Royal Chilterns Way winds through the Chiltern Hills in a series of connected loops, beginning and ending in Reading. Created by route planner Max Darkins with Cycling UK, it combines off-road trails with lanes, market towns and places associated with the region’s royal history.
From Reading into the Chilterns
The route starts in Reading, where the remains of Reading Abbey recall the town’s royal connections. King Henry I founded the abbey in 1121 and was buried there. From Reading, the itinerary heads into the Chilterns, linking the Thames area with wooded hills and historic settlements.
Henley-on-Thames is one of the places on the route. Its Royal Regatta received royal patronage in the nineteenth century, adding another connection to the theme behind the route’s name. Great Missenden, associated with writer Roald Dahl, is another village on the journey.
Three loops and varied trails
The circular itinerary has southern, central and northern loops. Cycling UK’s ride account describes the southern loop as starting and finishing in Reading, while High Wycombe and Princes Risborough offer access to the central section. The northern loop travels through Wendover, Amersham and Berkhamsted. This structure makes it possible to choose a loop or spread the route over separate outings.
The landscape alternates between chalk ridges, beech woods and open countryside. Much of the riding follows bridleways, byways and forest tracks, with country lanes joining the off-road sections. Expect short, steep climbs and some rough or rooty ground; Cycling UK notes that riders may occasionally need to push.
Planning the ride
The Royal Chilterns Way is not signposted as a complete route, although it shares paths with signed trails including the Ridgeway and Icknield Way. Cycling UK recommends using its route file for navigation and carrying an Ordnance Survey map as a backup. Its separate route guide divides the journey into six parts and includes maps and practical information.
A gravel bike with wide tyres and low gearing or a hardtail mountain bike can suit the mixed terrain. Chalk can become slippery in wet weather, while clay sections are best avoided during prolonged rain. Some woodland and exposed ridge sections feel remote, so prepare for stretches where help may not be close. Towns along the way offer places to stop, and Cycling UK identifies accommodation and bike shops among the facilities available across the area.