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Users' guide
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Users' Guide Compared with the Pennine Way or the Peninsular Coast Path, the
Ridgeway is undemanding, with easy gradients. The western half, from
Avebury to the Goring Gap, is the classic Ridgeway, a track over open
downs. Some sections are Byways Open to All Traffic, where you are
likely to encounter motorbikes or 4WD vehicles, though seasonal
Traffic Regulation Orders are enforced during the winter to protect
the surface. New legislation has reclassified the sections that were Roads Used as Public Paths as Restricted Byways. The effect was the legal exclusion of recreational motor vehicles throughout the year. Much of the eastern half, through the Chilterns, is on footpaths or bridleways. On the line of the path there are few villages and, particularly on the western section, walkers should take care to carry enough to drink. Most pubs are off the line of the Trail, but many are worth the detour. For example, the Royal Oak at Bishopstone The National Trails website has a very useful section entitled Planning a Trip -- this includes tips about: Click on the links in the side menu for more detail about accommodation and maps, as well as to view satellite/aerial images of the famous sites or to find the National Trails Office leaflets describing circular walks from the Trail. Note our new section entitled Walking the Ridgeway: this section carries material supplied by Anthony Burton, author of a guide to the Ridgeway and presenter of a DVD about the Trail. He has supplied us with material describing each section of the Trail. Click here for more information.
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| Photograph: copyright Natural England / Tina Stallard | ||