Ivinghoe Beacon & Ashridge Woods loop from Tring — The Chilterns

Running trails & routes

Ivinghoe Beacon & Ashridge Woods loop from Tring — The Chilterns

Hard

3.0

(1)

runners

Ivinghoe Beacon & Ashridge Woods loop from Tring — The Chilterns

01:46

15.5km

260m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly runnable paths. Some sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 9, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Chiltern Hills AONB

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

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2.52 km

Pitstone Hill

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

The views are spectacular in all directions as you run along this elevated section of the Ridgeway National Trail. The route follows the ancient Iron Age earthworks of Grim’s Ditch.

Pitstone Hill is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the biological and botanical interest of the area. The chalky slopes are home to several important species of rare plants and butterflies.

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5.74 km

Ivinghoe Beacon

Highlight • Summit

Standing at 764 feet (233 m), Ivinghoe Beacon towers over the surrounding countryside. Offering views of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire, it’s named after the fires that were once lit at the summit for navigation and communication. Due to the wind blowing up the hill, you'll often see model aircraft enthusiasts engaged in 'slope soaring' when the weather is good.

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5.94 km

Whipsnade White Lion

Highlight • Viewpoint

The lion was carved into the hills overlooking Dunstable Downs close to Whipsnade Zoo in 1931-33. Some say it was to remind pilots not to fly too low when crossing the zoo so they didn't scare the animals. Others believe that it was an elaborate advert. In 2017/18, the lion was refurbished with a donated 800 tonnes of chalk so now it can be appreciated from quite some distance.

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12.7 km

Bridgewater Monument

Highlight • Monument

This Tower was built in memory of Francis Egerton, who was the Third Duke of Bridgewater. Egerton was an expert in inland navigation. He was involved in the construction of the Bridgewater Canal (joining Worsley and Manchester), which is the first modern British canal. He also built the canal joining Liverpool and Manchester. Not only that, but he made 2 million pounds out of these adventures and ventures.

Be sure to walk up to the top of the Tower. The views from up there are tremendous.

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