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.

About this route

4 to 6 nights
45 miles
Easy / Moderate to Moderate / Demanding
2nd January to 24th December
Includes Dog-Friendly Tours

From £515 per person

The Ridgeway - West Section

Here on the western side of the Ridgeway, the rolling fields and gentle ridges of the Wessex Downs host fascinating historical and archaeological sites. Uffington Castle, White Horse Hill, and the plethora of prehistoric barrows and Iron Age hill forts come together to create an engaging tapestry of sites to explore.

This section of the trail eschews the most difficult climbs of the Ridgeway, too, in favour of smooth trails and approachable inclines, making an ideal dip into excellent countryside.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
RIDW1 From East Kennett(T) to Goring 4 nights, 3 days walking Moderate / Demanding £515
RIDW2 From East Kennett(T) to Goring 5 nights, 4 days walking Moderate £635
RIDW3 From East Kennett(T) to Goring 6 nights, 5 days walking Easy / Moderate £760
Walking on the White Horse Hill - Walking on the White Horse Hill
Walking on the White Horse Hill Walking on the White Horse Hill
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 2 - Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 2
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 2 Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 2
White Horse Hill 2 - White Horse Hill 2
White Horse Hill 2 White Horse Hill 2
View of River Thames - View of River Thames
View of River Thames View of River Thames
Uffington Castle - Uffington Castle
Uffington Castle Uffington Castle
Goring Lock - Goring Lock
Goring Lock Goring Lock
White Horse Hill - White Horse Hill
White Horse Hill White Horse Hill
Toward White Horse Hill 2 - Toward White Horse Hill 2
Toward White Horse Hill 2 Toward White Horse Hill 2
Toward White Horse Hill - Toward White Horse Hill
Toward White Horse Hill Toward White Horse Hill
Storm Clouds over White Horse Hill - Storm Clouds over White Horse Hill
Storm Clouds over White Horse Hill Storm Clouds over White Horse Hill
Signpost on Pitstone Hill - Signpost on Pitstone Hill
Signpost on Pitstone Hill Signpost on Pitstone Hill
Ridgeway Signpost near Hackpen White Horse - Ridgeway Signpost near Hackpen White Horse
Ridgeway Signpost near Hackpen White Horse Ridgeway Signpost near Hackpen White Horse
Hackpen White Horses - Hackpen White Horses
Hackpen White Horses Hackpen White Horses
Looking toward East Kennett - Looking toward East Kennett
Looking toward East Kennett Looking toward East Kennett
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
Hackpen White Horse - Hackpen White Horse
Hackpen White Horse Hackpen White Horse
Streatley Bridge in Goring - Streatley Bridge in Goring
Streatley Bridge in Goring Streatley Bridge in Goring
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles - Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 3 - Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 3
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 3 Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 3
View from White Horse Hill - View from White Horse Hill
View from White Horse Hill View from White Horse Hill

Customer reviews from the The Ridgeway - West Section

“Very well organised and with very British accommodations. Would recommend the holiday to others for sure.”
Mr Aebi, Switzerland
“I had a very pleasant hike along the Ridgeway and was fortunate to have excellent weather. Everything from booking to accommodations was well done. The trail itself has some less exciting bits”
Ms Groves Winninger, Canada
“After having just finished the Cotswold Way 2 days previous, it was nice to walk on a wide track with gentle slopes!”
Ms Miller, USA
“Your organisation of accommodation and luggage transfers worked well (only a pity you couldn’t arrange better weather for us!)”
Mrs Gowers, UK
“The walk was great although snow and cloud limited views on some of the days. Accommodation was generally very good and food options excellent.”
Mr Hamnett, Australia
“Lovely walk in interesting countryside with super accommodation. Perfect short break.”
Mr Hughes, UK
Find your holiday