The Ridgeway

The Ridgeway

A walk along Britain's oldest road through the ancient landscapes of the Wessex Downs and the Chiltern Hills.

4 to 12 nights
45-93 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding

From £515 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

An ancient track established by prehistoric man once stretched across the country from Dorset to Norfolk, and the Ridgeway follows it from East Kennet to Ivinghoe Beacon. The trail passes through two distinct landscapes on the way: the rolling North Wessex Downs, and a landscape of beech woodland and farmland dotted with historic towns in the Chiltern Hills.

The long and rich history of these areas is clear throughout, in extraordinary stone circles, ancient barrows, and the striking figure of the Uffington White Horse. The Ridgeway walk is a well-signposted and manageable route overall, and is well worth exploring.

The Ridgeway is part of the Great Chalk Way, a 400-mile-long trading route traversing the south east of England. Contours Holidays don't currently cover the complete trail, but our Peddars Way itineraries may also be of interest for anyone stitching together a Great Chalk Way hike.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • This route includes dog friendly tour options The Ridgeway
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options The Ridgeway - East Section
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options The Ridgeway - West Section

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

Trail running tours available

We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.

About this route

7 to 12 nights
93 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding
2nd January to 24th December
Includes Dog-Friendly Tours

From £915 per person

The Ridgeway

Follow an ancient track established by prehistoric man on a walking holiday along the Ridgeway National Trail. This undulating route once stretched across the country from Dorset all the way to Norfolk, and the Ridgeway follows in those past footsteps from East Kennet to Ivinghoe Beacon. The Ridgeway is 93 miles long and passes through two distinct landscapes on the way: the rolling North Wessex Downs, and a landscape of beech woodland and farmland dotted with historic towns in the Chiltern Hills.

