View to West London and the Wembley arch from Bentley Priory Open space

---

Start: Stanmore Common Car Park, HA7 3HQ
Finish: Oxhey Woods Car Park, Oxhey Drive South, Watford, HA6 3EX
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: + 103m / - 120m. Net -17m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Bentley Priory Circular Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
London Coal Duty Posts: 50, plus 49 and 51 are just off the route
OS Trig Pillar: TP6393 - The Kiln
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Case is Altered, Old Redding, Harrow, HA3 6SE
Map: OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford
Guidebook: The London Loop: Recreational Path Guide
Links: Cycling The London Loop, London Loop - Transport for London, London Loop - Wikipedia, London Loop - Long Distance Walkers Association
- Stanmore Common, Bentley Priory Museum, Harrow Weald Common, Grim’s Dyke, South Oxhey, Oxhey Woods

---

The latest of our short walks along the London Loop took us from Stanmore Common to South Oxhey. As with any trip on the London Loop, Colin Saunders’ book is the definitive guide so I’ll leave it to that book to provide the route description.

Of particular interest to us (well me, the wife comes for the walk) were the additional things to bag along the way:

• The WW2 Pill Box on Bentley Priory Open Space

• The Kiln OS Trig Pillar on Harrow Weald Common

• The summit of Harrow Weald Common (150m)

• Coal Duty Post 50: sometimes visible from the path but obscured by bushes when we were there.

• Coal Duty Post 49 and 51: Just off the route, but we did them as a drive-by on route to the start.

• The London Borough High Point of Hillingdon: Just off the route, but we did it as a drive-by on route to the start.

---

---

Next sections of the London Loop:

• Clockwise: Scratchwood to Stanmore Common (coming soon)

• Anti-clockwise: South Oxhey to Hill End

Protected view of St Pauls from Kenwood House

---

Start & Finish: Hampstead Heath Station, London, NW3 2QD
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 144m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): River Fleet Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several on the junction of Highgate Road and Swain’s Lane and also on Highgate Hill
Map: OS Explorer 173 London North
Links: Hampstead Heath, Hampstead Heath Station, Highgate Cemetery, Highgate, Kenwood House, London’s Protected Views

For our latest Greater London Boroughs High Points walk we ticked off Islington, Haringey and Camden. All three can be reached by a 9km circular walk through Hampstead Heath and the edge of Highgate Cemetery. Whether you’re starting from Hampstead Heath Station or East Heath Car Park, you’re near the southern edge of the circuit. Taking an anti-clockwise route, you’ll soon reach Parliament Hill.

---

---

Parliament Hill

Significance: N/A
Member of: Protected View of St Pauls and the Palace of Westminster
Parent Peak: Hampstead Heath. NHN = Hampstead Heath.
Elevation: 98m
Date “climbed”: 30th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 33' 35'' N, 0° 9' 35'' W
On route of: Belsize Walk
Nearest Station: Hampstead Heath (Overground): 0.6 km
Map: OS Explorer 173 London North
Links: Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Protected Views

The star of many London skyline scenes in TV and movies, Parliament Hill is a Protected View of St Paul’s Cathedral. Any filming done here must have been done very early in the morning as it’s usual packed with people.

The famous kite-flying hill on Hampstead Heath was known in ancient times as Traitors' Hill, perhaps due to an execution site. It took on its present name in the mid-17th century, when Parliamentarian forces occupied the hill during the English Civil War. You can see the modern Houses of Parliament from its summit. Rumours that the hill has a connection with the Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament are intriguing (especially given the former name of Traitors' Hill), but unsubstantiated. source: How London’s Hills Got Their Names.

From the viewpoint, continue walking east, exiting the park at Highgate Road.

---

Highgate Hill

Significance: Highest point in London Borough of Islington
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Highgate
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 100m
Date “climbed”: 30th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 34' 9'' N, 0° 8' 32'' W
Nearest Station: Archway (Northern Line): 0.6 km
On route of: N/A. The Capital Ring is 1 km to the north
Map: OS Explorer 173 London North
Links: Wikipedia (Highgate), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

From Highgate road, continue in an anti-clockwise direction, following Swain’s Lane, Chester Road, Raydon Street and north along Dartmouth Park Hill. The stone that marks the highest point in Islington is on the western side of the north end of Dartmouth Park Hill opposite St Joseph’s Parish Church. Look out for the OS Benchmark symbol on the side. This is also the tri-point of the boroughs of Islington, Camden and Haringey.

The 'gate' in the name Highgate refers to a long-lost access route into the Bishop of London's deer hunting grounds on top of the hill. There is an alternative theory, elegantly described on Hidden Highgate, which puts the 'high' part of the name as a corruption of the Saxon word haeg, meaning hawthorn. So Highgate could refer to a gap in a hawthorn boundary. source: How London’s Hills Got Their Names.

---

Highgate

Significance: Highest point in London Borough of Haringey
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Hampstead Heath
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 129m
Date “climbed”: 30th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 34' 17'' N, 0° 9' 0'' W
Nearest Station: Highgate (Northern Line): 0.8 km
On route of: N/A. The Capital Ring is 1 km to the north-east
Map: OS Explorer 173 London North
Links: Wikipedia (Highgate), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

From the Islington high point follow Highgate Hill in a north-westerly direction for 600m to reach the high point of Haringey. It’s in the middle of the junction of Highgate Hill, Hampstead Lane and the B519. There’s several cafes and pubs along the way for a half-way point rest.

From the Haringey high point, follow Hampstead Lane west then take the first left onto The Grove and first right onto Fitzroy Park. After ~900m take a right at the junction, and take a footpath back into Hampstead Heath at the end of the road. Continue through the Heath in a north-westerly direction up to the Kenwood House Protected Viewpoint.

Continue west past the front side of Kenwood House to the car park on Hampstead Lane. We took a minor excursion from the park to bag the Hampstead Lane summit (116m elevation) at the Haringey/Camden/Barnet Tripoint. There’s little to see here and nothing to mark the summit so it’s only one for the London peaks completists.

