An 87 mile (139km) National Trail, the Ridgeway runs from Overton Hill near Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. Part of this route follows the oldest road in the country, dating back millennia. Taking 5 to 7 days, this is not a difficult walk and the rewards are many: wide views across rolling countryside, Iron Age forts, Neolithic burial mounds, white horses carved into the chalk downs and picturesque villages.

The guide includes 53 detailed walking maps at the large scale of 1:20,000, making route finding easy. The unique mapping features include walking times, directions, tricky junctions, places to stay, places to eat and points of interest. These are not general purpose maps but fully edited maps drawn by walkers for walkers. The maps are supported by detailed route descriptions. Itineraries cover hiking the 87 mile route in its entirety or sampling the delights on day walks or short breaks and include detailed public transport information for all access points. There is practical information for all budgets, what to see, where to stay, where to eat including pubs, hotels, B&B, camping and hostels. Also included are guides to Marlborough, Avebury, Princes Risborough and 22 other towns and villages near the Trail. The introductory chapters also include comprehensive practical information for planning the walk, and the history, environment and natural history of the Ridgeway.

The Ridgeway is the 139km National Trail that incorporates one of the oldest 'green roads' in Europe. Following the Countryside Agency's acorn waymarks, the scenic route stretches from Overton Hill in the west across the Marlborough Downs and the Vale of White Horse, over the undulating hills of the Chilterns, to Ivinghoe Beacon. This is the complete, official guide for long distance or weekend walkers. All you need is in this one book.

The route is split into convenient sections each with 1:25000 Ordnance Survey maps marked with points of special interest. In addition there are circular routes off the trail for shorter walks, enabling the walker to explore the local area. The detailed route information is supported with colour photographs and notes on nearby features. Background information is also included covering local history, wildlife, archaeology, geology, industry and land use. Practical information includes details of public transport, villages on or near the route with facilities for walkers, useful organisations and accommodation including camping sites.

Here is a guide book for two kinds of walker: those who like an afternoon stroll from a good pub and those who enjoy the challenge of a long distance path walked over a period of days. The Ridgeway stretches for some 85 miles from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. It is thought to be the oldest road in Great Britain and in 1972 was designated a National Trail by the Countryside Commission.

This book combines information on the whole length of the path, with simple circular pub walks along the route. The walks vary in length from 4 to 7.5 miles and the directions are clearly presented and accompanied by sketch maps. Each pub is described in full, with details of its history and character, how to get there and where to park. All are surrounded by excellent walking country.

If you are planning to walk the entire Ridgeway Path, the National Trail Guide by Neil Curtis is a better choice, but for dipping into the Trail, exploring sections of it, this guide is ideal.

The walk locations are: Avebury; Broad Hinton; Ogbourne St George; Chiseldon; Bishopstone; Woolstone; Sparsholt; Letcombe Regis; West Isley; Aldworth; Goring; Ipsden; Watlington; Kingston Blount; Bledlow; Askett; Butler's Cross; St Leonards; Bulbourne; Ivinghoe.

A brief introduction and description of the route is included, together with directions on how to get to the start. Practical information includes contact details for TIC's, accommodation, places of interest and other useful organisations. The map is printed on strong waterproof polyethylene and has an additional protective plastic sleeve.