Ridgeway National Trail: Some Comments

The Ridgeway is one of the shorter of Britain's National Trail at 87 miles (139 kilometres). It falls into two distinct halves. West of the River Thames crossing at Streatley and Goring, the Ridgeway follows high grassland. In places you can look for many miles across countryside to the north of the chalk escarpment. East of the Thames crossing there are long sections on flat, low ground between hedges and trees, alternating with climbs over the Chilten Hills. There are many wooded areas, commonly of beech trees in the eastern half of the Ridgeway.

In general the Ridgeway avoids towns and villages depriving you of tea shops and cakes. Main exceptions are Streatley and Goring, close by each other at the half way point beside the Thames, and Wendover, although many other places are within a kilometre or so of the path. Throughout the route the path is well signposted and relatively easy to follow although I often checked my GPS, which had the Ridgeway loaded as a "track", to make sure I had not strayed off the trail. There were numerous car parks where the trail crossed a road, which would help if you chose to walk the trail as a series of day trips, not many litter bins or toilets though.

Apart from one night when I had no option but to wild camp I was able to find accommodation every night: two traditional Bed & Breakfasts, one pub, and a youth hostel. I was walking in January, very much the "low" season, at other times of the year suitable accommodation should be available every night (including official campsites) if you book ahead. It is not ideal country for wild camping being well populated farmland, however there are areas of woodland where one could discretely camp, or you could brave it directly beside the trail on land that is not farmed.

Red Kites soaring overhead were the most exciting wild life I spotted. Outside the winter months there would have been many flowers. Early on there were many archaeological sites, including Avebury, not officially on the Ridgeway but a large stone circle which it would be silly not to include. After the Thames, the historical interest was more in old, Norman churches. 

While the Ridgeway is not the most scenic or exciting of Britain's trails, it is pleasant enough and easily fitted into a week at any time of the year.