---

Hampstead Heath

Significance: Highest point in London Borough of Camden
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Highwood Hill
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 134m
Date “climbed”: 30th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 33' 53'' N, 0° 10' 41'' W
Nearest Station: Hampstead Heath (Overground): 1.7 km
On route of: N/A. Belsize Walk is 1.1 km to the south-east
Map: OS Explorer 173 London North
Links: Wikipedia (Hampstead Heath), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Hampstead Heath was the highest point of the old County of London Administrative County. This was abolished in 1965 and replaced by Greater London

From the Kenwood House Car Park follow the Hampstead Heath boundary path south. Exit the park onto Spaniards Road on the first exit south of the Columbus Drive estate. Continue south along the eastern side of Spaniard’s drive and you’ll soon walk over the high point of Camden. There’s nothing to mark it, but the nearby Hampstead Heath sign (pictured here) is a good proxy.

Re-enter the Heath at the next entrance and follow the paths back down to the mixed bathing ponds and back to the start.

---

Big Alp, Wandsworth Borough High Point, Putney Heath

---

Start: Wimbledon Station, The Broadway, London, SW19 7NL
Finish: The Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 1EZ
Distance: 13.3 km (8.3 miles)
Elevation change: +126m /- 142m. Net -16m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Capital Ring
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several on Wimbledon and Richmond High Streets plus Pen Ponds Cafe near Spankers Hill in Richmond Park
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Guidebook: Capital Ring (National Trail Guides) by Colin Saunders
Links: Wimbledon, Wimbledon Station, Wimbledon Common & Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common Windmill, Richmond Park, Richmond, Richmond Station, London’s Protected Views

For our latest Greater London Boroughs High Points walk we ticked off Merton, Wandsworth and Richmond-upon Thames. All three can be reached via a 13km stretch of the Capital Ring with a few minor diversions. As a point-to-point route it’s very accessible as it starts and ends at 2 London Overground stations with a ~25 minute connection between them.

---

---

Lauriston Road

Significance: (alternative) Highest point in London Borough of Merton
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Big Alp, Putney Heath
Historic County: Surrey (of which Leith Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 55m
Date “climbed”: 29th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 25' 22'' N, 0° 13' 24'' W
Nearest Station: Wimbledon (South Western Railway, Thameslink): 1.4 km
On route of: N/A. The Capital Ring is 2 km to the north
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Merton), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

The first of 2 alternative high points for Merton can be found on the way to Wimbledon Common from Wimbledon Station. The unmarked high point is on the north side of Lauriston Road just north of the junction with Wilberforce Way.

---

Wimbledon Common

Significance: Highest point in London Borough of Merton
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Big Alp, Putney Heath
Historic County: Surrey (of which Leith Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 55m
Date “climbed”: 29th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 25' 58'' N, 0° 13' 27'' W
Nearest Station: Wimbledon (South Western Railway, Thameslink): 2 km
On route of: N/A. The Capital Ring is 0.7 km to the north
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Merton), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

The Wimbledon Common high point of Merton is ~1 km north of Lauriston Road. You can access it either by the pavement alongside Parkside road or via the parallel footpath on the edge of the common. Look out for the Parkside Road sign opposite the entrance to Calonne Road

---

Big Alp, Putney Heath

Significance: Highest point in London Borough of Wandsworth
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Westow Hill
Historic County: Surrey (of which Leith Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 60m
Date “climbed”: 29th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 26' 27'' N, 0° 14' 1'' W
Nearest Station: Southfields (District Line): 2.3 km
On route of: N/A. The Capital Ring is 0.4 km to the south
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Wandsworth), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Big Alp on Putney Heath is just over 1 km north west of the Wimbledon Common high point. After the underwhelming summits of Merton this at least feels like a real hill. From Big Alp descend through the woods in a south-westerly direction to pick up the Capital Ring at the southern end of Queensmere lake. From here follow the Capital Ring in a westerly direction into Richmond Park.

When you enter Richmond Park at Robin Hood Gate you’re only ~300m from the tri-point of the boroughs of Kingston, Richmond and Wandsworth on the Beverley Brook. I hadn’t researched it at the time otherwise I would have taken to the small diversion to see it.

Further into Richmond Park at Pen Ponds cafe you can make a minor diversion to the summit of Spankers Hill. There’s nothing of interest there, just go to ponder how it got that name.

---

Richmond Park

Significance: Highest point in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Member of: Protected View of St Paul’s
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Big Alp, Putney Heath
Historic County: Surrey (of which Leith Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 56m
Date “climbed”: 29th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 26' 42'' N, 0° 17' 38'' W
Nearest Station: Richmond (Overground, South Western Railway, District Line): 2.4 km
On route of: N/A. The Capital Ring is 0.2 km to the west
OS Trig Pillar: TP5674 - Richmond Park
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Richmond-upon Thames), Peakbagger, Hillbagging, London’s Protected Views

After Pen Ponds leave the Capital Ring and take a short cut west through Sidmouth Wood. After leaving the wood continue across Queen’s Road to find the Richmond high point.

Although not the highest point on this trip, the Richmond-upon-Thames high point is the most interesting. There’s an OS Trig Pillar to mark the summit and it’s one of the Protected Views of St Paul’s Cathedral.

From the Trig Pillar continue following the boundary of the park for ~1km, then exit at Cambrian Gate. Head north-west along Cambrian Road, Marlborough Road and Church Road to reach the end at Richmond Station.

---

On the Nickey Line

---

When Dr Beeching cut a large chunk of Britain’s rail network in the 1960s, Hertfordshire had a good share of the impact. The rail passengers’ loss later turned out to be the cyclists’ gain with several very enjoyable routes through the county.

This is a half day circular cycle route that follows three of Hertfordshire’s cycle paths along disused railways. It takes in the Nickey Line, Ayot Greenway and Alban Way. These were formerly the Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Branch Railway, Dunstable Branch Line and Hatfield and St Albans Railway. Each of the lines have been adopted into the National Cycle Network and have been well restored.

The Lost Rails section of the Herts Memories web site is a great resource for the history of the lines.

