The Ridgeway

The Ridgeway has been described as the oldest road in Britain — the chalk spine of central-southern England was the main thoroughfare of prehistoric Britain, linking Dorset with East Anglia along high, dry ground above the forests and marshes of the valleys. The National Trail follows this ancient route for 139 km from Overton Hill near Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon in the Chilterns.

For trail runners it divides into two distinct halves. The western section (Avebury to the Thames at Goring) is open downland on a broad, well-drained chalk track — fast running with big skies and views across the Vale of the White Horse. The eastern section (Thames to Ivinghoe) follows wooded Chiltern ridges and is more enclosed.

The Ridgeway is well-suited to trail runners: firm chalk surface, consistent waymarking, and good transport connections at both ends make logistics simple.

Overton Hill to Goring (~75 km): Open chalk downland. Uffington White Horse, Wayland's Smithy (Neolithic long barrow), Segsbury Camp, Lowbury Hill. Fast and runnable throughout. Goring-on-Thames is the midpoint.

Goring to Ivinghoe Beacon (~64 km): The Chilterns section — beech woodland, Oxfordshire and Bucks villages, Wendover. The final climb to Ivinghoe Beacon (233 m) gives a fine view over the Vale of Aylesbury.

Start: Overton Hill, near Avebury. No train station; nearest is Swindon (bus to Avebury) or Pewsey. Car parking at Overton Hill lay-by.

Finish: Ivinghoe Beacon. Bus to Tring or Aylesbury; train from Tring to London Euston (regular, 40 min).

Accommodation: Avebury, Wantage, Goring, Streatley, Wendover. The Ridgeway is short enough that most runners complete it without overnight stays.

Best time: Year-round. The chalk drains quickly. The western section can be very exposed in winter.