A 7-mile (11 km) moderate circular walk showcasing some of the finest spring displays in the Chilterns, this route combines classic ridge-top views, historic villages, and some of the most celebrated bluebell and wild garlic sites in the area. Starting from the Ashridge Monument, the walk forms a varied loop through Aldbury, along the Chiltern escarpment, and back through renowned woodland sites including Dockey Wood and the Coombe.
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Route Description
Begin at the Ashridge Monument, a prominent landmark with far-reaching views over the surrounding estate. Starting with the monument in front of you, take the large path to your left infront of the cafe, almost immediately, there is a smaller path on the right which enters the woodland. Follow this, descend steadily through woodland towards the picture-postcard village of Aldbury. With its duck pond, traditional cottages, and village green, it’s one of the most photographed villages in the Chilterns and an early highlight.
Leaving Aldbury at its sports field, there is a path around the back of the changing rooms, turn left and join the large track. This becomes narrower and enclosed by trees. Follow it until a path and kissing gate appears on the right, take this path, which emerges onto Aldbury Golf Course, follow the hedge on the left until the path turns to the right and take care to follow the waymarked path denoted by tall white poles before entering the beech woodlands of Aldbury Nowers. This area, managed as a nature reserve, offers a quieter contrast and is known for its rich chalk grassland and woodland mix. At this point, you have joined the Ridgeway, often described as Britain’s oldest road.
The walk then climbs gently up towards Pitstone Hill. Here, the landscape opens out, offering expansive views across the Vale of Aylesbury. On a clear day, you can see for miles, and the ridge itself is often dotted with red kites riding the thermals overhead. Continuing along the ridge, a small hill appears in front of you just to the left. This is unnamed on the Ordnance Survey Maps, however Open Street Map lables it "Paul's Knob". Climb this hill for views over towards Ivinghoe Beacon. Descending the hill towards the car park, go through the gate (which once had graffiti and an arrow pointing to the name hill) and cross the road. Following the ridgeway to your left, you can see a ditch and Steps Hill. As we start to climb the hill and just as the path starts to bend to the left, there is another path taking us up a separate steep hill to the right. Take the path on the right, all the way to the top where you emerge onto fresh views of the Beacon to the left and a road in front. Cross the road and take the path on your right which takes us towards Crawley Wood on the other side of the road. In spring, this area can be alive with bluebells, forming one of the first major displays of the route.
After visiting Crawley Wood, cross the road and rejoin the path to the right through the woodland, which then leads on towards The Coombe, where the atmosphere shifts again. This sheltered hillside is known for its dense carpets of wild garlic, filling the air with its distinctive scent. This section passes through Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which are protected because of their unique wildlife, geology, or habitats. These areas are carefully managed to conserve what makes them special, so a little extra care from walkers goes a long way. While enjoying the wild garlic displays, please stick to established paths and avoid straying into dense growth. If you are considering foraging, it is important to be aware that SSSIs have stricter rules than general countryside access. In most cases, removing plants, including wild garlic leaves, is not permitted without the landowner’s consent, and in some SSSIs it may be explicitly prohibited. On this route, the safest approach is to avoid harvesting wild garlic within these sections altogether and instead simply enjoy white flowers and the aroma.
On reaching the edge of the woods, turn right and follow the steps until you emerge into a farm. Cross the farmyard, and the following field before turning right again and the route then continues towards one of the highlights of the walk: Dockey Wood and the surrounding areas such as Flat Islay. These woods are famed for their spectacular bluebell displays, often drawing visitors from across the region. In peak season, the woodland floor is transformed into a dense blue carpet beneath the fresh green canopy of beech trees.
As with the Coombe, these woods are part of protected areas. While enjoying the bluebells, please stick to the main paths—even light foot traffic off-path can damage the bulbs and reduce future displays. Avoid picking flowers, as native bluebells are protected by law, and help preserve the experience for others.
From Dockey Wood, the route takes winding paths towards the Ashridge Monument, completing a varied and rewarding loop.