Ashridge Boundary Trail

Less a barrier, more a linear space where meadows merge with woodland, forest with chalk ridge through which wildlife passes, impervious to this administrative boundary.

Ringshall cottages

By far the most challenging walking route, the 19-mile Ashridge Boundary Trail follows the estate boundary as best it can; weaving around livestock, two golf courses, farms and hamlets whilst missing out obvious landmarks such as the Pitstone Windmill. Visible from the Northern loop where the famous beechwoods release you onto the chalk downland to enjoy far-reaching views south and west towards Oxfordshire. This loop follows the Ridgeway National Trial from Albury Nowers above Tring station, Pitstone Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon before tucking back into the woods at creepy Coombe.

You’ll be glad you walked up to Ivinghoe Beacon.

Sorry Deb and Annette for walking this trail without you, but it was a spur of the moment thing. I didn’t feel like being at my desk and the weather was perfect. I packed my tattered OS 181 with coffee and lunch and set off from home.

The dog-days of this fantastic warm summer are giving way to cooler winds and a surprising layer of orange leaf litter on the paths. Hardy swifts flying low to the ground catching insects at speed. They will be off soon. The berries are ripe for picking, blackberries a welcome thirst quencher and the fungi are making a start too.

Two way markers on a fence post show the way

I should have brought a cloth to clean the green and white Boundary way markers

There is a route description and map on the NT website, but it’s not very good. If you’ve walked through these woods, you will know how confusing the smaller tracks can be. I was once asked for directions from two walkers who were following the bright pink dots painted on some of the trees, but couldn’t understand why they had gone around in a circle…they were following a tree-cutting trail! There are little green and white discs to follow - you might need a cloth though, but I suggest using an OS map or the app for navigation.

Creepy or atmospheric?

I am fortunate in living so close to Ashridge and walk there frequently. For me, this Boundary Trail was joining up the dots and walking a few sections I had not been on before. On the southern loop near Frithsden for example and not taking my usual short cuts to avoid the golf courses. It has helped me appreciate the 5,000 acre landscapes of deep woodland and many Commons on the southern loop and the contrasting chalk downlands, coombes and views on the northern loop with the Bridgewater Monument more-or-less in the middle of it all.

Looking through the trees onto Berkhamsted Common on the Southern Loop

Walking during the week and then a Sunday morning was the contrast I expected: having the place to myself to the usual crush around the visitor centre. As much as the NT complain about too many visitors, they will go where there is a cup of tea and somewhere to pee. That never changes. They do suggest parking at the visitor centre which makes sense if you were to do this over more than one visit. And needing a loo!

Depending on your time and distance to get to Ashridge in the Northern Chilterns, you could walk this in one day - I know Deb would manage this easily. I walked over two visits as had to add the extra miles to and from home - that’s my excuse anyway! Enjoying the walk as well as the views, the wildlife and strange forest calls, there’s not much of phone signal in the woods which means you really do get away from it all. I walked the southern loop which took me from Aldbury Nowers above Tring station, to Aldbury, I skirted the visitor centre and headed for Northchurch and Berkhamsted Common’s and on to Frithsden Beeches. So many flies in the woods as I headed back through Golden Valley, past Ashridge House and visitor centre to Aldbury and back home. I started the northern loop at Pitstone Hill, up Incombe Hole, on to Ivinghoe Beacon, down again to the Coombe, Ringshall, Little Gadsden and turned homeward past Ashridge House, the Visitor centre and Pitstone Hill.

Just look at this monster! Spraying something that smelt like creosote

Cross those boundaries

I loved it, looking at a familiar places and landscape with new eyes and renewed appreciation. Yes, this farm machine was insane, the white stag spooky and the new duck house (financed by a movie location fee) - with resident duck in the Aldbury village pond, made me smile. Best of all, being able to access all of this from my home reminds me what a special place the Chilterns are and how fortunate I am to live, work and play here. The walk is strenuous and wouldn’t rank well for accessibility. Do let me know if you have walked this or are now planning to do so, it’ll be worth the time and effort.

Not only is this a fab walk, there are also tasty places to rest and refuel en route.

Hill Farm on Northchurch Common and The Greyhound village pub in Aldbury you’ll find on the northern loop. The Bakehouse at Ashridge House for tea and cake and The Alford Arms in Frithsden on the southern loop are all recommended.