Length: 24.1 km (15.0 mi) [shorter walk possible]
Ascent/Descent: 692m
Net Walking Time: 6 ¼ hours
Toughness: 6/10
To shorten : walk the ‘normal’ version (17.5 km/10.8 mi, 4/10)
or even the ‘short’ version of the ‘normal’ walk.
Take the 09.52 Aylesbury train from Marylebone (10.02 Wembley
Stadium, Northolt Park 10.08, South and West Ruislip etc.),
arrives Saunderton 10.51.
Return trains are on xx.57.
The standard version of this walk combines a fairly easy stroll in The Chilterns
through a mixture of woodland and sloping meadows, with an optional visit to Hughenden
Manor and Hell-Fire (West Wycombe) Caves. The route
heads south east over the Chiltern Hills to Bradenham, and continues through
Naphill Common, and Flagmore Wood to Hughenden Manor. The route from Hughenden
heads west across Downley Common to West Wycombe lunch/early tea.
Today’s walk will then extend this by a westerly loop to Wheeler End,
adding a fair bit more undulation to it, before picking up the standard walk
again in Hearnton Wood.
Lunch/Tea:
The
George and Dragon Hotel in West
Wycombe (12.9 km/8.0 mi, for food service times: 01494 571 500);
The Golden Cross in Saunderton (at the end of the walk, open all day).
For summary, map, height profile, photos, walk
directions and gpx/kml files click here.t=2.3.a
4 comments:
Given sunrise is 07.39 and sunset 17.49 in Greenwich, I am inclined to take an earlier train or two.
Austen
Estimated #10 started the walk including a new walker. The group was split between the short and long versions of the walk but set off together. The weather forecast proved to be unreliable with #rain setting in for a good stretch before lunch. Some stopped for a coffee at the first church. 6 stopped for a very satisfactory lunch at the De Le Spencer Arms with venison specials on offer. Three failed to get a table indoors so note to self to book next time as there are only 11 tables inside but 120 covers inside. 1 walker who started an hour early was spotted but scooted off to keep their time advantage. The shorter 10 mile walk even in the rain had much to offer with some beautiful autumn colours when the sun came out. There was an encounter with a shoot who were polite and considerate and pheasants running away from the action. 4 were on the 1557 train and the rest may wish to add to this brief report.
Some supplementary information. For those interested in politics, a short extension can be made in Hughenden (St Michael and All Angels) to see the resting place of Benjamin Disraeli. Using the church as a lunch stop this walker did the remaining walk solo also passing the Disraeli monument enroute. The end of walk from Nobles farm into Saunderton was arduous tarmac so another extension was taken. Opting not to take the 15:57 the hour wait was perfectly tackled in the local public house (Golden cross). A short walk across to catch the 16:57 where I met up with #2 walkers who did the full walk including the official extension. I also encountered the shoot but all was cordial.
The early starter apparently saw n=2 others off the early train, but they did "their own thing". Walked the long walk and returned on the 17.57 train (without meeting anyone that may have overtaken him).
n=11
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