Section 1 of 3, The Vale Way
Abingdon to Ardington
9.5 miles (15.3 km). About 3 hours, moderate.
Start: SU 505 972. Finish: SU 466 916. 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 62 m of climbing and 49 m of descent; highest point 97 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Abingdon.
- Bus stops
- Bus stop, 260 m from the start. Directions SU 506 974Swinburne Road, 470 m from the start. Directions SU 503 976
- Car parks
- Car park, 160 m from the start. Directions SU 503 973Car park, 300 m from the start. Directions SU 502 973Car park, 400 m from the start. Directions SU 508 974
Getting back
The section finishes at Ardington. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Primary School, 240 m from the finish. Directions SU 467 918St Michaels Way, 500 m from the finish. Directions SU 468 920Barnett Road, 540 m from the finish. Directions SU 468 921
Planning The Vale Way
- Planning the whole trail: ramblers-oxon.org.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 49%, gravel and tracks 21%, earth, rock and mud 7%; the rest (23%) isn't recorded.
About 34% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 8 stiles, 1 gate, 3 flights of steps.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 23 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- Crown & Thistle, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in.The Punchbowl, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in.Kings Head and Bell, Abingdon: 0.6 miles in. Dogs welcome, real ale.The Plum Pudding, Milton: 4.5 miles in.The Extraordinary Hare, West Hendred: 8.1 miles in.The Boars Head, Ardington: 9.4 miles in. Seats outside.North Star, Steventon: at the finish.Nag's Head, Abingdon: 0.4 miles in, about 200 m off the way.The Broad Face, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Black Swan, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in, about 200 m off the way.And 8 more within a quarter of a mile.
- Cafés
- The Missing Bean, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in. Seats outside.Java&Co Independent Coffee Shop, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in. Step-free.Ma Chérie, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in.Ma Chérie, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in.R&R, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in.Starbucks, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in.Costa, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in.Throwing Buns, Abingdon: 0.5 miles in.Munchies Sandwiches, Steventon: 5.7 miles in.The Grocer Chef, Ardington: 9.3 miles in. Seats outside.And 3 more within a quarter of a mile.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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