The Chiltern Way is a long distance path weaving through the heart of the beautiful Chiltern Hills. Created by the Chiltern Society as a Millennium project, this route is the perfect way to experience the very best of the Chilterns National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The path is approximately 177 miles (285 km) long, depending on which extensions you take, and links together a wonderful variety of landscapes and charming villages across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Oxfordshire.

The Chiltern Way is a circular route, which means you can start and finish wherever you like, making it incredibly flexible for day trips or a multi-day challenge. It's well waymarked with yellow-on-white discs, and it also links up with other major trails like The Ridgeway and The Icknield Way.

My friend Brian and I have been doing a section per year on or around the Winter Solstice since 2019. Since we started both the Northern and Southern extensions have been incorporated into the main route making it an even longer route. Our plan is to complete the main route, including the Southern extension in 2029 followed by the Berkshire Loop and Northern Extension.

Listed below are the 11 sections of the Chiltern Way that we have either completed or plan to complete. Click on the link for the blog post for already completed sections.

Numbers above correspond to each section. Route direction is clockwise.

Section 1: Stokenchurch to Cow Roast

Start: The Royal Oak Pub, Church St, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe, HP14 3TH
Finish: Cowroast Lock, 46 Wharf Ln, Tring HP23 5RE
Distance: 36.5 km (22.7 Miles)
Elevation change: +452m / -646m. Net -194m

Section 2: Cow Roast to Chalk Hill

Start: Cowroast Lock, 46 Wharf Ln, Tring HP23 5RE
Finish: White Lion Pub, Watling Street, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU6 1RS
Distance: 21.9 km (13.6 Miles)
Elevation change: +314m / -315m. Net -1m

Section 3: Chalk Hill to Streatley

Start: White Lion Pub Watling Street, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU6 1RS
Finish: The Chequers, 171 Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley, Luton, LU3 3PS
Distance: 16.4 km (10.2 Miles)
Elevation: +184m / -149m. Net +35m

Section 4: Streatley to Peter’s Green

Start: The Chequers pub, 171 Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley, Luton, LU3 3PS
Finish: The Bright Star Pub, Kimpton Road, Peter's Green, Luton, LU2 9QP
Distance: 20.8 km (12.9 Miles)
Elevation change: +223m / -227m. Net -4m

Section 5: Peter’s Green to Shrub Hill Common

Start: The Bright Star Pub, Kimpton Road, Peter's Green, Luton, LU2 9QP
Finish: Chaulden Adventure Playground, 106 Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2HX
Distance: 26.8 km (16.6 Miles)
Elevation change: +288m / -304m. Net -16m

Section 6: Shrub Hill Common to Chalfont St. Giles

Start: Chaulden Adventure Playground, 106 Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2HX
Finish: The Village Green, Chalfont Saint Giles, HP8 4QF
Distance: 22.7 km (14.1 Miles)
Elevation change: +250m / -303m. Net -53m