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Image by A R Cane
The Ridgeway

Ridgeway National Trail

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harestonesdown H
harestonesdown Jan 19, 2013 19:34:27
Replying to Zariadris

Zariadris wrote:
Hi folks,

My wife and I are hoping to make a long-dreamed of trip to England around mid-March and are thinking of hiking the Ridgeway National Trail. It's my understanding that it includes Avebury along the way, and is purportedly the oldest track in Britain. Having studied Britain's megalithic heritage from a distance all these years, we are terribly excited to finally have a chance to visit a select few in person. The trail sounds like a perfect way to experience this ancient landscape.

Has anyone here hiked the path in part or in whole? Any advice, opinions or suggestions would be most appreciated. Also, what can we expect weather-wise in mid to late March?

Thanks very much in advance...

Z.

About 1 mile before you reach the end of the Ridgeway you'll see a sign on your left for Fyfield Down nature reserve, take a right there and it will lead you straight into Avebury. The alternative is to finish the Ridgeway at it's end but the walk from The Sanctuary to Avebury is a bit of a hairy one along the A4 and not recommended for the faint hearted, though there are alternative paths too, if you're competent with a map. Really do try and avoid the A4 though.

S scubi63
scubi63 Jan 19, 2013 23:40:38
Replying to harestonesdown

Although the Ridgeway doesn't actually pass through Avebury, surely a visit to the area is a must either at the start or at the end?

As Harestone says you can avoid walking along the A4 back to Avebury from the Sanctuary by going through the fields behind the hedge on the south side of the main road. It is not marked on the map but in the summer the route is quite clear but in March it may be quite waterlogged. However you can see a few of the avenue stones that lead back to Avebury, in the hedgerow that shadows the main road. However to get there you will need to cross the A4 at some point.
There are plenty of places to see in and around Avebury which any good book will tell you about it.
Lastly A R Cane (AKA Steve) has put together a great 3-part blog on here about his walk along the Ridgeway which is worth a read and his photo's are brilliant too:
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/user/8822/weblog/

:o)