Venue: Wendover

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I have just completed this wonderful circuit after some heavy rain. It is so close to a perfect ride. It has wonderful views, interesting paths, lovely surprises as you emerge onto a fast forest tunne... read whole comment... lumos gave this trail 5 stars about 2 years ago

This is a nice route with some heart pumping climbs and some gentle fast downhills. Definitely a chore when wet though. The slimy clay soil offers no resistance and there is considerable rear wheel ... read whole comment... zestym gave this trail 3 stars about 2 years ago

Chequers Circuit

This route will appeal to both experienced bikers seeking fast woodland singletrack and novice riders enjoying a day outside alike. Anyone with a basic level of fitness and experience on a bike can enjoy this route as there are no technical obstacles. However, rain and horses can turn the bridleways into a quagmire and consequently this route could take twice as long in the winter. There is plenty of climbing on the route, the hardest being the bridleway to the top of Coombe Hill. Beware of horses and walkers on the fast descents.

1. Park in the main car park where there are toilet facilities. Turn L up the High Street and then L at the roundabout.
2. Turn R to sharp up and over the bridge and immediately L on the trail alongside the railway before joining the country lane to Dunsmore.
3. As the road takes a sharp L go right up the BW behind the farm buildings. Through the gate and climb up a muddy trail which splits into three. Take the middle way to arrive at the top of the hill and join another BW.
4. Follow the distinct BW along the ridge. Make sure you take the turn R for the descent to the Rignal Road, NOT the turn L down to Woodlands Park.
5. L along the Rignal road passing the FP which goes up to Pankridge Farm.
6. R - A steep climb up Broombarn Lane bringing you out in Prestwood High Street.
7. R along the High Street
8. As the road turns L go straight on into Honour End lane.
9. Pass Sprinters leisure centre on the L. Before the road descends, look for the BW gate on the L going across the open field. (If you carry on 100m further along the lane, on the RHS is a memorial to John Hampden. A local landowner in the 17th century, his refusal to pay the kings ship tax lead to the Civil War. Retrace your steps). Go through the automatic gate to Hampden House.
10. At the satellite dish at the top of the hill go R through the gate and go down the hill. Look for the hidden BW turn (avoiding the sweet singletrack FP that takes you the Plough PH) on the R halfway down to arrive at Pulpit Hill CP.
11. Look for the sharp ramp up to the BW and follow signs through the woods.
12. Cross the road taking the permissive path through the wood and round the field. The Prime Ministers country residence 'Chequers' is on your left.
13. After a short sharp climb from the road junction go L at the junction.
14. To find the route, go on to the Missenden road turn R and the BW is immediately to your R.
15. Through the gates by the golf tee. Quick drink, deep breath then a long sustained climb up the BW to Coombe Hill. Where the Ridgeway Path crosses the BW, you can walk up to the monument on top of the hill for spectacular views.
16. At an indistinct but muddy junction take the BW L back down the hill. A broad path narrows into a tight chalk gully. Look out for walkers and horses! At the road go R down the hill to arrive back at the CP.

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Hill Fort Tour

This trail takes in the two ancient hill forts of Pulpit and Whiteleaf Hill. Standing on top of either hill provides the wonderful views to the north and east that gave ancient settlements the security needed in uncertain times. Pulpit still has evidence of the ditch that would have surrounded its fortifications. Whiteleaf is crowned by a burial mound. A white chalk cross on the side of the hill can be seen from Princes Risborough.

This is a more complex route than its companion, Chequers Circuit and is designed as a more challenging option, taking in technical bridleways in the area. The route involves retracing your steps and riding small sections twice to include the best trails. This area is mud over clay and chalk with plenty of roots to add to the fun. In the wet, the mud and wet roots can make the going slow and slippery. When dry these trails can be very fast.

There are two sections on this route which increase its technical grade to 'moderate'. The descent from Cobblers Hill farm is steep and loose and the chalk can be slippery in the wet. The climb up Whiteleaf Hill is steep, rooted and unrelenting. Experienced bikers will love both sections!

As the route is complex, my descriptions assume that you are following a GPS.

Park in the CP in Wendover High Street.
1. Take the BW L up a steep chalk gully which widens as it climbs. Watch out for high speed bikes coming the other way!
2. At the top take a R to descend to the bottom of Coombe Hill.
3. Sharp left through the gate by the golf course.
4. There is a permissive path around the field opposite Chequers which avoids a section of road.
10. Look for an indistinct trail going L that descends to Pulpit Hill CP.
5. Take the trail through the gate across the scrub.
6. After crossing the road to pass the Plough PH on your R, the BW goes behind the pub CP to wind up Whiteleaf Hill. The climb becomes more technical after half way. Descend to Pulpit Hill CP.
7. Take the BW down the hill once again, this time passing the gate at 5 to descend to the bottom of the hill.
8. Go right along the busy road (or walk your bike along the footpath) until you find a residential layby.
9. The track goes straight up the hill in a long and sustained climb which passes the Hill fort on your R.
10. L to retrace your steps down the hill.
11. Take the trail R up the hill. Avoid the FP to singletrack through the gate taking the muddy BW through the field before winding your way through the woods to Hampden Common.
12. Take the trail going directly opposite the houses. Through the mud pit at the bottom of the hill before taking the steep chalky track opposite.
13. Turn right along the BW before emerging at the road junction.
14. Look carefully for the BW sign on your R pointing backwards and directing the route alongside a farmhouse. This descends steeply through the woods and into a loose chalk gully. This is probably the steepest BW in the Chilterns : ) Go around the field and climb up to the road and then back to Hampden Common.
12. Down the BW again to repeat this section.
13. L along the ridge this time.
15. Take the fork R to descend to the lane and back in to Wendover. There is also an option to take the BW to 2 and reverse your climb with the excellent descent down Bacombe Hill in which case watch our for bikers struggling up the other way!

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Aston Hill Link

A mtb route linking Wendover station with the xc and downhill venue at Aston Hill taking the scenic route through Wendover Woods. Ideal for those bikers coming by train and looking for a shortcut that avoids the main roads.

After pedalling through Wendover High Street, take the Tring Road before turning right into the housing estate and up into the woods. To reach Aston Hill you need to go all the way through the woods and cross the minor road.

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Start from Aston Hill

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