---

Full Route Details

Start & Finish: Nickey Line Start, by The Midland Hotel, Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5BH
Distance: 54.2 km (34 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 364m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Map: OS Explorer Map (182) St. Albans and Hatfield

Cycle Route Elevation

Cycle Route Map

---

Section 1: The Nickey Line

Start: Nickey Line Start, by The Midland Hotel, Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5BH
Finish: Railway Bridge at Hollybush Lane, Harpenden (OS Grid Ref: TL 13426 15162)
Distance: 11.7 km (7.3 miles)
Elevation change: +94m / -77m (Net -17m)
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, River Ver Trail, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 57, Chilterns Cycleway
Disused Stations Passed: Hemel Hempsted, Godwin's Halt, Beaumont's Halt, Redbourn, Roundwood Halt
Pubs / Cafes on route: Midland Hotel at the Hemel Hempstead end
Links: Nickey Line (Wikipedia), Herts Memories: Nickey Line, Friends of The Nickey Line, Hemel Hempstead, Harpenden

Although you can start the route at any point on it’s circuit I chose the most westerly point at Hemel Hempstead. The Nickey Line starts where Adeyfield Road crosses over what was the Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Branch Railway. Here there was a station called Hemel Hempsted which sounds the same, but spelled slightly differently to Hemel Hempstead station (previously Boxmoor Station) to the south-west. The section of the route from Boxmoor to here is now completely missing, covered by housing.

There’s curb-side parking in some of the side streets near the start of the Nicky Line. Alternatively you add a couple of miles and can use the town centre car parks or access via Hemel Hempstead (Boxmoor) station if you’re coming by train.

Once on the Nicky Line, it’s a smooth easy to navigate, route all the way to Harpenden. There’s not much left of the 4 previous stations along the way, but several information signs to show you where they were.

---

Section 2: The Ayot Greenway

Start: Intersection of Lea Valley Walk and Westfield Road, Harpenden (OS Grid Ref: TL 13883 15861)
Finish: Sherrardspark Wood (OS Grid Ref: TL 22861 13396)
Distance: 11.7 km (7.3 miles) including the extra section of disused railway from Harpenden
Elevation change: +102m / -82m (Net -20m)
Other routes touched (walk): Lea Valley Walk, Hertfordshire Way, WCG 100 Centenary Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 57, 12, Chilterns Cycleway
Disused Stations Passed: Wheathampstead, Ayot
Pubs / Cafes on route: Charlie's Cafe Wheathamstead (AL4 8BU) plus several in Welwyn Garden City after the Greenway
Links: Ayot Greenway (Wikipedia), Herts Memories: Ayot Greenway, Dunstable Branch Line, Wheathampstead, Ayot Green, Ayot St. Peter, Sherrardspark Wood

The actual Ayot Greenway starts from Wheathampstead Station but it’s part of a group of cycle paths that trace the old Dunstable Branch Line. The distance and elevation stats below include the full stretch of the disused railway from Harpenden.

From the Hollybush Lane bridge that marks the end of the Nickey Line there’s two ways to connect to the old Dunstable Branch Line. One option is to continue along the NCN 57 to join at Hickling Way. The alternative route that I took was to turn left onto Westfield Road, heading north along the Chilterns Cycleway. Take the path on the left after Beeching Close to keep on the Cycleway as it joins the Lea Valley Path. Whichever option you take you’ll end up following the NCN 57, Chilterns Cycleway and Lea Valley Path in a south-easterly direction. At the junction with Cherry Tree Lane, turn left, then right onto B653 Lower Luton Road. Follow this for ~1.5km to the roundabout where you’ll find the beautifully preserved Wheathampstead Station on the south east corner. Stop here for a rest before heading south down Station Road. Take a left onto Mount Road where you’ll pick up the NCN 57 again and the start of the Ayot Greenway. Follow this in an easterly direction to Ayot Green.

The sign-posted Ayot Greenway ends at Ayot Green but you can continue following the NCN 57 over the A1, picking up the path of the old railway at Sherrardspark Wood.

---

Section 3: The Alban Way

Start: Small park off the Great North Road Hatfield (OS Grid Ref: TL 23173 09327)
Finish: Cottonmill Lane, St Albans (OS Grid Ref: TL 23173 09327)
Distance: 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
Elevation change: +39m / -36m (Net +3m)
Other routes touched (walk): St Albans Green Ring
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 61
Disused Stations Passed: Lemsford Road Halt, Nast Hyde Halt, Smallford, Hill End, Salvation Army Halt, London Road Station
Pubs / Cafes on route: none
Links: Alban Way (Wikipedia), Hatfield and St Albans Railway, Herts Memories: Alban Way, Hatfield, St Albans

From Sherrardspark Wood continue along the NCN 57 to Welwyn Garden City town centre. This is approximately half way into the circular tour and a good place to stop for food and a rest. From here continue south along the NCN 57, crossing the present-day mainline railway bridge and connect with the NCN 61 on the A1000. The NCN 61 will take you through Hatfield and onto the Alban Way. The distance and elevation stats above for the Alban Way start as the NCN 61 crosses the Great North Road.

The Alban Way is the best preserved of the 3 routes. Nast Hyde Station is a highlight and there’s information boards along the way detailing the history of each of the old stations. It’s worth taking this section slow to take in the artifacts of the old line. This section of the route ends at the junction with Cottonmill Lane just before the old rail line would have connected with the present-day line to St Albans Abbey Station.

---

Section 4: Return To The Start

Start: Cottonmill Lane, St Albans (OS Grid Ref: TL 23173 09327)
Finish: Nickey Line Start, by The Midland Hotel, Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5BH
Distance: 14.1 km (8.8 miles)
Elevation change: +129m / -100m (Net +29m)

From the end of the Alban Way at Cottonmill Lane, take a left to continue on the NCN 61. Follow this for 2.5km until it meets the B4630 Watford Road. After following this south for ~100m carefully cross the road onto Ragged Hall Lane in a south westerly direction. You will now have left the NCN 61. Continue south-west along Ragged Hall Lane and onto Bedmond Lane, St Albans Lane and Sergehill Lane. At the junction with Church Lane in Bedmond take a right onto Bedmond Road for 2.5km.

You’ll now be in the uninspiring outer edges of Hemel Hempstead. There’s no pretty way through this back to the start but several options. If you have the GPS route you can take a complex route through quiet residential streets. Alternatively, the easiest route to navigate is to continue on Bedmond Road north, merging with the A4147 then left on the the B487 Swallowdale Lane. This runs past Keens Field where you can pick up the Nickey Line again, retracing your treads back to the Midland Hotel.

