Best Walks in our Area
(Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex)

Many of these walks were previously published in our book "Best Walks in Buckinghamshire by Bus and Train", edited by Barry Totterdell (who researched much of the background information), but all have been rewalked recently, and we hope to be able to keep them up to date. However, should you discover anything that is inaccurate or unclear, please let us know.

Maps
The maps on this website give the general shape of the walks, but the Ordnance Survey "Explorer" maps at a scale of 1:25,000 (about 2 ½ inches to the mile) are recommended for all walkers, as they show field boundaries, making navigation much easier than with the "Landranger" series.

Dogs
Please be meticulous about keeping your dog under control at all times, and on a lead anywhere near farm stock (if only as an example to those whose dogs are less well behaved than yours !)

Pubs
Please support pubs that are walker friendly - we need them.
While we try to keep track of changes, there is always the possibility that you will find a pub closed or not serving food, so it is as well to carry something to eat with you. Large groups should obviously book in advance.

General Advice
In summer you will be lucky if you do not come across some heavy vegetation, which may include nettles and thistles, so bare legs are not advisable. We think we have avoided the worst paths, which may become impenetrable, but if you do find serious obstruction, please, for the sake of other walkers, report it to the Council, whose job it is to clear it.
As a general rule, walking boots are advisable, though in dry conditions something lighter may be adequate. You are unlikely to be comfortable in sandals. In hot weather be sure to take enough liquid.

Public Transport
The places named in the list of walks below (except those in brackets) are all on public transport routes, though not necessarily with a weekend service, and are possible start or finish points for the walks.
For enquiries about public transport in Buckinghamshire, refer to Buckinghamshire CC Travel Information and for those in Greater London to Transport for London or telephone the Transport for London 24-hour information line: 020 7222 1234. Transport for London publish a leaflet on bus services in 'North-West London' that covers the whole of Hillingdon and adjacent areas in Herts and Bucks.
If you need to use a car to reach the walk, and know the train/bus times, you may find it best to drive to the destination and take public transport to the start of the walk - when appropriate, advice on parking is given.

Footpath Problems
If you encounter problems with the condition of paths and obstructions to them, then these are the responsibility of the Highway Authority (County, Unitary Authority or London Borough Council). Please Report the Problem.

Please also report excessive litter and illegal dumping (fly-tipping). These are the responsibility of District Councils, not County Councils, but for Buckinghamshire Bucks CC will pass on complaints, or you can use the Illegal Dumping Costs hotline 0845-330-1856.

Your Comments on our Walks
We try to check our routes periodically, but when you walk one of them and find it in order, it would be a great held if you would let us know. That will help us to concentrate our checking where it is most needed. Equally, if you have difficulty following our route descriptions, please let us know where the problem is, and we will try to put it right.

Stiles, Gates and Gaps
Do not be surprised if where the route description mentions a stile, you find a gate or a gap. Stiles are gradually being replaced to make access easier. You may also find gates have been removed, or extra ones installed.

