Related Articles
The Royal Chilterns Way is a 175-mile route designed for ‘bike-packing’ adventures or day rides.
The route was launched by Cycling UK on Monday, August 18, as part of its Adventure Route Series.
Robin Tucker, secretary of Cycling UK Oxfordshire, said: “I’ve ridden some of these trails before, but joining them up in a long-distance route gives me and my friends a new way to explore the area.
“Having tried some of the route, I can say that it’s a great combination of wooded trails, quiet roads, great views, and more than a few hills.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to taking in the full route.”
The route is two-thirds off-road and is divided into three interconnected loops.
The southwest loop starts in Reading and passes through Henley, Nettlebed, Stoke Row, and Goring.
The middle loop includes a section between Ewelme and Aston Rowant, while the third extends toward Dunstable in Bedfordshire.
Hannah Foster, head of membership at Cycling UK, said: “Long-distance cycle routes are one of the best ways to explore Britain.
“They connect cities, towns, and villages and bring real benefits to local communities by supporting regional economies.
“They also offer a healthier, greener way to discover the incredible corners of our countryside that are impossible to access by car.
“By joining Cycling UK as a member, you can help support the creation of even more iconic, inspiring routes that make cycle adventures more accessible to everyone.”
The route is accessible by train and is designed for gravel, cyclocross, or mountain bikes.
It features quiet roads, scenic trails, and plenty of places to rest and refuel.
Max Darkins, a ride guide and route planner who helped to design the route, said: “Growing up in the Chilterns sparked my passion for cycling and inspired a lifelong love of the area.
“This lesser-known part of the south-east has so much to offer and in working closely with Cycling UK we carefully crafted a route that would give people the chance to escape and connect with nature.
“Out on the trail you get to experience everything that the Chilterns has to offer, ranging from verdant landscapes to historic market towns, medieval earthworks, and majestic rivers.
“And to top it off, the area is just bursting with farm shops, cafés, vineyards, breweries, and country pubs.
“We all known how much cycling can improve our physical and mental health, and with every new route launched, we introduce that to more and more people.”
