpoint at Rond Point.

The final two miles is along a footpath in more open countryside descending into the Tring Gap ending at Tring Station. (Note that Tring Station is several miles from the town of Tring.)

Why do it?

There is nothing spectacular on this Leg, just the pleasant market town of Wendover, long stretches through woodland, offering bluebells in Spring and shade on a hot day, and Tring Park, one of many estates in Buckinghamshire originally owned by the Rothschilds.

There are not many far reaching views. There are views to the distant Southern Chilterns whilst crossing an open field at Chivery Hill Farm just after emerging from Dancers End Nature reserve.

In Tring Park, the Ridgeway follows King Charles (II) Ride, a good wide track running along the escarpment. This track used to afford fine views over the Park and Mansion below to riders and carriages, but is now immersed in trees. At two places, the trees have been cleared somewhat to restore fine views northwards over the Buckinghamshire countryside, most noticeably at the Rond Point, which used to be a 'turning circle' for carriages.

Rond viewpoint seat, Tring Park

Descending on the footpath into the Tring Gap, the Bridgewater Monument at the NT Ashridge Estate can be seen across the valley, and there are tantalising glimpses of Ivinghoe Beacon, the end point of the Ridgeway.

Distant view to Ivinghoe Beacon on the left

Just before Tring Station, one crosses in succession, the A41 dual carriageway, the Grand Union Canal, and the West Coast mainline from Euston, all of them in deep cuttings, showing the importance of this gap in allowing North-South communications through the Chilterns.

Grand Union Canal, Tring

Logistics:

Start: Wendover Station, served by trains from London Marylebone to Aylesbury.

Finish: Tring Station, served by trains from London Euston.

Tring Station

Distance: A shade under 9 miles

Challenges:

Woodlands limit views on the first half of the walk.

There is quite a lot of road walking, but it is mainly on quiet country lanes.

Typical country lane

Refreshments:

Plenty of cafes etc in Wendover.

There is a pub and cafe at Wiggington, about a mile off route.

Tring has the usual offerings, but is well off the main route.

Wendover High Street

Nearby Walks:

For an overview map of all my walks along the Ridgeway East of the Thames see this page.

For cycling the Ridgeway West of the Thames as part of the King Alfred's Way: this blog describes cycling the whole King Alfred's Way, with links to more detailed blogs for the Ridgeway sections.

Previous leg (Leg 3): Princes Risborough to Wendover

Next leg (Leg 5): Tring Station to Ivinghoe Beacon TBD

More Photos

Hot sunny day in late April