Woods, a canal and great views from the Ridgeway - 22 KM/ 14 Miles

Do this hike because – you’ll enjoy great views from Pitstone and Beacon hills and for contrast, a short walk along the Grand Union Canal and rest break in the picturesque village of Aldbury.

Hike facts
Distance: Approximately 23 km / 14 miles
Duration: Walking time circa 6 hours.
Grade: Moderate. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces with a few hills along our route.
Weather: see here
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day

Hike description
From Tring station, we’ll begin by walking alongside the Grand Union Canal before heading to the famous Bridgewater Monument, where we’ll take a quick break. Facilities here include public toilets, an ice cream van, and snacks.

Next, we'll walk through woods and open land to Ivinghoe Beacon. Along the way we’ll take in lovely views of rolling hills and the legendary chalk lion at Dunstable Downs.

Following the Ridgeway National Trail, we’ll continue enjoying panoramic views to Pitstone Hill for our lunch break.

From here, we enter Aldbury Nowers and on to Grim's Ditch, an ancient Celtic earthwork. Leaving the woodland, we head for Aldbury where you can nip into The Greyhound to buy a drink or sit by the village pond where you can see the old Stocks and Whipping Post that was last used in 1835 to punish a man for public drunkenness.

Aldbury has been featured in films including The Dirty Dozen, Bridget Jones, Midsummer Murders and more.

Refreshed, we’ll follow the Hertfordshire Way for the final 2 km to end our walk back at Tring railway station.

Meeting at
Tring railway station. We'll be outside the station exit holding a GOSH banner, please see the photo below.
Meeting time: 10.35 am. We'll leave at 10.40 am.

TRAVEL
by train
Buy a day Return to Tring. It will cost £22.20 but with Groupsave or a Network Railcard, the price is £14.75 (as of 27/5/25).
From London: catch the 9.54 am from Euston, arriving into at Tring at 10.32 am.
Coming back: there are 3 trains an hour from Tring to London.

by car
If you're driving there is a car park at Tring railway station.
Limited spaces will be available in a car leaving Reading Railway Station. Please message Carl for information.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