Section 4 of 6, Oxford Green Belt Way
Horspath to Elsfield
9.3 miles (15 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SP 571 047. Finish: SP 539 102. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 249 m of climbing and 239 m of descent; highest point 171 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Horspath.
- Bus stops
- The Green, 40 m from the start. Directions SP 571 047The Green, 100 m from the start. Directions SP 572 047Gidley Way Bottom, 280 m from the start. Directions SP 574 046
- Car parks
- Car park, 160 m from the start. Directions SP 570 046Car park, 790 m from the start. Directions SP 579 048Car park, 820 m from the start. Directions SP 579 048
Getting back
The section finishes at Elsfield.
No bus stop or station within a kilometre of the finish. Nearest: the bus stop at St Nicholas Church, 1.9 km away (Directions); Oxford Parkway station, 4.2 km away (Directions).
Planning the Oxford Green Belt Way
- Planning the whole trail: cpreoxon.org.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Oxford Green Belt Way Guidebook (CPRE Oxfordshire).
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 27%, earth, rock and mud 13%, grass 10%, gravel and tracks 9%; the rest (42%) isn't recorded.
About 26% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 7 stiles, 6 kissing gates, 14 gates.
Steepest climb: about 68 m in a kilometre (1 in 15), starting 0.1 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Queen's Head, Horspath: at the start.Oxford Brewery Tap Room, Horspath: 0.2 miles in.The White Horse, Forest Hill: 3.7 miles in.Abingdon Arms, Beckley: 6.6 miles in. Food, real ale, seats outside, step-free.The Ampleforth, Risinghurst: 1.9 miles in, about 400 m off the way.
- Café
- Kookaburra Cafe, Sandhills: 2.1 miles in, about 150 m off the way. Step-free.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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