---

More Disused Railway Posts

Brockenhurst, Sway and the Disused Railway

The Downs Link

Alexandra Palace and The Parkland Walk

The Phoenix Trail and Watlington & Princes Risborough Railway

The High Wycombe To Bourne End Disused Railway

The Ebury Way

Staines West to Denham

Guildford & Shalford

---

Hurley Weir

---

Start & Finish: Hurley village Car Park, Maidenhead, SL6 5NB
Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 132m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, The Wokingham Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Littlewick Green, Ashley Hill and Knowl Hill Circular Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Berkshire Cycle Route 52
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Rising Sun Hurley, The Olde Bell Hurley
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Hurley, Ashley Hill

---

For our latest short Thames Path circular walk we returned to Hurley. There’s a small cark park at the end of High Street opposite St Mary’s church. This gets very busy during summer weekends but there’s a lot of free curb-side parking all along High Street.

Pick up the Thames Path at the north end of High Street and follow it west for 2km to Frogmill. After the river-side houses, take the footpath on the left following it south down Black Boy Lane to the A4130 Henley Road. Turn left onto the A4130 following the pavement in front of the Black Boy pub then carefully cross the road and take the footpath heading south. Follow this path for ~1.5 km up the hill to meet the Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop.

Take a left onto the Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop and follow it to the top of Ashley Hill. Here you’ll pass the house with the inaccessible OS Trig Pillar in its grounds. Continue along the Chiltern Way, now heading down the hill on the eastern side, and take the 2nd footpath on the left. Follow this path for 2km all the way back to the start, via the grounds of the Berkshire College of Agriculture.

---

---

• Previous Thames Path Section (west): Aston and Crazies Hill

• Next Thames Path Section (east): Marlow, Hurley, Temple and Bisham

---

Having walked and cycled a lot of the Chilterns over the past few years I’ve become much more familiar with its landscape. I discovered the valleys in my cycling trips along the Chiltern Rivers and the high points while bagging the Trig Points. With a need to find more short local walks during the Covid Lockdowns my attention turned to finding the rail lines and stations in the AONB. All of the walks listed below the map are around 10k (~6 miles) with a start and finish at a Chiltern rail station. This list covers all stations inside the Chiltern Hills AONB, shaded in green on the map. There’s also a selection of walks covering stations in the “Greater Chiltern Area”, shaded in peach, which covers the area bounded by the north end of the AONB and the Rivers Thames, Lea and Colne.

---

---

Rail-based circular walks in the Chiltern Hills AONB

Where all or most of the walk is within the boundary of the AONB

• Amersham Old and New Towns (Amersham Station): 8.3 Km. +/- 75m Elevation Gain.

• Berkhamsted Castle and Common (Berkhamsted station): 10.5 Km. +/- 73m Elevation Gain.

• Chesham & Tylers Hill (Chesham station): 9.3 Km. +/- 84m Elevation Gain.

• Chorleywood and Chenies (Chorleywood station): 8.0 Km. +/- 85m Elevation Gain.

• Goring & Streatley Station Circular (Goring & Streatley station): 8.9 Km. +/- 155m Elevation Gain.

• Great Missenden and Ballinger (Great Missenden station): 9.8 Km. +/- 113m Elevation Gain.

• Great Missenden and Little Kingshill (Great Missenden station): 10 Km. +/- 112m Elevation Gain.

• Little Chalfont and Latimer (Chalfont & Latimer station): 8.4 Km. +/- 140m Elevation Gain.

• Saunderton & Loosely Row (Saunderton station): 9.1 Km. +/- 125m Elevation Gain.

• Tring Park and Northfield (Tring Station): 8.4 Km. +/- 140m Elevation Gain.

• Uxbridge to Denham (Uxbridge High Street, Denham stations): 6.3 km. +/- 27m Elevation Gain.

• Wendover and Coombe Hill (Wendover station): 7.3 Km. +/- 139m Elevation Gain.

---

Rail-based circular walks in the Greater Chilterns Area

Where all or most of the walk is outside of the boundary of the AONB

• Beaconsfield, Knotty Green and Seer Green (Beaconsfield station): 10.6 Km. +/- 84m Elevation Gain.

• Cassiobury, Whippendell Woods and Croxley Green: (Croxley and Watford stations): 10.1 km. +/- 84m Elevation Gain.

• Rickmansworth and Chorleywood (Rickmansworth station): 9.4 Km. +/- 100m Elevation Gain.

• Risborough Railways Ramble (Princes Risborough station): 10.7 Km. +/- 83m Elevation Gain.

• Shiplake and Henley-on-Thames (Shiplake and Henley-on-Thames stations): 8.8 Km. +/- 80m Elevation Gain.

• Walking The Marlow Donkey (Bourne End and Marlow stations): 11.4 Km. +/- 65m Elevation Gain.

---

Rail-based point to point walks in the Greater Chilterns Area

• The Chess Valley Walk (Rickmansworth and Chesham stations): 17.9 Km. +309m / -256m Elevation Gain.

• Walking The Abbey Line Trail (St Albans City to Watford Junction): 15 Km. -74m / -86m Elevation Gain.

• Walking The Bourne End To Maidenhead Line (Bourne End, Cookham, Furze Platt and Maidenhead stations): 9.6 Km. +60m / -58m Elevation Gain.

• Walking The Wycombe to Bourne End Disused Railway (High Wycombe & Bourne End stations): 9.9 Km. +37m / -86m. Net -49m Elevation Gain.

• Walking The Ebury Way Disused Railway (Watford Junction to Rickmansworth Church Street): 8.8 Km. +39m / -61m Elevation Gain.

• Train out, walk back: The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway: 6.3 km (3.9 miles). +73m / -46m. Net = +27m. Elevation Gain.

---

Rail-based cycle trips in the Greater Chilterns Area

• Cycling The Nickey Line, Ayot Greenway and The Alban Way: 54.2 km. +/- 364m Elevation Gain.
  via the routes of the disused Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Branch Railway, Dunstable Branch Line and Hatfield and St Albans Railway lines.

• Cycling The Phoenix Trail and Watlington & Princes Risborough Railway: 46.6 km. +/- 313m Elevation Gain.
  via the routes of the disused Wycombe Railway from Princes Risborough to Thame and back via the old Watlington and Princes Risborough line.

