Walks from Amersham

Brilliant views over the Chess Valley; the unique yellow gold of autumn beeches shining in the low sun. A wooded Chilterns walk crossing open land, field edges and well-made farm tracks, with great views over the Chess Valley. Underfoot is variable — soft mud or grass in the open, exposed and sometimes hidden tree roots in the woods, tiring stony bases on the farm tracks. Can be deeply muddy when wet and but no long climbs. Spectacular for snowdrops, bluebells and daffodils in season; muntjac deer present. No facilities between the two towns apart from benches.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

The Chess Valley: A scenic Chilterns valley carved by the chalk-stream River Chess, threaded by footpaths between Chesham and Rickmansworth.

Time: 2h30–5h

Lunch: No facilities between the towns apart from benches; shops at either end.

Warnings: Slippery, sometimes deep mud after wet weather — good boots advised. One fast-traffic crossing of the A404 (Amersham Road). Confusing signposting near Whitelands Wood at the Chorleywood end.

Walk details: Walk by Rail (tips and local insights).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Open Chilterns farmland, beech woods, rolling fields, quiet villages and a ridge approach to old Amersham.

Time: 5h–9h30

3 lunch spots: the Crown Inn (1h30–3h30 in), the Hit or Miss (2h30–5h30 in), or the Potters Arms (2h30–5h30 in)

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Mostly just a succession of unremarkable fields.

Milton's Cottage

Chalfont Saint Giles

Time: 4h–8h30

1 lunch spot: the Merlins Cave (2h–4h in)

5 end-of-walk rewards: the Chequers Inn, the Saracens Head, the Elephant and Castle, the Eagle, or the Swan

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Really quite stunning; a lot more scenic than I expected; bluebell woods. A beautiful but poorly plotted route through fields, lanes and bluebell woods, with steep hills, some muddy sections and a crossing of the River Chess with a small waterfall. Several busy fast roads must be crossed without clearly marked footpaths, one path is reached through a narrow, steep, muddy gap in a hedge. The plotting draws straight lines where turns exist and so it is longer than stated; allow extra time. Fairly demanding.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 4h–7h30

Warnings: A couple of very busy, fast roads (including the A41 and B4505) must be crossed without clearly marked footpaths, with some verge walking; the path on the far side can be a hidden gap in the hedge. A neglected kissing gate has a big step down. Steep hills and muddy sections. The route is under-plotted, so allow more time than the stated distance suggests.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Very beautiful, an idyllic walk. A mostly flat walk through the open Misbourne valley with steep hills at both ends, following the South Bucks Way along compacted-mud field paths with tree roots and stones and between beech woods and across fields. The paths can be muddy and slippery after rain; a steep paved climb leads up through woods at the Amersham end. Largely follows the South Bucks Way along the River Misbourne. There are gates but no stiles. Can be broken at Chalfont St Giles or Chalfont St Peter.

Time: 3h–6h30

Lunch: Places to stop for refreshments at Gerrards Cross, Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles and Old Amersham.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Around 70% off-road, following the Chilterns Heritage Trail and the Chiltern Way through countryside, with the road sections (in High Wycombe and Tylers Green and Coleshill) likely to have pavements or grassy-verge pavements. A footbridge crosses the busy A413. Follows the Chilterns Heritage Trail and the Chiltern Way, well-tended long-distance paths. Good selection of mid-route stops and bus stops at Tylers Green, Winchmore Hill and Coleshill.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 4h–7h30

Lunch: Mid-route stops at Tylers Green, Winchmore Hill and Coleshill, though the Coleshill pub is a 25-minute walk from the bus stop.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An absolutely delightful route; some lovely views. A varied Chiltern Hills walk with a nice mix of town, woodland and farmland, including extensive woodland outside Beaconsfield and gentle climbs. A short stretch of road walking on Magpie Lane, rough footpaths with tree roots underfoot that can be muddy and boggy after rain and especially in the woods. No stiles. Crosses the Chiltern Way. Chenies-area deer and other wildlife are often seen.

Time: 2h30–5h

1 lunch spot: the Harte & Magpies

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Good views. A varied mix of woodland, farmland and villages, well-waymarked and mostly on easy paths, with some pavement walking and country lanes near Amersham and Hyde Heath. There is one particularly narrow, muddy path that is hard to avoid, after heavy rain several stretches can develop deep and extensive mud. Follows a small part of the Ridgeway and some of the Chiltern Link.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 4h30–9h

Lunch: There is a small village shop in Hyde Heath, but it is often closed.

Warnings: On the approach to Hyde Heath there is no pavement, forcing you onto the road or a narrow grass verge; take care. After rain some stretches develop deep mud, and a fallen tree may block the path near the Chesham–Missenden road.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A pleasant walk through suburbs, woodland, fields and meadows, generally easy underfoot with plenty of places to rest. Some paths require care to avoid nettles and a few stretches can become muddy after rain.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 4h–8h

Warnings: There is one road crossing that needs particular care.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Open Chilterns farmland, beech woods, rolling fields, quiet villages and ridge descent to Great Missenden.

Time: 5h

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Source: An alternative variant of Great Missenden to Amersham – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).