This partly hilly walk of 5.7 miles begins from the car park in Cowleaze Wood, Christmas Common Road, nearest postcode OX49 5HX (after entering the wood, turn right to park).

The route descends Bald Hill and then follows the Ridgeway National Trail along the scarp foot for two miles. There then follows a steep climb up and then down the scarp (a shorter option may be offered which avoids this).  The return to Cowleaze skirts Pyrton Hill and Shirburn Wood and ascends more gradually across the springy chalk turf of Shirburn Hill. Great views, spring flowers, no stiles.

Explorer 171

GR SU 725956

CS Map 9

For details of when the bookings open and our full walks programme, see here.