• Cycling The Windsor to Staines Railway: 26.3 km +/- 78m Elevation Gain.
  via Windsor & Eton Riverside, Datchet, Sunnymeads, Wraysbury and Staines stations

• Cycling The Staines West to Denham Disused Railways: 22.9 km. + 99m / -67m. Net +22m Elevation Gain
  via 3 separate disused railways through West Drayton and Uxbridge

---

Trig Pillar at the top of Sugar Loaf

---

Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Waun Fach
Elevation: 596m
Date climbed: 6th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 51' 46'' N, 3° 3' 28'' W
Route Start & Finish: The Dragons Head pub, Llangenny, Crickhowell, NP8 1HD
Distance: 8.7 km (5.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 502m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Other pubs / Cafes on route: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP6243 - Sugar Loaf
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Wikipedia / Peakbagger / Hillbagging / Llangenny

---

This was the second of three trig-bagging walks in the Black Mountains on a spring trip to the Brecon Beacons. We were on the last day of good weather before a long stretch of rain so we picked this one based on recommendation from a friend who lives nearby.

Many people start their Sugar Loaf trip from Abergavenny and there’s lots of footpath options between the town and the summit. The approach from Llangeny is a great alternative, especially if you’re travelling there from the North or West.

From the Dragon’s Head car park, cross over the (river) Grwyne Fawr, taking a left on the road that runs parallel to the river. Take the first road on right and walk up the hill in a north-easterly direction. After ~1.25 km from the start continue along the footpath through a farm rather than keeping on the road that curves to the right. Once past the farm you’ll follow the edge of a field upwards towards a path T-junction. Take a right here heading south. This path will curve round the brow of a hill before heading north east up to the summit of Sugar Loaf.

On a clear day the views from the summit are excellent so it’s worth spending a bit of time there to take it all in. To return to the start, take the north-westerly path which curves round to the west. After 3km from the summit the path enters a farm where you’ll take a right onto the road. Soon after this take a left onto another road, another left at the end and continue to the junction where you’ll meet your earlier route up. Take a right here and retrace your steps to the bridge then the Dragons Head pub.

---

---

Top of the Dragons Back

---

Member of: Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall
Parent Peak: Pen y fan
Elevation: 811m
Date climbed: 5th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 57' 46'' N, 3° 8' 35'' W
Route Start & Finish: The Dragons Back pub, Pengenffordd, Talgarth, Brecon, LD3 0EP
Distance: 11.7 km (7.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 574m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP3548 - Gwynydd Bach
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Wikipedia / Peakbagger / Hillbagging

---

This was the second of three trig-bagging walks in the Black Mountains on a spring trip to the Brecon Beacons. It was my birthday and, having missed out on our normal big trip due to Covid, I wanted a special mountain. It may not be well known, a County Top or on many bucket lists, but as the highest peak in the Black Mountains, that would be enough significance for this year.

The car park next to the Dragon’s Back pub is an obvious place to start. The honesty box for the £2 charge gives warnings of tough-to-remove stickers to be stuck to windscreens if the charge is not paid. Despite the CCTV cameras above it, it’s unlikely they would know you’ve put money in there. After a year of not touching any cash I was pleasantly surprised to discover that we actually had some coins in the car.

Take the footpath that starts at the north end of the car park and follow it in a south-easterly direction for just over 3.5 km. Here you’ll reach a ridgeline with several different footpath interactions. Take the path that heads north, continuing to ascent, then curves to the east. Follow this path for approximately 2km to the summit of Waun Fach. There used to be an OS Trig Pillar here, but it’s been replaced by a low, flat stone with a metal OS roundel on it.

From the summit, take the northerly footpath, descending steadily for 1.5 km. At the path junction take the left hand path, heading south west, descending along the Dragons Back. We had very good visibility which gave us some amazing views across to the National Park to Pen y Fan and beyond. The highlight at the end of the trip is the path through the ruins of Castel Dinas. The steep ascent up to to the castle right at the end of the trip was a bit daunting though given we were low on energy at the time.

I’d been hesitant about doing this one having read and heard of tough navigation and boggy conditions at the top. The path at the summit seemed relatively new so have probably addressed the bogginess issue. I’d say that the navigation is no tougher than similar mountains in the area so you’ll be fine with the usual preparation, clothing and skills for the hills.

---

---

View to Llangorse Lake from the western side of Mynydd Llangorse

---

Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Mynydd Troed
Elevation: 515m
Date climbed: 4th May 2021
Coordinates: 51° 55' 57'' N, 3° 13' 27'' W
Route Start & Finish: Parking outside Llangorse Multi Activity Centre, Gilfach Farm, Llangorse, Brecon, LD3 7UH
Distance: 6.5 km (4.0 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 285m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Beacons Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP5020 - Mynydd Llangorse
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Wikipedia / Peakbagger / Hillbagging / Llangorse Lake, Llangors

---

This was the first of three trig-bagging walks in the Black Mountains on a spring trip to the Brecon Beacons. With a short distance and relatively low elevation this made for a nice warm-up for the longer treks of the next couple of days.

The parking area just outside of the Llangorse Activity Centre is an obvious place to start. Just inside the activity centre you can find the start of a footpath heading in a south-easterly direction across a field towards the hill. The trig pillar at the summit is only 1.5km from the Activity Centre, giving you the option of a very short out-and-back. If you prefer a longer circular walk, there’s several options based on a few paths that intersect at the summit. We continued east for ~500 metres, then taking a well marked track south to the Beacons Way.

When you meet the Beacons Way, don’t follow it but take the westerly path that makes a steady descent from the hill. This path will curve round to the hill and reconnect with the path you followed at the start and back to the Activity Centre.

The cafe at Llangorse lake, a short drive from the Activity Centre, is a great place for a rest, a coffee and a cake after the walk.

---

---

When: May 2nd 2021
Where: Temple Island Meadows, Church Lane, Remenham, Henley on Thames, Oxon, RG9 3DB
Course: Single loop with a flat stretch on the Thames Path and a slightly hilly section to Henley bridge
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, The Wokingham Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Finish time: 54:30

---

---

Valley view near Flowers Bottom Lane

---

Start & Finish: Bradenham National Trust Car Park, Bradenham, Princes Risborough, HP27 0PR
Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): N/A
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Bradenham National Trust Estate, Speen, Lacey Green, Loosley Row

---

This pleasant, short Chiltern walk starts with a steep climb through the woods from Bradenham National Trust Car Park. Unlike a lot of our recent Chiltern walks it doesn’t follow or cross any of the well marked trails such as the Chiltern Way or Ridgeway. 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.

