Cycling is great way to explore the Chiltern Hills. This is a landscape of outstanding natural beauty – rolling wooded hills, chalk meadows and farmland. The area is also characterised by historic buildings, country villages and pubs, which make excellent starting points as well as places to eat, drink and shop.
The Chilterns caters for all types of cycling and cyclists from muddy mountain bikers and road racers to families with young children. There are hundreds of miles of country roads, quiet lanes, byways, tracks and bridleways to explore.
There are some steep slopes, hills with outstanding views and speedy descents and for those who prefer a more leisurely ride there are river valleys and very flat surrounding areas, such as the Vale of Aylesbury.
Off-road cycling is possible at some countryside sites, and the nearby Phoenix Trail. Aston Hill Mountain Bike Area features a mix of trails for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities - see www.astonhill.com
Off-road and on-road Distance: 13 miles Route: Part of a series of cycle routes in the Chilterns, including Goring, Henley and Maidensgrove areas Phone: 01865 810226
Off-road and on-road Distance: 15 miles Route: Part of a series of cycle routes in the Chilterns, including Goring, Henley and Maidensgrove areas Phone: 01865 810226
Off-road and on-road Distance: 20 miles Route: Part of a series of cycle routes in the Chilterns, including Goring, Henley and Maidensgrove areas Phone: 01865 810226
3.5 mile path through lakes and fields linking Rickmansworth and Watford. Path shared with walkers and cyclists. Location: Between Rickmansworth and West Watford Distance: 2.5 miles long (5 miles there and back) Phone: 01707 650041
On road with some off road options. Signposted Distance: 18 miles or 13 miles Route: Circular ride on quiet roads taking in Tring, Tring Reservoirs, Wigginton and Aldbury
A circular route discovering some of the hidden delights of the Hertfordshire countryside. On and off road. Distance: 12 miles Route: From Hemel Hempstead through Redbourn, Water End and Gadebridge Phone: 01727 848168
A signposted route (on and off-road) that follows the course of prehistoric trackways from the Chilterns into East Anglia, passing many sites of archaeological interest. Distance: 51 miles (in the Chilterns) Route: Bledlow in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath near Thetford Phone: 01296 382171 01582 412225
Easy to follow ride for horseriders and mountain bikers using mainly bridleways with some use of quiet country lanes Distance: 4 to 16 miles Route: Series of rides in the Chiltens, including the Chiltern villages of Hailey, Little Stoke, North Stoke, Mongewell, Stoke Row, Ipsden and Checkendon Phone: 01865 810226
Sustrans signposted cycle route from Thame to Chesham. Distance: Part of Sustrans long distance route. Route: Sustrans cycle route, mainly on quiet lanes but with some off-road sections. The Chilterns section of the route goes from Thame in Oxfordshire to Chesham in Bucks. Phone: 0117 929 0888
Section between Reading-Wallingford mainly on quiet roads. Signposted Distance: 98 miles (15miles in Chilterns) Route: Starts at Putney Bridge, London and goes west to Reading before crossing over the Chilterns to Wallingford and then to Oxford Phone: 0117 929 0888
activities
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cycling publications
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more information
Books about cycle routes in the Chilterns are sold by local bookshops and Tourist Information Centres. Alternatively, you can make your own route by using Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps:
OS map 171 (Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford) OS map 172 (Chiltern Hills East, High Wycombe, Maidenhead) OS map 181 (Chiltern Hills North, Aylesbury) OS map 182 (St Albans & Hatfield) OS map 193 (Luton & Stevenage)
