History
The Ridgeway follows part of a prehistoric route over the chalk that people, including drovers, traders and invaders, have used for at least 5,000 years. It once ran about 250 miles from the Dorset coast to the Wash.
The idea of a long-distance path along the Wessex Downs and Chilterns goes back to the Hobhouse Committee of 1947. The present route was designated by the Government in 1972 and officially opened as a National Trail on 29 September 1973, at Coombe Hill in Buckinghamshire.
It runs from Overton Hill near Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon.
Sources: National Trails: The Ridgeway; Chilterns National Landscape: Ridgeway turns 50 on Coombe Hill; National Trails: The Ridgeway trail information; Wikipedia: The Ridgeway
Facts
- Code
- UK 006 (provisional)
- Distance
- 87.0 miles (140 km). We measure 86.5 miles
- Sections
- 6
- Type
- Linear
- Opened
- 29 September 1973
- Designation
- National Trail
- Looked after by
- Ridgeway National Trail Partnership / Natural England
- Nations
- England
- Total ascent
- Still to be measured