Keep an eye out for the sculptures on display in the garden of the large house on the north side of Kiln Lane. Although there’s no pubs on the main route, you can take a short diversion at the half-way point into Lacey Green village for a rest at the Black Horse.

---

---

---

Including the London Borough High Points of Brent and Ealing

View to Wembley and the city from Sudbury Hill

---

Start: Harrow on the Hill Station, Station Approach, Harrow, HA1 1BB
Finish: Perivale Station, Horsenden Lane North, Perivale, Greenford, UB6 8AE
Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 miles)
Elevation change: +96m /- 146m. Net -50m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Capital Ring, Grand Union Canal Paddington Arm
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several on Harrow on the Hill High Street and around Sudbury Hill stations
Map: OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford
Guidebook: Capital Ring (National Trail Guides) by Colin Saunders
Links: Harrow on The Hill, St Mary’s Church Harrow on the Hill, Sudbury Hill, Horsenden Hill

This route mostly follows the Capital Ring with a couple of short diversions to bag the high points of the London Boroughs of Brent and Ealing.

The map and route details above describe a route from Harrow on the Hill to Perivale Stations. A return trip by public transport would take you to from Perivale to Northolt by train then a bus to Harrow on the Hill. We had 2 cars for the trip so we were able to park one car at by St Mary’s Church, Harrow on the Hill and another at Horsenden Farm, both free at the time we went. This reduced the trip distance by about 1 km.

From Harrow on the Hill Station, walk south along Station Approach, taking a left onto Lowland’s Road (A404) and then cut south across The Grove Open Space. At the south end of the park you’ll follow the Capital Ring Link up to Lord Byron’s view in the grounds of St Mary’s Church. This is the top of Harrow Hill at 124m. It’s not the high point of Harrow, though as that’s Bushey Heath to the north. The name is thought to come from the Old English for 'heathen temple'. Its remains may well stand beneath St Mary's church, whose spire can be seen for miles around (source: How London’s Hills Got Their Names).

When exiting St Mary’s Church, walk south down Church Hill to High Street. You’ll now be on the Capital Ring which you’ll follow for most of the trip. When the Capital Ring leaves Sudbury Hill road at South Hill Avenue, keep walking down Sudbury Hill. At the intersection of Sudbury Hill, Greenford Road, Harrow Road and Sudbury Court Drive, take a left onto Sudbury Court Drive. Take the first right onto Sudbury Court Road then the footpath into Sudbury Hill Park. You can’t miss the tree that marks the (alternative) highest point in Brent.

Take a moment to rest on the benches that are strangely turned away from the view before retracing your steps to the intersection. Continue south-west along Greenford Road, rejoining the Capital Ring at Sudbury Hill Harrow Station. Continue along the Capital Ring to the bridge over the Grand Union Canal, bagging the Trig Pillar at Horsenden Hill along the way. The car park at Horsenden Farm, next to the Grand Union, was our end point for the trip. If you’re finishing at Perivale station, cross over the Grand Union and keep walking down Horsenden Lane South for ~600m.

---

---

The tree at the top of Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Hill

Significance: (alternative) Highest peak in London Borough of Brent
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Wakeman’s Hill Avenue (the other high point in Brent)
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 91m
Date “climbed”: 24th April 2021
Coordinates: 51° 33' 45'' N, 0° 19' 29'' W
Nearest Station: Sudbury Hill Harrow (Chiltern Railways): 1.9 km
On route of: N/A. The Capital Ring is 1.1 km to the south-west
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Brent), Wikipedia (Sudbury Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

This may be 1 metre lower than the official high point of Brent but it’s likely the most interesting. The higher point is in the middle of a residential street and looks tedious. I’ll confirm that soon when I get round to visiting it. At last this one feels like a summit and has some views of the city.

---

Horsenden Hill

Significance: Highest peak in London Borough of Ealing
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Sudbury Hill
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 85m
Date “climbed”: 24th April 2021
Coordinates: 51° 32' 46'' N, 0° 19' 34'' W
Nearest Station: Sudbury Town (Piccadilly Line): 1.6 km
On route of: The Capital Ring is 0.1 km to the north
OS Trig Pillar: TP4023 - Horsenden Hill
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Ealing), Wikipedia (Horsenden Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Signs of an Iron Age settlement from 2500 BC have been found on and around the hill. Its present name can be traced back to Saxon times and probably refers to a hill fort controlled by a chap called Horsa (source: How London’s Hills Got Their Names).

Unlike Sudbury there’s no disputes about this being the highest point in Ealing.

---

When: April 18th 2021
Where: Loseley Park, Guildford, GU3 1HS
Course: Hilly trail route around the Loseley Park estate with a short section along the Hog’s Back
Other routes touched (walk): North Downs Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22
Finish time: 58:00

---

---

---

Start & Finish: Goring Station, Goring, Reading, RG8 0ES
Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 155m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Chiltern Way Southern Extension
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: None, although there are several in Goring Town Centre close to the start & finish
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Goring-on-Thames, Goring & Streatley Station

---

For the latest in our series of ~10k walks from Chilterns Railway Stations we went to the far west to Goring. Goring & Streatley is the only station on the GWR mainline that’s within the Chilterns. Both the stations either side of it, Pangbourne and Cholsey are on the other side of the Thames and outside of the AONB. 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 start at Goring and Streatley Station, walk north toward the road bridge over the railway and take a right onto Farm Road. From here you’ll follow the Chiltern Way Southern Extension through housing, then wooded paths, steadily climbing away from the river. Shortly after Wroxhill Woods, take a right hand footpath off Beech Lane at a farm entrance. You’ll now leave the Chiltern Way and will be heading south across farmland.

At a path intersection take the left hand path and continue down to Elvendon Lane. Take a left onto the lane, following it easterly for 100m before taking a right hand path. Follow this path in a south-easterly direction, carefully crossing Reading Road. Continue south until you meet Blackbird’s Bottom (a lane). Take a right onto Blackbird’s bottom and follow it in a westerly direction until you meet the Chiltern Way again. Follow the Chiltern Way until you arrive back at Goring & Streatley Station.