The rich history of these areas is clear throughout, represented by extraordinary stone circles, ancient barrows, and the striking figure of the Uffington White Horse. The Ridgeway is a well-signposted and manageable route.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
RIDG1 From East Kennett(T) to Ivinghoe Beacon 7 nights, 6 days walking Demanding £915
RIDG2 From East Kennett(T) to Ivinghoe Beacon 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1040
RIDG3 From East Kennett(T) to Ivinghoe Beacon 9 nights, 8 days walking Moderate £1170
RIDG4 From East Kennett(T) to Ivinghoe Beacon 12 nights, 11 days walking Easy / Moderate £1550
"Close to White Horse Hill" by Bernard Cooke (2024) "Close to White Horse Hill" by Bernard Cooke (2024)
Walking accross Whiteleaf Cross 2 - Walking accross Whiteleaf Cross 2
Walking accross Whiteleaf Cross 2 Walking accross Whiteleaf Cross 2
Ridgeway Signpost near Hackpen White Horse - Ridgeway Signpost near Hackpen White Horse
Ridgeway Signpost near Hackpen White Horse Ridgeway Signpost near Hackpen White Horse
Goring Lock - Goring Lock
Goring Lock Goring Lock
Looking toward East Kennett - Looking toward East Kennett
Looking toward East Kennett Looking toward East Kennett
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles - Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Pitstone Hill - Pitstone Hill
Pitstone Hill Pitstone Hill
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles - Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Ivinghoe Beacon - Ivinghoe Beacon
Ivinghoe Beacon Ivinghoe Beacon
Ivinghoe Beacon - Ivinghoe Beacon
Ivinghoe Beacon Ivinghoe Beacon
Hackpen White Horses - Hackpen White Horses
Hackpen White Horses Hackpen White Horses
Resting on the top of White Horse Hill - Resting on the top of White Horse Hill
Resting on the top of White Horse Hill Resting on the top of White Horse Hill
Coombe Hill Monument - Coombe Hill Monument
Coombe Hill Monument Coombe Hill Monument
Hackpen White Horse - Hackpen White Horse
Hackpen White Horse Hackpen White Horse
Coombe Hill Forest - Coombe Hill Forest
Coombe Hill Forest Coombe Hill Forest
Coombe Hill Forest - Coombe Hill Forest
Coombe Hill Forest Coombe Hill Forest
Streatley Bridge in Goring - Streatley Bridge in Goring
Streatley Bridge in Goring Streatley Bridge in Goring
Chilterns Nature Reserve - Chilterns Nature Reserve
Chilterns Nature Reserve Chilterns Nature Reserve
Chilterns Nature Reserve - Chilterns Nature Reserve
Chilterns Nature Reserve Chilterns Nature Reserve
Toward White Horse Hill 2 - Toward White Horse Hill 2
Toward White Horse Hill 2 Toward White Horse Hill 2
Storm Clouds over White Horse Hill - Storm Clouds over White Horse Hill
Storm Clouds over White Horse Hill Storm Clouds over White Horse Hill
"Coombe Hill" by Stuart Inglis (2017) "Coombe Hill" by Stuart Inglis (2017)
Uffington Castle - Uffington Castle
Uffington Castle Uffington Castle
"Ivinghoe" by Stuart Inglis (2017) "Ivinghoe" by Stuart Inglis (2017)
"Ridgeway Footpath" by Stuart Inglis (2017) "Ridgeway Footpath" by Stuart Inglis (2017)
View on Coombe Hill - View on Coombe Hill
View on Coombe Hill View on Coombe Hill
White Horse Hill 2 - White Horse Hill 2
White Horse Hill 2 White Horse Hill 2
"Thames at Streatley" by Stuart Inglis (2017) "Thames at Streatley" by Stuart Inglis (2017)
View on top of Ivinghoe Beacon - View on top of Ivinghoe Beacon
View on top of Ivinghoe Beacon View on top of Ivinghoe Beacon
View at the top of Whiteleaf Cross - View at the top of Whiteleaf Cross
View at the top of Whiteleaf Cross View at the top of Whiteleaf Cross
Toward Ivinghoe Beacon - Toward Ivinghoe Beacon
Toward Ivinghoe Beacon Toward Ivinghoe Beacon
View at the top of White Horse Hill - View at the top of White Horse Hill
View at the top of White Horse Hill View at the top of White Horse Hill
Walking toward Ivinghoe Beacon - Walking toward Ivinghoe Beacon
Walking toward Ivinghoe Beacon Walking toward Ivinghoe Beacon
Walking toward Ivinghoe Beacon 2 - Walking toward Ivinghoe Beacon 2
Walking toward Ivinghoe Beacon 2 Walking toward Ivinghoe Beacon 2
View on Coombe Hill - View on Coombe Hill
View on Coombe Hill View on Coombe Hill
Top of Ivinghoe Beacon - Top of Ivinghoe Beacon
Top of Ivinghoe Beacon Top of Ivinghoe Beacon
View on Pitstone Hill - View on Pitstone Hill
View on Pitstone Hill View on Pitstone Hill
Walking on Hackpen White Horse Hill - Walking on Hackpen White Horse Hill
Walking on Hackpen White Horse Hill Walking on Hackpen White Horse Hill
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles - Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Walking accross Whiteleaf Cross - Walking accross Whiteleaf Cross
Walking accross Whiteleaf Cross Walking accross Whiteleaf Cross
Walking on the White Horse Hill - Walking on the White Horse Hill
Walking on the White Horse Hill Walking on the White Horse Hill
"Wendover" by Stuart Inglis (2017) "Wendover" by Stuart Inglis (2017)
Toward White Horse Hill - Toward White Horse Hill
Toward White Horse Hill Toward White Horse Hill
Walking on Ivinghoe Beacon 2 - Walking on Ivinghoe Beacon 2
Walking on Ivinghoe Beacon 2 Walking on Ivinghoe Beacon 2
Walking on Ivinghoe Beacon - Walking on Ivinghoe Beacon
Walking on Ivinghoe Beacon Walking on Ivinghoe Beacon
White Horse Hill - White Horse Hill
White Horse Hill White Horse Hill
View of River Thames - View of River Thames
View of River Thames View of River Thames
"Poppies in Avebury" by Brian Rutherford (2019) "Poppies in Avebury" by Brian Rutherford (2019)
View from White Horse Hill - View from White Horse Hill
View from White Horse Hill View from White Horse Hill
Signpost on Pitstone Hill - Signpost on Pitstone Hill
Signpost on Pitstone Hill Signpost on Pitstone Hill

Customer reviews from the The Ridgeway

“Great walk, wonderful scenery, history and interesting people met not to mention 100's of dogs patted! As usual with Contours the overnight accommodation was excellent. I am now wanting to continue along the greater Ridgeway to Norfolk!”
Mrs Lovatt, Belgium
“Had a lovely holiday - all the arrangements worked smoothly and we stayed in some lovely accommodation all week. Even the weather was kind to us! One of the best marked trails we've walked on.”
Mrs Bathe, UK
“An excellent hike, especially the first 3 days to Goring. We were lucky with the weather so got to see all the views and had time to look around some of the Neolithic sites nearby too. Almost all the accommodation was of a very high standard.”
Miss Steggall, UK
“By the way, all taxis worked well and all baggage transfers were perfect.”
Mr Hancocks, UK
“Had a great time. Thanks.”
Ms Breese, Germany
“All the accommodation was very good and to a high standard. Thanks again.”
Mrs Robinson, UK
“The Ridgeway is a beautiful and for us, relatively easy walk. All the instructions provided were helpful and the luggage service worked very well. As usual we met a range of interesting people and had a good range of the British weather!”
Mr Cribb, UK
“The signage along the way was brilliant.”
Mr Mackenzie, Scotland
“All beds were comfortable and all breakfast good.”
Mr Clingan, UK
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