The Ridgeway

[SpikyPhasmid]

I'm so inspired by the Coast to Coast thread that I want to work up to that route next September, and so I'm going to be getting a pair of boots, spending the winter doing daywalks and then moving onto multiple-day trips in the spring. Also, walking outside of the city is a great way to see wildlife and more of the country.
Has anyone here walked the Ridgeway? I am considering trying it next spring as a first longer-distance (as in, more than a daytrip) walk. My other choice for a first multi-day is the Pilgrim's Way.

[foxy mars]

I have not walked the Ridgeway as yet, but maybe one day I would like to do it. My mate did it many years ago and said it was a fine walk.

I may do some research into the Ridgeway and being a 85 mile walk, might be doable in a week and have the original National Trail Guide (1989)

The only two walks I've done in the south is the South Downs Way and Isle of Wight Coastal Path, both very good walk, although The South Downs Way is a gem to do and one i would love to do again.

Glad you are inspired by the Coast to Coast, every walker should bag it in their lifetime.

[SpikyPhasmid]

A week in spring could use up the last of my holiday allowance, and then our new year starts on August 31st - so I could take a week for the Ridgeway, then the 2 weeks for Coast to Coast in September. The Isle of Wight one looks lovely.
The thing about the Ridgeway is that it's the oldest road in Britain - 5000 years! And it includes the White Horse.

[sunnydale]

Hi Spiky

May I suggest you have a look here for some info/advice re walking the Ridgeway.....

Walking Forum - Index

It's a great forum, specifically related to walking....and they have a Long Distance Walking section where you should find plenty of good reading!

Tracey

[eeyore]

Spiky - you are in luck because I am the volunteer scheme coordinator for the Ridgeway National Trail (and the thames path national trail also) - anything you would like to know please feel free to ask me by pm or on the board.

you can also find more info here Home - The Ridgeway - National Trails or call our office on 01865 810224 and speak to our info and admin officer, Elaine, who will also be happy to help you.

you can also buy both the ridgeway guide and the ridgeway companion (the latter deals with accomodation, attractions etc) from our office, speak to elaine about that.

(as i usually try to keep my work and internet persona seperate I feel i should clarify that any comments made on wab on any other subject are purely my own and do not in anyway reflect the views of my employer or colleagues)

[SpikyPhasmid]

Oh wow, this IS my lucky day. Thanks, Eeyore - I'm going to bother you a lot until April, I'm afraid.
Do you think this is a reasonable starting distance walk? I've never been on a multi-day hike. I'm planning to book my time off work on Monday. Once I do that, I'm committed.

[eeyore]

Yeah I dont see why not , its pretty moderate and the country isnt that wild (its downland/chiltern woodland) and there are lots of B&Bs etc if you dont want to camp, and at 87 miles its not that long.

we usually recomend that people do it in five days, but some hardy souls do it in three (and my colleague dave once ran it in 17 hours - but he's a bit bonkers imo and went on to do the marathon des sable )

we also generally suggest that people start at overton hill and do it west to east , as the prevailling wind on the western (open downland) bit is from the west so doing it that way round puts the wind at your back.

Secure parking is a problem so its usually best to come to swindon by rail then get the bus down to avebury - at the Ivinghoe beacon end you can get a train from tring (which is about a 5 mile back track along the trail) If you want to break it into two and do them over succesive weekends there are also good transport links halfway along at goring.

[SpikyPhasmid]

Perfect. I don't have a car, so don't need to worry about security. I'd love to do a bit of camping, and looking at the accomodation links, I can mix tent with B&B pretty easily. I'm planning to take the four days off work before the easter weekend, meaning I have two weekends, the week in between and the holiday Monday to work with - a whole ten days. I was considering allowing 6 for the trip as I would like to take some time around the monuments - I'm pretty sick with excitement at the thought of really seeing the White Horse and Wayland's Smithy.

[Jim Ford]

I've walked the Ridgeway a few years ago (and mentioned the problems to 'Eeyore!)

Water is difficult. There _are_ places to top up, but I'm used to just dipping water out of the burns in Scotland. You need to check the places where you can get water beforehand.

One morning I sprinkled what I thought was dried milk on my cereal, before adding my last water and stirring. It was only when I started eating it that I realised that I'd used dried potato. As I had no more water, I had to eat it!

There are long sections at the Southern end where it's a dreary trudge along muddy tracks bordered with thick hedges. Between the track and hedge is rough vegetation, including brambles and stinging nettles! This means that unless you're prepared to sit on the track in the mud, there's nowhere to sit and eat! I've suggested to Eeyore that a few logs to sit on would be handy.

Wayland's Smithy is a nice spot - I spent the night in a bivvy bag there when I did the walk.

I visit Ivinghoe Beacon fairly frequently. If I'm up there when you finish I'll give you a lift to Tring Station. Let me know.

Jim

[SpikyPhasmid]

Brilliant, I might take you up on that. I'll be muddy, though, from the sounds of it...
The website mentions waterpoints. I can see that I'll have to pick my camping nights vs b&b nights pretty carefully to make sure I don't end up dehydrated.