Mysteries of the Chilterns - Woods to Caves | Free Hike 19km (11.8mi)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾 Level 2/5
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📖Summary

• Enjoy a scenic 19km (11.8mi) journey through the Chilterns National Landscape, exploring peaceful beech woods, rolling hills and fascinating historic sites.
• Starting from Princes Risborough, we’ll make our way through Bradenham Wood and Hangings Plantation before stopping for a relaxed lunch break and an ⭐️optional visit⭐️ to the atmospheric Hellfire Caves.
• From there, we’ll follow an easy climb up to the impressive Dashwood Mausoleum, where sweeping valley views await.
• We’ll end with a gentle descent to Saunderton Station for a smooth journey home.

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🌟Highlight

• Bradenham Wood – Classic Chilterns beech woodland with peaceful trails and gentle hills.
• Hangings Plantation – Quiet forest paths and lovely viewpoints across the valley.
• Hellfire Caves Visit – Explore one of the region’s most atmospheric and historic cave systems. https://www.hellfirecaves.co.uk/history
• Dashwood Mausoleum – Commissioned in the 1760s by Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the notorious Hellfire Club and owner of West Wycombe Park. Built in a classical style and inspired by Italian architecture, it was intended as a grand memorial for the Dashwood family. The mausoleum stands beside the Church of St Lawrence and contains memorial plaques and urns dedicated to family members and close associates. Its prominent hilltop location made it both a statement of status and a symbolic landmark overlooking the Dashwood estate and the Chiltern Hills.

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📈Trail Details

• This is a Point-to-Point
• Princes Risborough ➡️ Saunderton
• Distance 19km (13.6mi)
• Total Ascent 485m
• Total Descent 471m
• Max elevation 216m
• Duration 5 hours including breaks
• Difficulty 🥾🥾Grade 2/5

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💷Cost: Free
This hike is completely free to join but participants need to purchase their own transport tickets.
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⛳️Meeting Point & Time

• Option 1
  👉🏻London Marylebone Train station Main ticket Office | 08:20
  👉🏻Train departure 08:42 -> Princes Risborough 09:25 | Direct Train
• Option 2
  👉🏻Outside Princes Risborough train station | 09:30

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📍Hike start: Princes Risborough train station | 09:35
🏁Hike finish: Saunderton train station | ~16:00

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ℹ️ Hellfire Caves Ticket Information

• During our lunch break, there will be an ⭐️option to visit the Hellfire Caves⭐️These unique and dramatic 18th century caves take you deep underground into the Chiltern hills. An atmospheric highlight not to miss !
• Cost £9.50
• https://www.hellfirecaves.co.uk/history

🎟️ Train Ticket Information

• Super Off-Peak Return London Marylebone <-> Princes Risborough (direct) with a Network Railcard is £19.30 (instead of the usual ~£29).
• 💡If you’d like to join other hikers using a Network Railcard, please arrive earlier so we can organise small groups. Note that each card can cover up to 4 people.
• More information at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk

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🍱 What to Bring

• 1-2L water
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproofs, hat, sunscreen)
• Optional: trekking poles, camera, binoculars

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✅Who Can Join
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over.
• 👶 For safety reasons, we’re not able to include children.
• 🐾 We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can’t join our hikes.
• ☑️ Everyone is welcome to RSVP, but to keep things fair for all members:
- If someone often cancels last minute or misses hikes without notice, they may be placed on a waitlist or removed from the group for future events.
- We do a quick check-in on the day of the hike, which helps us keep track and make sure spaces are available for those who really want to join.
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⚠️SAFETY
As adults, you are fully responsible for your own safety and decisions throughout the walk.
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❗️NOTES

• This is a group hike led by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join.
• A few wrong turns? That’s part of the fun!
• While you're free to “hike your own hike,” we encourage group participation, get to know one another, make new friends, and enjoy the journey together.
• Food options are limited en route, bring lunch.

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🚨DISCLAIMER
Event Participation Disclaimer

• By signing up for an event we host, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
• The organisers are not qualified hiking leaders, certified first aiders, or formally trained in navigation, survival, or any related disciplines.
• These hikes are informal, self-guided gatherings of like-minded individuals.
• The hosts expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability for any injuries, accidents, or safety incidents that may occur during participation.
• Participation is entirely voluntary, and all attendees are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being.
• These events are non-commercial and are organised purely as a recreational hobby, with no business or financial interests involved.
• Hiking and outdoor activities inherently carry risks of personal injury. By choosing to participate, you accept these risks and take full responsibility for your own actions and decisions.

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🚨GENERAL GROUP POLICY

• Voluntary Participation: Attendance is at your own risk. The group and hosts bear no liability.
• No Professional Duty of Care: Hosts are volunteers, not trained guides or medical professionals.
• Insurance Is Your Responsibility: If desired, you must arrange your own personal insurance.
• Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.
• Emergency Preparedness: You are responsible for organising your own emergency plan.
• Weather and Safety: Events may be cancelled or changed if conditions are deemed unsafe.
• Self-Assessment Required: You must honestly assess your fitness and ability to keep pace with the group.
• No Guaranteed Rescue: While help may be offered, full rescue capabilities should not be expected.
• No Minors Without Guardians: Participants must be over 21.
• Right to Refuse Participation: Hosts may turn away any individual who appears unprepared or poses a safety risk to others.
• First Aid Preparedness Encouraged: It is highly recommended that each participant carries a small first aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.

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🚨FINAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

• By attending this event, you confirm that you are participating voluntarily and at your own risk. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred.