Length: 22.2 km (13.8 mi) (Shortcut and Short Walk
possible, see the webpage or the pdf for details]
Ascent/Descent: 480m
Net
Walking Time: 5 ½ hours
Toughness: 6 out of 10
Take the 09.38 Didcot Parkway train from Paddington
(09.54 Slough), change at Twyford (10.07/10.15), arrives Henley-on-Thames
10.27.
Return trains: 17.00, 17.30, 18.30, 19.00, 20.00 (change at
Twyford, from 49 mins journey time).
Twyford is also served by Crossrail (aka the Elizabeth Line).
Henley is normally thought of as a riverside town
but, as this walk demonstrates, it is also on the southern edge of the Chiltern
Hills, a charming area of hidden valleys, mixed woodland and farmland, and
largely gentle slopes (although the main walk does have one substantial steep
hill after lunch). The walk takes you up one side and down the other of the
long valley leading up to Stonor, with plenty of charming views and some fine
beechwoods en route. This is also a wonderful walk in which to see red kites, a
bird of prey that has been successfully re-introduced here, and which can often
be seen wheeling slowly overhead.
Lunch: Picnic (the only remining pub on this route is
passed after just 5 km, ie way too early.
Tea: a plethora of options in
Henley, you will all have your favourites (see the webpage for details).
For summary, map, height profile,
photos, walk directions/options and gpx/kml files click here.
T=2.6
1 comment:
3 SWC regulars plus 2 friends of one of them on this walk, which had rain forecast from early afternoon. Just a sub-optimal walk posting, or the FWC (Fairweather Walkers' Club) in full operation?
We started in sunshine (one pair of sunglasses weas indeed worn) and kept up a good pace, while enjoying the views from the early ridges, with - initially - still the last of the overnight mist rising up from the valleys. Loads of kites and buzzards were circling above all day. The meagre leaf coverage on the trees enabled more intense study of more nearby sights, like some brilliant fungi and mosses on dead or live trees. The Rainbow Inn wasn't open yet when we passed (the Elenvenses word had been mentioned) and up we went again to another rounded ridge with views. After Stonor Park, 3 took the Shortcut and 2 the Main Walk. Picnic lunch was later had in the respective churches (Pishill/Bix Bottom).
The 2 caught up with the 3 just before George Harrison's former abode on Henley's outskirts.
The 2 then paid custom to The Rowbarge Inn, while the 3 walked on further for a sugar fix.
16.00 hours train for the 2, a later one for the 3 (presumably). And as we waited on the platform, the pitter patter of the first rain drops of the day became audible on the platform canopy...
Mud: not much, and never a problem.
Standing water: not really any, apart from a 10m stretch of a road just past Bix (but it was shallow and the shallowest bits could be easily identified).
Flooding: the Thames was very full indeed (it was lapping onto the riverside path in Henley) and also moving at great pace, and the landscape around Wargrave and Shiplake stations seen from the train had turned into a southern version of The Lakes.
A great winter walk, methinks.
n=5 w=dry
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