Chess Valley Walk
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The Chess Valley Walk in the Chilterns travels along River Chess, taking you from Rickmansworth to Chesham. This journey is a one-way journey, meaning you need to organize transportation when you get to the end. (It may be easiest to take the train to Rickmansworth and from Chesham.) The Chess Valley boasts of some of the best countryside scenery in the Chilterns, so get ready for a compilation of lovely views.
Getting there
To get to the start of the Chess Valley Walk in the Chilterns, head to Rickmansworth Railway Station (Stop B), and your walk begins from here.
About
When to do | April-October |
Backcountry Campsites | No |
Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
Family friendly | No |
Route Signage | Average |
Crowd Levels | Moderate |
Route Type | One Way |
Chess Valley Walk
Elevation Graph
Weather
Chess Valley Walk Description
The Chess Valley Walk in the Chilterns follows along River Chess from Rickmansworth to Chesham. This is a one-way trail, making it essential to organize how to get to-and-from the walk’s start and end before going. The easiest way is to take the train to Rickmansworth Railway Station (Stop B) and leave from Chesham station. Depending on the season, this trail can be muddy, so consider the forecast and weather. Accessibility for everyone may be tough on this walk due to the stiles throughout it.
This walk is super easy to follow, thanks to the waymarks dotting the path. While this direction of the walk follows River Chess, you won’t necessarily be beside it the entire time. You’ll enjoy a compilation of scenery, ranging from the countryside to the river to charming villages. At one point, you’ll journey by the 13th century Chenies Manor, which Elizabeth I visited!
The route itself is pretty straightforward due to the waymarks along the path! As long as you keep River Chess nearby, you should be able to navigate your way to Chesham from Rickmansworth easily. If you’re anxious about getting lost despite the waymarks, bring a GPS along.
When you get to Chesham, head to the train station for your ride home (or back to your car if you drove to Rickmansworth).
Other amazing walks in Chiltern Hills
Check out our guides to Wendover Loop, Wendover Woods, Dunstable Downs, Hurley Loop or The Rose and Crown Ivinghoe Beacon Walk. Or see all of our Chiltern Hills walks on 10Adventures.
Insider Hints
Since this is a one-way walk, we suggest taking the train to and from the starting and ending points (train to Rickmansworth and from Chesham)
Check the weather before you go and try to avoid going when it’s muddy out
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