Hill Views of Ivinghoe & Dunstable Downs – Long Country Hike

Walk length 20 miles/32 km approx. Circular.

A very panoramic walk that crosses paths over chalk grassland and woodland from Dunstable Downs to Ivinghoe Beacon.

The mid point/lunch stop is close to the National Trust visitor centre at Dunstable Downs The Visitor Centre at Dunstable Downs is 243m (797ft) above sea level and Ivinghoe Beacon stands at 233m (757ft) above sea level, the views from both are fantastic.

Some features on this walk include a chance to see the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral before taking a route along the edge of the Whipsnade Wildlife Park.

The Tree Cathedral was created by Edmund Blyth in memory of fallen comrades after the First World War as a spirit of 'faith, hope and reconciliation, he was inspired by the beauty of a sunlit group of trees seen on the way home from a visit to the Anglican Cathedral at Liverpool. It is now owned by the National Trust.

This walk also follows some of the oldest tracks in Britain, with paths such as the Icknield Way; extending from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Norfolk and a small section of the Ridgeway, 87 miles (139km) long, an ancient chalk ridge route used in prehistoric times.

Meeting: We are meeting outside Tring station (main station car park) for the hike to start after the train from London arrives at 10.05am. Tring Station, Tring HP23 5QS. (please note Tring station has no facilities however there are facilities at the Ashridge Vistor Centre less than and hour into the walk).

The 9.25am train from London Euston arrives at Tring station at 10.02am. Train ticket approx £17.50 or less using a group save or national railcard. If you want to meet to get any group saves meet close to the ticket office at 9.00am in case you need to queue (photo below). The organizer is not coming by train but will meet you at Tring station.

By car to Tring: The car park at Tring Station is charged at weekends. Other road parking around close to the station is limited. If coming by car you could meet us at Aldbury as there is more off street parking, meet us in the main village green, it is only a small village, if you want to do this be on the green no later than 10.30am when we pass by, the village is 1mile from Tring Station (please let me know you are doing this so I can lookout for you).

Lunch & Finish

Please bring a packed lunch and water for the walk. This walk should finish about 5.30pm and include a 30 min snack lunch stop, however the time maybe earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace (this is a complete day event and you are advised not to arrange plans for the evening).

Tring rail station station has no facilities. We pass the Bridgewater monument and Visitor Centre 1.5 miles into the walk.

We are stopping close to the Dunstable Downs Visitor Centre for lunch.

Cost: £7 cash or paypal (colin45@hotmail.co.uk), please do paypal friends and family to avoid charges. Guided walk & meetup costs. You can do paypal or bank transfer if you prefer, please message the organizer for bank transfer.

Please make a note of the organizers numbers - Colin 07709305681..

THIS IS A LONG AND SUBSTANTIAL HIKE WITH NUMEROUS HILLS & SOME SHARP ACCENTS & DESCENTS, TIME FOR SIGHTSEEING BUT ALSO TAKEN AT A GOOD STEADY PACE, PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THIS BEFORE YOU RSVP.

Walking Safety

Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/London-Explorers/pages/3170152/Terms_and_Conditions/)

COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.