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The Chiltern Way

The Chiltern Way is a circular walking route of around 200 km (125 miles) and there are now three optional extensions taking the total route to a maximum of 278 km (172 miles). It is a wandering, varied and mostly rural way stretching around the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

2010 – 10th anniversary of the Chiltern way
Click these words for the CHILTERN WAY WALKING FESTIVAL programme

Background
The Chiltern Way was set up by volunteers as the Chiltern Society’s millennium project. The route goes from Hemel Hempstead, Chalfont St Giles, the edge of Marlow, Hambleden, Bix Bottom, Ewelme, the Ridgeway, Stokenchurch, Great Hampden, Aldbury, the Dunstable Downs, Sharpenhoe Clappers to Harpenden and back to Hemel Hempstead.The footpath is now enjoyed by thousands of walkers each year.

For more detailed interactive maps please follow this link.

Additional loops
In 2003 a southern extension was included, adding a loop of nearly 50 km (35 miles) from Bix Bottom via Mapledurham on the Thames, and a northern extension adding 44 km (27 miles) from Sharpenhoe Clappers via the Icknield Way and the outskirts of Hitchin. A circuit from Bix Bottom creates an exceptionally beautiful 16 km (10 mile) loop via Ewelme.

The Way to go

The Chiltern Way (excluding extensions) can be walked in about 12 days if covering 10 miles a day. Please click here for a guide to distances, parking and services.

A list of accommodation en route is available for Word, or in PDF (Note: Click a link to load the document in the relevent software, or to download: Windows users, right mouse click. Mac users, hold the control key and click.

Books and maps

The Chiltern way is shown on Chiltern Society maps – click for Chiltern Society Maps in our online shop

The Chiltern Way & Chiltern Way Extensions (£9.99)

Circular Walks Along The Chiltern Way – Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (£7.99)

Circular Walks Along The Chiltern Way – Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire (£7.99)

The Chiltern Way is shown on Explorer Ordnance Survey maps 181, 192, 171, 172, 192 and 193 (recent editions).