Following Roman roads across England — hiking the Greater Ridgeway

This first stage begins on the coast at Lyme Regis, a bustling town known for its incredible amount of fossils. Hike up through the beautiful streets alongside the River Lim and head into the lovely countryside to the north east. Footpaths across fields lead you for much of this route before rising to… read more

This undulating stage leaves Thorncombe to climb Blackdown Hill and Pilsdon Pen. The Pen is the second-highest point in Dorset and, like so many of the county’s high points, has an Iron Age hillfort at the top.



Using field paths and tracks, the trail winds around the hilly landscape, skirting Lewesdon… read more

This stage leaves Beaminster via a northbound lane and ascends to Beaminster Down. After an initial ascent during the first 2 miles (3 km), this route maintains high ground throughout on an undulating journey, ending in Maiden Newton. As a result, there are plenty of opportunities for some sweeping farmland… read more

There are four significant hills on this hike with some steep sections and lots of wonderful vistas. Entirely rural, you ramble across Dorset’s rolling downs, find tiny historic villages tucked into valleys and hike along some excellent sections of ridgeline.



Although I haven’t included it as a Highlight… read more

Dorset’s countryside is effortlessly charming and this hike takes in more of its undulating fields, well-appointed hillforts and vibrant woodlands. Hike east from Folly, crossing a mixture of fields, commons and forest patches. Meandering north east, you reach Rawlsbury Camp hillfort at 800 feet (244… read more

This hike has lots of opportunities for views thanks to being consistently high for the second half and hiking the great Hambledon Hill at the beginning. First, head east away from Shillingstone and cross the majestic River Stour as it snakes through the verdant landscape. Your ascent of Hambledon Hill… read more

This stage has you wandering through the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A sweeping chalk plateau, the Chase is rich in early human heritage and Neolithic sites are everywhere. You’ll pass cross-dykes, ancient settlement sites, earthworks and tumuli on this… read more

Hills, woodlands, villages and streams combine to make this jaunt through the West Wiltshire Downs rather lovely. Hike north west from Newton across field paths before turning north and letting tracks take you to the village of Hindon. Undulating like much of this section of the Greater Ridgeway, you… read more

While skirting the Salisbury Plain military ranges, this hike takes you on an impressive tour of the local hillforts, proving that the MOD are only the latest in military presence here. Begin in Heytesbury and walk up Cotley Hill to join the Imber Range Perimeter Path. Tumuli proliferate here, if that… read more

The first thing you come to on this wonderful perimeter hike of Salisbury Plain is the Westbury White Horse. Southern England’s chalk downs have numerous examples of white figures, mostly horses, and this is one of the finest, although not the oldest. Hike right up to the horse, now protected by English… read more

The first section of this hike continues skirting the Salisbury Plain military ranges before sauntering off north, to the edge of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You leave West Lavington to the south, reascend the ridgeline and hike along the wide trail, catching glorious views… read more

This is a tremendously beautiful stage thanks to the stunning landscape, far-reaching views and phenomenal history. Leave lovely Devizes via a track to Roundway Farm and hike up a lane to see the Devizes White Horse. Unlike most of the other chalk figures in England, this is recent; it was carved in… read more

This stage leaves the Wessex Ridgeway and takes up the Ridgeway trail, Britain’s oldest road. Leaving the incredible Avebury stone circle behind, you hike north soon into the walk, up to the Hackpen White Horse. One of the region’s many chalk horses, this was cut in the 19th century in honour of Queen… read more

Working its way through the top of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this hike spends its time on open tracks, taking in gorgeous views of patchwork farmland. This is ancient land and historic settlements and earthworks abound. Liddington Castle is the clearest example, a hillfort… read more

Another fairly level stage with good height for views, it explores more ancient history. Leave Ashbury and seek out Wayland’s Smithy, an extraordinary, 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber. Today under the management of English Heritage, you can explore the chamber, taking a rather large leap back… read more

The ridgeline trail continues on the edge of the North Wessex Downs, curving around with the hills from Wantage to the River Thames. The path continues as a wide, open track with gorgeous views to the north across flatter, patchwork land.



Visit the Lord Wantage monument, standing proudly on the hilltop… read more

This hike leaves behind the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and enters the Chilterns AONB. In short, it’s all gloriously beautiful. Leave Goring and follow the pretty Thames upriver, luxuriating in the flat terrain. Leave the peace of the river at Mongewell and follow Grim… read more

Exploring the edge of the Chilterns, this hike begins by winding around the edge of Watlington, Shirburn and Beacon hills. Follow the track between the lakes at Chinnor, leaving the town to the north and then ascending through woodlands to the south.



Hike along the curving flanks of Wain Hill and follow… read more

This is a hilly stage but has some fantastic viewpoints to make it worth the thigh ache. Leave Princes Risborough and ascend to Brush Hill and Whiteleaf Hill nature reserves. Both are lovely and have sweeping views north. The trail undulates with little woodlands, fields and farms en route to pass the… read more

This stage is the last in the Chilterns and has plenty of hills to remind you of where you are. Head to Tring station, crossing the Grand Union Canal, and head north through Aldbury Nowers woodland. An ancient bank cuts through here too, another Grim’s Ditch, to remind you that humans have been using… read more