With its rolling green hills, chocolate-box villages and uncrowded paths, the Chilterns is a walker's delight. This book, with its 20 circular walks ranging in length from 3 to 9 miles, takes you through the area's finest spots, with recommendations for all times of year.
Highlights include:
* Spring: ramble through the bluebell-carpeted woods of Cowleaze and Wendover
* Summer: stroll along Coombe Hill and take in the far-reaching views of the Hambleden Valley
* Autumn: walk in the blazing colour of Burnham Beeches and the Ashridge Estate
* Winter: take a brisk winter wander along the River Thames at Goring or Bourne End
All walks include:
* Directions to the start * Parking info * Numbered route map and directions * Distance and terrain * Recommended local pubs and cafes * Points of interest along the way
Introduction
Area map
SPRING
1 Cowleaze Wood and Aston Rowant Nature Reserve 3 miles / 4.8km
2 Wendover Canal and Woods 7 miles / 11.2km
3 The Bradenham Estate 3 miles / 4.8km
4 The Hughenden Valley 4.5 miles / 7.2km
5 Hailey and Ipsden 3.5 miles / 5.6km
SUMMER
6 Princes Risborough and Whiteleaf Cross 7 miles / 11.2km
7 Radnage to Lodge Hill 4.5 miles / 7.2km
8 Coombe Hill and Beacon Hill 7 miles / 11.2km
9 Chenies and the Chess Valley 6 miles / 9.6km
10 The Hambleden Valley 6.5 miles / 10.4km
AUTUMN
11 Ashridge Estate 6.8 miles / 10.9km
12 Aldbury and the Grand Union Canal 9 miles / 14.4km
13 Nettlebed 3 miles / 4.8km
14 Burnham Beeches 3 miles / 4.8km
1 5 Henley-on-Thames 8 miles / 12.8km
WINTER
16 Goring and the Thames Path 4 miles / 6.4km
17 The Lee and Lee Common 3 miles / 4.8km
18 Medmenham and the River Thames 3 miles / 4.8km
19 Bourne End and Spade Oak Lake 3 miles / 4.8km
20 Christmas Common 3 miles / 4.8km
Ruth Paley lives in Berkshire, she is a keen walker and local history and wildlife enthusiast. She is the author of a number of popular walking books including The Chilterns - A Dog Walkers Guide, Berkshire A Dog Walkers Guide and Kiddiwalks in Oxfordshire.
