Chiltern Hills, Valleys and Woodlands Walk

The Chiltern Hills, Valleys and Woodlands Walk takes you on a lovely loop through the unspoiled Chiltern Hills. However, at points, you’ll leave the tranquil countryside scenery to cross busy roads. This journey will have you crossing two busy roads, so take care when you do. You will also navigate stiles and kissing gates along this route. Lastly, keep your pup close during some fields as there may be horses grazing.

All in all, this route is a great way to immerse yourself in the outdoors! You’ll pass through farmland, meadows, and beech woodland while gathering astonishing views of the Chiltern countryside. To top it off, you’ll pass through some sleepy, remote villages that work to add a layer of wonder to this walk.

From the National Trust car park in Bradenham Village, you’ll go north towards the top of the village green. Admire the charming Bradenham village from here! Continue along, passing by the Bradenham Manor before crossing Bradenham Wood Lane; a footpath awaits on the other side. Follow the footpath and go through two gates, continuing straight as you cross the grassland.
Cross over the path by the star-shaped bench to begin a gentle ascent. You should have the field boundary to your right. Horses may be grazing in the field next to you! Be sure to pause to enjoy the view overlooking Bradenham right before you get to the top of the hill. After, cross another path to continue along—Park Wood should be on your right. When you get to the top, you’ll be able to admire Saunderton village and Bledlow Ridge.

The path will then veer sharply to the left, heading downhill, but don’t take this. Go right and through a gate to enter Park Woods. 100m later, take a left to reach a wide path and walk along this for 500m before the path descends, taking you by beech, holly, and yew trees. Soon, you’ll take on a short, steep ascent before meeting up with a footpath merging on the right. Keep going downhill, making sure not to take any side paths towards another National Trust car park. From here, take a left onto Smalldean Lane. Look out for cars and bicycles! You’ll know you’re on the right track if Smalldean Farm sits on your left. 100m later, you’ll reach a lay-by.

Take a right onto a footpath heading uphill and stretching across a field. Keep ascending into the following field. When you get to the corner of the second field, go straight. Pass through a hedge gap before continuing your journey uphill, which will take you into the following field. The hedge should be on your right now! When you get to the corner of this field, head through the metal gate, signed with a white arrow. Take a moment to enjoy the views sweeping the valley: Lacey Green, Promised Land Farm, and more. After, you’ll go through a different gate before keeping straight. A metal gate will emerge on your left—ignore this. 25 m later, another gate will appear. Pass through this and enter the woods, momentarily. The path will then open up to another field that will take you to a stile. Go over it and begin walking downhill towards Loosley Row. Stay on this path, and don’t take any side paths! You’ll go over another stile before crossing Little Lane to reach Foundry Lane. Continue walking downhill for 200m before taking a right to go up Loosley Hill until you reach the crossroad with Whip Inn and the Lacey Green Windmill.

Cross the busy road before turning right to go along Main Road for 300m. Take a left onto Goodacres Lane and when you get to the end of the lane, turn right, reaching a narrow path. Walk along the path until you get to the end, where you will take a left down Kiln Lane. 0.9mi later, you’ll go right to descend along the road before ascending to reach The Old Plough, which closed in 2015.

Right before you get to the brick and flint cottage, take a left to enter a lovely path that winds between paddocks, which house alpacas and chickens. Continue along the path as it travels across the bottom of the valley for 0.9mi. You will have to navigate stiles along this section. The path leads to North Dean village, where you may encounter a lot of horses grazing, so keep your dog on a leash here. When you get to the village, go through a gate before turning right along a footpath that leads you to the main road.

Take a right at the road and follow it for 250m before turning right onto Clappins Lane. 100m later, enter a gate to go diagonal through the woods. Glance back for a beautiful view of Upper North Dean village! Go over a stile to travel through Stocking Woods, following the white arrows. After the woods, you’ll have to navigate another stile and take a path through a field. At the end of the field, you’ll climb over another stile before taking a right to enter another field. Following another stile, you’ll follow a twisting path to a kissing gate that leads you onto the Main Road.

Carefully cross the busy road before following a footpath on the other side. Keep straight until you reach a fork. Go right and walk until you get to a wide path. Continue past Lady Horse Pond until you get to the Information Board. Go left here before taking a quick right to travel through oak woodlands. You’ll eventually meet up with the track merging from Bradenham Hill Farm before passing another information board. Follow the path downhill, going left when it divides. Follow this path until you arrive back at the car park where your hike began.

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.