The walks are listed roughly in order of proximity to London. While some of those nearest to London may not be as rural as those in Buckinghamshire, they take you through attractive countryside and are well worth the journey from central London.
Rayners Lane - Ickenham - Uxbridge	1.8 to 6.5 miles (3 to 10.5 km)
A semi-rural walk from east to west across Hillingdon, using three of the Borough's leisure routes.
Pinner - Ruislip - Northwood	3.5 to 7.5 miles (5.5 to 12 km)
Semi-rural walk in the north-east corner of Hillingdon borough, starting and ending at Metropolitan Line stations.
Northwood - Harefield - Rickmansworth	4.5 to 9 miles (7 to 14 km)
Pleasant rural, partly-wooded walk through the north of Hillingdon Borough, starting and ending at Metropolitan Line stations.
West Ruislip - Denham	3.6 miles (6 km)
A pleasant short walk from West Ruislip in Hillingdon to the delightful old Buckinghamshire village of Denham.
West Drayton - Iver - Langley	3 to 5.5 miles (5 to 9 km)
An easy walk on flat terrain, much of it along canals and the River Colne.
Denham - Chalfont St Peter - Seer Green or Gerrards Cross	3.3 to 12 miles (5 to 19 km).
A country park, a canal, some lakes and some varied countryside.
Gerrards Cross - Fulmer - Langley	5 to 10.5 miles (8 to 16 km).
An ancient hillfort, old villages, churches, woodland, a nature reserve, country parks, several lakes and a canal.
Seer Green to Beaconsfield	8 miles (12 km)
A gentle walk mostly through pasture and woodland, visiting the Quaker sites at Jordans. Not mud-free, but reasonably passable even in wet conditions.
Beaconsfield - Loudwater - High Wycombe	3 to 9 miles (5 to 15 km)
Woodland, then fairly hilly country, then flat along extensive recreation grounds
Burnham - Farnham Common - Langley	4 to 10.5 miles (7 km to 17 km)
The ancient woodland of Burnham Beeches and the Country Churchyard of Stoke Poges (and Gray's Elegy).
Burnham to Taplow	8.5 to 11 miles (13.5 to 17.5 km)
The rural north bank of the Thames, the Jubilee River and optional visits to the attractive villages of Dorney and Taplow.
Taplow to Burnham	3.5 miles (5.5 km)
An easy walk in a surprisingly rural pocket of south Bucks, visiting the charming old village of Burnham (well stocked with pubs!), a small lake and a nature reserve.
Chesham to Little Chalfont	8 miles (13 km)
Moderately hilly. Some arable land near the beginning, but mostly pasture and woodland.
Amersham to Great Missenden	8 miles (13 km)
A varied walk, taking in Amersham Old Town, the upper Misbourne Valley, secluded Little Missenden and a sampling of the Chilterns plateau.
West Wycombe or Saunderton - Bradenham - Hughenden - High Wycombe	1.5 to 9.5 miles (2.5 to 14 km)
A fairly hilly walk, much of it through pleasant and varied Chilterns woodland and visiting unspoilt National Trust villages.
Marlow (or Bourne End) - Medmendham - Mill End (Hambleden) - Henley	2.5 to 10.5 miles (4 to 17 km)
Varied and largely unspoilt countryside, partly on the river bank, with two attractive small villages just off the direct route.
Lane End - Mill End (Hambleden) - Henley	10 to 13 miles (16 to 21 km)
A moderately hilly walk through some of the best Chilterns scenery. Red Kite country.
Great Missenden to Wendover	7 miles (11 km)
Climbing fairly gradually from the Misbourne valley to the Chilterns escarpment, with a fine view from Coombe Hill.
Wendover to Great Missenden	6.5 miles (10 km)
A gradual climb up through woodland and on to the Chilterns plateau, with varied woods and farmland.
Tring Station to Leighton Buzzard	12 miles (20 km)
Some outstanding walking in fine weather, though some of it can be quite hard work.
Monks Risborough - Lacey Green - Saunderton	6 to 8 miles (10 to 13.5 km)
Some of the best Chilterns beechwoods and some open hillside.
Little Kimble - Lacey Green - Saunderton	2.5 to 11.5 miles (4 to 18.5 km)
A classic Chilterns walk, moderately hilly, much of it through woodland.
Little Kimble to Princes Risborough	5.5 miles (9 km)
A short but hilly walk taking in some of the best of the Chilterns scarp, with views over the Vale of Aylesbury.
Aylesbury - Marsworth - Buckland Wharf - Wendover	3.5 to 14 miles (5.5 to 22 km)
Almost entirely level walking along canals, partly active and partly disused.
Aylesbury to Haddenham	7.5 to 8.5 miles (12 to 13.5 km)
Open countryside close to Aylesbury, with some attractive villages and views of the Chilterns.
Haddenham or Thame - Long Crendon - Stone or Aylesbury	14 miles (22.5km)
A rewarding but energetic walk on the open hills north of the River Thame. The early part not passable during floods. The pub about half way has limited opening times.
Leighton Buzzard - Wing - Aston Abbotts - Rowsham - Bierton - Aylesbury	1.3 to 12 miles (2 to 19 km)
Pasture, fairly gradually uphill for the first half, then downhill, then flat and along the canal.
Granborough - Quainton - Oving	3.5 to 10 miles (5.5 to 16 km)
The most spectacular hill walking in north-west Buckinghamshire, almost entirely on pasture - choose a clear day for the fine views.
Winslow - (Addington) - Adstock - Padbury - Buckingham	1.5 to 9 miles (2.3 to 13.5 km)
A gentle walk through the rolling countryside between two comparatively unspoilt towns in North Buckinghamshire.
Steeple Claydon - (Hillesden) - Buckingham Tesco	5 miles (8km) (9.5 miles (15 km) as a circular walk)
Open country, not spectacular, but varied and attractive, with some fine views of the surrounding countryside.
Wolverton to Milton Keynes	3.5 to 7.5 miles (5.5 to 12 km)
A river, a canal and the carefully preserved landscape of the Loughton Valley. Practically mud-free.
Further Walks will be published when available