---

---

Crossing the River Nene in Fenland

---

The Prime Meridian, also known as the Greenwich Meridian, is the line of longitude defined as 0°. It’s the line that divides East and West. It’s also a line that I asked myself: “can that be cycled"?”. The answer is “no” as it’s a dead-straight line with buildings inconveniently built along it's path. You can cycle quite close to it though, so that’s what we did.

If you want to walk it, there’s a well-signed path called the Greenwich Meridian Trail. The Trail is also very well described in a series of 4 books by Graham and Hilda Heap. The cycle route that I designed stays as close to the Prime Meridian as possible but avoiding footpaths and opting for quieter country roads over busy main roads. Even if you’re cycling I highly recommend the Greenwich Meridian Trail books as they’re a great guide to the interesting things to see along the way.

It had been 9 months since Brian and I cycled the first part from Peacehaven to Waltham Abbey. There had been 2 Covid-19 Lockdowns since then and we were eager to get out on the road. So, as soon as we were able to travel again we picked up an additional cycle buddy and headed to Waltham Abbey.

Day numbers below are for the total Prime Meridian trip starting in Peacehaven.

---

Day 3: Waltham Abbey to Barton

Start: Waltham Abbey Church, 4 Church St, Waltham Abbey EN9 1DJ
Finish: The White Horse Inn, 118 High St, Barton, Cambridge, CB23 7BG
Distance: 76 km (47 miles)
Elevation change: + 517m / -517m (Net 0m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Lea Valley Walk, New River Path, Hertfordshire Way, Icknield Way Path, Harcamlow Way,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 61, Icknield Way Trail, National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but I recommend The Heath Cafe Bar at Royston
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (174) Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map
- OS Explorer Map (194) Hertford and Bishop's Stortford
- OS Explorer Map (209) Cambridge, Royston, Duxford & Linton
Guidebook: Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 2: Greenwich to Hardwick
Links: Wikipedia: Prime Meridian, The Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Waltham Abbey, Lea Valley Park, Ware, Royston, Barton

---

Day 4: Barton to Peterborough

Start: The White Horse Inn, 118 High St, Barton, Cambridge, CB23 7BG
Finish: Peterborough Railway Station, Peterborough, PE1 1QL, United Kingdom
Distance: 88.9 km (55.2 miles)
Elevation change: +246m / - 253m (Net -9m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Harcamlow Way, Wimpole Way, Pathfinder Way, Ouse Valley Way, Rothschild Way, Nene Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 12, 51, 63, National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but I recommend The Nook at Swavesey, The Rose and Crown Somersham and Nanas Team Room Chatteris
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (209) Cambridge, Royston, Duxford & Linton
- OS Explorer Map (225) Huntingdon and St.Ives, Grafham Water
- OS Explorer Map (227) Peterborough
Guidebook: Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 2: Greenwich to Hardwick and Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 3: Hardwick to Boston
Links: Wikipedia: Prime Meridian, The Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Barton, Hardwick, Swavesey, St. Ives, Somersham, Chatteris, Peterborough

As you can see from the map below, both Barton and (especially) Peterborough are a bit off course for the Prime Meridian. The choice of Barton was really down to post-Lockdown availability of hotels. In normal times there would likely be more options. Given the choice we would have stayed in Hardwick where the 2nd Greenwich Meridian Trail book ends.

Peterborough is actually a long way off course at 22 km away from the final Meridian marker of the trip. This was our end point as we were taking the train from there back to the start. We took a Thameslink train to Potters Bar via a change at Hitchen. From Potters Bar, Waltham Abbey is a 50 minute cycle ride or, as we did a 20 minute drive as we left a car at Potters Bar and another at Waltham Abbey.

---

The Missing Link: March to Fleet

If you’re not taking the Peterborough diversion to end the section there, here’s how to continue up the Meridian. This section starts at the last Meridian marker on Day 4 and picks up the Day 5 route at the first Meridian marker. You’ll save ~20k by taking this route rather than going via Peterborough. There’s not much to see though and few options for food and accommodation.

Start: Turves Sustrans Millennium Marker. Grid Ref TL 35692 97021
Finish: Fleet Obelisk. Grid Ref TF 35123 15538
Distance: 28.7 km (17.8 miles)
Elevation change: +91m / - 89m (Net -2m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Nene Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 63
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (227) Peterborough
- OS Explorer Map (235) Wisbech and Peterborough North

---

Prime Meridian markers on the route

Bottom Row (left to right)

• Orwell Obelisk

• Comberton Road Sundial

• Somersham Pavement Slab

• Doddinton Post

• Turves Sustrans NCN Post

Top row(left to right):

• Waltham Abbey Pavement Mosaic

• Meridian Walk Sculpture 1

• Meridian Walk Sculpture 2

• The Isabel Christie Park Obelisk

• Cross Road Bollard

---

Previous section: Peacehaven to Waltham Abbey

Next section: Peterborough to Sand Le Mere

---

Ascent from Smalldean Lane

---

Start & Finish: Saunderton Station, High Wycombe, HP14 4HX
Distance: 9.1 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, The Ridgeway, Risborough Blue Route
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Golden Cross, Saunderton at start and finish.
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford and OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Saunderton, Saunderton Station, Loosley Row

---

For the latest of our Chiltern Rail based walks we visited Saunderton. Once a Victorian-era industrial town, it’s now a quiet village in a scenic Chiltern valley. 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 train station cross the A4010 Wycombe Road and walk north-west up Smalldean Lane. As you pass the back entrance to The Residence on the right hand side, take a footpath that runs along the field edge parallel to Smalldean Lane. At the end of the field there’s a small gap in the hedge where you can get back onto the lane. Walk back along the lane for ~100m and take the right hand footpath up the hill to the north-east.

Continue along this path, following the ridgeline for nearly 2km until you reach Little Lane. Cross over and take Foundry Lane into Loosley Row village centre. Shortly after passing the old Foundry, take a right up Loosely Hill to the crossroad with Lower Road. Take a left onto Lower Road to join the Chiltern Way. After 100m take a left off Lower Road, continuing to follow the Chiltern Way through a farm. Follow the Chiltern way for another 1.5 km until you meet The Ridgeway next to the railway line. Carefully cross the rail line via the level crossing and continue to follow the Ridgeway south. Here you’ll leave the Chiltern Way which heads north next to the rail line.

