A Circular Route Around the Chilterns Foothills

Why this circuit belongs on your list

Reading might be a busy town, but within half an hour you can be standing on a chalk ridge with the Thames curling below you and beech woods stretching ahead. The Chilterns foothills around Goring and Streatley offer the best of it: quiet lanes, ancient tracks and a proper sense of height without needing a full day. Footpath guides for the Reading area often focus on the Thames Path, but this circuit uses the Ridgeway and local rights of way to make a satisfying half-day loop. It is about 8.5 miles (13.5 km) with roughly 250 metres of ascent, so allow three and a half to four and a half hours at a relaxed pace. Expect steady climbs rather than savage ones, and views that open suddenly across the vale.

Starting out from Goring & Streatley

Begin at Goring & Streatley station, which has regular trains from Reading and a small car park nearby if you are driving. Head down into Goring, turn right along the high street and cross the Thames at the bridge. You are now in Streatley, and the route proper begins. Look for waymark discs with the acorn symbol, which mark the Ridgeway National Trail. Follow them as they lead you away from the river and up through a residential lane before turning onto a footpath. The climb starts gently, then stiffens as you enter the trees. Take your time here; the path is well trodden but can be slippery after rain.

The climb to Lough Down

As you gain height, the woodland opens in patches and you get your first proper look back over Goring Gap, where the Thames cuts through the chalk. This is Lough Down, and it is worth pausing. The path continues eastwards along the ridge, mostly under beech canopy. In spring, the floor is thick with bluebells; in autumn, the leaves are copper and gold underfoot. The going is undulating rather than flat, with short pulls that keep you honest. Keep following the acorn waymarks and ignore side paths that drop towards the villages below unless you want to shorten the walk.

Ridge-top tracks and Grim's Ditch

The Ridgeway here is a broad, flinty track that has been used for thousands of years. You will pass Grim's Ditch, a linear earthwork that cuts across the ridge, and several clearings where you can see out over the Vale of White Horse. The walking is straightforward, but the surface can be uneven and muddy in winter. A detailed 1:25,000 map is useful for confirming junctions, especially where forestry tracks cross the main route. Stay on the Ridgeway until you reach the point where a footpath descends to the left, signposted for Whitchurch-on-Thames. This is your cue to leave the ridge.

Down to Whitchurch and back along the Thames

The descent is steep in places and can be rooty, so watch your footing. It brings you out on the edge of Whitchurch-on-Thames, a quiet village with a pleasant church and a handy bench or two. From here, join the Thames Path and turn west, following the river back towards Goring. This final stretch is flat and easy, passing meadows and weirs, and it gives your legs a rest after the ridge. Cross the bridge at Goring and return to the station. If you have time, the pubs in Goring and Streatley are well placed for a late lunch.

Practical notes for a smooth day out

• Distance and time: about 8.5 miles (13.5 km), with 250 metres of ascent. Allow 3.5 to 4.5 hours, plus stops.
• Map and navigation: carry a 1:25,000 map of the area and a compass. The waymarking is good on the Ridgeway and Thames Path, but junctions in the woods can confuse.
• Footwear: walking boots or sturdy shoes with grip. The ridge can be muddy and the descent to Whitchurch is steep and rooty.
• Food and water: there are shops and pubs in Goring and Streatley, but nothing on the ridge. Carry at least a litre of water and a snack.
• Public transport: Goring & Streatley station is served by trains from Reading, so you can leave the car at home. Check times before you set out.
• Access and closures: follow signposted diversions and respect temporary closures. Some paths cross private land, so keep to the public right of way and close gates behind you.
• Local guides: parish footpath guides and council rights-of-way leaflets can help you link this route with others around Reading and the Chilterns foothills.