Here the Ridgeway cuts through Princes Risborough Golf Course and meets Lee Road. Here continue south along Lee Road rather than taking the Ridgeway to the east. When Lee Road curves to the left, continue south along the footpath through a farm. Keep to the main path on a south-westerly direction, eventually returning to Saunderton.

---

---

Following the River Wey at Farnham

---

Start: Farnham Station, Farnham, GU9 8AG
Finish: The Good Intent Pub, 60-62 The Street, Puttenham, Guildford, GU3 1AR
Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: +118m / -100m. Net +8m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Puttenham Walk (SCC)
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22
Pubs / Cafes on route: None on route but several in Farnham plus the Good Intent Pub at the end
Map: OS Explorer Map (145) Guildford and Farnham
Guidebook: The North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Dover (Cicerone)
Links: Farnham, Farnham Railway Station, Puttenham

---

This is the first of a series of short point-to-point walks along the North Downs Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent. Our walks took in short sections of 10 km to 13 km which we did with a friend over the course of a couple of years when our schedules coincided. The North Downs Way is well signposted however I highly recommend taking a map or GPX route to keep you on track. The Cicerone book on the trail is a great guide to the points of interest along the way.

For this section we left one car in the car park behind Farnham Railway Station and the other outside the Good Intent Pub in Puttenham. From the Farnham Station car park it’s less than 100m to walk to the large sign that marks the official start of the North Downs Way at Hickley’s Corner on the A31. It struck me as an odd place to start the trail as this is a very busy junction and not representative of the rest of the trail.

The trail follows the right hand side of the A31 for 100m in a northerly direction before you take onto Darville Lane. Follow this onto Snailslynch and you’ll soon be walking next to the River Wey. At the 4km mark you’ll enter into the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) after crossing Crooksbury Road. From here the trail keeps to the northern edge of the AONB through to Tatsfield in Kent.

---

---

Next Section (east): Walking The North Downs Way Part 2: Puttenham To Newlands Corner

---

View to All Saints Church, Bisham from the Thames Path

---

Start & Finish: Higginson Park, High Street, Marlow, SL7 1AW
Alternative Start & Finish: Marlow Railway Station, Station Approach, Marlow, SL1 1AN
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles) or an additional 1.5 km if starting from the Railway Station
Elevation change: +/- 37m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Marlow High Street, also the café in Higginson Park and the Bull Inn, Bisham
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Marlow, Marlow Bridge, Hurley, Temple Mill Island, Bisham, Bisham Abbey

---

This is a scenic and very easily navigable loop of the Thames from Marlow, picking up where the Marlow Donkey route leaves off. If you’re arriving by car there’s a large car-park at Higginson Park. If you’re coming by train the walk to and from Marlow station adds an extra 1.5 km to the total route distance. 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 Higginson’s park take the Thames Path south for 3.5 km to Hurley Lock. This is a very busy part of the National Trail and you’ll soon see why. Just after Hurley Lock, cross a small wooden footbridge and down an alley into Hurley Village Centre. Depending on the time of year you can get refreshments either at Hurley Lock or in a small shop in Hurley village.

From Hurley, take a left onto Mill Lane, now heading east parallel to the Thames. You’ll pass through a static caravan park, then fields and eventually Temple Lane. Follow Temple Lane as it snakes around Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and joins Bisham Road. This is a busy section of the route as this is one of the main car routes into Marlow. It’s safe enough with a good pavement, just a little less peaceful than the rest of the route. Soon you’ll get back to the Marlow Suspension Bridge with Higginson Park on the north side.

---

---

• Previous Thames Path Section (west): Hurley & Ashley Hill

• Next Thames Path Section (east): Bourne End & Marlow (The Marlow Donkey)

When: April 2nd 2021
Where: Highfield Park, St Albans, AL4 0DY
Course: P-shaped route starting in Highfield Park, following the Alban Way and a loop out to the North Circular/A1 around Sleapshyde
Other routes touched: Alban Way / NCN 61
Finish time: 53:12

---

This was the first organized 10k event of 2021 and my first since Newbury Racecourse in February 2020. It was great to be back with other people and in a well organized Covid-secure event.

Having completed my Zwift Masochist badge, the obvious one to do next was the 100 kph Extra Credit badge. I already knew that the best place to do it was on the descent down from the Radio Tower. I’d tried it a few times before but could never get over 97 kph. As it turns out, you need a little help and the Aero Boost Helmet Power-up is the best way to do it.

Top Tips to get the 100 kph Badge

• Select the Mountain 8 Route in Watopia.

• After around 400 metres you’ll pass through the Downtown start/finish arch. This normally gives you a Power-up. If you get the Aero Boost Helmet, carry on. If you don’t get it, stop the ride, start again and keep trying until you get the helmet. I got it on my 6th attempt.

• At 12km into the Mountain 8 route you’ll get to the top of the Radio Tower. Stop here and have a rest.

• For the descent you’ll need a heavy bike. I chose the Zwift TT frame with the Zipp 808 wheels.

• Continue round the loop at the top of the Radio Tower loop, gradually picking up speed. Keep accelerating down the first part of the descent. When you get to the bend (at 12.8 km) hit the Power-up button and give it everything you’ve got. This will give you the boost you’ll need to get you over 100 kph.

Other Notes

• Check your own weight in your profile before starting off. I discovered that my Zwift weight was showing lower than my real weight. I hadn’t updated it after Christmas :-). Be sure to correct your weight if it’s understating it.

• When I first attempted it using the tips above I pressed the Power-up button too early and just missed the badge. I’ve heard of different people pressing it at different points on the descent. It’s probably also related to how much power you’re putting though too.

• You notice that my cadence is going crazy for the first few seconds in the video. It always does that after I’ve stopped and re-started and likely a faulty cadence monitor. It doesn’t affect the speed on the descent though. The horrible cranking sound is what my bike does since the Mascochist badge. Time for a service I think.

Comment below if you have other tips for breaking 100 kph.

---

More Zwiftery

• Alpe du Zwift Tracker

• Zwift Everested! Extra Credit Badge

• Zwift Watopia and (not)parkrun Mash-up

---